My shopping list of election issues

With the upcoming civic election on Oct. 15, I want to bring to readers attention some issues each voter should consider before marking their ballot.

Highest on my list is the question of accountability on the part of the members of council.

With all members currently elected at large, voters have no idea whom they should contact to voice their opinion on issues council is discussing from zoning and development issues to taxes, transportation and other civic responsibilities. That gives each council member a degree of immunity from accountability for whatever transpires.

Kelowna is the fastest-growing municipality in Canada and future changes will be significant. Voters need a more effective voice and establishing a ward system would enable a significant improvement. Undoubtedly, many current council members would be opposed to such a change, fearing for their re-election were such a system instituted. It is, nevertheless, an issue that should be faced openly right after the election.

Housing is second on my list. The provision of housing aimed at middle- and lower-income families and individuals is of critical importance if the city is to enjoy a prosperous future.

A policy of tax-free status for new rental accommodation was instituted more than a decade ago to encourage the development of rental housing. While rental housing has indeed expanded substantially since then, the increase has been primarily in suites that appeal to upper-income people. A revision to the policy is needed that would provide the tax-free treatment only for middle- or lower-income rentals. Without this type of housing, the availability of a service sector workforce – especially in retail – will be permanently reduced.

Third on my list is what I call “nibbling” at the planning process and the granting of exceptions to the official community plan.

Too often a project is proposed and approved by council that demands few, if any, exceptions to neighbourhood constraints. Then, after the project is underway, the developer suddenly comes forward with a request for a height variance that substantially increases the density associated with the project.

Such a request avoids the need for a public discussion and other normal steps required by a new proposal and often it flies through council approval. It makes a mockery of the whole planning process.

A simple remedy would be to change the process to prevent any changes to what council has approved for, say, six years. Any change would have to go through the full approval process again.

Such a rule would make the normal approvals process more rational and less susceptible to being circumvented by developers who want to get around the basic objective of the planning/development process. It would also focus public attention on the impact such late changes could have on neighbourhoods and the entire city.

Fourth on my list is road racing, an assault on peace and safety which is happening regularly on major arteries in the city. The RCMP does not always enforce the speed laws in the later hours of the evening, say after 10 p.m., and therefore loud, high-speed racing occurs. Either the RCMP should be asked to enforce the law or the city should put in place on the weekends and after 9 p.m. portable speed bumps or other deterrents to such antisocial activity.

Fifth on my list and reflecting on the dubious joys of having one of the highest petty crime rates in the nation, some method must be found to end the incentives to indulge in petty crime. As things stand, someone charged with such crimes may be fined but is seldom, if ever, incarcerated. Thus, they are freed to continue to commit more crimes.

Surely there must be some way in which this activity can be greatly reduced – if not actually eliminated – if all levels of government will cooperate. A recent report commissioned by the B.C. government has recommended reinstating a prolific offender management program that was shelved in 2012.

This should help. It may require further federal action. It should also be a priority for the newly elected council.

Hopefully these issues will be addressed by the new council in the coming months.