Double-digit property tax increases, flood costs and even Naheed Nenshi’s Muslim faith were some of the topics at Monday night’s mayoral debate, the only one of the 2013 civic election campaign.
Voters filled about half the seats at the venue at the University of Calgary to hear Nenshi and the seven men who are after his job.
The lone female mayoral candidate, Sandra Hunter, did not show up.
Former alderman and MLA Jon Lord made a surprise last-minute appearance, flying back from an international BBQ competition in Missouri.
“I hope it’s important to Calgarians to have a mayor who would take a huge amount of flack and insults to show he’s committed,” Lord told an audience of less than 200 people.
Nenshi admitted the crowd could have been bigger and the debate more fierce, but that he liked the format.
“I actually really like this format, because while there’s not a lot of fireworks, ‘got ya’ moments or great lines, we’re answering a lot of questions.”
Candidate Norm Perrault, a contractor, told the crowd he could have saved the City millions of dollars in flood costs.
“There are many witnesses to verify that I predicted (the flood) two weeks before it happened.”
Candidate Larry Heather, a social conservative and best known as an anti-abortion activist, targeted Nenshi’s Muslim faith.
“I firmly believe it is a mistake for Calgarians to endorse a swearing-in for office on the Qur’an. The values from that book do not produce a basis for maintaining a Western democracy.”
Bruce Jackman has been a city employee for decades.
“It’s a multi-ring circus that costs us money.”
Businessman Milan Papez accused the city of spending too much money on the airport tunnel.
“City council wasted $300 million on the tunnel, which we don’t need.”
Carter Thompson, a business owner who first ran for civic office in 1977, argued the city has to rethink its priorities.
“First we have to support business. It’s the key to prosperity, jobs, more tax revenue, without significantly increasing the rates.”
And one candidate was very honest about his chances of actually winning.
“I’m not running to win,” explained Jonathan Sunstrum. “I’m running to provide a discourse and dialogue.”
Calgarians head to the polls on October 21st.
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