Jeremy Zhao Plans to Run For Mayor Of Calgary

[crazyjz]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jeremy Zhao announces his plans again to run for the office of mayor in Calgary

CALGARY, Alberta, July 09, 2007 – Jeremy Zhao, 19, has decided to run for the office of mayor in Calgary. He is now on the list of potential candidates, and announced his intentions to run in a private party with friends on July 1st. He anticipates being the youngest candidate, and will represent both the youth and his Asian culture.

All streams of media decided Jeremy Zhao was not notable enough to be discussed. Therefore Jeremy has decided to re-announce his intentions to run again. “I am very excited to re-announce my plans to run again,” says Jeremy. Failure in getting a good head start has forced Jeremy to look for other methods of spreading his campaign, including Facebook and YouTube.

In order to run, Jeremy Zhao will need one hundred signatures and a nomination deposit of five hundred dollars. Although he will have no problems attaining the signature quota, he is currently looking for ways to raise enough money to be able to run. Despite this, his age, and his competitors, Jeremy Zhao’s enthusiasm has not been dampened.

“Some people have dismissed me because of my age, but I am in a unique position where I can flex my muscles and say whatever I can because I have nothing to lose. You should expect me to be real, critical, and upfront,” states Jeremy. He hopes his run for mayor will inspire others to follow suit, and to be fully aware of politics and day to day problems.

Jeremy notes that his website is hosted by a free server, which can be down at times. He encourages anyone visiting to refresh the website, try again later, or simply contact him on the matter.

About Jeremy Zhao

Jeremy Zhao is currently studying chemical engineering and political science at the University of Calgary. He is of Chinese descent and his passions include comedy, piano, badminton, and Facebook.

Contact: Jeremy Zhao

1-403-275-3283 or [email protected]

Website: www.jeremyzhao.com

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Questions? Comments? Criticisms? I would really like to hear from everyone.

[kimmy]

Good luck!

I think you face an uphill battle because of your age and inexperience. However, I congratulate you for becoming involved in the political process and I am sure that this experience will be valuable to you in the future whatever happens.

I have two suggestions:

Stand for something. Try to make something that you believe in a part of the discussion. Whatever else happens, you still accomplish something if you make something you believe in a priority for other people as well.

And, above all, be honest. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" if you don't know. A young mayoral candidate in Edmonton's last election tripped himself up when he made up an answer to some questions. It hurts you more if you don't tell the truth than if you don't know the answer. The young man in Edmonton might have been caught exaggerating his qualifications; I don't recall the specifics. Be sure to maintain your integrity.

-k

[geoffrey]

Good luck, anyone but Bronco is my vote on this one.

[crazyjz]

Why is that?

[geoffrey]

Why is that?

I'm unhappy with how he refuses to accept responsibility for the city's state of affairs. I don't mind that he pressures the province, but he's been around long enough to be responsible for some problems.

I'm unlikely to vote for you, even though your not much younger than I am, I couldn't honestly want a mayor with your level of experience. However, I think it's admirable that you feel so strongly that you'd run for office. I'm impressed. And I wish you the best of luck, maybe a little later on in life you'll have the top spot in Calgary.

[crazyjz]

I am sure that there are other candidates out there, but so far if you say Bronconnier is not the one, then the only other guy left would not be on my favorites list and I'd rather vote Bronconnier rather than Alnoor.

[crazyjz]

Perhaps that is not a convincing and informative post. Perhaps the first thing that always comes to mind with everyone, including myself, is that those who are too young and too inexperienced are the first ones to be ousted from the candidates. It seems that people always tend to default to that and then they fail to actually read what's on the person's platform.

I first of all do not see how I would differentiate much from people who abuse their power and get into trouble. People voted for Margaret Aftergood and she obviously abused her power to get more votes during the 2004 election. Am I really that short of being just as qualified as her even though she probably has more experience than I do? Perhaps her lust for power is MAYBE a bit abusive than a 19 year old running?

Does a 19 year old really have businesses or big corporate moguls backing him up? Obviously no because no one cares, but would that eliminate potential favors being done that we all know are happening in the city? A million dollars in the war chest of our current mayor means that since he is going to get elected anyways, only means that those who gave him some "donations" will get first dibs in city contracts. Some in terms of ethics, which is probably an even bigger issue than experience for a lot of people, who would be better? I'd go for being informed about what happens behind the scenes, not so much in being elected. If someone can do a good job without me having to run, I'd be more than happy to sit back and go have fun with my friends, but I've obviously had it with some things in the city, and that's a key issue why I'm running.

So far I know of 3 candidates running. Dave, Alnoor Kassam, and I. If Dave has made you mad (cept we all know he'll win), and I am just there as a "potential" third option, then Alnoor Kassam is the only one left. Except I find that he is too controversial and simply wasting his time. Calgarians simply need the time to learn about each candidate, and we can already rule out Alnoor. I simply find him contradicting and his platforms are too good to be true. He fled Kenya in 1993 because he was being alleged to have bribed politicians and problems with his business. He supports affordable housing, except he raised the rent on his own apartment in Calgary from $650 to $1850. He plans to have the West LRT by 2010. It's taken 3-5 years just to fix Glenmore, so how does one think he could accomplish the West LRT by 2010??

If there is a better candidate than us three, feel free to vote for them. Unfortunately for us both, we know that Dave Bronconnier will win at the end. If my post is still unconvincing, then you should run and help us get to work a bit faster, and maybe improve our transit. A lot. I've got ideas, people from around the city have sent me ideas, except no one will listen.

Jeremy

[geoffrey]

Just as a quick tip here, be careful what you say about other candidates, especially what you write. I'd hate to see you in legal trouble.

If your the only 3rd choice, then sure, you might get my vote.

Let's hear about your platform...

[crazyjz]

Oh do not worry, all my claims have documents and news articles supporting them. I'd call off my own run for mayor if I had been that irresponsible, but I want to be as open and as informative as possible. I have my own faults as well. I am young, and inexperienced, and probably too vocal. As you've already noticed, my tone is controversial and probably impolite. Power is a very abusive thing, and even I might fall into that trap whenever I am presented with that position.

I think so far I've only written about my platform on the public transit system.

Public Transit

Lack of Service

Have you ever been frustrated that the bus/c-train takes such a long time to get to your stop? Or possibly that you get frustrated when routes or times change without adaquate notice? Jeremy is too since he takes the transit to school/work everyday! If you have concerns or recommendations, feel free to email Jeremy at [email protected].

* Solutions: Cut un-needed bus stops

* Maximum 20 minute wait times

* Increase non-peak hour service for C-trains from 10 to 8 minutes

* Increased C-train service during special events, such as playoffs for example

* Better routes which can avoid busy rush hour traffic or routes

* Construction detours and route changes at least 1 week ahead posted on all buses and C-trains

* Chinese notices in front of stops near Asian supermarkets and Chinatown to better inform seniors and new Canadians

Enforced Courtesy

There are a number of small measures that can be taken in order to increase the capacity of the busses and C-trains. It will also help move people in and out of busses/C-trains faster.

* Solutions: Passengers are required to move to the back of the bus or in towards the center of C-trains when there is no room to stand

* Passengers are required to exit through the back of the bus except those with reduced mobility or have children

* Passengers are reminded to do the above via intercom or frequent announcements

* Passengers are also reminded to prepare to get off the bus instead of waiting last minute

Vandalism

There are obvious ideas that the City can easily employ in order to reduce and deter the amount of vandalism that happens at bus shelters and benches. The City seems to waste taxpayers' money on one time fixes.

* Solutions: A bus shelter is to keep people dry and to allow for city, not for aesthetics. All shelters need to be replaced with plastic rather than glass windows.

* Benches need to be protected with a thin layer of clear plastic to discourage vandals from writing or coloring on advertisements

Environment:

As the world becomes increasingly proactive in helping the environment, the City can also do more in order to help reduce greenhouse gases and save some money.

* Solutions: Drivers must turn off their busses when not in use or when they are taking a short break. This is exempt during the winter or extreme weather

* City needs to look into electronic passes rather than wasting paper on transfers and tickets

Low Income / Students

Jeremy supports the continuation of the low income passes and the U-Pass in partnership with various post-secondary institutions around Calgary.

* Solutions: Continued committments for the Low Income Monthly Pass beyond December 2007 with the same rate

* Support for the U-Pass with the same rate and no increases

I've always considered the youth vote, given the turnout rate last time was 19%, but it's good and bad that people aren't voting for me. At least now I know they are informed, but at the same time, it's just an empty vote this election. Had I not been running, my vote would have been for Bronconnier anyway since there is a lack of political involvement for Calgary.

As well, YOU should feel free to make suggestions about MY platform. Feel free to add whatever is necessary. I don't like the idea of people conforming to whatever the candidate says and deciding on that. I'm a candidate where my platform has been made up of ideas from the friends and experiences in my family. For the above ideas about transit, I take the transit everyday and I'm just as sick of some of the aspects just as other normal everyday people. I do not see ANY politician taking the transit everyday. None. Zip.

[geoffrey]

How about a London style transponder road use fee? Cut my property taxes and instead tax those that use the roads during congested times through tolls between 6 and 9 and 4 and 7.

I want to see the West LRT expansion.

How about snow removal from all roads? Calgary pays nearly as much as Edmonton, yet we only clear major roads within 24 hours of snowfall. And we are a big city? Nahhh, that's like hick town. Let's get those plows out.

These Chinese signs seem centred on one ethnic group. Everyone will want their own signs. That sounds expensive and will further divide the community. Calgary is an English city, allowing people to keep foreign languages only encourages further division.

Most of all, I want to see a mayor that takes responsibility for where the city is at instead of blaming Ed Stelmach.

[crazyjz]

London style transponder road use fee is a possibility, but in a conservative city like Calgary with potential American influences, I do not believe this would be a popular idea among the majority of Calgarians. If one can give me an idea to work around this, then I would be more than happy to implement it.

West LRT expansion is something that will be a go ahead for sure. My friend though has suggested that a North LRT would be better since more of the middle class lives in the north, and the people in the West are more affluent. Calgary is still a city where the average household does have 2 cars, and everyone loves their SUVs.

I am just as frustrated with snow removal as well as you are. We definitely need less bureaucracy trying to figure out if we should add more to our current budget and just do it. It's a priority issue that is simply not Council's concerns right now. I am however really rooting for more money to plow them. I go to school everyday via transit and it is simply ridiculous.

Calgary is an English city, but with no minority representation at all. A Chinese sign that tells people "this stop is closed due to construction, move 2 blocks down" takes one piece of paper, ink, and some tape. If anything, I can get my parents to type it up. I don't see how they are expensive, given that most of these last minute route changes come in the form of a piece of yellow paper hastily stuck to a pole or a glass pane.

I would check out Alnoor Kassam's website if you want some more choice. I mean, he does claim that the West LRT can be done by 2010. I'm so skeptical of that, that I will be announcing my "plans" for the LRT to be done by 2009.

[mikedavid00]

Questions? Comments? Criticisms? I would really like to hear from everyone.

"Chinese notices in front of stops near Asian supermarkets and Chinatown to better inform seniors and new Canadians "

Bang. You instantly don't get my vote.

Why can't you just be Canadian. God I get so tired of this nonsense.