Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running in this election:
I am a long-time Kelowna resident - along with my husband Dr John Brinkerhoff we have raised our 4 children and now enjoy them as well as the 13 grandchildren we have been blessed with. We have attended Metro for 3.5 years and prior were at New Life - although have attended events and services at a number of the excellent churches in town!!
I am wanting to return (after 3 terms away) to the School Board table as Leanne's departure leaves a loss of godly influence. I feel called to 'stand in the gap' for our children.
If you feel comfortable sharing, what is your faith background, religious tradition, or philosophical worldview, for example: Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, secular, or another worldview?
Christian
How do your personal values shape your leadership, and what are those values?
My values are based on a Christian world view where we are responsible and accountable to humbly serve others - valuing each person as made in the Image of God.
Abraham Kuyper a former prime minister of Holland stated in 1880 "There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!"
How would you balance your personal beliefs with your responsibility to represent all Kelowna residents?
As above, everyone has dignity. I like to say Everyone deserves respect and needs to be respected themselves.
In a world of free choice we are called not to judgment and antagonism but to look for the areas we can agree on and work together so our schools and whole community can flourish.
How would you like to see city spending prioritized?
Not my role as a trustee to comment on City spending. Schools on the other hand, trustee are co-governors with the province. I believe trustees should have access to discretionary funds locally rather than being so tied to how the current Ministry of Education designates.
What role, if any, do you think City Council should have in setting standards for materials and programming available to minors in city-funded facilities and public libraries?
I do believe that minors should be protected in all areas.
What role do you believe parental consent and notification should play when a minor makes personal disclosures or requests support from a school counsellor, and what exceptions, if any, should apply?
Historically schools were set up to serve the parents in helping them educate their children but in today’s culture, the school appears to act as the ‘authority' and the parents are relegated to trying to figure out what is going on. Parents should be viewed as the primary support system for their children and only in the case of parental abuse or suspected imminent danger should a parent not at least be notified.
What steps would you like to see taken to increase transparency and accountability at City Hall?
Transparency and accountability is vital to build and keep trust. However this is really a role for the public - holding our leaders to task. Get involved, attend meetings to listen and learn.
For those in office there needs to be humility in receiving this public trust. Appreciation of receiving public input and responding to input given in timely and non-defensive and respectful ways.
What public safety issues are you seeing in Kelowna, and how do you believe these issues should be addressed?
Everyone talks about 'unsafe streets' but our schools have also become places of concern. Teachers as well as children may not feel 'safe'! Traditional values have been, in large part, rejected and we are facing the consequences.
I believe this is due, in large part, to the breakdown of the family and a consequence of not following the path toward 'flourishing'.
What do you think can be done locally to bring down the cost of housing?
We do have some great examples of groups which are addressing this. i.e Society of Hope which is the largest affordable housing organization outside of the Lower Mainland.
What policies would you support to help stimulate Kelowna’s job market?
No Response
What ideas do you have to better balance infrastructure and city growth?
No Response
