Ahead of the Oct. 15 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 occupation and your historical connection to the Kamloops area.
I have resided in Kamloops since 1976. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother. Since 1987, I have been a business owner. My roots in Kamloops go back to the 1800s. My great grandparents, the Ducks, homesteaded in the upper Barnhartvale area at the Holmwood Ranch. In her later years, my great-grandmother Edith Duck lived on Nicola Avenue. I am a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of person who has never been afraid of hard work and speaking my mind. I will bring thoughtful leadership and sound counsel to my role if elected a Kamloops City Councillor.
What differentiates you from the other candidates?
I, like my fellow candidates, take pride in Kamloops being my home as well as home to my children, grandchildren, and many friends. What sets me apart is that not only have I experienced Kamloops as a resident, but also as a business owner, a volunteer, and a member of many community groups. Over the years, I have participated and volunteered on several boards and associations, and this has given me a well-rounded experience in many areas that civic service will touch on. Moreover, I have the time and the energy to devote myself to being a member of Kamloops City Council. I bring to the table years of experience in navigating the issues our city is facing, as well as a vision for a stronger Kamloops through thoughtful leadership and sound counsel.
What do you think is the best way to resolve disagreements or conflicts with your peers, those in a different department or those in a different jurisdiction?
We are a democracy and all members of council, and the mayor, deserve our respect. We may agree to disagree but there is no place for personal attacks. We debate an idea/concept, not the person making it. The best way to resolve disagreements, in my experience, is through transparency, respect, empathy and through open communication.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would use your elected position to address it?
I believe Kamloops is currently facing several issues. However, liveability and public safety have risen to the top of concerns for many of our residents and businesses. In the run up to the election, talking with hundreds of people, this is what is on the minds of our residents.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: I believe affordable rental is a supply and demand issue. We do need to create greater supply, but that supply should be reserved for the employable, those working and receiving lower wages in a low paying job, and those who are in danger of becoming homeless. This affordable housing should be family units built in proximity to schools, amenities, and public transportation. If elected, I will move this forward as a priority and I will advocate for this with mayor and council through a partnership with other government agencies and private businesses.
HOMELESSNESS: I believe that it is our duty to be compassionate to those unable to get out of the cycle of homelessness but providing homeless shelters alone is not the right way to go about this and in fact could be the very thing keeping people from breaking out of this cycle. Building any additional homeless shelters is also a problem for a city like Kamloops, which is already stretched thin with its existing housing. I believe, we need a mechanism to relocate people to other cities and possibly other provinces where there are spaces and work with those in our shelters now to connect them to services to help get them out of the cycle of homelessness. As for repeat offenders and criminals, we will need to either find ways through our legal/court system or with the help of involuntary admission to medical facilities when needed. As a city councillor, I will work with the mayor and council to advocate for not building or opening any new homeless shelters and will work to disband or relocate ones being used on a temporary basis. We must limit our homeless population to the space we have available and come up with new, and more permanent solutions in the best interests of safety and livability for our residents and businesses.
How do you plan to involve Kamloops residents in your decision-making?
Engage, engage, engage. That’s my mantra for a more involved and democratic decision-making process. By being approachable and open to reasonable ideas and listening to valid complaints, I will encourage Kamloopsians to engage in matters that matter to them I will also encourage residents to attend town halls, public hearings, and other events to further the betterment of the city and to make their voice heard.
What does a sustainable future for Kamloops and area look like to you and what does it need from mayor and council?
For me, a sustainable future for Kamloops and area will result when there is confidence from the residents and businesses that we, as the council, are listening and reacting to their concerns.
This will be possible by implementing three things:
1. Make way for a strong economy with direction to the city planning department to ensure applicable departments are on board with development and re-zoning as required to build our supply of affordable housing.
2. A forward-thinking plan to sustain and increase our recreational, cultural, arts venues, and programs.
3. Enhance accountability. Ensure taxpayers dollars are spent wisely. If the economy dictates residents and businesses must be fiscally prudent, then so too should the city.
Through this, we will ensure we are not just expanding and providing services to those in the city but are also bringing in new residents to the city.
