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A municipal by-election is being held Nov. 28. (Photo Adrian Nieoczym)
The municipal by-election on Nov. 28 is fast approaching. In fact, you can vote this week at the advance poll if you feel so inclined. With 15 candidates running to fill the one vacant council seat, the battle is sure to be fierce, as demonstrated by the recent tiff between Matthew Reed and Kevin Craig.
To help Kelowna.com readers make sense of the giant slate of candidates, we asked all of them to fill out a questionnaire telling us -and you- a little bit about themselves and their background. We also asked a series of questions ranging from what the candidates think a councillor’s job actually is to their position on the controversial CD-21 downtown redevelopment zone.
Eleven of the 15 candidates responded to the questionnaire.
Over the next week or two we will present a series of issue-based stories featuring a little background information to set the table, followed by the candidates responses.
But first let’s meet the candidates, listed here in random order: Matthew Reed, Michael Loewen, Mark Thompson, Kevin Craig, Mary-Ann Graham, Rocky Mix, Vern Nielsen, Clayton Kessler, Todd Sanderson, Ernie Patterson and Andrew Uitvlugt.
Kim Ouellette, James Murphy, Dennis Rojem and Valerie Hallford did not reply to the questionnaire.
Matthew Reed
Age: 30
Current occupation and occupation history: I was a small business owner for four years and a part time post secondary school instructor for three years. I am currently an audio engineer, entrepreneur and long time hobby economist.
Education history: I have three years of post-secondary education, two years of university and one year of technical school. I have a strong background in environmental systems and human geography as well as a diploma in audio engineering. I currently have three years of post-secondary teaching experience. A couple of my audio students have gone on to release many #1 hit dance songs in their genre. I know I can be as good of a councillor as I am an instructor.
How long living in Kelowna: 19 years
Clubs or organizations, including political organizations, you belong to: fighthst.com – I am a regional organizer in the anti-HST movement with “Fight HST” & Bill Vander Zalm’s team; BC NDP – I was recently named the new president for the provincial New Democrat constituency of Kelowna-Lake Country. There is a growing youth movement in Kelowna-Lake Country and people like myself want to help change the world in a positive way.
Community service: I have worked with Parks Alive, The Boys and Girls Club, The Whitehorse Boys and Girls Club and BYTE (Bringing Youth Towards Equality).
Please describe how you view your political orientation (for example: right-wing, left of centre, fiscal conservative, environmentalist, etc.): I am a fiscal conservative and a social democrat. I believe prudent fiscal policies that promote responsible growth and balanced budgets are essential to a healthy social structure and social safety net. It is not acceptable for people to become marginalized because governments can’t save for a rainy day. I will bring a balanced approach to council.
Anything else you would like to say?: An issue that has not been brought up in the media is the candidate’s position on the HST. The majority of BC municipalities are against the HST, and at 85 per cent the general public is extremely against the timing of this tax shift. So how about we band together and stop this before July 1st?
As the regional organizer of fighthst.com and its anti-HST movement I plan to work with fighthst.com and the official opposition to block this travesty and stop the robbery of B.C. Not to mention keep BC’s constitutional right to collect taxes and thus retaining our Provincial sovereignty from Ottawa.
The last topic I have space to mention is balance. It is time to have more balance on council. I know I can represent a balanced approached, and that is demonstrated through my campaign donations. I have donations and in-kinds from local businesses, labour groups, dozens of residence like you and previous candidates like Cheryl Stone and Dave Porteous. I am not a special interest or one sided candidate.
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11 Responses to “Meet your candidates”
Tags: by-election, candidate profiles, Kelowna
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Rocky has done a fair bit of volunteering, but otherwise he does not come close to having the qualifications needed to become a good city councillor.
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Clayton Kessler’s candidacy has to be intended as a joke.
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Noting many of the “growth coalition” organizations that Todd Sanderson has been associated with such as the Urban Development Institute (the local association of developers), the Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Kelowna Association, one can count on Todd to promote unbridled growth and few, if any, restrictions on development such as has been the agenda of sitting Councillor Andre Blanleil. If you like Blanleil, you’ll love Sanderson. If you don’t, then look for someone else to vote for.
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You are a rather bitter person Mr. Zeger and given your attitude I am rather pleased you did not become a councillor in the elections last year.
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Considering some of those who are presently on council, I am happy not to have to be butting heads with them, Louis.
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Here we go again with the negative Zeger comments. Too young, too old, too much of a capitalist, too much of an enviromentalist, too tall, too short…nice to see your smiling (?) face in the Capital News Mr. Zeger, I agree with Louis 100%.
I’d be curious to know who you DO support Mr. Zeger, let’s hear it. Although it may be the ringing endorsement of death to the candidate.
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Nice job of hyperbole, Mr. Boyle. You should do ghost writing for John Harding or subbing for Phil Johnson. I’m just sorting through all the candidates like anyone else who cares (how many in this city really do care?) and posting some of my thoughts. I do have some candidates that I like but I presume from your remarks that you like them all. Perhaps you should let us know what you think about them rather than me, as that is what this space is intended for.
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Hello Mr. Zeger,
Can I buy you a cup of coffee? I would like to meet you in person.
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He probably doesn’t like coffee either
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HAHA! that last comment was priceless Dee!… Sorting through candidates Zeger?… it seems to me like you feel the need to attack every aspect of every candidate or elector… you would probably feel alot better about yourself if you found it somewhere inside yourself to say something nice… Hope you have a fabulous day Mr. Zeger!… life is too short… lets all just smile and be happy for a moment
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Kevin Craig has the right attitude.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link