Everyone has issues - what is most important to me is to hear about your issues. What do you want to see done? What are you concerned about? What messages, would you want me to carry forward to the Premiers office on your behalf? 

Please take the time to contact us at info@jonlord.ca  and let us know what you think.

Here are a few issues that clearly are Vital to Albertans and to us here in Calgary Currie:

Energy:  

We need to ensure that our Energy industry is thriving. Currenly, it is still hurting from the Federal Government's flip-flop on IncomeTrusts, as well as the now-reversed experiment with Oil Royalties. We can't afford mistakes and it takes someone with industry experience to recognize them ahead of time. Jon was a stock broker with Wood Gundy and Blackmont Capital for years and worked on hundreds of venture capital and security issues, with many junior and senior oil and gas firms here in Calgary. He knows the industry well and what it needs to succeed.

Health Care:  

Clearly  we need to watch the pennies to save the dollars. Health Care must be sustainable, not just for us but for future generations.  With a former nurse in the family, Jon has had clear feedback and information from the "grassroots"  about what isn't going right with Health Care, and has many ideas in this regard. Jon was skeptical about the "SuperBoard" Amalgamation and in general opposes centralization of people-based organizations except for purchasing. De-centralization and local empowerment of local heroes may be a better direction instead.

Education:

With several family members and close friends being teachers, Jon certainly has familiarity with the issues and problems our education system is facing. 

As a new MLA in 2001, one of Jon's first challenges was the decison by the School Boards, to put 5 of Calgary Curries' 7 schools up for possible closure. Jon asked for and received permission to form a special MLA committee to examine  alternatives, including ways for the School Boards to save money overall and be able to deliver education more efficiently and effectively across the Province. Perhaps savings could be found that could keep our schools open in Calgary Currie.

The 6 MLA member committee travelled the Province, examining School Construction costs, since Jon was aware that private-sector schools were being built at far less cost than public schools and that seemed an issue worth investigating. If it was true that money was being spent  on overly expensive or extravagant bricks and mortar construction, then clearly that would leave less money for teachers and classrooms in Calgary Currie.

The MLA committee that Jon chaired, did identify that public sector schools could be built for 25% less cost, and would arguably be better  buildings – particularly in energy efficiency.  On the billion-dollar New Century School program that was being considered at the time, this could amount to potentially $250 million in savings – a huge amount of money that could be available for classrooms instead.

At the time, the report generated significant pushback and controversy, particularly from the construction industry -  and much of it has not been implemented. Another reason, why you need to help Jon get elected again – to get those recommendations into action, and generate those savings for direct classroom education for our kids. The report is available publicly- just call us or ask us to email you a copy.

Here are some other issues that could be addressed by having the Province work with the City - organizations that Jon has worked in and knows the people, the processes and the problems well. 

CREATIVE HUB:   GET a MULTI-MEDIA FILM STUDIO built and operating, by resolving the political squabbles preventing it ( just like we did in resolving the 30 year battle over Stampede Expansion.) Stampede, and all other potential industry players, and anyone else interested, could make this a whole new beginning for Calgary in this industry.

Reduce the Tax Burden on residents and small businesses by declaring a War on Waste. Beef up the Employee suggestion plan to provide incentives to reduce costs, find savings, eliminate redundancies.

ARTS and CULTURE:  Promote a vibrant underground scene similiar to Austin Texas and other successful places, working with small business, BRZ'sartists, musicians, landlords and others.

Much more Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse and other sports for our Children:  I propose building many new single or twin arena/field steel-span structures in communities throughout the City,  plus 3 large Regional multi-sports larger facilities, all could be complete within 3 years using my Sport4Calgary plan.

Telework - Promote "Work from Home"  Telework to reduce cars on the road, improve work/life balance  and other e-work initiatives - people working from home on computers instead of fighting traffic to wrk downtown. Productivity, actually improves from 10% to 50% with proper implementation using electronic monitoring and Management by Objective instead of Management by Walking around. People really like it, are happier and healthier, get more done, eyes in the community by day cuts down crime, jobs for the disabled, less CO2 emissions from cars - its a win win all they say around.

SW RING ROAD:  YES, get going on it NOW......using the plan shown on this web page page under the Video section - our 4 part plan to get going on it ASAP. We have the ideas, the plans, and believe the money will be in place. No houses lost in Lakeview, better for Lakeview than they have now, better for the environment of Weaselhead, doesn't use T'su T'ina land......we have solved all the major problems everyone is complaining about.

Municipal  Finances: Independant Auditor guaranteed autonomy, plus enough power to get the job done!

Triple E Government:  Efficient, Effective, Ethical   Ethics is the key goal for me.

Small Business and Poverty alleviation: Double the success rate of Small Businesses start-ups in Calgary, from one out of 5 to two out of 5......80% of all NEW jobs and all NEW wealth, come from our local small businesses that succeed. Let's double this!  My comprehensive plan has been developed over 20 years of working on behalf of small businesses- at one point, as FedBRZ chair, I represented over 4000 small businesses......I know what needs doing, and we CAN do this!

Homelessness and Affordable Housing:  Few people know this issue better than me. More Seniors housing is a MUST  -  see our Midfield Mobile Home park video on this web page in that regard.

Oppose toxins in our environment.

Foster more Venture Capital creation, make Calgary the centre of innovation in Canada, diversify our economy but also build on our strengths.

"First you build your cities - and then they build you" .....Jane Jacobs.

Maybe, It's time for a Shift. A Shift, in our thinking. 

Maybe, we should focus on building our People First -  and only then build our City to suit us - not the other way around. 

Build a city that works for children - because then it will work for everyone. A city that is inclusive of all of us. A city that unleashes creativity and offers opportunity for talent to shine. A city that is built of resilient, sustainable communities.  A City that turns lemons into lemonade.

Maybe it's a City that is comprised of 140 empowered local communities that seem almost like small towns of their own, like what we have done in the Marda Loop, Cliff Bungalow-Mission and other areas. Maybe it's a city that isn't just bedroom communities, but communities that also have "living rooms" in them - People spaces and activities and arts and cultural events that encourage people to get out of their houses at night and mingle and mix and meet each other. Maybe it's about choice in housing styles, lifestyles, and densities, to recognize the different stages of life Calgarians go through. Maybe it's about changing the OR in arguments, to AND  - and thereby re-framing those previously unsolvable society issues.

 How about Communities where everybody knows your name? Communities, where people watch out for each other, watch out for crime, and show compassion. A city where your voice is important and is heard. A City Hall, that has a "pull" strategy, instead of a "push" strategy. 

 A City, and a City Hall, that puts its

People First!

What do you think? Is this a good approach? Let me know!

Next, How do we make our decisions on what to do: what is my basic policy framework?

            The Triple-E City Hall policy framework: Efficient, Effective and Ethical

Efficient ( doing things right) Effective ( doing the right things) and ETHICAL (Most important - Old School Ethics and Integrity -doing things for the right reasons, putting the people of Calgary first) 

Jon Lord Calls For Expert Financial House Cleaning June 29, 2010

                                 “Value-For-Money”

“City Hall’s irresponsible spending has got to stop!
Just like taxpayers households, City Hall can’t keep on spending money we simply don’t have. Taxpayers are increasingly angry over Councils lack of financial leadership and see that as gross mismanagement of their elected responsibilities. The recession is not over, the economy is extremely fragile, and many small business and entrepreneurs are in near crisis financially. Belts everywhere are being tightened and the City needs to lead by example.

    “   All Calgarians know that “Good Financial Housekeeping” is sensible money management – and that is what we don’t have in City Hall – sensible money management! City Hall has lost direct financial and operating control by spinning off so many of their responsibilities to arms-length entities (e.g. ENMAX, Calgary Parking Authority, Calgary Municipal Land Corp. to name a few). City Hall seems oblivious to the fact that they are squandering our current available financial resources and our children’s’ future. There has to be an end to tax increases – the public has a limit of what it can afford.” says Lord. 

The latest example is the on-going City Auditor saga. “If she is incompetent as they say, why did it take over 5 years for Council to suddenly realize it? Answer: Lack of financial bench strength on Council to even know what an auditor should be doing. Council has also failed to do a thorough annual review of the budget to actual expenditures like every business does. This is just one reason why young voters have no trust in City Hall.”

 As the only Mayoral candidate with 30 years small business experience and credentialed Financial expertise, Lord will bring in badly needed controls to ensure we actually do get value for our money. To ensure this abdication of control never happens again, Lord will ensure:

 Open Government.
1. Public Business done in the public forum.  No more secret council meetings and back room deals with  
    developers to hide Councils irresponsible decisions.
2. Hansard. A public record of what everyone actually says and votes on at each council meeting. Council members will be able to prove and clarify what they actually said or conversely will not longer be able to deny and hide from the truth of what they said any more.

During the campaign, Jon will post a regular “Waste Report” to document over 20 examples of recent financial mismanagement by City Hall. Lord says “The total dollar amount of City and Provincial money squandered or about to be squandered is shocking and inexcusable. The bottom line is that this has to be brought under control – taxpayers don’t have bottomless pockets even if City Hall has a bottomless appetite”

               For more information, contact Jon Lord at 457 - 5673

          Priorities as Mayor - not necessarily in order      June 17, 2010

1.      Getting Our Financial House in Order

                  - Let’s Do It Right – Now!   Leadership from the Top, Ethics and Accountability
                  - Declaring a War on Waste!
                  - Time for the Six Sigma Black Belts?
                  - External Audits, Citizen's Advisory Board, Forensic accounting                 
                  - Qui Tam - new approach using Whistle-blower REWARD: preventing temptations, recovering the monies

2.      Building Stronger, More Vibrant Communities
                   - Common Purpose, Common Sense...People First
                  - Focusing on the basics. Snow removal, affordable housing, jobs, local arts & culture: People first
                  - The BRZ model works. Communities next: Building vibrancy. – CRZ’s & CEA’s      
                  - Grafitti, Crime, Vandalism, Fear - creating a Safe City
                  - Creating True Wealth: have we been so busy chasing money, that we lost track of what true  wealth and quality of life are?
                     Creating Social Wealth, Natural Capital

3.      Economic Security and Developmen
                  - Harnessing Our Talents (H.O.T.) eg. Small business is HOT!
                  - Economic Gardening - growing our small business sector
                  - Doubling and tripling the success rate of small business start-ups.
                  - Telework, Telehealth, Teleteaching, Telecommuting- going Global at home
                  - Security for our Seniors; Affordable Housing for all
                  - Pulling together a City of many nations
                  - Import replacement; Jane Jacobs revisited
                  - Creating True Wealth
 
4.      Unlocking Gridlock                   
                   - Driving with new directions

5.      Crime and Safety
                   - Advocating New Tough solutions
                   - Eyes in the Community, focusing the effort
 
6.     Environment
                   - Green Hospitals, Green Ink, Declaring a War on Waste!
                   - ISO9000   ISO14000   ISO 21000 … Leading the nations.

       Please visit this page from time to time to see what the latest issues are and read the feedback from Calgarians on them.