Two weeks ago, Calgary, home of the Stampede, the world’s biggest rodeo, was inundated by flood waters. If you saw any of the coverage on television or Youtube or if you live there, then you know what it was like. Other nearby communities were also flooded, especially High River, which was hit particularly hard. Four people died and the property damage has been astronomical.

Mayor Neheed Nenshi’s skills as a leader were tested in a big way, and he succeeded in a big way. His calm,  common sense approach to all the work that needed to be done established a calm, common sense method for dealing with the situation. As a result, there was very little crime or idiocy  and people helped each other wherever and whenever they could. All the first responders and City of Calgary employees knocked themselves out.

Today, Calgary begins its 127th Stampede. The last two weeks have been a hard slog to get ready for it. Some of it had to be scaled back because of water damage, but the show is going ahead, as usual.

Calgary has managed to pull through this disaster with grit, determination, dignity and respect.

Happy Stampede, Calgary! You’re a class act.

Related articles

• Calgary Mayor Nenshi Set The Bar (netnewsledger.com)
• Stampede to kick off with parade through flood-hit neighbourhoods (ctvnews.ca)