Riding Talk

Kudos to those who organized the Calgary Bow All Candidate Forum. It was well run, and well attended. Although most candidates had something constructive to say, I felt that Greg Flanagan stole the show. Whether you agree with him or not, there's no denying he knows what he's talking about.

Posted March 1, 2008 05:31 PM

I was startled when the Conscervative candidate (incumbent) claimed at the forum that she and the Government took responsibility for a program in Bowness. When it was pointed out by a member of the audience that the program was founded by and run by a private foundation, she changed her story to say she supported it. Not good enough, Elana. When someone pointed out that her election pamphlet did not mention accomplishments after occupying a seat in the legislature for eight years, she was unable to mention a single accomplishment. Instead she did what MLAs are required to do when assigned to do committee work. I think Calgarians deserve and require a higher level of representation. 36 years of Socred government followed by 37 years with the Conservatives tells us Albertans like stability, and that we know when to change when we see the wheels falling off. That time has arrived.

Posted February 29, 2008 05:35 PM

The most impressive candidate at the candidates forum was Greg Flanagan of the Liberals. His statements and answers to questions were well thought out and reflected his grasp of economics. I appreciated the efforts of all the candidates but Flanagan was better and gets my vote.

Posted February 29, 2008 12:32 PM

i am an AISH person who had an eviction notice because I got behind in my rent.

I went to Alana - she helped me get a back rent payment paid.

I am no longer in fear of becoming a guy without a place to live and ending up homeless.

Now - I feel better and will not relapse to the psychiatric ward. Thank you Alana DeLong Calgary Bow candidate - you are a kind person - who cares about the ordinary person.

Posted February 28, 2008 10:30 PM

Alana talked about her involvement with the MLA Low-Income Review in 2001, and admittedly she attended a lot of meetings and talked to a lot of people. But, what did this Review produce? Let me assure you, absolutely nothing. Because of Alana's work, a single man or woman still gets $402 a month to buy food, clothing, shelter, transportation and personal items like toothpaste and sanitary napkins. That's the same benefit that was available in 1994. If you think a human being can live on $402 a month, think again. If you want a kennel for a medium sized dog for a month, be prepared to pay up to $700/$800 a month. So, take a good look at Alana DeLong. She had a chance to help solve the problem and she fumbled the ball. And the same can be said for people on AISH. Do you think that someone who has a serious disability and lives in Calgary can buy food, clothing, pay the rent and utilities, use public transportation, maybe have a black and white TV with no cable, and a telephone and maybe have a "little" entertainment, for just over a $1,000? Alana called that "a win." I think not! The horses that the PC subsidize with multiple millions of taxpayers money get better treatment.

Does anyone remember, was Alana talking about the horses or about the people?

Posted February 28, 2008 10:25 PM

I know Alana personally (I consider her a good friend). I have also been helping out on Alana's campaign and I know she door knocked pretty much the entire constituency (14,000 homes) and for you complaining you must not have been home when Alana knocked on your door. She has been door knocking for 9 hours per day for the past month. Alana is a great MLA, she listens to constituents and attends all of the budget and caucus meetings. Alana brings experience and a good heart to the table where Flanagan brings well nothing.

Posted February 28, 2008 04:39 PM

I just found out now that I missed the all-candidates forum, I wish it had been advertised more places, I would have loved to have seen it. I just moved into the area and I'm not familiar with any of the people running (except Bondaroff, who is my faculty rep at the U of C and who I have nothing negative to say about). Nonetheless, the decision this year is an easy one - I'm voting liberal. Although my philosophies are more in tune with the NDP, it took one look at the past election results that a vote for the liberals was the only way to make my vote count and GET STELMACH OUT.

Posted February 28, 2008 11:39 AM

Greg Flanagan got my vote at the All Candidates' Forum Monday night. He was articulate, in control of the facts, and passionate. In fact, he was the only candidate not reading his responses. Barry Holizki (Wildrose Alliance) and Alana DeLong (PC) were terrible, and Teale Phelps Bondaroff (NDP) went negative. Both Len Skowronski (Social Credit) and Randy Weeks ("Mr. Green")were competent.
Mr. Flanagan clearly demonstrated he is the best person to represent Calgary Bow in Edmonton. If only it had been televised . . . .

Posted February 27, 2008 07:11 AM

I was also at the debate last night, and it was great. Certainly didn't change my vote though- I went in knowing the right choice is Greg Flanagan. This is a man who clearly cares passionately about the issues at hand, and has the class, know-how, education and intelligence to make a difference. Yesterday's debate served to make me all the more sure of my choice.
It certainly doesn't hurt Mr. Flanagan's cause that the other candidates are simply not worthy, either because they are not prepared or they just don't care enough. The WRA candidate could not string together a full sentence by the end, let alone actually provide answers to any of the questions. The Green candidate, although intelligent, does not in my opinion have a deep enough plan for all of Alberta's needs. The Social Credit candidate was well-spoken, but again in my opinion, does not provide a viable option for this province. The NDP Candidate was very passionate but seemed to fall back a lot of the same sorts of answers and I believe is still lacking the experience to be a responsible choice. And the PC Candidate, Alana Delong, simply did not have any answers. She relied on spouting formulated "answers" but in the end did not really SAY anything. I share the same first name as this woman but certainly will not be giving my vote to her.

I am throwing all my weight behind Mr. Flanagan in this one- from what I have seen, heard, and read, he is the obvious choice.

Posted February 26, 2008 01:12 PM

I was at the all-candidate debate at Bowness High School last night and it was an excellent event. Very well organized, so kudos those who did all that really good work. I thought there were basically two candidates who demonstrated they are ready and competent to take on the job of MLA for Calgary Bow: Greg Flanagan and the Green Party representative. In the interest of sending the PC candidate into retirement as soon as possible, I am convinced we need the Alberta Liberals.

The PC candidate Alana De Long was absolutely terrible. Even after an 8 year stint as the MLA, she didn't offer a coherent response unless it had been prepared in advance and she could read it from her briefing book. Actually, it was an embarassment to watch a so-called experienced MLA, fumble and stumble through a random assembly of words. I don't want to 'spoil' my vote by supporting a splinter party so, for sure now, Greg Flanagan, you're it!

Posted February 26, 2008 09:39 AM

Last election I supported the NDP candidate in an effort to see alternatives and change from the ruling conservative policies. This election I did some investigation and found that in 2004 the only real challenger to Alana Delong was the liberal candidate. I have sought out information on the liberal candidate this election and have been impressed with Greg Flanagan. I believe he is a strong candidate and has a chance at beating Alana Delong but needs support of all those who want to see a new Calgary Bow MLA. I have spoken with Greg and his campaign team - they are working hard. Call the campaign office if you want to learn more about him they are very helpful.

Posted February 25, 2008 10:13 PM

Like Harry, I haven't seen a PC candidate in Calgary Bow in this election and not in the last one either. However, unlike Harry though, I've not only received literature from the local Liberal candidate Greg Flanagan, I've seen him in person at my door and had a chance to ask him some questions. So I have a Liberal sign in the front yard urging my neighbours to vote for a change. After 37 years we've had enough of a ruling oligarchy. Just remember, what ever isn't working in Alberta, is the direct result of 37 years of governance by the same political party.

Posted February 25, 2008 11:29 AM

I wonder if Harry was one of more than 50% not home during the day when candidates get to most homes. I have been door-knocking with Greg Flanagan and we don't disturb people after 8:00 PM, giving us at best 2.5 hours on weekdays when people who work during the day will be home. The response at the doors has been quite different from past provincial elections. Interest in this election appears to be quite strong, with a much larger undecided factor than I have seen in the past. Many people are aware of the all-candidate meeting at Bowness High School this evening (Monday, Feb 25th, 7:30 PM), and I was surprised at how many indicated they intend to be there. Many people I spoke with had seen the leader's debate on television. From what I have seen I believe the turnout on polling day will be much better than we have seen in past Provincial elections.

Posted February 25, 2008 11:16 AM

I have been working on Greg Flanagan's Liberal campaign for Calgary-Bow. Personally I have visited at least 1000 houses in this constituency so far, and I am just one of 18 volunteers out door knocking. Greg is out every day for several hours. Have you noticed the hundreds of red signs popping up too? Greg is a strong candidate with impressive credentials who is a viable alternative.

Posted February 25, 2008 11:13 AM

It's a common complaint from people that they haven't seen their politician at their door. The fact is that most ridings have 15 to 20 thousand doors, so it's impossible for them to get to all of them in the span of a month.

Posted February 22, 2008 12:31 PM

As in the last federal election I have the feeling there's barely an election going on at all. You hear the expressions "door knocking" and "on the doorsteps" but I've never seen a politician on my doorstep, ever. I have had an automated telephone call from my local Liberal candidate Greg Flanagan, and a flyer from PC Alana DeLong. She is the incumbent but her flyer fails to claim a single actual accomplishment during her previous terms. She notes that she has been on committees. If that's the best she can offer after all the power her party has held . . . that's not impressive. She doesn't seem to feel the need to make much effort. Yet the opposition is making a weak challenge, too. What a feeble crew.

Posted February 19, 2008 10:27 AM