It’s election time again, and your vote is needed! Our June 2004 issue featured an article where we surveyed the candidates in the federal election. This time it’s the municipal elections – you’ll be voting for Mayor, an Alderman for the Ward you live in, and also Public or Separate School Trustees. To try and keep it simple, we decided to contact just the Mayor and Alderman candidates, and once again asked them 3 simple questions. Their answers will hopefully help you gauge their views toward the gay community, and perhaps factor into your voting decision. Some responses have been edited for spelling and typographical errors. We will add a section on the new GayCalgary.com website (http://www.gaycalgary.com) that contains the answers you see here, as well as those ones that candidates were unable to submit in time for our press deadline.
The following questions were asked
Question 1: Do you support equal rights for gays and lesbians?
Question 2: If elected, what would you do for your riding or for Calgary that might interest our readers?
Question 3: Do you support Gay Pride week in Calgary, and if elected, would you participate in the Pride Parade? Would you show your support at the annual Gay Rodeo put on by ARGRA, or at other gay and lesbian events in the city?
Mayor
David Thomas Bronconnier was unable to respond in time for our press deadline since he was out of town, but we have been told that he will be responding when he gets back. Visit the new GayCalgary.com website soon to see his response.
Harinder (Harry) Dhillon
1. I support the rights of ALL people. As mayor I will put the rights of ALL Calgary residents first and foremost. We believe in the Charter and will work hard to encourage attitudes of our City to reflect these rights.
2. We will strive to listen to, respond, and act on behalf of all your readers along with the rest of Calgary, to ensure an open minded and interactive government in the City of Calgary.
3. This is something I can not accurately answer at this time. It will depend on my schedule as mayor as well as the response I get from your group as well as other Calgarians, however I can guarantee that I will always give your concerns equal voice and response to any issue.
R. Allan Foster
1. I support equal rights for all people regardless of their personal preferences.
2. If elected I will donate 1/3 of my gross income to local charities. I’m not in this for myself. I am in this to make Calgary a better and safer place to live. That should be of interest to everyone living here.
3. I support equal rights. Dedicating an entire week to gay pride and having a parade is asking for special rights and privileges. That’s not equality.
Antoni Grochowski
1. YES
2. I don’t know the exact answer now to that question; I was just looking at your Website.
3. YES YES YES
Gregory M. Lang
1. Yes.
2. Eliminate homophobia and anti-gay tactics with respect to the Calgary Police Service.
3. Yes; Yes; Yes; Yes.
Mychal Bruce Pal
1. Mike Pal supports the creation of an environment in which all Calgarians can participate in and contribute to the cultural, social, economic, and political life in the City.
2. Regardless of race, sexual orientation, or age, Mike Pal’s new decision making process is appealing to all Calgarians. It is an approach to city governance that is inclusive and stresses both access and participation.
3. Mike Pal supports the promotion of policies, programs and practices that enhance the ability of individuals and communities of all origins to contribute to the continuing evolution of Calgary.
Douglas Allan Service
1. I support the rights for all people and do not put people into groups that separate us.
2. I would support the action to be fair, understanding and bring about change by education and doing what is right.
3. No. No. No. Nor would I support groups or individuals who would want to hurt and destroy people because of their beliefs and actions.
Ward 1 and 2
No candidates responded before our press deadline
Ward 3
David Harold Chambers
1. Yes, this is the 21st century, we are all equal. I believe you everyone should have the same advantages as his fellow man or woman.
2. I would like to meet with the gay and lesbian communities and discuss issues with them. 3 meetings a year to see if we are making progress or if we are still in neutral.
3. To be honest I do not believe you have to shout it from the roof tops or as you would like march downtown to get your message out that you are there and its ok to be gay or lesbian. For me I’m heterosexual and I have never been once ask[ed] what my sexual preference is. For me I do not believe its still taboo to be gay or lesbian. I know you are there I do not need a parade to remind me. I have many friends who are gay and that is their choice, my choice is mine. I do not judge or care. If the mayor supports your parade and gay pride week I too will stand beside him and his decision
David Ellis Heyman
1. Yes.
2. I have no gay-specific platforms. My main goals would be to crack down on residential speeding and help new communities get the needed infrastructure within a couple years, not decades, after they’re built. I also want to bridge the gap between various ethnic minority cultures and mainstream Calgarians.
3. I support the concept of Gay Pride week in Calgary. If elected, I would not participate in the parade purely because of the sexual content. I don’t believe overtly sexual events, gay or straight, should be held in public where children could see them. Such events should be held indoors -- say at the Saddledome, Corral or bar -- where access could be restricted to adults. If the rodeo is not overtly sexual, I would be honored to attend.
Naheed Nenshi
1. Without reservation. We need to become a society of equal rights and opportunity for all.
2. Insofar as safe mixed neighborhoods benefit us all, your readers might be interested in my views on creating livable neighborhoods, combating urban sprawl, investing in public transit, and ending waste at city hall. More information, and links to my published works on the future of Canada’s cities, can be found at www.nenshi.ca.
3. I do support Pride Week, both as a symbol of our city’s respect for all and as an economic engine for the city. If elected, I would be honored to join in the Pride Parade, but I must insist on a pink convertible and the accompaniment of someone in a tiara. I will also support other events in the city, as I will support events of other community groups.
Ward 4, 5, 6, and 7
No response required – elected by acclamation.
Ward 8
Alan G. J. Chamberlain
1. I support equal rights for all Canadian citizens under the charter of rights and freedoms.
2. My campaign slogan is "Your Voice in City Hall" and this is what I want to bring to City Hall and offer the constituents. I want to be sure the concerns of residents of Ward 8 are heard and are dealt with. I will be sure to bring the tough issues to the table, your issues.
3. I believe that our downtown area is a vital part of our city as a whole. The diversity that it offers is second to none. I support this diversity as I feel it is a strong part of our heritage, our economy, and our culture. I would be more than happy to participate in any events that I was invited to.
Madeleine King
1. YES
2. Continue to support your community.
3. Having marshaled the Gay Pride Parade for the past 3 years, I’ll continue that support – and I would be happy to attend other such events.
Matthew Urquhart
1. Definitely. I am gay myself. One of my main issues is ensuring equal rights and representation for those in the GLBT community and other minority groups.
2. As an openly gay alderman I believe that I would help encourage those struggling with their sexuality to see that being gay is not a hindrance or limitation. It would also show to those outside of the GLBT community that my sexuality does not make me any less capable or competent than anyone else.
3. I have been involved in all of these events for years and will continue to be.
Ward 9
Joseph Anthony Ceci
1. Yes, absolutely.
2. As the Alderman for Ward 9, I have been an effective voice for proactive involvement on issues such as cultural and racial diversity, street safety and increasing the amount of appropriate and affordable housing. I love where I live and want others to feel the same way. To ensure they do, I believe we must focus on important concerns that divide some of us, like racism, hate activity and homelessness.
3. I have been a part of 2 or 3 Pride Parades so far. One year as the co-marshal. I will consider being a visible supporter of any event that brings pride to the gay and lesbian community of Calgary.
Russell (Rusty) Welch
1. Yes I do.
2. I would help the gay community be better recognized by the heterosexual community.
3. I would be honored to participate in the Pride Parade, as a plumbing contractor, I advertised in magazines such as yours. I also did lots of work in the gay community. I consider many of these people my friends to this day. Jonathon Lloyd, Greg Mardardam, and many others.
Ward 10
Diane Lynn Danielson
1. Yes, I support equal rights for everyone.
2. Regardless of sexual orientation, residents are interested in a whole variety of issues. Ward 10 has a community consultation every 2 years - the next one is Nov 2nd from 6-9pm at Marlborough Community Hall. This issues are pride and image; safety and security; poverty/economics; cultural harmony; education; health; access to resources; volunteerism and the 3 C’s (Communicating, Connecting, Celebrating ). Plus the favorite City issues of transportation, growth, revenue sources and social issues in general. My website goes into greater detail about what I have done and what I plan to do in the coming 3 years - www.dianedanielson.ca. Given my work on Diversity Calgary, I believe in the fact that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity.
3. I have no problem with Gay Pride Week being held or the annual Gay Rodeo. Will I be a part of it - not really. I have so many issues "on my plate" that this is not high on my list of priorities.
Ward 11 and 12
No response required – elected by acclamation.
Ward 13
Bob Krengel
1. Yes I do, but in case of marriage the church should not be forced to perform the marriage if it goes against that certain belief system.
2. I think taxes, transportation & other infrastructures will affect everyone and does not matter whether you are straight or gay.
3. I would support a gay pride week just as I would support a straight pride week or any peaceful religious movement. Concerning the gay rodeo, I would attend any rodeo but show more interest in auto racing.
Ward 14
No candidates responded before our press deadline
For further information on which candidates are running, how to vote, what Ward you belong to, check out the City of Calgary website at http://www.calgary.ca.
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