UPDATE An (Un)Official Campaign Organization: FourChange.org

[marooned]

I don't know if you've noticed, but the economies of almost ALL Western Countries are in the tank. You think a change on City Council will have dramatic consequences? My question is, what will a council need to do (read S-E-L-L) to make that happen?

[BoyWondering]

Kelowna needs jobs. The economy needs to move.

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... .htm#64713

If you think that Walter Gray and these candidates are the ones to generate jobs in Kelowna, you are really being very naive. They presided over the departure of Western Star and other companies and did nothing to attract new companies. Quite the reverse; they continually underfunded our Economic Development Office that was trying to attract fast growing technology companies to relocate to Kelowna with their high paying jobs.

Their idea of economic development is the Maxine Dehart column in the Capital News which regularly celebrates a new hair salon as the most exciting business news in the community. This group depend on a steady supply of under-educated, under-experienced younger people as cannon fodder for the MacJobs they offer in retail, food and development.

This group, and the slate they support, are a regressive step back to the past, not a path to a bright future.

[marooned]

BoyWonder, you have put this as eloquently as anyone possibly could. Kelowna absolutely lacked opportunity before, during, and after my university degree (the 90's). It was an economic ghost town for someone young and educated, unless you wanted to throw hammer or cook at a care facility (both respectable jobs, just not in my field). To make matters worse, Kelowna was viewed as a socially regressive community, with Walter Gray proclaiming 'Gay Day', not Gay Pride Day. Emerging industries like high-tech would have easily passed over the backwater Kelowna of the 90's, whose economy was based on the importation and housing of retirees in glorified MHP's behind walls.

[BoyWondering]

I earlier asked what constitutes an 'Official Campaign Organization' which is what FourChange claim to be.

On reading today's Courier, Kelowna's Chief Electoral Officer is at pains to point out that FourSquare do not qualify for the status of 'official' as they did not have at least 50 members prior to August 14th.

We used to say that 'Truth was the first casualty of war"; in the 21st century it is the first casualty of politics.

[BoyWondering]

In the other thread on this group I questioned what constitutes an 'official campaign organization. I posted this clarification and am taking the liberty of repeating it here:

I earlier asked what constitutes an 'Official Campaign Organization' which is what FourChange claim to be.

On reading today's Courier, Kelowna's Chief Electoral Officer is at pains to point out that FourSquare do not qualify for the status of 'official' as they did not have at least 50 members prior to August 14th.

We used to say that 'Truth was the first casualty of war"; in the 21st century it is the first casualty of politics.

[fentazelb]

Hodge Nagy Rule I cant really make an arguement as to why they should get a second look for another term, all are born folowers and have flip floped more during council sittings more times than I want to know, i totally get why these ones are being targeted to be replaced. James should be replaced in a heart beat as well though if you wanting stong leadership qualities, these qualities should not include how he pulls "factual" info out of his *bleep* to sway the followers. beleiving that the good of one farmer far out ways the needs of a oganization that has been a solid part of the community is assinine and fear mogering the posible loss of alr status on a peice of land, to prevent a tax saving loss that never would have happened, is also a wrong. anyone who wants to see this in action just look at the tapes, its all there.

todd :ohmygod:

[John500]

..and Gray did not know about this or does not want to have anything to do with a slate? Interesting.

[John500]

This is a pure pro-development slate of people running. There motto could be, any development is good development for Kelowna. Wonder if anyone from city staff is in the bcakground as well? Blanleil is his own man but had discussions with them. mmm, makes me think. Sure first thing on their agenda is bring back CD21 and make Milroy rich. Is it not under Gray that council at that time financed Milroy for his downtown proposal that created CD21. LIke to see their so called detailed platform. I am sure the voters in Kelowna will see thru all of this. Seems like lots of people running so there is ample choice. At least I know who NOT to vote for.

[BoyWondering]

..and Gray did not know about this or does not want to have anything to do with a slate? Interesting.

I'm sure Walter knows all about this and they've probably agreed not to endorse him openly as it may cause a backlash against him.

This all goes back to the rejection of CD21. This group is still seething about this, not so much because of the project itself but the fact that some of council and the community stood up to them and said 'no'. This has much more to do with revenge and regaining what they see as their rightful control of council than it does with any concern for the future of Kelowna.

[Phoenix Within]

The councilors' the group supports looks like a lot of members of the "old Boys Club". Blandleil knows a lot of people in this town...

Kelowna absolutely lacked opportunity before, during, and after my university degree (the 90's). It was an economic ghost town for someone young and educated, unless you wanted to throw hammer or cook at a care facility (both respectable jobs, just not in my field). Emerging industries like high-tech would have easily passed over the backwater Kelowna of the 90's, whose economy was based on the importation and housing of retirees in glorified MHP's behind walls.

This hasn't changed much since then.

Quite the reverse; they continually underfunded our Economic Development Office that was trying to attract fast growing technology companies to relocate to Kelowna with their high paying jobs.

No one higher up is interested in attracting high paying jobs to the valley. That means that everyone else would have to increase their wages to keep employees. Without major retraining, is there anywhere in Kelowna that could offer the wages that Western Star did? Has there been as significant of an increase in wages (to match cost of living and inflation) anywhere since WS left?

[KelownaCC]

As for Ms. Reid-Nagy-or-whatever-she's-calling-herself-today seems afraid to somehow "give up" her maiden name because is afraid she will somehow lose her "name recognition", thinking she's all self-important. If she was really elected on merits, people will know who she is regardless of her name. It's not like her first name is changing.

I really don't see how this is relevant. Many women who get married in their 30s and have already established themselves in the business community choose to either keep their maiden name or hyphenate - its really not a big deal. But it must somehow be a big deal to you because you keep bringing it up and slagging her over it.

[grammafreddy]

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/64 ... ant-change

Grassroots citizens want change
by Wayne Moore - Story: 64713
Sep 15, 2011 / 5:58 pm


It didn't take long for the gloves to come off in the Kelowna Civic Election campaign.

That's the feeling of one Kelowna Councillor who's seat is the target of a campaign started by a local citizens group 'concerned about the current direction of city council.'

Council seats held by Charlie Hodge, Michele Rule, Angela Reid-Nagy and Kevin Craig are being targeted by FourChange.org.

"The past 6 years have seen delay & dysfunction at City Hall. Decisions are postponed, plans delayed, the talk goes on... while a slow economy affects us all. We want Council to work together and we need leadership," says the groups website.

Hodge, who is completing his first term on council, says he's not surprised the group has come forward or that he is one of the councillors being targeted.

What does surprise him is where the attack is coming from.

"I was a little bit surprised that Nick Frost was behind it. That totally threw me," says Hodge.

"I've known Nick forever. I've sat on a number of committees with him and I've always looked at Nick as a bit of a friend and someone I went to for advice. I thought this was a bit of a blind side.

"I called him as soon as I found out and told him I was disappointed and surprised and said that after all these years of knowing me that it would have been appropriate to at least call me and talk about the issues he seems to think I have problems with."

Hodge, along with the other three targeted candidates say they are at a loss to comment on the specific nature of the groups grievences because they are not spelled out.

Angela Reid-Nagy "It's really difficult to understand what this group is supporting because they don't actually talk about any policies or specific leadership direction that they wish to take. They are just making some unfounded statements about the past without any real back-up or evidence."

"I don't think a council that really provides well balanced perspectives to important decisions should be called dysfunctional. Listening to the public and asking a developer, and even your own city staff, to go back and re-think a project or go back to the drawing board isn't an unnecessary delay. It's why we have public process in the first place."

Reid-Nagy says there are some in the community who think council should push through every high-rise and development, but says they have a job to listen to the public, something Reid-Nagy says she feels they have done very well.

Michele Rule "It's really hard for me to comment when they are not being specific about issues. It's very vague. They have never contacted me personally. I have always welcomed discussion with people, I'm very reachable so, I don't quite know what to say except it is an election and when there are no seats available in that sense, there's no one who's retired or stepped down, then of course candidates will have to talk about the current council.

"With the little bit of information I've managed to glean about this group I still have no idea what their issues are or how my values don't meet with theirs."

Rule says she hopes the group will unveil what they believe those members of council should have done differently in order to start a dialogue.

"I think people of Kelowna deserve to hear what the issues are, not just about personalities."

​Kevin Craig "I think it's good that there is a variety of opinion being brought forward. It's part of an election that people are going to have different views and they are going to advocate in favour of those views."

"I think our record is something to stand behind. I think we've achieved some real results for the community. We've been able to attract substantial infrastructure funding from other levels of government, we've implemented a new Official Community Plan, we've seen the biggest transit expansion in Kelowna's history and we are making steps toward the long term vision of Kelowna as an economically, environmentally and culturally sustainable city."

Craig says that's a record he is happy to stand behind.

FourChange.org states they believe in four principles:

Greater leadership on council
More effective decision making
Better teamwork throughout our city
Focus on the big picture - not pet projects

They have thrown their support behind current councillors Andre Blanleil, Robert Hobson, Luke Stack and Graeme James.

"These four are experienced, effective, and share our values. We will support four new strong candidates for council."

Hobson, contacted in Victoria, says he knows nothing about the group or the endorsement.

"Typically, I don't get involved in slates and I don't typically expect or asked to be endorsed by a slate," says Hobson.

"I'm an independent councillor but I'll take a look at this organization and what their objectives are."

Blanleil says he has been to meetings with FourChange.org and laid out his frustrations with the current council.

"I've been frustrated for the last three years and I think we haven't gone in some of the directions I would have liked to see us go," says Blanleil.

"I guess other people obviously have the same view. Everyone has the right to work as a group or endorse anyone to run for council or mayor."

Blanleil says the organization includes a cross section of the community. He says there were about 20 people at the meeting he attended.

He says this group is no different than residents associations across the city who have endorsed candidates for years.

In an e-mail sent to build support 'FourChange': Frost, owner of Castanet.net, and Competition Glass owner David Langton identified themselves as two members of the group. The rest have remained anonymous.

They claim to be an official Campaign Organization under municipal election rules and are seeking financial contributions to help 'get the word out.'

[bob vernon]

Sounds like some right wingers using attack ads to get control of council. There's plenty of money to be made from the right developers getting the right re-zoning. Looks as if a typical bunch of Kelowna wannabe movers and shakers trying to get to the trough. It's the way it's been for decades.

[Ub2]

Grassroots wants change . . . really!

I think Wayne Moore has now re-defined the term used for a demographic that used to be called regular folk.

The group that wants change could'nt be further away from grassroots individuals. . . . more like elites.

[Black Daisies]

"

In an e-mail sent to build support 'FourChange': Frost, owner of Castanet.net, and Competition Glass owner David Langton identified themselves as two members of the group. The rest have remained anonymous.

I have my suspicions about who they are but I wonder why the rest of the group have remained anonymous. Who are they and why are they hiding? I have fears that if elected Walter Grey and his chronies will try to re-open the CD21 issue again and use the ruse of new jobs. Well, those jobs will not last long and will only create a temporary false economy.