Riding Talk

So the sheep outnumbered others by 400 this time. Big deal wait until next time, it ain't gonna be pretty. This just makes it harder for the PC's to win this one next time given that Calgary has a liberal mayor. The amount of money they sunk into this one riding was incredible and they also broke a few bylaws along the way.

Posted March 4, 2008 06:40 PM

I have never been so unhappy performing my civic duty. I left the polling station angry that I didn't have the option of 'none of the above'. I would never vote PC, but do not feel that the Liberals or NDP have what it takes to run this province. If the Greens had shown up in my neighborhood, I likely would have voted for them.

Posted March 3, 2008 08:53 PM

I hope the embarrassment of having a Liberal as the MLA for Calgary Elbow ends tonight!

Posted March 3, 2008 05:31 PM

how about those Redford PC signs that showed up on the 14th street meridian at the Glenmore flyover on Sunday evening. Sure they'll be gone by Tuesday before any bylaw officers can get to them - a call to city hall promised action within 21 days! Another sign of a one-party state thinking they can either make the rules or ignore them. Time for REAL change - please.

Posted March 3, 2008 04:10 PM

I am not sure how Wendy figures that a junior MLA is going to make a difference in a government that is not working. A government with little vision (e.g. premier immediately writing off an industry call for hold on oilsands licences to allow much needed land-use planning to be done by industry and government groups) going forward. If you take a look at what Craig Cheffins has done in the seven months he has been in the Legislature; bringing forth infrastructure issues including trying to re-activate the ring-road negotiations / working on social justice issues with government; you will see that our constituency, as well as our province, has been well served by this new MLA. Having a knowledgeable voice in a much needed opposition - that's how democracy works when we have a strong opposition, and probably why democracy in Alberta has not been working as it should for a while now.

I hope that you can wake up on March 4 to a more functional government makeup whichever party wins the most seats.

Posted February 28, 2008 04:44 PM

That's assuming that the PCs will win again. I know things are looking good for them, but it bugs me so much that they just assume they have already won, and that if you want to get listened to you had better send a PC MLA to Edmonton, or you're out. This is just another indication that the PC government is taking us for granted.

As for the ring road, Calgary-Elbow used to have the premier representing them, and that got us nowhere on that issue. So the idea that we will get more action on this from a goverment MLA is absurd.

Posted February 22, 2008 12:25 PM

While I appreciate that the ring road is big issue it isn't the only issue facing us in Calgary Elbow. I want a voice in Edmonton that can represent all of my concerns and have a seat at the table as policy and actions are being decided. I will be supporting Alison Redford. Both her professional and volunteer experiences make her the most qualified to be our MLA and that matters to me. I don't want to wake up on March 4, like I did last June, with the stark realization that Calgary Elbow was no longer at the decision making table.

Posted February 22, 2008 09:49 AM

It's great to talk the issues, but Rosemary is really off track on Craig's record.

See...

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=2be5ddd5-6e4a-49a4-9ec3-deea51e86a39

or

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=7268a892-9dd1-476f-9704-df9d35466a77&p=1

or

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=478c5393-88cb-4e5a-a67a-dc2cb18468fa&k=36225

He's also on record in Hansard urging the government not to go through the Weaselhead.

"Could the minister please assure us that full protection of this area [the Weaselhead] will be considered and accounted for during all ring road considerations and developments?"
-November 15th, 2007

So, um, yeah, he's doing his best. And he's been active on this file for almost a decade.

Posted February 19, 2008 06:51 PM

Craig has only ran for alderman twice, he opposes any road that would go through the weaselhead, and has been very vocal on the casino issue. In fact he was quoted in there herald today. he also did a press conference before christmas, and has written on the issue fequently in several of his community newsletters. I think you must have him confused with a different politician.

Posted February 17, 2008 07:52 PM

I sincerely hope Craig Cheffins is ousted in this general election. If you look at his history prior to his election in the June 2007 byelection, you will find that he ran unsuccessfully at several different levels of government. His only goal was to get elected somewhere, anywhere, and whether he truly supported the position of the party was irrelevant. He has not performed in his time in office, he has remained quite silent about the Native casino and its violations and assault on the neighbouring community. He has been very vocal in pushing through a road through the Weaselhead without due consideration of environmental impact, nor does he listen to the many constituents who do not want this roadway. I hope his time in the Legislature is soon finished.

Posted February 15, 2008 03:35 PM

This was a very high profile win last spring with a great deal of media coverage. Craig has done a lot of work on local Issues here and has strong personal appeal as an effective MLA. Craig should be able to hold this one.

Posted February 13, 2008 09:57 AM