Archive for the ‘Calgary’ Category

I knocked on the door and pushed it open, ever so slightly, to look inside. It was my professor, Dr. Randall, with whom I had been taking a seminar course with on the topic of American foreign policy since 1945. I had come that day to his office for two reasons. One, to get an extension on my paper. I had chosen a tad bit of an ambitious paper and it fell in with my professor’s expertise–south and central America–so I had to put in that extra work to make it good enough for him to read. It was on Noriega‘s ability to abscond American interests and supplant theirs with his. Nothing less than my best would be appropriate for an expert in the field like Dr. Randall to read.

The second purpose was to ask him if he was running in Calgary West now that Jennifer Pollock, then candidate for Calgary West, was moving her politics into Calgary Center. He said he wasn’t. I then prodded him about Calgary Centre-North, and how Jim Prentice was no longer there. Another prod and he explained to me how he was a long time resident in the Calgary Centre-North riding and had been, along with the prodding of other people, encouraged to run to replace Jim Prentice who had by then committed to resign less than two weeks before.

At that point I said that I’d help him. I’d help be his campaign manager, if he could not find a more experienced person, if he wanted. I wanted him to become the candidate of Calgary Centre-North and I wanted him to represent my family and I. I wanted his voice, a calm and experienced one, leading debates and bringing to the fore the fundamental aspirations of the youth he has taught for nearly three decades and fight for the needs of the citizens of Calgary. I felt he could do it, I felt he could be that leader.

At that point I didn’t know he was the president of the Alberta Civil Liberties group, or that he was dean of Social Sciences for 12 years. His experience with the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and the Latin American Studies group at the University of Calgary were secondary, and didn’t factor into my thoughts. What I heard and what I’ve experienced with him is some different than a long list of qualifications or titles.

There’s something that you can feel when you’re in the presence of a person, where you know there’s a connection to something greater, and a feeling of what many might call destiny. There’s a strength in his voice that doesn’t match with his age, and a tempo of wisdom in his words that has been born from his years of experience. There’s a quality in both his voice and in his presence that makes me believe in his ability as a leader, as a candidate, and why he ought to represent Calgary Centre-North. I can feel it here with this person, with Stephen Randall. And, of course, there’s his experience and qualifications, but you can read about him here.

Here’s his speech at the opening of his campaign kickoff from a few days ago:

Note the shout out at 2:08

Are you looking for an evening out with the missus? Interested in a night of ballroom dancing and liberal Liberalness?

If you’re nodding your head to either of these you should seriously considered purchasing a ticket to Calgary East’s Bleeding Heart Liberal Ball. It’s the accumulation of seven months of hard work on the part of its executive and board team. While it’s expensive for some ($150), it’s to help their candidate Josipa Petrunic fundraise for the likely upcoming election.

And it looked to be almost sold out (capacity is 150). And it’s tomorrow.

It’s amazing what’s coming out of the riding now, considering when I became Calgary East’s president almost eight months ago it had neither a candidate or a board. We only had about 7 members, no website, and no presence on the ground. The last candidate had withdrawn and for the last ten years the riding hadn’t had a healthy riding association. Every candidate in the last ten years have been those who had been pulled to the side at the last minute and begged to run.

Now it’s different.

Now the riding has a website (www.CalgaryEastEDA.ca), has a candidate that is not only door knocking constantly but is already making a name for herself in Ottawa, and has an executive that’s both active and engaged. And now there’s a major fundraiser on Monday setting the riding up on an election footing.

Josipa Petrunic (www.JosipaPetrunic.ca) as a candidate is gathering funds, gaining momentum, and beating the Liberal drum in Calgary East. From my time spent in the riding as interim president (and the youngest electoral district association president in Canada!) I know that she’s going to change Calgary East. I can readily expect her to double the Liberal vote in the next election. At least double.

The riding has transitioned from a dead riding with no activity, then to a riding with a transplanted ‘interim’ president, and finally to a fully invigorated riding association that’s hosting both big events (the BHLB) and monthly events (book clubs, coffee nights). and will soon be fighting on the streets of Calgary East to make it Liberal.

If you want to be part of this check out www.CalgaryEastEda.ca and buy a ticket to the ball! On Saturday February 12th it’ll be the place to be.

You can still buy your tickets for the ball online at www.LiberalCalgary.ca

It’s Saturday, December 04, 2010 from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (MT)

If you’re unaware of CivicCamp’s mission they’re essentially a group of concerned Calgarians that have decided to enact change at the local level by working together to enact change in council and in the Calgary community. They had quite the impact in October’s municipal election and, according to some, pushed Mr. Nenshi into the mayors seat.

I highly suggest going if you’re interested in helping out a good cause or if you’re curious about Calgary’s municipal political scene.

Specifically, your adult sized jackets that have been sitting at the back of your closet for the last two years.

Felt cold over the last few days? Not enjoying being in the second coldest place on earth (the coldest being Antarctica) ? Imagine it without a winter jacket.

The Mustard Seed needs your old clothing.

Come on, go through your closets and donate that jacket(s)!!! Can be dropped off at 102 11 Ave SE.