I am supporting Diane Colley-Urquhart in Calgary Glenmore

The race for Calgary Glenmore is on! I was intrigued last week when I heard the news that Calgary Alderman Diane Colley-Urquhart confirmed that she would be seeking the PC nomination for Calgary-Glenmore. As the Alberta blogs started discussing potential candidates, I posted on several sites that Diane would be a logical choice to run in this riding, given her 20+ year association in the area.

I had lived in this area since I was a toddler, bought my 1st home in Cedarbrae and lived in the area for nearly 30 years. Even though I moved to Calgary Hays in late 2007, this riding is my "home" and I feel the need to help contribute to the Alberta PC party's continued success in Calgary Glenmore.

In an attempt to further my wife's position that she is quickly becoming a "committee widow" with my ever expanding volunteer commitments, I sent a quick email to Alderman Diane to express my congratulations on her decision and to offer any volunteer services to her campaign.

Now, never having met her, I was shocked that I received an email response within 20 minutes thanking me for my interest and offering to engage me as a volunteer. This personal touch of hers is legendary, but I got to see it 1st hand. This just reaffirms my belief that she will make and excellent MLA for Calgary Glenmore.

As an aside, there were more people at her nomination campaign meeting than the Wildrose Alliance were able to draw to one of their highly touted "Town Hall Meetings" in Calgary. This just reinforces the support that Diane has in this community.

So, those of you that live in Paliser, Pumphill, Bayview, Cedarbrae, Braeside, Oakridge, Haysboro and Southwood and want a PC membership, send me an email.

Shane

Who will be Calgary's Mayor in 2010?

With 18 months to go until the next Calgary municipal election, I am pondering who will be making a run at Dave Bronconnier's mayoral seat? Here are my quick thoughts on some potential challengers...

1) Ric McIver... Common sense alderman. Popular. Organized. Loves the media (and they love him....his soundbites are a breath of fresh air.) A recent fundraiser he held is said to have had over 350 guests. Ric is my 1st choice for mayor, without a doubt.

Odds to Run? 2-1

2) Dianne Colley-Urquhart... Dianne would be an excellent choice should Ric Mciver not make a run at mayor. She is the other "common-sense" alderman and represents her ward well. Timing may be a big factor here, as she will not likely have much success with a split vote against both McIver and Bronconnier.

I cannot see how much further Dianne can go in City politics after 2010. She has probably better suited at a run for MLA, which she would win in a landslide.

Perhaps with the (rumored) pending "retirement" of Ron ( Federal Judge post awaits?) Stevens, she may look at the PC nomination for Calgary Glenmore. Just my thoughts?


Odds? 10-1

3) Al Koenig... Former Police association president. Could not win an alderman seat in 2007. Has a grand total of 4 signatures on an online poll supporting him to run for mayor in 2010. (Not scientific mind you, but pretty funny.)

Odds? Not good.

4) Alnoor Kassam... HMMM... Spent a fortune of his OWN money (close to $1MM) to run against Bronco in 2007. Lesson learned? I hope so.... But seeing that his website is still up and running, you never know!

Odds? 1 Million to 1.. ( no pun intended! )

Here is hoping some fellow bloggers run....

5) The Enlightened Savage... Maybe then we will see the 'mask" come off and find out his/her true identity? The E.S has some sound ideas and is not scared to rock the boat!

6) Jeremy Zhao ... 19 year old U of C Student runs...gets a respectable 8,000 votes. Awesome!

Anyways... it will be interesting to see who starts making noise over the next few months. As long as we get rid of Calgaryrants good friend, Bronco Dave, I will be a happy man!