Ahead of the Oct. 17 municipal election, CFJC Today asked candidates for Kamloops City Council to complete a questionnaire, offering voters the chance to evaluate their candidacies.
QUESTIONNAIRE:
Describe yourself, your professional background, and why you’re running for public office in Kamloops?
Fifteen years as a software engineer, 21 years as a faculty member at TRU, five years as owner of a career coaching business, 10 years experience on city council and co-founder of Kamloops Outdoor Skating Association that advocated for 10 years for the Riverside Ice Rink.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would you use your elected position to address it?
Given the trade uncertainty with the States, keeping Kamloops economically thriving is number one. One of my goals is to continue to work with others to expand Kamloops as a mine supply hub. I will continue to support options for builders of both housing and commercial will help a lot.
Following a term highlighted by infighting and tension at city hall that impacted Kamloops’ public image, how would you ensure civil discourse and good governance would take place between yourself, fellow elected officials and city staff?
I would continue to behave as I have. Coming to meetings prepared, asking well-thought-out questions, engaging with the public and treating others respectfully. My approach works: I have strong relationships with others, both on and off council.
Considering recent years of large municipal tax increases in Kamloops, how would you address the city’s tax rate going forward?
The two biggest costs to taxpayers are policing and fire services. We need to be mindful of how we expand services to match our population. That is why the fire station build in Dallas was delayed, and we did not fund RCMP officers for positions that weren’t filled.
At the same time, I will continue to support work through groups like SILGA, UBCM and FCM to advocate on behalf of all local governments for find other sources of revenue, other than property taxes to fund items such as critical infrastructure.
As major infrastructure projects are on the horizon in Kamloops, how would you prefer the city go about gaining the electorate’s approval – via referendum or the alternative approval process (AAP)? Why?
AAP has been used in B.C. since 1964 and has been proven to be a good gauge of residents’ approval for borrowing. I would continue to support the use of the AAP process. AAP has been for approval of the water treatment plant on River Street, the wastewater treatment plant, the Overlander Bridge refurbishment and other projects.
What are your thoughts on communication between the City of Kamloops and its residents? Are there areas of improvement you’d like to see?
Communication is dynamic with continual changes to the media and social media landscape. I support the city using as many media channels as possible as well as focus groups and community events. A good example is how this election is being promoted, both through traditional media, social media, and community events.
The city has,and will continue to have to evolve as the media sphere changes.
