Watts Not Re-Offering

[Keith P.]

In what can only be described as a gift from the gods, Jennifer Watts, the infamous anti-development councillor, protege of Kommissar Howard Epstein, and advocate for bike lanes everywhere, bans on bottled water, and skyscrapers made out of wood, has announced she is not re-offering for HRM Council in 2016.

Thank god.

What this means for the anti-development tag team of MasonWatts is yet to be determined.

Of course, that is likely just in time for her to offer her services to the NDP in the next provincial election.

[halifaxboyns]

This is quite an interesting bit of news. I wonder if my uncle will run again - since he came second place to her in the last election.

[ILoveHalifax]

Are the church bells ringing? Does everybody have a day off?

[teddifax]

[QUOTE=ILoveHalifax;7174518]Are the church bells ringing? Does everybody have a day off?[/QUOTE

forget getting a like button, let's get a love button!!!!

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

This is quite an interesting bit of news. I wonder if my uncle will run again - since he came second place to her in the last election.

2012 Election :
Jennifer Watts (Incumbent) 3,906 52%
Doug MacDonald 1,638 22%
Dawn Marie Sloane (Incumbent) 1,558
Karen Dempsey 263 3.525
James McKay 95 1.273
You uncle was slaughtered, tell him not to waste his time and money. He had a hard time getting more votes than Dawn Sloane.

[Waye Mason]

How can voting against six out of hundreds things be considered anti-development?

Oh - maybe because of this: "Chances are you heard some blatantly untrue statements during last night's debate. It's a cynical, manipulative strategy, but it works: Psychological studies have consistently shown that oft-repeated statements are more likely to be perceived as true, regardless of their actual veracity."

http://www.psmag.com/politics-and-law/the-persuasive-power-of-repeated-falsehoods

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

Oh - maybe because of this: "Chances are you heard some blatantly untrue statements during last night's debate. It's a cynical, manipulative strategy, but it works: Psychological studies have consistently shown that oft-repeated statements are more likely to be perceived as true, regardless of their actual veracity."

http://www.psmag.com/politics-and-law/the-persuasive-power-of-repeated-falsehoods

The "big lie" approach to propaganda--say it often and with conviction and people believe it. I think our local civic tropes are similar, in that we hear over and over (and repeat to ourselves) that Haligonians hate change, or that heritage crazies run the city, etc. Not particularly true in either case, but widely assumed to be so.

Also, of course, there's the contingent of folks who think every proposal should simply be rubber-stamped without regard for planning, aesthetics, heritage, community concerns, or whatever else. The opposite but equally simplistic extreme of the vocal minority of anti-everything types.

[Colin May]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

The "big lie" approach to propaganda--say it often and with conviction and people believe it. I think our local civic tropes are similar, in that we hear over and over (and repeat to ourselves) that Haligonians hate change, or that heritage crazies run the city, etc. Not particularly true in either case, but widely assumed to be so.

Also, of course, there's the contingent of folks who think every proposal should simply be rubber-stamped without regard for planning, aesthetics, heritage, community concerns, or whatever else. The opposite but equally simplistic extreme of the vocal minority of anti-everything types.

I used to hear the 'anti-development' BS at Dartmouth city council back in the 80s, usually when any project was mentioned in less than fulsome adulation. They were so desperate for money that any well painted shack would get the nod.
A well known home at King and Church was demolished in 1965 in anticipation of redevelopment. The foundation can be seen by anyone walking on the lot and two other foundations are also visible on the 2.1 acre site owned by the same entity for over 50 years.
Condo builders obviously misread the market and have now become apartment owners scrapping with each other for tenants. If the next federal government slows down the naval programme we'll be in trouble.

[ILoveHalifax]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

How can voting against six out of hundreds things be considered anti-development?

Oh - maybe because of this: "Chances are you heard some blatantly untrue statements during last night's debate. It's a cynical, manipulative strategy, but it works: Psychological studies have consistently shown that oft-repeated statements are more likely to be perceived as true, regardless of their actual veracity."

http://www.psmag.com/politics-and-law/the-persuasive-power-of-repeated-falsehoods

That is not hard to understand. If when Joe Public was watching because of great interest (6 times) and each time you voted 'NO' then Joe Public labels you anti development. Conversely, the opposite would be true, but let me spell it out, if when Joe Public was not watching because nobody cared about the issue and you voted in favor you are still labeled 'ANTI-DEVELOPMENT'.

Now how do we get rid of the other half of the tag team?

[JET]

People don't remember the times we are agreeable, they remember the times we are disagreeable.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Waye Mason

How can voting against six out of hundreds things be considered anti-development?

Oh - maybe because of this: "Chances are you heard some blatantly untrue statements during last night's debate. It's a cynical, manipulative strategy, but it works: Psychological studies have consistently shown that oft-repeated statements are more likely to be perceived as true, regardless of their actual veracity."

http://www.psmag.com/politics-and-law/the-persuasive-power-of-repeated-falsehoods

She was opposed to every major development on the peninsula. Shall we make a list?

[worldlyhaligonian]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

She was opposed to every major development on the peninsula. Shall we make a list?

It better be a human scale list buddy!

PS - Made entirely of wood.