Remembering former Calgary mayor Rod Sykes, who has died at 95
CBC
Rod Sykes, a three-term Calgary mayor remembered for his instrumental role in shaping the city, has died at the age of 95.
Sykes served from 1969 to 1977 and was a leader in developing Calgary's downtown, as well as laying the groundwork for city's LRT system.
"He was mayor during a time when the city of Calgary was really morphing from being more of a cowtown into a significant metropolitan city," said Andy Marshall, who penned a biography about Sykes.
The book, published in 2016, is called Thin Power: How former Calgary Mayor Rod Sykes Stamped his Brand on the City … And Scorched Some Sacred Cows.
"He was often in conflict with the Stampede board, the Chamber of Commerce, University of Calgary and the mainstream media — particularly the Calgary Herald."
Marshall worked as a staffer for Sykes during his time in office. He recalls the former mayor as someone who advocated for the underdog.
He told CBC Radio's the Calgary Eyeopener that Sykes was a politician who looked out for working people, senior citizens and new immigrants.
"He could be be difficult and other times extremely sensitive and passionate about what he was doing," said Marshall.
"He was on the side of the little guy."
While nothing in town is named after the former mayor, some current city councillors believe the city should do some form of civic recognition to honour his contributions to Calgary.
"Rod Sykes accomplished a lot during his tenure as mayor," said Coun. Andre Chabot of Ward 10.
"I only wish I had had the benefit of personally working with him and picking his brain … but I do believe a memorial as some sort of recognition of his contributions most definitely should be brought forward to council."
Further, Ward 9's Gian-Carlo Carra said he takes the former mayor's passing as a "call to action" to consider how his legacy can be commemorated in the city.
"I expect that that lack of recognition for Rod Sykes's service to Calgarians will not go unrecognized much longer," Carra said.
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