Neis’s attendance record was poor

Dear editor: There are shocking revelations of absence at West Kelowna council meetings by incumbent candidate Rosalind Neis for the past four years.

Yet Neis has stuck out her hand for a paycheque every two weeks for almost four years.

2015: Attended only 40 meetings out of 57: 70 per cent

2016: Only 31 meetings out of 49: 63 per cent

2017: Only 35 meetings out of 57: 61 per cent

2018: People who did attend council meetings assure me Neis continued her practice of missing three meetings, then attending the fourth to ensure she was not fired under the Provincial Act. (As 2018 is not quite complete, no numbers from this year are available)

Therefore, please do not votee for Rosalind Neis and allow her to continue this atrocious practice for another four years.

The ideal make-up of the new council would consist of three new, younger candidates with good brains, communication skills, coupled with extensive community service, over the years: Steve Johnson, Gordon Weibe, Dr. Philip Atkins (Ph.D).

This should go along with three incumbents, who are very much required for their knowledge and experience, especially Carol Zannon. Finally, a mayor is needed with that all-important experience, Gord Milsom. David Knowles For city councillor West Kelowna any emergency evacuation.

The large number of candidates in this election clearly indicates the urgent necessity to change this crew.

Please don't vote by name recognition, which has happened and we can do better than the usual 30-40 per cent voter turnout.

Positive, well-considered growth is good with highrises in the right places and change is a fact of life.

Basics first, then area-sympathetic engineering preserving individuality. Over building in all directions has already diminished attractions that brought so many and kept them here.

Enormous care needs to be taken by all of us to assure that individuality and the character of Kelowna doesn't disappear completely.

Politicians are like diapers, they must be changed regularly. Joy Lambrick Kelowna today. The dedication of each and every council member, especially the role of mayor, is substantial.

The learning curve of becoming a city councillor is steep initially — no matter one’s background and capacity to speed read. It is important to spend time going through the channels of councillor first and then mayor in order to understand how the system works and truly be able to hit the ground running once one becomes mayor, if that role is attained. There is simply too much to learn to move directly into the seat of mayor of this vibrant and growing city; and too much to suffer if the mayor is not experienced for this important role.

On many fronts, Mayor Colin Basran has a strong sense of fiscal responsibility and understands the importance of sustainability. Not only did Basran grow up here, he has worked in many capacities in our community which add value to his perspective and experience as a local business person knowing the issues and being close to the community.

I believe Basran has spent the correct amount of time with seven years combined experience as councillor and mayor and knows well how our city runs. I believe Basran is the best, and only qualified candidate to continue to be the only choice for mayor in the Oct. 20 election, and hope you will support him!

I would like to thank Colin and current council for all of their hard work and dedication and wish them all well in the coming election. Dr. John Weisbeck, former MLA Kelowna-Lake Country Okanagan East