Rule on Panhandling

"Kelowna City Council will look at amending city bylaws concerning panhandling in city parks. According to a staff report, "bylaw officers are unable to use the Panhandling Bylaw, since it does not cover parks or other City-owned lands such as the ground of City Hall." An amendment to the current bylaw would make it illegal to panhandle in parks and grounds of all City-owned buildings. In his report to council, David Graham, Director of Parks and Leisure Services says, "Panhandlers are often active in City Park. Panhandling makes the park feel unsafe and uncomfortable for many tourists and local citizens. Visitors to parks and other civic sites should expect to be free from harassment, intimidation or unwanted approaches that may be perceived as threatening." Council will review the report during this afternoons council meeting." (Castanet, Sept. 19, 2005)

There are a number of real solutions to panhandling, and while bylaws give authority to remove aggressive panhandlers, what is also needed is an education program for tourists and residents about panhandling, and an alternative for those who want to help. One such program has been implemented in Portland, Oregon. Called "Real Change not Spare Change", this program is a service of the Portland Business Alliance (similar to our Downtown Kelowna Association), and offers education, and opportunity to interact with panhandlers through a voucher program, and opportunities to support service agencies.

This type of solution offers balance between keeping our parks and streets comfortable for tourists and families and helping those in need.

Rule on the Bridge

The new Bennett Bridge was a long time coming (and still is). While five lanes will help move traffic along, the real issue still remains Highway 97 itself. Traffic control lights need to be coordinated to allow smooth flow-through. Some intersections should not have left turns, and those that do need proper left hand turn lanes and lights. This will take coordination between provincial highway authorities and our municipal traffic team.
Sometime in the next ten to fifteen years we will still require a second crossing, and it is important to build that into our planning now to allow land acquisition for the "landing" spot.
The proposed bike and pedestrian lanes for the bridge appear to be adequate, although somewhat unconventional being combined together on one side of the bridge. It is unfortunate that cyclists and pedestrians will have to cross the flow of traffic on the west side of the bridge at the Campbell Interchange. There doesn't appear to be any accomodation for the new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit).

Rule's Platform - Inter-governmental Cooperation

Kelowna does not exist in a vacuum, nor should City Council operate in a vacuum! I believe that City Council should represent its citizens through cooperation with other levels of government, both horizontally and vertically.

Horizontal Inter-governmental Cooperation: City Council and the School Board must operate in partnership over location of schools and use of school buildings for the community. City Council must work with the municipal councils of Vernon, Penticton, Lake Country, Summerland and Peachland on a valley-wide air and water quality strategy as well as a transportation strategy. I support the initiatives of the Okanagan Clusters in this regard, and would like to see even more real decision-making power allocated to these valley-wide coalitions.

Vertical Inter-governmental Cooperation: City Council members need to become experts in the gaps and assets in the community for services that are funded by provincial and federal governments in order to properly lobby for funding of these services in our community. This includes highways, education, and social services including core-need housing, detox and prevention services, mental health services, income assistance and shelter allowance.

Rule's Platform - Keeping It Green

Development: Development must be sustainable. The way development in Kelowna is managed will have a huge impact on our quality of life. I believe that each proposal needs to be looked at to determine the benefits to the community, the detriments, the aesthetics of the project and the need. I agree that there are some horrendous developments in this city that never should have been approved, and some very well thought out projects that serve the purpose of housing and add to the community. I am strongly in support of the town centre model that keeps future development focuessed in our four urban centers: downtown, Pandosy, Orchard Park and Rutland at the crossroads.

Parks and Green Space: One of Kelowna's most attractive features is its green space and outdoor recreation opportunities. We need to expand on these spaces, making them accessible to all our residents. This includes the waterfront as well as natural wilderness lands. In addition to this, I believe that playgrounds and sports fields should be widely available throughout the city to encourage our young people to be more active. I also support the creation of more dog parks in Kelowna.

Going Greener: I support the continuation of the recycling program and would like to see it expanded to include other materials. I am strongly in favour of improving transit service and making our city streets more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. As the population of Kelowna grows, it is vital that we all participate in keeping our environment healthy.