Walter Gray makes it official

[AllthatFunk]

Not voting for Grandpa Walt. He can't seriously think he's going to get in again can he? God help the working poor and minority groups in this town if he does.

[crankycanadian]

I will be voting for Walter Gray, I have never been motivated enough to actually vote before, but i am sick and tired of the way things are being handled in this city. I don't want my tax dollars wasted any longer!

[Glacier]

I was living in Kamloops when Walter Gray was defeated, but I distinctly remember the media reports stating that the people of Kelowna felt the city was developing too fast and thus opted for someone who would slow down business and development to a manageable level. Given the state of the economy today, it does not surprise me to see Gray back in the foray.

[wthwyt]

Kelowna needs this old windbag as much as we need Shepard, bloody hell get some new fresh blood in City Hall.

Politicians

[officialkelowna]

I agree with the CrankyCanadian's post. We need a leader in the Mayors chair not someone who is scared to make a solid decision (Sharron). I think the entire council would benefit with a leader and team player in office.. This City Needs Walter Gray for Mayor! Lets face it current council is currently without a leader..

[BoyWondering]

I heard Walter on CBC this morning: he was being very disingenuous to put it politely!

First, he said that begin accused of being part of an 'old boy network' was due to his age and his long-time residency in Kelowna. Sorry Walter, but what we mean is that you are part of a narrow-minded clique that seems economic development as retail, restaurants and development. You have never had a vision for this city beyond pouring concrete.

Second, he talked about needing to make the city more attractive for educated young people from UBCO/OC. I work within an industry that desperately needs to retain and attract young, creative people but we find it hard to entice these folks because they perceive Kelowna to be way too oriented to the old and lacking in outlets for intellectual talent. Much of this is due to you, Walter and your homophobic attitudes do not help.

As I said before, Walter should stay retired; he is a link to the past, not a path to the future!

[Bestside]

I was living in Kamloops when Walter Gray was defeated, but I distinctly remember the media reports stating that the people of Kelowna felt the city was developing too fast and thus opted for someone who would slow down business and development to a manageable level. Given the state of the economy today, it does not surprise me to see Gray back in the foray.

Yep, the plans to scoop the City Park water front for 25 plus story condos came right out of Walter Gray and Ron Mattiussi's plans to enrich the Edmonton developer... it was under their watch that the fiasco with the Simpson covenant came about to facilitate same highrises, as well as the lawsuits resulting from the City building trails on private property...

That's a good governance act to set up again...

[wthwyt]

How I'm waiting to see James Stuart to throw his name as well, what the hell.

[JLoveOpinion]

Another case of politian being too old to realize what the city needs. I never understood why politians do not have a required 'retiring age' like the rest of the population does. Two thumbs down to Gray for mayor

[Bagotricks]

I think its just opportunity. Sharon is weak and who else is going to run?

Cushy job, travel benefits and the ability to make your friends happy and make them money.

Why not run?

[Captain Awesome]

Go ahead, Baggo. I'll vote for you for kicks and giggles.

[Bagotricks]

Go ahead, Baggo. I'll vote for you for kicks and giggles.

Only if get to run under my handle "Bag O' Tricks"

Vote lickity-split-bag-o-tricks!

[econovan64]

I was living in Kamloops when Walter Gray was defeated, but I distinctly remember the media reports stating that the people of Kelowna felt the city was developing too fast and thus opted for someone who would slow down business and development to a manageable level. Given the state of the economy today, it does not surprise me to see Gray back in the foray.

Yep, the plans to scoop the City Park water front for 25 plus story condos came right out of Walter Gray and Ron Mattiussi's plans to enrich the Edmonton developer... it was under their watch that the fiasco with the Simpson covenant came about to facilitate same highrises, as well as the lawsuits resulting from the City building trails on private property...

That's a good governance act to set up again...

Exactly

[Benzi]

When we had the great fire here Walter was on holidays!!!! Our city was burning and it was not important enough for him to come back and be the Mayor then. He showed up a few weeks later.
We do no want his arrogant *bleep* back here as Mayor. His thinking is old fashion and the city is gone on without his old outdated vision or lack of it.
He openly hates gays and lesbions, and because of him our fine city was sued less we remember. How can you be Mayor and openly hate segments of the popuation. I live next door to a gay person and an East Indian on the other side, what would Walter do, move?
If he is bored maybe Walter show up at the volunteer show this weekend at Parkinson Rec. and do something that actually gives back to the comunutiy. Most of Kelowna has moved on from your style politics. During your splendor as the Mayor of Kelowna the crime increased 10 fold, gangs actually moved here. You let downtown become a dump like the east end of Vancouver, it's dangerous to even think of going downtown for dinner. Several of friends have been beaten and robbed downtown day and night.
I am not a great fan of Sharon Shepard either. Only the Artists in the community have benifited form her tenure with the millions and millions and millions she spends on stupid art projects in this community. Someone should blow up the ugly
x-mas tree looking bear downtown, that thing looks ridiculous, yes art is in the eye of the beholder.
In the mean time we need a real Mayor not a retired old fart.

[Captain Awesome]

Go ahead, Baggo. I'll vote for you for kicks and giggles.

Only if get to run under my handle "Bag O' Tricks"

Vote lickity-split-bag-o-tricks!

Hey, you can run on the platform or legalizing everything and anything.

What a bulletproof way of getting into an office!