Hollerado Meets The Mayor

September 29, 2011 - Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:17:00 -0400

When Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi walked in the room, we felt like we were meeting an Indian Mick Jagger. We had been told by many of our Calgarian friends as well as numerous mayors that we had already met that Nenshi was a rock star, yet still we were not prepared for charisma like this. He commanded the room, and before we knew what had hit us, we had smiles on our faces and white cowboy hats on our heads and were repeating an oath to become honorary Calgarians. The mayor informed us that the last person to receive the honour of being “white hatted” was none other than…and I quote….”the Shat”…William Shatner. In our brief meeting at City Hall, Mayor Nenshi embodied all that we love about our visits to Calgary. A youthful city, brimming with energy, looking to embrace new ideas and a passion for the arts and culture.

The mayor spoke of how proud he is to have festivals like Sled Island, which in our opinion is one of the coolest Indie festivals in North America. Nenshi said that one of his favorite local
artists was Chad Van Gaalen, as well as claiming he is pretty sure CBC Radio 3 is not a real station due to the fact that it is simply Grant Lawrence at a computer in his basement. Also, Nenshi has flown an F-18.

In conclusion, if you were to cross Freddie Mercury with Chuck
Norris and make this person the Mayor of Calgary, you would have Mayor
Nenshi.

Our Meeting (and “White Hatting” Ceremony) with...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:16:20 -0400

Our Meeting (and “White Hatting” Ceremony) with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi

After the show, in Thunder Bay, with Mayor Keith Hobbs.

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:48:12 -0400

After the show, in Thunder Bay, with Mayor Keith Hobbs.

A letter of support for Mayor Hobbs of Thunder Bay

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:48:46 -0400

A story about our meeting with Thunder Bay Mayor, Keith Hobbs, recently ran on CBC.ca. You can read the article here.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/story/2011/09/27/tby-hobbs-marijuana.html

We wanted to respond to our readers with a letter of support for Mayor Hobbs.

During our meeting Hobbs spoke candidly about his personal opinions on a variety of issues, one of which happened to be the legalization of marijuana. Although we do enjoy a nice little joint from time to time, we are by no means activists for the issue of marijuana legalization, as we feel there are far more pressing problems with this world and, in the realm of activism, there are a myriad of other causes to which our time and effort is better suited.

In fact, we spoke with mayor Hobbs about many of these issues (such as Native rights and poverty), to which he provided us with much insight into the complexities of the issues as well as a sense of honest compassion that we feel is often lacking in “conservative” politicians. The reason we wanted to follow up on this article this is to re-iterate how Mayor Hobbs spoke openly with us about numerous issues, of which only one of was the legalization of marijuana. We feel that he may now be getting flack from some factions of his community due to his personal views this one issue.

We cannot state enough how grateful we are that the mayor spoke to us as openly as he did. He is a no-bullshit guy willing to speak candidly with four young people who want nothing more than to engage in an open dialogue with the leaders of a community. We strongly believe that if more politicians had this attitude, more people would feel empowered to engage themselves in the issues that concern them and the world would be a better place.

Mayor Hobbs, Thank you for showing us respect by speaking honestly and openly with us. Thank you for not backpedaling on your statement in subsequent interviews that challenged what you said during your meeting with us. We think you are a man of integrity and common sense and that you set an example of accessibility and transparency that other politicians should follow.

We hope you are not taking too much crap. I would like to say on behalf of the citizens of holleradoland that we stand behind you.

Thanks

-menno, nick, dean, jake

p.s. The office of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has yet to respond to any of our requests for a meeting.

September 25, 2011 – Cumberland Deputy Mayor Bronco Moncrief

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:38:11 -0400

In Cumberland we were really fortunate to hang out with 84 year old Deputy Mayor Bronco Moncrief. He served for decades on council and as mayor of the lovely village of Cumberland and is one of Canada’s longest serving municipal representatives. This video clip is a must watch. Bronco is a Mayor from another era and has the wisdom and charm to match. We quickly became friends and count him among our coolest mayors so far. Check out the video to watch him explain how he helped make Cumberland the nickname Capital of the World.

Meeting with Cumberland Deputy (and Former) Mayor Bronco

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:35:44 -0400

Meeting with Cumberland Deputy (and Former) Mayor Bronco

September 24, 2011- Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:09:00 -0400

We met Mayor Fortin for an 11am brunch at a place called Shine Café. Victoria has a radio station called The Zone, that actually plays good music. Pol and Jade from the station joined us and when they offered to pay for breakfast, we all immediately ordered Eggs Benedict (which after breakfast we would all agree was the best we’d ever had!). Mayor Fortin was a smooth talking guy who seemed to know everyone in the restaurant. Of all the mayors we have met to this point, he was the one who most fit the “politician” archetype. A nice guy who answered all of our questions with quick wit and diplomatic answers. It was clear that he loves his job and his city.

He told us a cool story about when local hero Steve Nash was in town for the opening of a new rec center. The mayor knew a bunch of young local basketball players who desperately wanted to meet their idol. The mayor was scheduled to meet Nash, but was unable to bring any guests except for necessary staff. So he made up a whole bunch of fake job titles like assistant in charge of mayoral luggage, and hired all the kids for the day, so they could come with him and meet the basketball star.

Also, Rifflandia was the best show so far. We played in bathrobes and
Chewbacca helped us shoot confetti. And we got to watch some rad bands
like Malajube, Besnard Lakes and Dinosaur Bones!

Meeting with Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:07:17 -0400

Meeting with Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin

September 22, 2011 - Nanaimo...

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:08:40 -0400

Well, turns out we are still a rock band and eventually we would mess
something up and miss a meeting with a mayor. Mayor John Ruttan was
cool enough to set up a meeting with us at 4pm at city hall. Then Dean
got stuck in a shirt and we missed the meeting. We are very sorry and
thank the mayor for making time to meet with us. We promise to try our
very best to make sure that was the last meeting we miss on this tour.
Here is the video of Dean being stuck in his shirt.

Dean, stuck in a shirt.

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 16:04:00 -0400

Dean, stuck in a shirt.

September 21, 2011 - Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:07:49 -0400

Vancouver was the first time that the meeting with the mayor took
place on their turf, at city hall. It was a huge building with marble
floors and flags and pictures of past mayors and even some Olympic
torches. Even though we got dressed up for the occasion, the formal
setting made us a little more nervous than usual. Fortunately, Gregor
Robertson is a really cool guy that immediately put us at ease. He
plays tuba and the drums, listens to good music, and bikes to work in
his business suit every day (yes, even when it is raining!).
We chatted about a whole bunch of things, and even though he was on a
tight schedule, he was very engaging and answered every question we
had.

Since we were at city hall, we asked to see the key to the city and we
learned that there is no such thing! They do give out an honor called
“Freedom of the City” and the recipients get free parking for life!
You can’t park on the sidewalk though, it has to be a real parking
spot.

Even though our meeting went 20 minutes longer than it was supposed
to, the mayor insisted on giving us a tour of city hall. We saw the
council chambers and he also showed us a giant mace that is used to
ceremoniously club Boston Bruins fans.

Meeting with Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:05:01 -0400

Meeting with Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

Last night we had our first day off of the tour. We needed it to...

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:33:46 -0400

Last night we had our first day off of the tour.

We needed it to make the 15 hour drive from Lethbridge to Vancouver.

The drive was breathtakingly beautiful as it always is, and not nearly as scary as it is going to be once the snow comes next month. We spent the evening in a $59 a night Howard Johnson with our classy tour mates, Young Rival.

Why so classy you ask? Well what other awesome garage rock band has its own brand of wine?

We got to try this subtle 2011 vintage, and despite the fact that we drank it out of those plastic motel cups that come wrapped in more plastic, it was totally delicious.

Rolled into Lethbridge, not sure how a Monday night would turn...

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:00:00 -0400

Rolled into Lethbridge, not sure how a Monday night would turn out. No need to worry, Todd the promoter had done an excellent job and the venue was filled.

Lethbridge Mayor Rajko Dodic met with us backstage and shared some jokes, words of wisdom and even his shredding skills.

It had been about 30 years since he’d played guitar in front of a crowd, but he was up for the challenge and we have some awesome video to prove it.

Mayor Dodic really connected with the Lethbridge crowd, who chanted his name when he came on stage and strapped on a guitar. Not only was the mayor cool, so was this crowd! He then proceeded to rip it up with us in a rollicking blues jam, then a Neil Young cover. Check out the videos and let us know if you wish Rajko was your mayor.

Click here to read an article from the Lethbridge Sun-Times about the mayor and why he wanted to meet with us.

Lethbridge jam out with Mayor Rajko Dodic

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:34:19 -0400

Lethbridge jam out with Mayor Rajko Dodic

Hollerado and Lethbridge, AB Mayor Rajko Dodi

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:05:16 -0400

Hollerado and Lethbridge, AB Mayor Rajko Dodi

September 18, 2011 - Regina – Mayor Pat Fiacco

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:35:00 -0400

Mayor Fiacco showed up to the venue in a badass-looking jacket and training clothes.

We soon learned that he was a Canadian boxing champ in the 80s, and still works as a ref and organizer for our national boxing team. He runs a boxing club in Regina, as does his brother and many of his friends. They must have had some wild brawls as kids.

Boxing has taken him around the world, including to the 2006 Olympics in Athens, Greece. After retiring from the ring, he brought his fighting spirit back home to Regina. He said he wanted to become Mayor because the people of Regina didn’t seem proud of their city and needed inspiration. Since becoming mayor 11 years ago, he has striven to inject some liveliness into Regina and its inhabitants.

He was excited about a program in which kids are able to become the “Mayor for the Day”. Once a month, anyone in grade 6, 7, or 8 in the city can write an essay explaining why they love Regina and would like to be Mayor.

The winner gets to accompany Mayor Fiacco on all his meetings in the city for the course of the day, no matter how busy he happens to be. Also, he tried for years to get concerts happening in the football stadium where Rough Riders play. He finally broke through the red tape and Regina landed the Rolling Stones in 2006. Since then, dozens of huge acts have come to play for his city.

He has kids of his own, and like a good parent, that means sometimes tough decisions that aren’t popular in the short term. It is his worry that many leaders in Canada aren’t willing to trade popularity for proper planning for the future. According to Pat, this is what led to a multi-billion dollar infrastructure gap in Canada, resulting in lackluster facilities, aging roads and the kind of negligence that led to the collapse of bridges in Quebec.

At one point Pat pointed out that The Exchange, the venue we were sitting in, was a great example of youth getting involved in the life of their city. A few years ago it was in need of renovation and fresh management when a young team took on the task of rejuvenating it. Today, it is the city’s best venue for up-and-coming bands, with facilities for concerts, fund-raising events, film and art showings, and plans to develop further. Pat talked with pride about how it embodies exactly the kind of project that he wants to see bring life to his city.

It dawned on us that Mayor Fiacco could knock us all out if he wanted to. He’s still a scrapper. Luckily, our meeting with him went well and there was no risk of a fist fight. We wish him luck and hope to see him again.

Hollerado and Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:34:19 -0400

Hollerado and Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco

Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco.

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 13:03:00 -0400

Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco.

September 17, 2011 • Winnipeg

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:35:00 -0400

We think John K. Samson from The Weakerthans should be the mayor of Winnipeg.

Unfortunately, he is not, and neither the current mayor, deputy mayor nor the acting deputy made themselves available for a meeting. That’s cool though. After speaking with Mayor Hobbs in Thunder Bay we had a lot to think about (see below).