iN DISCUSSION: Kelowna mayor and councillor partying at Hotel Eldorado sends wrong message

This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

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Here’s my hope for all would-be politicians — leave the office better than you found it.

That’s all I really care about. I needn’t agree with your ideas on how to make our communities better, I won’t stand in your way, I want you to succeed.

But when you start degrading the institution itself, going back on your promises, evading accountability, that gets my attention.

So when I saw the mayor of Kelowna and a city councillor partying at the Hotel Eldorado with the owner — the one who locked residents out of a public boardwalk, defied court orders to do it, publicly thumbed his nose at the rest of us — not even two weeks after voting to pay this hotel owner for the inconvenience he caused? Yeah, that got my attention.

Here’s my column.

I’d love to know your thoughts.

Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Mj

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

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iN DISCUSSION

iN RESPONSE to last week’s newsletter opinion editorial on the media’s local election coverage

For me, it comes down to one simple question: Can this candidate actually get answers and results for the people they represent?
I live on a street with a well-known nuisance property. The problems have continued for years, and residents have repeatedly raised concerns. The response is always the same: the City is aware of the property, it’s considered a nuisance, and the appropriate agencies are involved.
Yet the situation never seems to improve.
I’m looking for city council candidates who won’t simply repeat the standard response but will ask the hard questions, follow up with staff, and push for meaningful action. I don’t expect councillors to solve every problem themselves, but I do expect them to advocate for residents and ensure that long-standing issues don’t just remain unresolved year after year.
That’s the kind of leadership that would earn my vote.

— Nick Carter via email

RCMP building its own Kamloops detachment would be unprecedented

The article failed to mention that the RCMP contract is to be renewed in early 2030s and the RCMP is looking at a new policing model which might include not doing city policing.

So, it is a red herring to suggest they would build on a site that does not belong to them.

— Lorenzo Belliconi via email

Unsightly yet tasty produce for free on Ugly Potato Day in Kelowna

Why isn’t there an ugly potato free vegetable thing in Vernon BC? We sure can use it!

— Sue Wellspring

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