Not sold on Elvena’s election picks

Re: “Elvena reveals picks,” Herald, Letters, Sept. 27

First, I have to say that I love people from Naramata and definitely believe they are part of our community even if they don't live within those invisible lines of Penticton city limits.

I know many folks from Naramata who work hard to make Penticton the beauty that it is. They volunteer here, they work here, they support local here and they play here. I have no problem voting for a close neighbor and neither should anyone else. After all, if someone who listed their home address as West Kelowna can run in Penticton, someone from Naramata, our closest neighbor, sure can run too.

Second, of course Elvena would vote for James Miller, he has been publishing her angry rants for over a decade. As for Ryan Graham, I’d like to know what he is about but he refuses to answer questions in public and expects private meetings with him.

Being busy with work, family, volunteering is no excuse for not meeting with Sir Graham, apparently. This tactic reminds me of John Vassilaki not answering emails. What are John and Ryan afraid of? I can only think that they don't want to be held accountable for what they say or promise. This is very fishy to me and also alienates people with social anxieties.

And, lastly, she said she would vote for Lindsey Hall, this is the guy who attacks folks when he gets a bad review for his business and I'm sure he will act with the same lack of maturity when someone disagrees with his choices as a city counselor. My two cents.

Acting editor’s note: We asked Ryan Graham to respond to Shepherd’s assertion that he won’t meet with her. Graham provided evidence of multiple offers to meet with her.