Council Committee Corks Conversation
So, I woke up earlier than usual, showered, shaved, and put on my favorite custom suit and shirt from Moore's. I picked out the perfect tie to go with it, and marched out the door to city hall. My objective: to address the Priorities and Finance Committee who would, ironically enough, be taking up the issue of public engagement in the 2026 Olympic bid process.
The meeting started with Cllr. Colley-Urquhart asking for an in-camera session to address certain personnel issues pertaining to the matter. An audible groan could be heard from the gallery as soon as the words "in-camera" were uttered.
That will be addressed later and the meeting continued with Big Red questioning Mary Moran, the head of the Calgary Economic Development Authority.
Things aren't looking so good for Ms.Moran as she gets picked apart by committee members Colley-Urquhart and Farrell over the fact that the CED doesn't appear to be a neutral party in this whole mess. They want the games, but just can't say so publicly. Their document seems to read more like a cheer-leading manual for a 2026 bid than anything.
Cllr. Farrell wants to know if Council has all the information that it needs. There are a couple moments when you can hear crickets chirp as answers are formulated in nervous minds.
At one point a row of people in the gallery stand up to clap after a question. The mayor admonishes them. This is not acceptable in the committee meeting and could result in expulsion from the meeting. Bad gallery.
Finally, it comes to Councillor Farkas, who has announced his intention to ask the meeting be open for public comment. I heard about it some time ago. I've been hearing about it. I wrote down words so that I could read them aloud for all to hear.
But nooooooooope. "You can't do that because we didn't get the chance to do it." Like hell. If I heard about it, and I live in Ward 8, I'm sure others heard it too (not just the one's on Farkas' mailing list either, Cllr. Sutherland). It was shot down with only 3 voting for; Farkas, Chu, and to my amazement Farrell.
Since I was robbed of my opportunity to air my opinion this morning, I am posting it here. I hope that I will still have the chance to say this in a public forum, but in the event that does not happen here is my two cents.
D.B.C.
Remarks to Council Apr.10/18
The meeting started with Cllr. Colley-Urquhart asking for an in-camera session to address certain personnel issues pertaining to the matter. An audible groan could be heard from the gallery as soon as the words "in-camera" were uttered.
That will be addressed later and the meeting continued with Big Red questioning Mary Moran, the head of the Calgary Economic Development Authority.
Things aren't looking so good for Ms.Moran as she gets picked apart by committee members Colley-Urquhart and Farrell over the fact that the CED doesn't appear to be a neutral party in this whole mess. They want the games, but just can't say so publicly. Their document seems to read more like a cheer-leading manual for a 2026 bid than anything.
Cllr. Farrell wants to know if Council has all the information that it needs. There are a couple moments when you can hear crickets chirp as answers are formulated in nervous minds.
At one point a row of people in the gallery stand up to clap after a question. The mayor admonishes them. This is not acceptable in the committee meeting and could result in expulsion from the meeting. Bad gallery.
Finally, it comes to Councillor Farkas, who has announced his intention to ask the meeting be open for public comment. I heard about it some time ago. I've been hearing about it. I wrote down words so that I could read them aloud for all to hear.
But nooooooooope. "You can't do that because we didn't get the chance to do it." Like hell. If I heard about it, and I live in Ward 8, I'm sure others heard it too (not just the one's on Farkas' mailing list either, Cllr. Sutherland). It was shot down with only 3 voting for; Farkas, Chu, and to my amazement Farrell.
Since I was robbed of my opportunity to air my opinion this morning, I am posting it here. I hope that I will still have the chance to say this in a public forum, but in the event that does not happen here is my two cents.
D.B.C.
Remarks to Council Apr.10/18
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