My Vision for Kelowna

We all know that Kelowna has a lot to offer. Sure there are beaches and peaches, but we can offer so much more. This does not have to be just a great place to visit; Kelowna can be a great place to live, earn and prosper.

We do that by re-opening Kelowna for business.

We start with a fresh look at our downtown. Over the last ten years, we got people living downtown with new developments along Ellis St. But now we have to fulfill our promise and make downtown a place where they can live, work and play. A revitalized downtown with a vibrant business district will help us attract and retain the young professionals from UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College, many of whom may just be our own sons and daughters.

I believe we can help downtown in creative and bold new ways to attract business and quality developments to the downtown core.

I say we take a close look at the feasibility of a convention centre in downtown Kelowna.

And we need to get going on development of the Central Green site at the old Kelowna Secondary school.

Part of that work downtown requires good planning and the same principles should be applied to the other urban centres so they too can grow and prosper.

It’s time we built the sports fields in Glenmore.

It’s time we built a new transit hub in Rutland.

It’s time we built a second access for UBC-O.

It’s time we stopped talking about it and doing what needs to be done to move our city forward.

These are priorities for me in tough times like these but I also believe great care must be taken with other people’s money. As a councillor, my fundamental role is looking after your money and ensuring it’s not misspent.

Fiscal responsibility is not a priority for me. It’s a guarantee.