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KelownaNow reached out to all mayoral, council and school trustee candidates running in Kelowna’s and West Kelowna’s 2014 Civic Election and asked them questions submitted by you, the reader.
Responses of those who chose to participate will be posted between November 3rd and November 14th in a randomly selected order.
Rusty Ensign - West Kelowna Councillor Candidate
1. What career experience do you have to be a Councillor for the District of West Kelowna? Please provide a specific example of a decision you made that affected the community.
I chaired the referendum in 2003 to build Royal Lepage Place and was a member od the Westside Incorporation team that won the 2007 incorporation referendum. As an eleven year Lakeview Irrigation Trustee did Capital Project planning and annual budgeting.
2. How are you going to attract businesses, residents and visitors to West Kelowna’s downtown?
The principle in common between kick starting the town center, and mitigating the cost of providing a Municipal Hall is Linked.
It involves the Municipality either purchasing land and Pre zoning it, and then either disposing the asset for a net profit, or better striking up a p3 with the private sector and retaining a portion of the land and a new building at a greatly reduced cost, and allowing density around the Municipal Hall to pay for the public asset.
By placing further incentives such as density bonusing, discounted DCC'S and other tools in the Community Charter, you can speed up the process of revitalizing the downtown.
3. What do you think about West Kelowna’s current road system and what needs to be improved in the short term?
The road network needs the annual maintenance program to be carried on with. The wine route needs to be extended in a less extravagant expense with a more functional design than the first phase on Boucherie.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
4. As West Kelowna continues to grow, how do you plan to keep up with providing enough educational institutions?
Work in Ubison with thw two Westside SD#23 Trustees
5. Do you think the waterfront is being properly utilized as a tourist destination in West Kelowna? What changes would you like to see made?
The Gellatly wharf upgrade is unsafe and needs to be fixed by next summer. A washroom and concession needs to be built in the same location to attract tourists.
6. Where do feel West Kelowna residents would most benefit from a second bridge crossing?
Bear Creek point to Sutherland Bay.
7. How do you plan on growing Agri-Tourism in West Kelowna?
Cancel our tourism program and use the same funds to by joining Tourism Kelowna and promote it on a regional basis
8. West Kelowna is growing at a rapid pace, what are your top priorities to keep up with the increasing strain on infrastructure?
Complete the DCC review by March 31m 2015 and implement the Water Master Plan.
Rusty Ensign - West Kelowna Councillor Candidate
9. What will you do to strengthen the partnership between the District of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation?
Have a personal chat with all my friends on chief and council and facilitate a joint semi annual council meeting.
10. What would be your number one priority for the next four years as a Councillor for the District of West Kelowna?
Having City Hall built at no cost to the taxpayer.
The civic election is Saturday November 15th, 2014.
For the most up to date and current information, visit our 2014 Civic Election Page.
For current information on candidates running in your community, visit the following sites:
Kelowna Votes, West Kelowna Votes, Lake Country Votes, or Peachland Votes.
Local Community Advertising