Shepherd to seek third term

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Kelowna mayor Sharon Shepherd announced Thursday night that she will be seeking a third term as mayor in the Nov. 19. municipal election.

In a press release, the mayor said her ongoing vision for Kelowna is to have “a safe, healthy and economically vibrant community where all can experience an enhanced quality of life now and into the future.”

Shepherd also said she feels it’s important for the city to strive to be the best mid-sized city in the country and the recently adopted official community plan sets the guidelines for achieving that goal.

“Kelowna is a leader in sustainability with solar, geothermal, district energy and recycling policies and programs, yet there is still lots to do,” said Shepherd in the press release.

Shepherd has identified new initiatives to consider including a policing advisory coalition and an alternate transportation committee to deal with walking, cycling and transit needs.

She feels that the input obtained from the accessibility advisory committee and youth forums during the last few years should continue and yet there still needs to be ongoing policy improvements that would make Kelowna known as being business, child and age friendly.

In 2008 Shepherd faced only one contender, Kim Ouellette. She defeated challengers Walter Gray and Ouellette as well in 2005.

Ouellette garnered only one per cent of the vote in the 2008 mayoral vote as the lone opponent to Shepherd.

Identified as Shepherd’s priority projects over the next few years are the downtown plan implementation and the revitalization of Bernard Avenue; Rutland Town Centre Transit Exchange; Glenmore Recreation Park lands; building a public dock on the downtown lakefront; Water Street Seniors Centre relocation to Parkinson Recreation Centre; Stuart Park expansion and relocation of the Kelowna Yacht Club; Central Green Park development with an affordable housing component; permanent site for the Kelowna Farmer’s Market; new location for a Tourism Kelowna office; Sports Hall of Fame building location and airport improvements.