Though I find myself thousands of miles away from home, I realize the importance of the upcoming civic election in Edmonton, and feel a burning desire to write...something, anything.
Why you ask?
Well, Edmonton is home, and I, like the rest of us, want the very best for our city.
I have a favourite Sunday routine in Edmonton. I go to the Italian Centre in Little Italy and get an americano and panini, sit at the benches across the street in the park, read a book and people watch. To some, it's the dirty inner city, to others it's one of the most beautiful and serene spots. I drive through China town, on my way to the core and park close to 104th street where I, along with hundreds of other Edmontonians, wander the Saturday market. I make my way across the High Level Bridge on foot and make my way onto campus after stopping for a Latte at LEVA. I walk down Saskatchewan Drive and usually end up finding myself somewhere on Whyte ave, either at FOOSH talking sneakers or at one of the many restaurants meeting friends for drinks and grub.
There's something especially admirable about Edmonton, and that is it's ability to cater to do a diverse demographic. Like a good connector that has friends that occupy many spheres, Edmonton has cultivated a city where multiple interesting spheres exist. Everyone has a place. No one is left out. Together we make Edmonton a very interesting mosaic.
"A confusing ratio of hipsters to pick-up trucks."
People from all classes coexist. Edmonton breeds personable, successful people who have humility.
In recent years we have really started to discuss the idea of becoming a 'world class city.' Mayor Mandel can be credited for igniting this conversation. He had a bigger and fuller vision for Edmonton, and I believe that we have felt his vision throughout our city streets. A mayor who can take the baton and continue running with it, is a mayor Edmonton desperately needs.
We're growing. We're expanding. It's beautiful to watch this growth.
How can we enhance this growth? How can we ensure that our city continues to blossom?
I watched this video on my way to Shanghai. I watch plenty of TED talks and this one struck a cord with me. It's fitting for this.
'the rarest commodity is leadership without ego'
I reached out to Don Iveson's team and asked them if they could get Mr. Iveson to briefly give his thoughts on this idea; leadership without ego.
His reply:
I’ve been listening to Edmontonians, acting for them, studying them for six years: businesspeople, artists, new immigrants, First Nations Edmontonians, seniors, students, people who are struggling and people who’ve built national and international icons and institutions. What really works here? What do we most love about this city?
Shirley Lowe, our historian laureate, puts it simply: “If we don’t grow it, we don’t own it.”
This goes for our businesses, our festivals and works of art, our inventions, the social ventures we’re most proud of. It’s our culture and it’s what makes Edmonton unusual — in a good way. We help each other take ideas to reality.
Our campaign has been about city building, but the mayor doesn’t build the city. Edmontonians do. We’ve developed policies and plans so Edmontonians have the tools, the encouragement, the vision, the story, the framework to grow, to build, to make, to create extraordinary things on the banks of the North Saskatchewan.
During my time on council, Edmontonians have helped develop a clear vision, a set of plans called The Way Ahead. The mayor’s job is to help Edmontonians bring these plans to life, and that’s what our policies are about: in innovation, regional cooperation, art and culture, LRT, roads and pipes, small business and entrepreneurship, and infill housing.
When Edmonton has faltered, in the past, it’s when we’ve worked selfishly to build empires and fiefdoms, battling each other when we most need to work together. This goes for city administration and for the broader community.
One theme runs through all our policies, and it takes our historian laureate’s words one step farther. In Edmonton, if we build it together we build it strong. It endures. This is Edmonton, at its best, and that’s what the mayor can do: help build Edmonton at its best, and to tell the world about it.
A mayor is one small part of the equation. The underlying message here mirrors well with Bob David's words of wisdom about leadership. Leaders give the power to the people.
"LEADERSHIP IS THE MOST VALUABLE COMMODITY ON THE PLANET AND IT IS THE RAREST COMMODITY WE HAVE."
Very few people are capable of leading successfully because very few people who want to lead can do so without ego.
Don Iveson not only has a vision for Edmonton, he embodies a leader who can carry out a vision.
I want Edmonton to grow into its full and true potential.
I whole-heartedly believe that potential can be unlocked under the leadership of Don Iveson.
