Calgary Mayor Defends City Hall Amid Criticism

Calgary Mayor Defends City Hall Amid Criticism

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek responded to claims from city hall politicians and mayoral candidates that the city’s government is broken, using recent survey data to support her argument.

Press Conference Highlights

During a press conference on Thursday morning, Gondek referenced the latest spring survey results, likening her defense to a submarine captain firing torpedoes. She repeatedly mentioned the word "chaos," a term previously used by Sonya Sharp, a city council member and current mayoral candidate.

Key Points from Gondek’s Statements:

  • Improvements Noted: Gondek asserted that Calgarians have indicated they are witnessing improvements at City Hall. She stated, "This business of tearing each other down and this business of saying we’re a City in chaos is simply not true."

  • Trust in Local Government: Recent data shows that more than half (52%) of residents trust their local government, a significant increase from nearly one-third (31%) last fall.

  • Satisfaction with Municipal Operations: Nearly seven-in-ten respondents expressed satisfaction with how their municipal government operates, including both Council members and administrative staff. This marks an increase from approximately five-in-seven respondents last autumn.

Leadership and Communication

Gordezki emphasized that effective leadership involves listening to the community. She noted that disappointment often stems from a lack of communication with residents. She stated, "When consistently seeing people disappointed with what comes out of Council, you’ve got to step up and say: We need to do better."

Call to Action for Critics

Ahead of an anticipated announcement from her opponent Sonya Sharp regarding her candidacy, Gondek urged critics to reconsider their approach. She remarked, "If you want to send negative signals to Calgarians, keep being negative yourselves; keep talking about chaos."

She concluded with a reminder to elected officials: “When you’re elected into office, your job isn’t just explaining what didn’t get done … Your job is making things better.”

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