Former opponent backs Nenshi run

Re: Just say 'no’ to Nenshi, Opinion, Feb. 14

Underneath Rahim Mohamed’s bravado lies the fear that many conservatives have of Naheed Nenshi. Despite many attempts, he could not be beaten and he could not be bought.

Should he run for leader? Alberta NDP members (of which I am not one) are likely to grapple with this central question: “Is Nenshi a team player?”

Having worked alongside (and often at odds with) the man for years, I’ve witnessed him at his best and his worst. Yes, he can be frustrating. He has an ego and likes to be at the centre of things. And no, he is not quite as smart as he thinks.

But the man I know has ethics and integrity. Up close, I saw him not only be generous with praise but willingly let others take credit for achievements that were rightly his. He readily accepted the blame for mistakes others had made. While he could be demanding, I found him to be open to compromise — so long as I came prepared.

After my loss in the

2021 civic election, many fair-weather friends ran for the exit, deciding that my usefulness had run out. Nenshi was the opposite.

Despite our significant differences and having every reason to gloat, he stepped up meaningfully to support me in everything I wanted to do next, even when I chose some wildly impractical goals. He never doubted that I still had a contribution to make, even when I doubted myself.

All are priceless qualities in a friend. Conservatives are right to fear those qualities in an opposition leader.

Jeromy Farkas, City of Calgary councillor from 2017-21