CAMPAIGNS & LOBBYING
Welcome to the Armstrong Candidates answer section.
First, here are the questions we asked:
1. Why are you running for City Council/Mayor?
2. Civic Elections have notoriously low turn out, especially among young voters. What do you think the key issues are for student voters in your region this civic election?
3. Summarize your position on maintaining a balance between environmental sustainability and economic development. How important is it – and is a balance currently being maintained in your community?
4. What role, if any, do you feel municipal governments should have in the development of affordable housing?
5. Would you make a commitment for the community to set a target for affordable housing to be developed each year? What would you do to ensure that these targets were met?
6. Would you champion the development of a comprehensive affordable housing strategy for your community? What would such a strategy look like?
7. What transit issues does your community face, and what immediate changes do you think could be made to address them and improve service?
8. While our region’s senior population continues to grow recent graduates are looking beyond this region for career opportunities. What is your position on this situation?
9. Why should student voters in your region choose you for City Council/Mayor?
*Please note the responses are presented exactly as received. Some responses have been truncated to the 100 word limit.
Candidate List - Only candidates who responded are listed
Council - Paul Britton
Council - Ron O'Sullivan
Council Candidate Responses:
1.
I first decided to run for Council 15 years ago after returning from Victoria, where I was seconded to the Ministry of Education to oversee the Provincial Secondary School Apprenticeship Program. After seeing how politics operated at the Provincial level, I wanted to get involved at the grass root level, where decisions actually affect individuals on a daily basis. I enjoy being a part of a team that listens to the citizens of Armstrong as we try to make this a better place to live.
2.
Many young people have never voted before in their lives, and may have a lack of interest and /or lack of knowledge of issues. Many are unfamiliar with what you actually need to do to vote. I feel one of the main issues in our community is being a part of the Regional Economic Development Strategy, to make decisions that help keep our young people in our region . I currently have 4 children all living and working in Alberta. Another issue that our Council has put as a major goal is promoting Affordable Housing in our Community.
3.
We are currently putting the finishing touches on our Official Community Plan. One of the main components of the OCP is this very question. As long as the Council of the day follows the OCP policy, “To provide a diversity of types of growth, which will be compatible with and enhance the character & atmosphere of Armstrong,” the city should thrive. We need to define and encourage sustainable economic development. At the same time we must avoid development that offers short-term benefits while eroding our natural resources.
4.
I feel the municipal government has a major role in the development of affordable housing. This issue was at the forefront at the last election and our Council has made this a key mandate to be addressed in our Community. As part of this process, I sit as a City Representative, on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee in Vernon. This committee consists of representatives from BC Housing, Interior Health, Community Futures, Social Planning Council, Seniors, Builders and the City Planner. The first challenge our Council encountered was to distinguish the difference between Affordable Housing and Attainable Housing when proposals were brought to Council by Developers.
5.
It would be very difficult to set targets for affordable housing, when development projects are brought forward by private individuals and out of our control. As a Council we may request, through policy that any development over a certain number should include some form of Affordable Housing. We are currently looking at this policy which is similar to what the City of Vernon has implemented. An example could be that any development with 10 or more units must contain 20% affordable units.
6.
As I mentioned above, through the City of Armstrong, Planning & Development Committee I have been representing Armstrong, by sitting on the City of Vernon AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. I report to the Mayor & Council, developments and trends that come out of the monthly meetings. We, as a Council, will be developing an affordable housing strategy which could model the “Attainable Housing Strategy used by the City of Vernon.
7.
The biggest issue the City of Armstrong faces regarding transit is the proportionate FUNDING. Funding for the Vernon Regional Transit System is cost shared between BC Transit and the City of Vernon, the District of Coldstream, the Regional District of North Okanagan, including the City of Enderby, the City of Armstrong, the Township of Spallumcheen, and the Village of Lumby. As we were one of the original members to be involved in the expansion of the Transit System, the City of Armstrong pays a very high percentage in comparison to the other communities involved. The immediate change that I would like to see is a readjustment of funding to reflect the actual usage in our area.
8.
Locally in Armstrong, we have approximately 20% of our population over 65 years of age and 47% over 45 years of age. As the Career Counsellor at Pleasant Valley Secondary School for the last 25 years I have seen the students graduate and leave our area to begin their careers elsewhere. Many students are returning to the area after starting their careers outside the Okanagan. We are an aging population with an aging workforce and if trends continue there should be job openings in all sectors in the not so distance future. Depending on what careers students have a passion for will determine if they stay in our region.
9.
Pride - Spirit - Vision, indicates pride of our past, spirit of our present, and vision of our future. These are the words on the City of Armstrong crest which I was part of the team that created it and the words that guide my decisions. As a long time high school educator and former student and teacher at Okanagan College, I understand what each and every student is going through and what they will go through. I encourage all students to exercise their right to vote and to get involved in decisions may at the municipal level.
1.
I am seeking re-election for Armstrong City Councillor because I love our community and I believe that as a Senior I bring to the table the voices of many ages, since I’ve lived thru them all! (see question #9)
2.
Young voters should note think that their voice doesn’t mean anything! There is much debate about whether Voting is a Right or a Privilege? I say, it is neither if you don’t exercise it! It is indeed a privilege that could be taken away, as strange as that concept may be in Canada, you only have to look at the news to see where people are bleeding in the streets to get the rights, so they can have the privilege of voting in their country. Every time you don’t take the right to vote you are throwing away a privilege others would die for.
3.
Economic Development can be done sustainably and should be considered in the same manner as Environmental sustainability. While we are at it, why aren’t we talking about social sustainability, as well? It is all about thinking long term for any decision we make, personally and as a local gov’t. I believe the City of Armstrong is trying to do that. . I also believe that every little step we take to better our community has a compounding affect, so I am o.k. if we can only take baby steps!
4.
Local Gov’t has the ability to encourage developers to consider “affordable” in their planning. Either by forgiving some municipal fees in exchange for a commitment or providing municipally owned land to a project, or just downright requiring a developer to include affordable in their vocabulary and their planning. Most local gov’ts are already doing some form of that, and the City of Armstrong has committed to amending Development Bylaws and Policies to follow suit.
5.
We know that we are just too small to set targets as the housing market is driving by the economy. We can set regulations that will ensure that affordable is laid out as an expectation for Developers and we can also work with non-profits to partner where possible to see projects move ahead.
6.
Armstrong City Council has committed to the new Official Community Plan including commitments to Affordable Housing and creating a strategy that would be a combination of requirements and encouragements for “profit and non-profit” developments to include Affordable Housing in their planning.
7.
The City of Armstrong is a partner in the North Okanagan Regional Transit function and that is the only reason there is any bus service for Armstrong. The community pays $45,000 right now for the service we have and that is a large part of our annual budget. The challenge is that at every turn the costs are expected to go up and there is no way that the number of people served would likely provide a positive outcome for a “value for money” audit. However, Council knows it is socially a really important service and that if it was lost, it would be devastating to those that do use it.
8.
Our Region is not unique in either of these scenarios. It has always been that unless you choose a career path that is specifically aimed at an industry in the area you live, you will have to seek opportunities wherever you can. Those just beginning to decide where their educational path will take them could consider what the needs of all those seniors is going to be in the future? Just a thought for a student advisor?
9.
Students who vote in Armstrong should consider voting for me for City Councillor, because I care about my community staying a great place to come home to. I want the City to have good infrastructure, to be socially responsible, to ensure that there are sound fiscal policies in place that ensure our water and our sewer and our roads/sidewalks and parks and trails and playgrounds stay in good condition. That we support our businesses and industries (we only have one in Armstrong!) by keeping infrastructure sound and encourage development of different housing options so people of all ages will be able to find a suitable place to live and they will feel safe doing so.
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