Brookman: Global events show the best of Calgary, but also highlight our problems
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The Rotarians are leaving, and the cowboys are arriving! Visitors from one of the world's largest conventions are being replaced by visitors for the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, and millions of dollars will continue to pour into our city for weeks ahead.
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What did we hear from visiting Rotarians? Without hesitation, the comments were about the warm welcomes, the friendliness, and the sincere enthusiasm of Calgarians.
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The local Rotary clubs and other organizations were lauded for the amazing preparation and hospitality that was extended for people from Uganda to Utah and from Nigeria to Niagara on the Lake. People enjoyed themselves and will leave Calgary with great memories.
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Well, the weather gods didn't exactly co-operate. When one lady from Alabama asked on Sunday, 'Is your winter colder than yesterday?' I told her it can be, but that we really wanted our guests to have the full, four-season experience.
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She had a good laugh about that. We have to commend the thousands of people who stayed to the bitter end of the Saturday night Grandstand Show. Major congratulations to everyone who participated in that show in the face of cold and wind. It was the talk of the town Sunday morning, and the Calgary Stampede pulled everything off with flying colours.
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However, the toughest comments were about our safety and security issues and vagrancy downtown.
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One man from New York commented to me, 'We had this great dinner at the Calgary Tower, but when we left, there were people right on the sidewalk shooting up drugs. We were nervous walking back to our hotel.'
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Another man from Seattle told me that while walking under the First Street underpass, his family encountered a man defecating on the sidewalk. His remark to me was, 'We've got big problems in Seattle, but I see now that you have them, too.'
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A wonderful, long-time Calgarian who is a close friend of mine adopted a phrase years ago that he likes to use. When confronted with an issue or a challenge, he simply says, 'Well, what are you going to do about it?'
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