Tom Dyas has some big plans for the city.
If elected Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 next mayor, he wants the city to consider creating its own police force to replace the RCMP, build a new city hall, along with a replacement for the Water Street Fire Hall, and include subsidized housing in the project. He would also like to replace the existing city hall with a new performing arts centre and conference centre.
That91裸聊视频檚 not all.
He also wants to join with a local family trust to have a ranch built on the outskirts of town to house the city91裸聊视频檚 homeless.
Dyas proceeded to reel off his list of projects when closing out his appearance at Monday91裸聊视频檚 Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum.
91裸聊视频淎 good mayor needs a clear long and short-term vision and he needs to work as part of a team,91裸聊视频 said Dyas.
But his list of expensive projects brought quick rebuke from the man he is trying to unseat, incumbent Mayor Colin Basran.
91裸聊视频淎nd he91裸聊视频檚 going to do all that and spend less money?91裸聊视频 said Basran before making his closing remarks in which he said he is concerned 91裸聊视频淭rump-style politicking91裸聊视频 is creeping into the current Kelowna civic election, a thinly veiled reference to repeated accusations by Dyas that leadership is lacking at city hall and that 91裸聊视频渨e can do better.91裸聊视频
Defending his record, Basran pointed to a 91裸聊视频渂ooming91裸聊视频 economy in the city, accolades Kelowna has received for being a business-friendly city from a number of provincial and national business organizations, the city91裸聊视频檚 work to address homelessness and diversity and its financial management.
91裸聊视频淪trong leadership means making tough decisions and continuing to move Kelowna forward, together,91裸聊视频 said Basran.
Following the forum, Dyas said despite calling for city hall and the Water Street Fire Hall to be relocated, he did not have any land in mind. But he said he feels the current city hall site could be better used for a performing arts centre and conference centre.
As for a city police force to replace the RCMP, Dyas said his proposal to look at the option was not a knock on the job the RCMP is currently doing.
The issue of crime downtown came up a few times, with candidate Bob Schewe, a retired city bylaw officer weighing in. He said there are two types of street people in the city, those who are simply homeless and want to work and those who commit petty crimes and do not want to work or be helped.
He said the latter should be made 91裸聊视频渦nwelcome.91裸聊视频
The fourth candidate in the race, downtown business owner Bobby Kennedy, said he feels the city has enough police officers but they are not being used properly. He said officers need to patrol the downtown on foot.
91裸聊视频淕et them out of their cars,91裸聊视频 he said.
He also wants the city to capitalize on cannabis legalization and bring in a 91裸聊视频渃ity cannabis tax91裸聊视频 that could help fund a number of different city initiatives and infrastructure.
He said his campaign is focused on the city making money, not looking for it from residents in the form of higher taxes.
But many who showed up at the lunch-hour mayoral forum, were there to see Basran and Dyas, two former good friends and acknowledged front-runners in the four-way race. Given the format, they did not have a chance to square off against each other, but they both got shots in, even if they were somewhat veiled.
Dyas opened his remarks by thanking Basran and the current city council for their 91裸聊视频渄edication and service91裸聊视频 over the last four years, but quickly added he is concerned about leadership at city hall.
91裸聊视频淲e are drifting in a direction that I am uncertain of, and I am not sure who is leading the ship,91裸聊视频 he said.
Later, Basran said leadership was not just about telling people what they want to hear, a response to Dyas saying he does not feel Kelowna residents and business-people are being heard at city hall.
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