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Joe Connelly has a background in commerce and over 25 years of senior business experience in the not-for-profit, blue-chip corporate and entrepreneurial business sectors.
Before being elected as alderman of Ward 6 in 2007, Connelly was vice president of sales and service for Tourism Calgary. He says his community convinced him to run for council.
“My results since I’ve been in council speak for themselves,” says Connelly.
 “I’ve delivered $1 billion worth of infrastructure for my ward alone. I think that is significant. In going forward, my motivations are pure. I want it to be a great city.
“I passionately believe that if we don’t solve this mobility issue, it will kill the downtown even further. I think Calgarians are telling me rather aggressively to run the city in a more business-like fashion.”
Water or wine?
I’ve gone through my wine period in life. I’m more of a beer guy now.
Favourite home-cooked meal?
My wife’s pizza with homemade crust.
When you have a little down time, what is your favourite thing to do?
I play golf, play shinny hockey and I’m a passionate skier.
Fondest memory of Calgary?
I used to be in the tourism industry and we did a big promotion in New York promoting Calgary, and it was simulcast with the opening of Stampede. When they released Outlaw the bull at Stampede, I was in New York ringing the bell of the Stock Exchange.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
Dog person. They’re man’s best friend. I have two dogs and an office fish called Ping.
What album did you listen to last?
Bruce Springsteen’s latest album, Working on a Dream.
First teenage job?
Foreman of a scenic chair lift on Toronto Islands.
Guilty pleasure movie?
Caddyshack.
Favourite film of all time?
Gran Torino.
Favourite actor/actress?
Clint Eastwood.
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Any challenges in the campaign?
While I’ve done a great job in Ward 6, it’s a big city. It’s difficult to reach out and effectively connect with Calgarians outside of Ward 6.
There’s about 100,000 people in Ward 6, so I have 900,000 I have to reach out to.
Challenges you feel you may face as mayor?
Well, whenever you start in a new business role, and I consider this to be a business role – you’re running the biggest business in Calgary – what you need to do is create a team.
Team dynamics are always challenging. Putting the right team in place and putting the very best and smartest people around me…I want to get that done right away.
As mayor, how would you help create a more cohesive council?
Many people would say council is fractured or dysfunctional.
I don’t see that. I see it as people have their position, and you need to have them work within the confines of their position and have them see a greater good.
Just like in business, if you want to be successful in business, you need to be able to successfully negotiate and move things from a lose-lose to a win-win centre.
What makes a city “vibrant?”
A vibrant city is one that is active and safe downtown. It’s one where all demographics and all cultures intermingle in a positive fashion.
The availability of parking downtown is critical for it.
Also, we could do a much better job of accommodating and working together with festival organizers to make sure they’re successful, because when they’re successful, we’re successful.
We tend to do analysis by paralysis. We’re done. The time for talking is over. Let’s start trying things.
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Dream roadtrip/weekend getaway?
Heli skiing at Northern Escapes in Terrace, B.C. I’ve been there a few times; it’s heaven.
Favourite Canadian band?
The Tragically Hip. I’ve seen them play quite a few times.
Favourite sitcom to watch growing up?
Well, I like to think I haven’t grown up yet, so I’ll say Seinfeld.
Favourite series now?
Re-runs of Seinfeld.
Last great book you read?
I recently re-read The Power of Positive Thinking. I read back in high school, and I came across it again and read it while I was on holidays.
What is your most treasured possession?
My health, but you’re asking me about things and I think Calgarians know the most important things in life aren’t things.
If you could go back in time to meet one person, who would it be?
Robert F. Kennedy. He was thrown into a situation after the death of John and he managed it quite well. I think he would have been one of the greatest presidents the U.S. ever had. He had principles, he had ethics and he stood up for what he believed.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
[Connelly had a hard time with this question, but asked around at the office and co-workers said Kevin Costner should play his role.]
What is your greatest artistic talent?
Creative thinking.
What talent would you like to have?
I wish I could play piano.
The last time you sang?
I probably sing every day. The last time I sang in public was with Gil Grand at Olympic Plaza about a year ago. We did a duet of “Famous First Words.”
Do you have a motto in life?
When riding though hell keep riding.
If you were a Star Trek or Star Wars character, which one would it be?
Hans Solo.
If you had three shazams with a magic wand – what would you change in Calgary?
- I’d like to see more focus on our children: kids are our most important assets.
- I’d like to get Calgary moving again. We no longer have great mobility and I think that is affecting us. It’s hurting us economically, and it’s hurting the downtown. The availability of parking downtown and the fact that we can’t clean the snow off our streets…those are issues that impact our mobility.
- We need to run this city in a more business-like fashion. We have 25 priorities at City Hall and it’s my impression that if you have 25 priorities, you have no priorities. We need to pare that down and deliver on the core priorities that Calgarians expect.
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