Rule's Platform - A Healthy Community

Safe Streets: I strongly support the removal of dumpsters from the downtown core, the immediate clean-up of graffiti, the addition of washroom facilities and better lighting, and a needle exchange program that would keep dirty needles off our streets and play areas. I also support the Downtown Patrol and the RCMP street presence, as well as community policing stations.

Support Services: I support the work of the Gospel Mission, the Kelowna Drop-In Centre, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre, the IHA Street Nurses, Iridian Youth Detox and the Dental Clinic, as well as the many other support service providers throughout Kelowna. These services are critical to ensuring that people in our community have a hand up in their time of need.

Prevention: The way to keep our children and our city safe for the future is through prevention programs now. I support the DARE program, drug-free zones, and the restriction of the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to youth.

Affordable Housing: I believe that in order to provide affordable housing, the city needs to make incentives for developers available, including density bonusing for housing agreements. Further to this, the city need to play an active role in drawing provincial and federal funds for core-need housing.

An Introduction

Michele Rule was born October 11th, 1966, to parents Arina (Rini) Imthorn and Larry Runnalls. Her mother was remarried in 1974 to Marinus (Rene) Elyzen. She has one brother, three step-brothers, one step-sister and two half-sisters. She attended Glenmore Elementary School, Dr. Knox Junior High and Kelowna Secondary School, graduating in 1984. Michele attended Okanagan College for two years and then received a B.A. in Arts (Canadian Literature and Canadian History) from the University of Victoria in 1990.

Michele spent two years abroad in the late 1980s, one year in Germany and Holland and another in Japan. She was married to Martin Harwood in 1988 and they had one son together, Justin. In 1994 she divorced. In 1997 she remarried local lawyer Stan Rule and they have a son together, Thomas.

Michele has her own consulting firm, "Rule's Consulting", working with mainly non-profits on media and marketing.

Michele first became interested in local politics in the early 1990s. Returning to Kelowna from Victoria, she saw the growth that was occuring and realized that city council's decisions were key to shaping that growth in a way that would create a vibrant economy but maintain and enhance the quality of life that made Kelowna such a desirable place to live.

Community Involvement

I've been active in the community all my life. Here is a list of activities over the past few years. I have created links to those groups that have websites so that you can check them out and maybe get involved yourself!

Current
Glenmore Valley COmmunity Association
Secretary (2004 to present)
Central Okanagan Heritage Society
Guisachan Garden Show Committee (2001 – present)
Executive – secretary (2003 - present)
City of Kelowna Social Planning and Housing Committee
Committee member (2000 – present)
Kelowna Homelessness Steering Committee
Committee member (2003 - present)
Provincial SCPC Representative (Fall 2004 to present)
Homelessness Awareness Week Chair (May 2004 to present)
University 2000
Committee Member (1999 – present)
First North Glenmore Scouting Group
Group Committee Member (2002 – 2004), Section Leader (2004 to present)
MS Walk - Team Captain (2002, 2003, 2004)
Kiwanis Music Festival Society
Volunteer (1998 – present)
Okanagan International Marathon
Water Station Captain (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society
Board Member (1996), Volunteer (1997 –present)
Central Okanagan Hospice Association
Honorary Chair (2004 and 2005)
Salvation Army Kettle Drive
Kettle Volunteer (2002 – present)
Apple Triathlon Host Family (2005)
City of Kelowna Celebrate Canada Committee
Committee Member (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,2005)
Okanagan Families - Iridian Centre Advisory Committee
Community Member (2005)

Previous
City of Kelowna Community Housing Needs Committee
Committee Member (2001-2002)
BC Disability Games
Venue Host (2003)
Lady of the Lake Society
Judge (2003), 75th Anniversary Committee member (2005)
Kelowna Philharmonic Festival Society
Board Member (1995 – 2000)
North Glenmore Elementary Parent Advisory Council
President (2001/2002), Vice-president (2000/2001)
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
Volunteer (1992 – 1995)
Kelowna Fibromyalgia Support Group
Executive member (1992 – 1994)
Administrators of Volunteer Resources – B.C. Branch
Committee member (2001)
Okanagan-Thompson International Sculpture Symposium
Kelowna Committee Member (2001-2002)

Awards and Recognitions
City of Kelowna Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award (Woman of the Year)
2002 Top Three Finalist
International Year of the Volunteer 2001 Government of Canada Recognition Award