Mayor Shepherd & Kelowna's Economic Growth (or Decline)

[Logitack]

richard taylor, shepherd has this on her website, and she tweeted you specifically to have a look

so which statements are misleading, since you tweeted "believe your statement is/was sweeping to the point of being misleading" even after she tweeted you the following....

as quoted from my speech at the Gospel Mission Candidates Forum, Oct.20)

“The city has become a leader in sustainability, improved transit, expansion of multi-use pathways and park space, social housing and achieving economic growth in the midst of a global recession.”

As I stated in my speech, growth is occurring in many sectors in Kelowna.

This past week, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) reported to council, stating that our population growth is up, the labour force is up, unemployment rate is down, tourism room revenue is up, there was no change in business bankruptcies and consumer bankruptcies were down.

In fact, if you read page A5 of The Daily Courier on October 18th the article mentions this council presentation and states: “Key indicators suggest Kelowna economy is weathering the economic downturn better than most places in North America…”

For example, industrial and institutional development has been very strong having had the most square feet added in 10 years in 2009.

Building permits in 2010 were valued $357,726,126.

In 2010, because of partnerships with other levels of government and stimulus money made available, there was over $200M of new infrastructure added – –­including road resurfacing, sidewalk construction, the Dayton overpass, the RapidBus transit system and park improvements – all construction projects adding to the growth of the economy.

Another key example is the growing economic impact of the Kelowna International Airport. The 2010 Economic Impact Report released this summer points to an economic impact of over $600M on our region and city in 2010 alone. This number has grown throughout the years as we continue to drive towards accommodating 1.6M passengers annually.

Finally, it was recently announced that Kelowna achieved 13th in Canada and number 1 in BC as a top entrepreneurial city.

While there is definitely room for improvement, I stand behind my statement and will continue to lead Kelowna in this tough global economy towards achieving economic growth.
http://www.sharonshepherd.ca/leadership ... h#more-382

[Mtn Biker]

Sheppard and council took Kelowna thru the biggest recession of current time. And in my opinion, faired wery well considering.

Gray and coucil lived thru they HAY day....faired well.

Considering the two distinct economic eviroments, I would say Sheppard excelled.

Did Gray not just bail on his businesses the mintue the going got tough? I for one do not believe anything in thier (K963) story about old shareholders. If Walter is young enough for mayor, why did he run away from his business in bad times.

WHen the going got tough, the tought sold out.

Exactly. Gray road the white horse and beat it to death. Like not getting re-elected. Shepherd earned the reins through a tough time and current changes to the city are evident everywhere, even more so than Gray. I like the course the city is on. Mr Taylor's thread here is picking up on one comment made under time constraints. I too was at the Habitat, and I heard everyone speak, including all Mayoral candidates, I still like Shepherd, not one of the others said anything impressive or less damaging than what's being chewed on in this thread.

[wilde]

I just love the war of words. But, when a few hundred old geezers can't get a bus ride, can't get a dangerous hill sanded in winter, can't get realistic residential parking control, can't get street lighting properly replaced, can't get prompt police response when needed and can't get a letter answered from the person at city hall it was sent to; well then, don't expect us to feel part of this town.
When we see our neighborhood ignored and yet the city can eradicate bunnies, paint green lines for jocks and young people,
make weasel worded speeches and smile for the camera, then don't expect us to be happy.
I accept that we are old and tucked in an out of the way corner, but we can vote and this time around we will. W have not seen old people get " a fire in their belly" over a civic election for a long time, but it sure is there now.
We only have one demand and that is a recognition by the City of Kelowna that we exist and deserve reasonable respect.
Dignity at the end of life should not be tough issue to accept and deal with, something our current city administration has forgotten! Please don't forget...everyone gets old someday.

[grammafreddy]

I just love the war of words. But, when a few hundred old geezers can't get a bus ride, can't get a dangerous hill sanded in winter, can't get realistic residential parking control, can't get street lighting properly replaced, can't get prompt police response when needed and can't get a letter answered from the person at city hall it was sent to; well then, don't expect us to feel part of this town.
When we see our neighborhood ignored and yet the city can eradicate bunnies, paint green lines for jocks and young people,
make weasel worded speeches and smile for the camera, then don't expect us to be happy.
I accept that we are old and tucked in an out of the way corner, but we can vote and this time around we will. W have not seen old people get " a fire in their belly" over a civic election for a long time, but it sure is there now.
We only have one demand and that is a recognition by the City of Kelowna that we exist and deserve reasonable respect.
Dignity at the end of life should not be tough issue to accept and deal with, something our current city administration has forgotten! Please don't forget...everyone gets old someday.

I agree with you, wilde. The older people who are on the short side of prosperous are the forgotten bunch. They are disposable and society deems them to be worthless. It isn't just here in Kelowna but is the norm all over North America.

Yes, everyone gets old someday. The people who are currently in their 40s might do well to remember that. Time goes swiftly and soon enough they will be the "forgotten ones". Better to build and plan for that eventuality now to overcome it than to perpetuate the nothingness of old age.

Its not a matter of doing nothing for the younger people - its a matter of including advantages for ALL age groups and ALL income levels. Balanced planning is required.

[watchingfromthesidelines]

RICHARD TAYLOR - thank you for your response to my post last night. I appreciate the time you took - I was in a bad mood and I guess negativitely seemed to push my buttons last night. Thank you for taking the time to clarify your position and offer up some positives on the candidates and the election itself. Much appreciated.

[richardtaylor1973]

Thank you for taking the time to clarify your position and offer up some positives on the candidates and the election itself. Much appreciated.

No problem. Overall, my outlook for this election is very positive - the mayoral race aside, the electorate is spoiled for choice.

richard taylor, shepherd has this on her website, and she tweeted you specifically to have a look

so which statements are misleading, since you tweeted "believe your statement is/was sweeping to the point of being misleading" even after she tweeted you the following....

I posted a response last night to her website but it is yet to show (presumably awaiting moderation). The lines of communication have gotten a little fuzzy here. I'd originally asked my question via Twitter, then email, then via here, then via Facebook. The response came on a fifth forum - her site, but without referencing the points I made :-/

I stand by my comment that her statement was misleading. To say "[Kelowna] has become a leader in... achieving economic growth in the midst of a global recession" is far too general a statement to be considered truthful. There are some isolated positives: Tech Sector and projects driven by stimulus $.

Overall, our economy has declined since her re-election, not grown.

If she said something like "Kelowna has faired better than most cities in the face of a Global recession" - that's fine. If she said "after economic woes caused by global recession, the economic outlook is looking positive" - that would be more acceptable (although I believe Mayor and Council are complicit in the City's recent economic woes - they are not just down to external factors).

I'll throw out a sporting analogy: you lose a soccer game 2-4, you lost the game prior 0-4, your rivals lost games 0-6 and 0-8. You're doing better than your rivals. You've improved. There are some bright sparks in your 2 goals.

BUT you didn't win the match, you're not top of the table. So don't go around telling people you did and you are. That's untruthful.

[EdCase]

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/66497/Kelowna-top-city-for-businesses-in-B-C

This is to be commended but we should not lose sight of the fact that we fell from 5th place overall in 2010 to 13th place this year: our overall score also dropped. Given our urgent need to improve opportunities in higher value businesses, this is not the right direction.

[wilde]

While the rest of North America works toward mobility access buses, both articulated and smaller vehicles we buy double deckers.
Given the number of Seniors who can't climb the stairs that's not to wise. We have Senior parks in which many folks have no DL and it's blocks from a bus stop, but no one at city hall gives a hoot.
Yes, I'm an old Geezer, but I won't shut up until the young jocks at City hall learn that old people need to be listened to along with every one else! When I think of City hall today I'm reminded that they maybe can; "Hear, but they don't listen", they maybe can watch, but the cannot see".
City Government should be for all people and in the last four years that has not been the case!

[Ken7]

I just finished reading the press, Shepherd vs. Gray. I'm now at a total loss, I hate to say it but they both do not deserve my vote from what I read. Shepherd has no vision, only that of the public, what come on as a leader you personally should have some idea what this City needs. I then had a flashback to the Simpson Covenant. Wouldn't a leader pull the troops back and explain the purpose of this agreement and put a stop to right then and there. No a court ruling was the result of all these people who want your vote.

Gray on the other hand also had little to say, as I was not here when he last sat as Mayor I am not convinced he is our man. I could be wrong, but he did not impress me in that article.

I only hope that with three others running they don't split up votes and have Shepherd slide in once again. I personally do not feel she is the leader for this City.