Zimmerman to run for council

[grammafreddy]

Crap :(

Stacking the deck is underhanded. I won't vote for him or anyone who appears to be on Grey's "slate" of "friends".

Blanleil is out, too. Another one I won't support.

Oh, and Sharon Shepherd is better? I supported her back in 2005 only because I felt we needed a change. Unfortunately, we've had six years of flip-flopping, wish-washing and indecision. We've had committee after committee and report after report and nothing's been done on a number of issues. I think it's time that Ms. Shepherd resume helping out her husband's medical practice full-time - or go back behind the pharmacy counter.

I'd also like to see the following people lose their seats: Charlie Hodge and Angela Reid-Nagy-whatever-she's-going-by-today. Robert Hobson hasn't been much better but his name recognition and longevity make him unlikely to lose his seat plus he's committed to making this his last term.

Cheers,
Doug

I hope you don't have any political aspirations. My understanding is that Sharon Shepherd holds the mayor's seat and will run for that position on council again. Please correct me if I am wrong but is Zimmerman not running for a councillor seat? And don't Blanleil, Hodge, Reid-Nagy and Hobson hold three of those councillor seats now but are also running for those same seats in this year's election? Tossing SS into this mix is a tad apples and oranges, isn't it?

[AllthatFunk]

Oh, and Sharon Shepherd is better? I supported her back in 2005 only because I felt we needed a change. Unfortunately, we've had six years of flip-flopping, wish-washing and indecision. We've had committee after committee and report after report and nothing's been done on a number of issues. I think it's time that Ms. Shepherd resume helping out her husband's medical practice full-time - or go back behind the pharmacy counter.

I'd also like to see the following people lose their seats: Charlie Hodge and Angela Reid-Nagy-whatever-she's-going-by-today. Robert Hobson hasn't been much better but his name recognition and longevity make him unlikely to lose his seat plus he's committed to making this his last term.

Cheers,
Doug

I hope you don't have any political aspirations. My understanding is that Sharon Shepherd holds the mayor's seat and will run for that position on council again. Please correct me if I am wrong but is Zimmerman not running for a councillor seat? And don't Blanleil, Hodge, Reid-Nagy and Hobson hold three of those councillor seats now but are also running for those same seats in this year's election? Tossing SS into this mix is a tad apples and oranges, isn't it?

GF did I just hear you say "BAM" and wave that "oh no you dinit'" finger? LOL

[forumdoug]

Oh, and Sharon Shepherd is better? I supported her back in 2005 only because I felt we needed a change. Unfortunately, we've had six years of flip-flopping, wish-washing and indecision. We've had committee after committee and report after report and nothing's been done on a number of issues. I think it's time that Ms. Shepherd resume helping out her husband's medical practice full-time - or go back behind the pharmacy counter.

I'd also like to see the following people lose their seats: Charlie Hodge and Angela Reid-Nagy-whatever-she's-going-by-today. Robert Hobson hasn't been much better but his name recognition and longevity make him unlikely to lose his seat plus he's committed to making this his last term.

Cheers,
Doug

I hope you don't have any political aspirations. My understanding is that Sharon Shepherd holds the mayor's seat and will run for that position on council again. Please correct me if I am wrong but is Zimmerman not running for a councillor seat? And don't Blanleil, Hodge, Reid-Nagy and Hobson hold three of those councillor seats now but are also running for those same seats in this year's election? Tossing SS into this mix is a tad apples and oranges, isn't it?

What are you talking about!? That makes no sense. I thought this thread was discussing who was mulling running for Council or Mayor. From what you're stating, it sounds you're arguing the incumbents are somehow 'entitled' to their seats.

And, it was a pretty safe assumption that you're supporting Sharon Shepherd if you're not supporting Walter Gray. The other choices simply have no chance of winning. So, it was very fair of me to draw Shepherd into the mix since you were trash-talking Mr. Gray. All I'm saying is ... what has Sharon Shepherd done for you? What has she done for the City of Kelowna in the past six years besides create a new committee to study a new problem, direct staff to produce report after report and hire consultant after consultant? She did a complete 180 degree flip flop on the proposed Comprehensive Development Zoning, from her previous position, forcing the only downtown redevelopment plan back to square one and defeating years of planning. While the current Council can't be blamed for the current economic "recession-esque" environment, they haven't produced positive conditions to encourage and foster economic growth, either.

It is very fair to bring to the public's attention the non-record of Messrs. Hobson & Hodge and Ms. Reid-Nagy-or-whatever-my-name-of-the-week-is-because-I'm-so-self-important-to-worry-about-my-name. All three, plus Shepherd, have been very disappointing.

Cheers,
Doug

[staples2]

Wow Doug- you didn't really get it re. mayors/councillors. Anyway, Shepherd has been part of way more being done across the board (ie. different areas of community- arts/culture, recreation, infrastructure, housing, environment, youth involvement, etc.) than Gray ever did. And she didn't flip on CD- her stance was always against the way it was presented- ie. high rises on the water- she's made it clear she wants the downtown to be revitalized, just not as it was proposed. Craig on the other hand ran a platform on being against CD and suddenly flipped once he was in- scary. And really, I don't understand the criticism of bringing in consultants, holding public forums, doing more research, etc. prior to making HUGE decisions than will effect our community for decades to come- why would we want to rush those things without as much info. as possible? Otherwise we end up with a highway going straight through our downtown... and super ugly developments in areas they shouldn't be.

[grammafreddy]

What are you talking about!? That makes no sense. I thought this thread was discussing who was mulling running for Council or Mayor. From what you're stating, it sounds you're arguing the incumbents are somehow 'entitled' to their seats.

And, it was a pretty safe assumption that you're supporting Sharon Shepherd if you're not supporting Walter Gray. The other choices simply have no chance of winning. So, it was very fair of me to draw Shepherd into the mix since you were trash-talking Mr. Gray. All I'm saying is ... what has Sharon Shepherd done for you? What has she done for the City of Kelowna in the past six years besides create a new committee to study a new problem, direct staff to produce report after report and hire consultant after consultant? She did a complete 180 degree flip flop on the proposed Comprehensive Development Zoning, from her previous position, forcing the only downtown redevelopment plan back to square one and defeating years of planning. While the current Council can't be blamed for the current economic "recession-esque" environment, they haven't produced positive conditions to encourage and foster economic growth, either.

It is very fair to bring to the public's attention the non-record of Messrs. Hobson & Hodge and Ms. Reid-Nagy-or-whatever-my-name-of-the-week-is-because-I'm-so-self-important-to-worry-about-my-name. All three, plus Shepherd, have been very disappointing.

Cheers,
Doug

Oh boy, now I am really hoping you have no political aspirations! :127:


1. This thread is about Zimmerman. The title of this thread is "Zimmerman to run for council".

2. What position is he tossing his hat into the ring for?

3. IF he is going after the Mayoralty chair, then bringing both SS and Grey into the thread is on topic as they have both declared for the mayor's position. Anyone currently holding or running for a Councillor's chair is a moot point and off topic.

4. IF he is after a councillor's seat at the table, then what, pray tell, does Sharon's chair at the table have to do with anything? He doesn't need to defeat Sharon to get a seat. He does, however, have to be in the top 8 of those who are challenging for a councillor position to get a chair at the table.

And, noooooo ........... nobody is 'entitled" to their seats.

[shoo]

Did Zimmermans career in real estate not work out? :dyinglaughing:

[Rwede]

Who writes this crap? "Former chief throws hat in the fire"

The phrase is "Former chief throws hat in the ring"


Zimmerman will do well in the polls on name recognition, as do most of the councillors, since how they do on managing growth and city finances seems irrelevant to the stunned electorate.

[kelofornia]

Back in 2009, Zimmermann was hospitalized for nearly six months with acute pancreatitis. Much of that time was spent in a drug induced coma



This little tidbit is always good information to have as background on potential candidtates; google pacreatitis while you're at it and see if he is worth your vote.
The problem with elections is nobody does their history exam before they cast their ballot.

[cubafreak]

Are you saying we shouldn't vote for him because he was sick in the past???? Wow!, now that is sure a good reason............... :ohmygod:

[kelofornia]

Are you saying we shouldn't vote for him because he was sick in the past???? Wow!, now that is sure a good reason............... :ohmygod:

Not at all, take a look at the reason why he was sick in the first place and inquire as to any treatment he may have sought.

[Raven1]

Not at all, take a look at the reason why he was sick in the first place and inquire as to any treatment he may have sought.

Good point, and while we're at it can we have each of them take a mental health assessment before they are allowed to run for office.

[cooldude]

Hummm let’s see, a man that bashed the Ministry of Forests on camera back in 2003 during the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire, and arm chair quarterbacked decisions from the fire hall that put many structural firefighters in harm’s way during the fire storm. Also, he refused to participate in a unified command with the province when asked to do so during an unprecedented state of emergency.

Since his tirade, we have broken down those jurisdictional barriers as one forum participant indicated, and have now partnered up with those structural firefighters across the province due to the Fillmon Report, thank goodness. But the icing on the cake for me was when his mug was plastered on Macleans Magazine in the same breath as Shania Twain. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Good luck has-been! :dyinglaughing:

[BoyWondering]

Zimmerman was just interviewed on CBC. When asked why he is running, his reply was extremely similar to the reasons given by the Old Gray Mayor. The interviewer brought this up & his reply was that this was his own decision that he had been mulling for a while: he had talked to both Gray & Shepherd.

He also talked about his 15 years of experience at City Hall and his strong preference for action and quick decisions: he mentioned his concern for how money is being spent in tough times.

First; while no one can question Gerry's leadership abilities during a crisis - and the compassion he showed during the 2003 fires - a role on council means working for the good of the whole community as part of a team. I'm remain to be convinced that he can make that transition while retaining his instinct for action. This is somewhat the same as promoting your star sales rep to sales manager and having them fail to understand the roles are very different.

Second; I am suspicious that he is closely aligned with Gray, despite his protestations. Gray mentioned during his interview that 'a number of highly competent people' were awaiting his decision to run for mayor before announcing their candidacy for council. The timing of Zimmerman's announcement seems a little too coincidental.

Third; Gerry has strong ties to the real estate sector. We need to hear very clearly what his attitude is to the sustainable development of Kelowna.

If Gray is running a slate of candidates - however informally - he and the candidates should be honest about this and very clear what platform they are running on; not what they are against, but what they are proposing to do. We've had enough of negative political campaigning only to find out their true positions once elected.

[cooldude]

First; while no one can question Gerry's leadership abilities during a crisis - and the compassion he showed during the 2003 fires - a role on council means working for the good of the whole community as part of a team. I'm remain to be convinced that he can make that transition while retaining his instinct for action. This is somewhat the same as promoting your star sales rep to sales manager and having them fail to understand the roles are very different.

I guess you were one of the many misinformed general public. No worries, hundreds of people fell into that false belief. But you do have some valid points besides the one above.

[tsanderson]

I can easily clarify my position with regard to Walter Gray. My comments to Phil were that I am happy that Walter is running so as to generate interest in the election. When there is no strong mayor's race (like last time) voter turn out is VERY poor (21%). This is terrible. I am extremely interested in the ideas and platforms that Walter and Sharon will bring forward. We need new, fresh ideas across a number of areas (Social, economic, and environmental). This City has stagnated, and I am not just talking about real estate development. We have become anti-fun as concerns festivals and concerts, we have very little to offer our youth in terms of job creation, and we seem to want to focus on noise bylaws when gangsters are running amock. Again I look forward to new ideas from both leaders. I do like Gerry, as I have met with him, and he is willing to champion a number of new ideas. We need leadership and we need to get Council working again!