Basran returns

For all the complaining that goes on in letters to the editor, Kelowna residents appear content with their mayor and council.

As expected, Colin Basran was re-elected mayor with 57 per cent of the vote. He faced three other challengers.

In a campaign that occasionally became heated, Basran took the high road and remained positive.

With record years for development, low unemployment and a thriving high-tech industry, things are pretty good in Kelowna.

The challenges of homelessness and crime are being addressed through the Journey Home project, among other initiatives. It’s not an overnight fix and council is aware of the issue.

Tom Dyas, a two-time president of the chamber of commerce, finished second with 31 per cent and about half the number of votes as Basran.

It was good to have Dyas in the race because had it been Basran versus a group of fringe candidates, it would have been a foregone conclusion. This added some drama to the race.

And, an expected close race is a good thing because it forces the incumbent to campaign and listen to what the people have to say.

Unlike communities like Penticton, where they toss the mayor out nearly every election, Kelowna prefers stability.

That’s nowhere more evident than when you read the results of the city council race. All seven incumbents were elected — and in spots one through seven.

Loyal Wooldridge, the newcomer, won the eighth and final spot. It’s silly to think an exciting new candidate, such as Wooldridge, can’t even crack the top four.

While consistency is a good thing and the work of this council can continue, a nice mix of experience and new ideas would probably work best.

With a large number of candidates on the ballot, it’s hard for someone new to get the message across.

Maybe it’s time for Kelowna to consider a ward system.

Being a Kelowna city councillor is a safe job, certainly safer than coaching a junior hockey team.

And, for good measure, the two incumbent school board trustees (plus one who switched jurisdictions from West Kelowna) were all re-elected. So much for new faces. Overall, Basran and council have done a good job. They deserve another term.

When they keep getting re-elected, they must be doing something right.