Calgary Minute: Gondek Declares, Pootmans Resigns, and a Safety Office Opens

Calgary Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Calgary politics

This Week In Calgary:

• Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, a day to support causes that make a difference. If you appreciate the work we do and want to help us continue advocating for common sense at City Hall, we’d be grateful for your support. We don’t usually make an explicit ask in these emails, but given that we’re a non-profit and don’t take a dime of government funding, we rely on your support to keep us going. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so by clicking here. Thank you!
  
  
• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a Public Hearing Meeting of Council. The agenda includes several land use amendments. On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Council Services Committee. The Committee will discuss amendments to the Councillors’ Budgets and Expenses Bylaw. A meeting of the Green Line Board, originally scheduled for Wednesday, is cancelled.
  
  
• The Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) has a new campaign called "Fields for Our Future", which aims to address the growing shortage of indoor sports facilities in the city. With soccer registrations increasing by 15% over the last three years, the CMSA has struggled to meet the demand, scheduling over 6,700 games in just three facilities. The Association is calling for urgent investment in new facilities to keep up with the city's population growth and the demand for field space.

Last Week In Calgary:

• Mayor Jyoti Gondek announced she will run for re-election in 2025. She acknowledged challenges during this term, but emphasized her commitment to improving communication with residents, reducing red tape, and supporting local businesses. While historically, incumbents have had an advantage in Calgary, Gondek's approval ratings have been low, with some recent polls showing significant disapproval. Gondek also revealed she would run as an independent, rejecting the idea of municipal political parties.
  
  
• Richard Pootmans has resigned from his position as Calgary's Ward 6 Councillor, citing personal and family reasons. Pootmans has served on Council for 10 years, including his most recent term starting in 2021. His resignation was met with expressions of gratitude from fellow council members, who praised his collaborative style and dedicated public service. With the next municipal election less than a year away, no byelection will be held; neighbouring councillors will assist Ward 6 residents in the interim.
  
  
• Calgary Transit has opened a new public safety office at Chinook Centre to improve transit safety. The office will house the Community Outreach Team, a partnership between transit peace officers and Alpha House, focused on providing social support in transit areas. This is the fourth district office opened under the City's Public Transit Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce response times and enhance community engagement. The Chinook office will serve the nearby CTrain station and other transit locations, complementing similar offices at Westbrook and Whitehorn stations.

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