KelownaNow reached out to all mayor, council and school administrators candidates running in the Kelowna and West Kelowna 2014 Citizenship Elections and asked them questions submitted by you, the reader.

The responses of those who have chosen to participate will be published between November 3rdapprox and November 14ththe in a randomly selected order.

Billie Aaltonen – Kelowna Councilor

1. What professional experience do you need to have as a Kelowna City Councilor? Please provide a specific example of a decision you have made that affects the community.

My career began with serving on the trading venues in the credit risk groups of three of the world’s largest oil and gas companies. My job was to determine the creditworthiness and financial strength of the companies we were dealing with. When my husband and I moved to Kelowna, my career changed quickly; I got my mortgage broker license and opened Mission House Coffee at the same time. As a broker, I can help people make very big decisions

Owning a small business in Kelowna is definitely my greatest achievement. Not only did we open at the end of the world’s biggest recession, we are also a success story. Our business model is unique and works well in Kettle Valley. And I have the privilege of employing a lot of great people and working closely with the community to meet their needs.

2. How many Council meetings did you attend before you announced your candidacy?

Not as many as Carol.

3. There are so many empty buildings on Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna, what are you doing to attract businesses and help them survive.

The TaxpayersFirst team will come up with some visionary projects over the coming weeks that will be the spark Kelowna has been waiting for. Projects that bring new businesses to the city and offer our citizens well-paid jobs.

Image Credit: KelownaNow

4. There is a lot of emphasis on downtown development, but what about the other city centers? What is your plan for business to flourish across Kelowna?

Every area of ​​Kelowna deserves and should expect the same treatment. Out of respect for taxpayers, we will strive to find new ways to finance and attract development. Leveraging the public-private partnership program will allow the city council not only to attract the kind of development citizens want, but will pay off for itself at the end of the day.

5. What is your plan to encourage people to take advantage of the unused parking garages and parking lots in downtown Kelowna?

The first thing that has to happen is that people have to feel safe in the parkades, especially women. The more people who live and work downtown, the fewer opportunities there are for the type of crime we’ve seen for years. TaxpayersFirst will announce a new way to build the RCMP building that will include parking, eliminating the need for a planned $ 20 million parkade.

6. How will you support the growth of the Kelowna arts and culture scene?

The cultural component of our community is extremely important when it comes to attracting new business. The heart of a city is usually in art galleries, theaters, and museums. Kelowna has done a good job in this area, but we can always get better. Our candidates will listen to the citizens and move forward from there.

7. How will you increase the variety of affordable and accessible events in Kelowna?

Events for families are easy and we have several … events for younger people are more of a thing more problematic. How we deal with alcohol, drug and youth events is important, and here, too, the community should decide. Consultation with the affected areas and the RCMP is a must.

8. How can you make Kelowna more financially viable for young adults and families?

All of our proposals will bring better paying jobs to Kelowna, especially the one that will be announced in relation to the new RCMP building. Once mom and dad have a decent income, it will be easier for them to afford to buy a home and partake of everything that is available in Kelowna. The bottom line for young people is that attitudes of community leaders must change in order for Kelowna to become what it can be in a modern, competitive world.

9. What will you do to promote affordable housing and less luxury in Kelowna?

There are many ways to do this. First we have to think more urban, such as B. RU3 zoning for land; This enables people to own vacant land with no strata that are slightly smaller than a “normal” plot size. These urban-sized plots are a great affordable housing option for those who prefer to live without layers.

Next, we must also consider carefully increasing the density in some areas (those that are susceptible).

We’ll also come up with a plan to turn the wasteland around the county office and library into a wonderful, affordable community.

10. Where will our alternative means of transport develop in the coming years?

The car will be the first mode of transport of choice for many years to come, but as public transport improves and affordability improves, people will slowly change. Congested streets, expensive gasoline and car repairs will eventually push people off the streets into buses and trains, just like in Vancouver. TaxpayersFirst believes it is imperative that Kelowna, Lake Country, Coldstream and Vernon acquire the CN rail corridor. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity with incredible long term tourism, transportation and recreation benefits. In the days to come, TaxpayersFirst will unveil our plan to acquire and upgrade this priceless land at no cost to taxpayers through our unique 3P method.

11. What do you think of Kelowna’s current financial position? What improvements would you make?

Kelowna is financially solid, but City Hall salaries are too high, especially at the management level, and there are far too many managers. TaxpayersFirst would make the town hall more taxpayer friendly. by this I mean that any decision made would determine the impact on taxpayers. Everyone expects to pay for the services we receive, but handing out your ATM card and PIN number to the town hall is a mistake. We would allow referendums on important issues and allow the public to participate in regular council meetings. Communication works.

12. What would be your top priority as a Kelowna City Councilor for the next four years?

Get the community involved in Kelowna’s development. More people will be moving here and that’s a fact so let’s embrace that growth and build the best medium-sized city we can. Lots of business in the city center and in the city centers, creative housing options for singles, families and retirees. No group is more important, only through cooperation, economy and residents can we achieve the size we all want. My personal goal is to make Kelowna a great place for my children to live and my parents to retire.

As the only candidate under 40, I believe I have a great responsibility to represent the interests of my colleagues.

The general election is Saturday November 15ththe, 2014.

The most up-to-date and up-to-date information can be found on our 2014 elections page.

For the latest information on candidates running in your community, visit the following websites:

Kelowna votes, West Kelowna votes, Lake Country votes, or Peachland votes.

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