Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running in this election.

Kelowna has been home to my family for 34 years. We raised our three children here, built lasting friendships, and I have had the privilege of serving this community in several different roles. I care deeply about this city and the people who call it home.

I believe City Council needs experienced people who will truly listen, ask good questions, look at the facts and make careful decisions. My years in public service have taught me the importance of good judgment, respectful debate, and keeping the long-term interests of the community in mind.

I'm running for City Council because I want to continue serving the community I've called home for more than three decades, and I want to make sure we get the important decisions done right.

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?

My faith in Jesus Christ is an important part of who I am and how I live my life. I trust Him as my Lord and Saviour and look to Him for strength, wisdom and guidance, particularly when decisions are difficult. My faith calls me to be grateful, treat others with kindness and respect, and serve my community with humility and integrity.

How do your personal values shape your leadership, and what are those values?

The values I live by influence how I approach decisions and how I treat people. I believe in being honest, keeping my word, listening carefully and treating people with respect, even when we disagree. I'm not afraid to ask questions or change my mind when the facts warrant it. At the same time, I believe in standing by my principles rather than changing them for the approval of others, while making the decisions I believe are right for the community.

How would you balance your personal beliefs with your responsibility to represent all Kelowna residents?

My personal beliefs are important to me, but as a Councilor, my responsibility would be to represent all Kelowna residents. I would listen to different perspectives, consider the facts and make decisions based on what I believe is best for the community, while respecting that others may see things differently.

How would you like to see city spending prioritized?

City spending should start with the services residents rely on every day: roads, water, sewer, fire and police services, parks and other essential infrastructure. I would also look carefully at existing spending, find efficiencies where possible, and make sure major projects are properly planned before committing more taxpayer dollars.

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 believe Council has a responsibility to set clear, reasonable standards for materials and programming available to minors in City-funding facilities and public libraries. Those standards should consider age-appropriateness, the use of public funding and the interests of families.

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?

This is not a matter for City Council, but I believe parents generally have a right to know when their child is seeking significant support from a school counsellor, particularly when a child is dealing with depression or other serious concerns. There may be situations involving immediate safety where information must be handled differently, but parents should not be left out of important decisions affecting their child.

What steps would you like to see taken to increase transparency and accountability at City Hall?

I believe we need to bring the resident voice back to City Hall. My approach would be to listen carefully, be honest about the facts, and make sure residents understand how and why decisions are made. If I make a commitment to the people I represent, I want them to know they can count on me to follow through, be accountable and be honest with them along the way.

What public safety issues are you seeing in Kelowna, and how do you believe these issues should be addressed?

I hear concerns from residents about crime, homelessness, addiction and public disorder, particularly when these issues affect their neighborhoods, businesses and public spaces. These issues need a practical response: effective policing and bylaw enforcement, safer public spaces, and better coordination between the City, service providers and other levels of government. We should support people who need help while also expecting reasonable standards of safety and order in our community.

What do you think can be done locally to bring down the cost of housing?

The City can help reduce the cost of building housing by making approvals more predictable, reviewing City fees and development costs, and making sure infrastructure keeps pace with growth. We also need a mix of housing options so families, seniors and people starting out have opportunities to find a home they can afford.

What policies would you support to help stimulate Kelowna’s job market?

A strong local economy starts with an environment where businesses can grow and people can find good jobs. I would support reasonable fees, reliable infrastructure and a clear, predictable approval process. Supporting local businesses, agriculture and new investment will help provide more opportunities for people to work, build businesses and contribute to our community.

What ideas do you have to better balance infrastructure and city growth?

We need to make sure our infrastructure keeps up with the pace of growth. Roads, water, sewer, parks and other services need to be planned for before new development puts more pressure on them. We need to grow in a way that allows Kelowna to move forward without losing the things that make it home.