Really? This is what he is using as a platform to give Calgarians hope... pushing to change a chicken bylaw. wow...

The Right to Food Trial is not the only optic in play, mmjen, but certainly based on the story it may appear that upholding the United Nations Human Rights Declaration is my only policy. 220 days until Election Day... I'll be working hard to paint the bigger picture. If you have ideas, I'd like to hear them. paul@paulinate.com

Go Paul!!!

Good work Paul!
Look what i found www.hughes4mayor.com

As for mmjen: you get the first post for this good news and do that with it? Wow...

mmjen please read article. it will help you understand more.

I am excited to hear all about Paul's new and fresh ideas!!!!

"If we can build $25 million bridges, then we can do something to make sure all the kids in Calgary have access,"

Hear hear...I'm listening

There are a number of my evolving & citizen centric policies here... Join the discussion... http://bit.ly/cFI6yP

Excerpt:
FREE Recreational/Cultural Annual Passes 4 all #Calgary children 12 & under

#Youth Orgs providing programming require support. Accumulated VOLUNTEER hours=currency/credits 4 facility/equip/coaching

This is the Hughes 4 Mayor Facebook Page. Suggestions welcome... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Hughes-4-Calgary-Mayor/364261529302

Open letter to all Calgarians... http://hughes4mayor.com/

Why couldn't those links have all been in one comment instead of being split into three comments, Paul? I notice they were all posted within a span of three minutes.

Suddenly a blog post about Paul Hughes's mayoral bid is the hottest discussion on ffwdweekly.com thanks to... Paul Hughes!

@Jeremy,I'll work hard to tighten up my blog posts in the future ;) Paul

Paul, good luck with you're candidacy. I really hope you don't get voted in though. During and after 1111, I have become acutely aware that you may be just looking for media attention regardless of the consequences. And you are really good at it. Urban gardening and urban chicken rearing is fine and all, but due to a few other things going on globally, and in our very own city, there are many other things that are of a higher priority for Calgarians at the moment, and although I can't speak for anyone else, it seems that you may be abusing our electoral system for your own personal gain and to support your ideals without even talking to your electorate.
If I were running for Mayor, (even running on what I hear people saying on the street) This would be the first thing I would address in my platform.
Fiscal mismanagement (Immediate independant and open audit)
- particularly during an economic crisis
- including outsourcing for services that are readily available locally which would support the economy
- services such as snow removal, roadworks etc. (there is a lot of rented machinery sitting in holes on the streets that haven't been touched for a while)
- inefficient transit routes. Better service means more use
There is a whole list of things I could go through and although I don't think I would get voted in, the public discussion would be worth it.
I don't hate you Paul, I just wish you would stop abusing our already messed up system.

You have every right to your opinion, Planetb00g.

I served in the PPCLI for 4 years after high school, because I fundamentally believe in free speech as protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms. Hardly the resume of someone who would abuse our electoral system. I believe I have a strong vision for Calgary and I certainly have a wealth of experience and ideas to add to the conversation about our future. So, with all due respect, my participation in the 2010 municipal election is driven by my desire to make Calgary a better city for all citizens.
Not one of the candidates has a fully developed policy position as of yet (some 200 days to go) but I have shared quite a few of my key policy pillars on my Paul Hughes 4 Mayor facebook page under discussions: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Hughes-4-Calgary-Mayor/364261529302
You can also read more about my position, conceptually, at http://www.Hughes4Mayor.com

Unfortunately, you have mistaken my advocacy for grandstanding. I have invited, and will continue to invite Calgarians to become involved in the municipal election process with their ideas & suggestions. Only 30% of eligible voters participated in the last city election. This reflects a disconnect from local governance by the remaining 70%. I believe you may agree when I say this is not a best case scenario for citizen engagement. Living in a democracy is more than just voting once every 4 years. It is becoming active and involved in building the framework for a great city. In my case, being politically active at the local level, it meant put up or shut up. So I decided to get OUT of the stands and get onto the bench. The citizens are in the role of coach and ultimately will decide who gets icetime.
Since announcing my candidacy, I have already been contacted by 100's of Calgarians. They have very real concerns about the direction of the city and it has been my honour to listen to these stories. Many people feel like they do not have a voice and I am only too willing to lend mine to their positions.

1111 was free for everyone involved. I have never been paid a cent for my work with the Calgary Food Policy Council and all of my work with CLUCK is as a volunteer. Starts4Smarts is volunteer as is the Calgary Farm Project. The Calgary Food Summit cost less than $1000 dollars to organize and host. My almost 30 years of hockey coaching, which I started when I was 13, has been almost all volunteer, with the exception of a tour in Zurich.

I like your ideas, Planetb00g. I believe we may share some common ground on Zero budgeting. Keep up your involvement in the public discussion. It is invaluable.

I can't see why city official will not let people raise a few <A HREF="http://chickencoopbuildinganswers.com/urban-chicken-coop-plans/">backyard chickens</A> (Hens). Banning Rooster I can see. Maybe he will become Mayor an change it.

paulhughes, your ideas and concerns sound like something that has been needed for a long time in this city. Every day this so called democratic country seems to become less democratic and more fascist. The food industries that are in power prioritize financial gain over human concern, which is the main cause of all illnesses. Although most are unaware of the unhealthy and limiting food choices they are faced with purchasing, rules that prevent them from going organic and saving money makes their choices even more limiting.
Proper nutrition for every individual should be one of the top priorities for every city. If the chicken law is removed, that could be just a start to much healthier Calgary. People should be able to do whatever they need to in order to create their food. Buying food should remain an OPTION. Some people don't want to eat preservatives, growth hormones, msg, aspartame, high-fructose corn syrup, and other cancer-giving ingredients.
I highly suggest people educate themselves on food and how corrupt and dangerous the system is. Watch documentaries like Food Inc. and the Freedom Movie to get an idea of how bad it's become.