Local Community Advertising
"Save our kids," was Christopher Bocskei's message as he led a protest against a supportive housing project in Rutland.
That was in 2019.
Three years later, he's a candidate for city council.
That project at McCurdy and Rutland Road was built, but after all of the public outcry, there were modifications made to how it would operate.
Bocskei looks back at the events fondly.
"A number of people said they felt a fair amount of pride in the fact that so many people stuck together and said, 'Hey, this matters to us'," he said.
It's all part of why Bocskei believes he could contribute around the council table.
"That may have been something that's influenced my decision," he said.
"I have a different perspective than the councillors that are currently on."
He admits that addressing homelessness remains a significant burden for the community.
He suggested the ideas are already out there, it's a question of pursuing them.
"No matter how much affordable housing we build, it won't be enough," said Bocskei. "We need to stop people from becoming homeless."
He said we need to determine who's at risk of becoming homeless.
"No matter how much we do, we'll never catch up," he added.
When asked about Kelowna's high-rise trend, he suggested council has been allowing too much variation from the Official Community Plan.
"Now I'm wondering how many other variances are going to happen," Bocskei said.
"The city is leap-frogging ahead and maybe we're not quite ready for where we're going."
Whether those who supported him during his protest days will vote for him at the polls, he's not sure.
"That's not the most important thing," said Bocskei. "I'm running because I care."
To check out all of the candidates, visit KelownaVotes 2022.
Election Day is October 15.
Local Community Advertising