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Dan Schlosser headed up a lot of searches in his days as president of Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, but tracking down a city council seat promises to be one of his toughest challenges.
There are 32 candidates in the race for Kelowna's city council.
The incumbents are always difficult to unseat, and there are just two spots vacant for the upcoming vote.
Topping his list of issues is affordable housing.
Schlosser said it's difficult for members of his own family to remain here.
"I have adult kids right now, and they're looking at where's a good place to raise a family," he said. "Kelowna is becoming less and less of a viable option."
Schlosser grew up in Kelowna, and so did his kids.
"It just seems like almost an impossibility," said Schlosser.
He said the city needs to steer growth toward more affordable options.
"Rather than building these big high-rises that are million dollar condos," Schlosser added.
"They have great views, but the only people that can afford them are from Vancouver or Toronto."
Schlosser admits that our city council can't control housing prices, but they can see to it that more affordable housing is built.
"Let's focus on townhomes and condos and that type of thing," he said.
"Or maybe do some re-zoning, more than they have been doing in regards to carriage houses."
He said it will allow more "infill" in the city.
"And I think people pretty much agree, we don't want a whole bunch of tall towers."
On the subject of homelessness, Schlosser isn't criticizing what council has done, except to say that it hasn't been enough.
"I do think we need to do more," and he argues that more needs to be done to focus on underlying issues like drug addiction.
"Let's get them some help," he said.
"Rather than spending money on safe injection sites," Schlosser argues, "let's spend the money on medication that's going to get them off the addiction."
He also wants to see more attention paid to the rising crime rates in our neighbourhoods.
To check out all of the candidates, visit KelownaVotes 2022.
Voters have their say, October 15.
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