I won’t tell you what you want to hear — only what I see driving through this town, and what I honestly think needs to change.
A quick, honest note before you read on: this is where I’m starting, not where I’m finishing. I’m not a career politician with a polished playbook — I’m a local business owner who cares about this town. The five things below are what I hear about most, and what weighs on me most. The platform list can be long, and as I keep talking with more people around Penticton, I expect mine will grow too. If there’s something on your mind that you don’t see here, I want to hear about it.
Clearly, bike lanes and traffic flow have created a lot of discussion here in Penticton. Do I understand what the City and its planners were trying to do? Maybe. But did they succeed? I believe not. I think the changes have upset a lot of citizens, and I believe something will need to change to allow for easier and safer travel by vehicle.
To me it comes down to this: keep the flow moving, rather than jamming it up and frustrating people. When drivers get frustrated sitting in traffic that doesn’t need to be that congested, some of them start driving more dangerously because of it — and that makes the roads less safe for everyone, not more.
We are a town of retirees and tourism. I believe we can do much better than what’s been done.
Here’s a question worth asking honestly: do people feel safe walking the beach or downtown after dark? I don’t think they do. I drove through downtown myself one night, around 12:30 or 1 in the morning — and I’m a big guy — and I’m not sure I’d want to walk around our own little town at that hour.
Crime, policing, repeat offenders, drug use out in the open on our streets — this is not what my grandchildren, other children, our retirees, or anyone else in this community should have to see. This needs to be fixed. Our streets and parks should be clean and safe for the citizens who live here, pay taxes here, and expect a safe community in return.
Then there’s the homeless and encampment problem here in Penticton — and honestly, in every community across BC and Canada. I’ll be straight with you: as a mayor, I don’t know yet exactly what powers I’d have to make real change on homelessness, addiction, and mental health. I don’t know that answer yet.
But if I get elected, you can bet I’ll be out on the streets, talking with the people living through this, trying to find the answer alongside them — not guessing at it from a council chamber. I’d rather tell you honestly that I don’t have it all figured out than pretend I do. Showing up and listening, to me, is where real answers start.
Do you feel Penticton has been spending your tax money responsibly? My honest opinion is that funds are wasted, spent on things maybe they shouldn’t be. If I get elected, I’ll be learning, digging, and making sure all our money is spent responsibly.
I believe in transparency, and it should be key with all citizens whenever the city decides to move forward on improvements and projects. No closed-door sessions. It’s our tax money, and we should know where it goes.
If I get elected Mayor, I’ll be the Mayor known for showing up — working hard, putting in the time, and communicating with the community and with council members. That’s the standard I’m holding myself to.
And I want to say thank you, sincerely, for the opportunity to try and make our community better again.
This platform is a starting point, built from what I see and hear. If there’s an issue on your mind, I want to know about it.