It's about Accountabilities as well as just issues.
This page is designed in the hopes that it will highlight to you, the citizens of Ward 13 some of the discrepancies that have been recorded over the past years based on the incumbents performances.
I am in no way trying to do anything other than provide you a one-stop page where you can see for yourself the facts that are documented in some manner. I will not post anything that doesn't have a link to it so you can read it for yourself or some other method of proof of what I am posting. This is not and should not be considered as running a negative campaign against the incumbent. These are facts for you to consider based on issues brought forward by folks while I was campaigning.
I am in no way trying to do anything other than provide you a one-stop page where you can see for yourself the facts that are documented in some manner. I will not post anything that doesn't have a link to it so you can read it for yourself or some other method of proof of what I am posting. This is not and should not be considered as running a negative campaign against the incumbent. These are facts for you to consider based on issues brought forward by folks while I was campaigning.
'I am not a career politician': Colley-Urquhart
Posted by Jeremy Klaszus in Klaszus Corner FastFwd 24 August 2010
The above article cites an interview that Diane Colley-Urquhart had with Danielle Smith in 2000.
In part this is what the article states: "I am not a career politician. If elected, I will serve two terms, then get out so there can be fresh leadership."
Posted by Jeremy Klaszus in Klaszus Corner FastFwd 24 August 2010
The above article cites an interview that Diane Colley-Urquhart had with Danielle Smith in 2000.
In part this is what the article states: "I am not a career politician. If elected, I will serve two terms, then get out so there can be fresh leadership."
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Diane Colley-Urquhart and Grow Ops - Eva Ferguson, Calgary Herald Published: Thursday, October 11, 2007
The city's recent effort to push crime out of the core with an increased police presence downtown has forced many criminals to hop on the C-Train and head into the suburbs. Residential marijuana grow ops have started sprouting up in a variety of communities, she adds, from Canyon Meadows to Evergreen. "It's an example of how organized crime has now infiltrated the suburbs." But the growth that is creating headaches in the ward is something Calgary must accept, says Colley-Urquhart. "We have to put these people somewhere. We're simply victims of our own success." |
Support for Medicinal Marijuana Grow Ops in Calgary – Metro News - 22 July 2012
Health Canada’s move away from residential marijuana grow ops has piqued the interest of Calgary officials, with some openly calling for tightly regulated companies to take over. Calgary Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart believes the government’s hand was forced after local officials — including herself — and those in a number of other cities raised concerns over safety code violations they claim to consistently find in residential grow operations. A commercial marijuana development locally would require a land-use zoning change, but that would likely come down the road, she added. “It will be the federal government decision where they want to put these commercial operations, but it absolutely is a move in the right direction,” added Colley-Urquhart, who also serves as chair of the STOP MarijuanaGrow Operations Coalition. |
Diane Colley-Urquhart and $52 million Tax Room
Lately you have heard the incumbent state she was one of 4 people who always voted to give the money back. That is correct...almost!!! Read on:
April 22, 2013 Calgary Herald - City’s property tax take to rise 13% as council takes “room” left by province.
In the article above - it clearly states that when the question to have the City keep the $52M tax room came up for a vote - Only 4 councillors vote against keeping the money (Demong, Chabot, Hodges and Keating). City council minutes of 22 April confirms vote.
Dragon’s Den –Devonian Debate debacle – Calgary Herald 16 May 2013 – Jason Markusoff
Then came the consultations and the games to defend the decision. Amongst the most publicized consultations was the "Dragon's Den" version where those advocating their positions did so in a game show setting in Devonian Gardens. Amongst those were our incumbent Alderman Diane Colley-Urquhart who strongly defended the use of the money for transit.
Calgary city council faces urgent debate Monday on $52M question – Calgary Sun 18 June 2013 – Rick Bell
Diane Colley-Urquhart starts to realize that the consultation process wasn't legal and begins her rethink on the issue.
"Problem is two of the options are not allowed, lowering the business tax and giving it back by lowering property taxes an average $126.
Big Red says: “I don’t think it was ever anticipated there would be such a push from people saying they want the money
back. Give it back was listed as the fifth option out of five. You know, at the very end, just throw it in.”
Cash-starved Calgary council happy to take $52 million tax break even though province vows to cover all flood costs – Calgary Sun 13 July 2013 – Rick Bell
Now her story starts to shift....
Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart aka Big Red asks: “Why take from the taxpayer when we don’t even know the facts?”
What facts exist say the city won’t be left holding the bag.
Big Red says if taxpayers want their tax break to go to flood relief they can donate directly and “more power to them.” Not wanting the tax break to go to the city coffers, says Big Red, “doesn’t mean I’m being hard-hearted about flood victims.” And if the province and feds don’t come through for the city and are mouthing a big lie then go to the city taxpayers.
How they voted: $52M for flood, for now – Calgary Herald 31 July 2013 – Jason Markusoff
On the first: Diane Colley-Urquhart’s bid to give back the $52M to taxpayers and repeal the hike council made in April
Loses, 5-9
Second key vote:
The Nenshi-Keating compromise to commit the 2013 installment of the $52 million (already collected by the city taxman) to flood recovery, and decide on the 2014 installment based on a priority list officials craft in November.
Passes, 9-3
So it only took our incumbent from April to end of July to vote for what she stated was the right way to go.
Lately you have heard the incumbent state she was one of 4 people who always voted to give the money back. That is correct...almost!!! Read on:
April 22, 2013 Calgary Herald - City’s property tax take to rise 13% as council takes “room” left by province.
In the article above - it clearly states that when the question to have the City keep the $52M tax room came up for a vote - Only 4 councillors vote against keeping the money (Demong, Chabot, Hodges and Keating). City council minutes of 22 April confirms vote.
Dragon’s Den –Devonian Debate debacle – Calgary Herald 16 May 2013 – Jason Markusoff
Then came the consultations and the games to defend the decision. Amongst the most publicized consultations was the "Dragon's Den" version where those advocating their positions did so in a game show setting in Devonian Gardens. Amongst those were our incumbent Alderman Diane Colley-Urquhart who strongly defended the use of the money for transit.
Calgary city council faces urgent debate Monday on $52M question – Calgary Sun 18 June 2013 – Rick Bell
Diane Colley-Urquhart starts to realize that the consultation process wasn't legal and begins her rethink on the issue.
"Problem is two of the options are not allowed, lowering the business tax and giving it back by lowering property taxes an average $126.
Big Red says: “I don’t think it was ever anticipated there would be such a push from people saying they want the money
back. Give it back was listed as the fifth option out of five. You know, at the very end, just throw it in.”
Cash-starved Calgary council happy to take $52 million tax break even though province vows to cover all flood costs – Calgary Sun 13 July 2013 – Rick Bell
Now her story starts to shift....
Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart aka Big Red asks: “Why take from the taxpayer when we don’t even know the facts?”
What facts exist say the city won’t be left holding the bag.
Big Red says if taxpayers want their tax break to go to flood relief they can donate directly and “more power to them.” Not wanting the tax break to go to the city coffers, says Big Red, “doesn’t mean I’m being hard-hearted about flood victims.” And if the province and feds don’t come through for the city and are mouthing a big lie then go to the city taxpayers.
How they voted: $52M for flood, for now – Calgary Herald 31 July 2013 – Jason Markusoff
On the first: Diane Colley-Urquhart’s bid to give back the $52M to taxpayers and repeal the hike council made in April
Loses, 5-9
Second key vote:
The Nenshi-Keating compromise to commit the 2013 installment of the $52 million (already collected by the city taxman) to flood recovery, and decide on the 2014 installment based on a priority list officials craft in November.
Passes, 9-3
So it only took our incumbent from April to end of July to vote for what she stated was the right way to go.
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Diane Colley-Urquhart’s flip flop - 2009 Provincial Election
Up Close and Personal with Jane – 4 September 2009 During the failed 2009 Provincial election bid Diane promised to take leave of absence during election - she didn't. |
Who will Diane Colley-Urquhart represent?
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The Grandstanders! Live at city hall – Why is city council constantly revisiting the same issues? Published February 12, 2009 by Jeremy Klaszus in FastFwd News
Below is an excerpt from the above article. It highlights how our incumbent manufactures dissent by displaying outrage at a process she should know about. Now granted, at the time of the writing Diane had only been in office for 9 years.
MANUFACTURING DISSENT
Last April, Colley-Urquhart told the Calgary Heraldthat those who think the city spends recklessly are wrong. By November, before city council dissected the budget line by line, she was saying something very different. The city is “spending and spending” and facing a “tax revolt,” she said; “people have had enough of this.” Colley-Urquhart decried the existing three-year budget process and complained to the Herald that “there’s no desire down here at city hall to be lean and mean.”
She started a petition calling for a one-year instead of a three-year budget.
Colley-Urquhart didn’t mention, however, that she supported much of the spending that she was now attacking. “She voted for almost everything that was in the draft budget throughout the year and then came out as this budget fighter,” says Nkemdirim. “And so it just kind of shows, ‘Well, what did you think when you were approving this? That there was no
cost?’”
Colley-Urquhart, who represents the city’s deep southwest, argues the budget process was flawed. “What they were doing to us is [city administration] started dribbling out these reports in May,” she says.“They’d bring more out in June and more in July and more in September. On a one-off basis, you’d look at them and philosophically or whatever you’d agree with it. But they never did an accumulative accounting of what the impact would be of all those as they rolled up the budget.”
Nkemdirim, however, says it’s aldermen’s responsibility to find out what exactly they’re voting for. “Shouldn’t they know what they’re approving and understand the process?” he says.
Below is an excerpt from the above article. It highlights how our incumbent manufactures dissent by displaying outrage at a process she should know about. Now granted, at the time of the writing Diane had only been in office for 9 years.
MANUFACTURING DISSENT
Last April, Colley-Urquhart told the Calgary Heraldthat those who think the city spends recklessly are wrong. By November, before city council dissected the budget line by line, she was saying something very different. The city is “spending and spending” and facing a “tax revolt,” she said; “people have had enough of this.” Colley-Urquhart decried the existing three-year budget process and complained to the Herald that “there’s no desire down here at city hall to be lean and mean.”
She started a petition calling for a one-year instead of a three-year budget.
Colley-Urquhart didn’t mention, however, that she supported much of the spending that she was now attacking. “She voted for almost everything that was in the draft budget throughout the year and then came out as this budget fighter,” says Nkemdirim. “And so it just kind of shows, ‘Well, what did you think when you were approving this? That there was no
cost?’”
Colley-Urquhart, who represents the city’s deep southwest, argues the budget process was flawed. “What they were doing to us is [city administration] started dribbling out these reports in May,” she says.“They’d bring more out in June and more in July and more in September. On a one-off basis, you’d look at them and philosophically or whatever you’d agree with it. But they never did an accumulative accounting of what the impact would be of all those as they rolled up the budget.”
Nkemdirim, however, says it’s aldermen’s responsibility to find out what exactly they’re voting for. “Shouldn’t they know what they’re approving and understand the process?” he says.