Kelowna 2005 Civic Elections - Andre Blanleil for City Council

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ANDRE BLANLEIL – 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

My name is Andre Blanleil and I’m running for City Council. I’d like to take a few minutes of your time and talk a bit about my last 12 years on Council, our City and what I think are the most important issues ahead.

SAFER STREETS

I’ve been an outspoken voice on Council when it came to providing the necessary resources to keep our streets safe – in particular in the downtown core. It is essential that our streets be safe. As a first impression to visitors, City Park was becoming a poor one – this incredible gift of parkland was being taken away from us by drug dealers and vagrants – we had to put a stop to it and we’ve made real headway. But that sort of thing doesn’t just happen – it happens because people on Council do their job and speak out on issues that are important for all our citizens. I was one of those City Councillors.

TAXES

On TAXES I’ve been firm and consistent and have no plans to change – in fact I’ve been so firm at times that I’ve voted several times against proposed budgets. I think that budget increases should be linked directly to the annual increase in the cost of living.

BUSINESS

I’m a businessman and certainly positive about the importance of creating a healthy, business environment in our community – and that applies to small business in a particular – as small business has proven to be the ‘little engine that could’ for our City, employing thousands of us in Kelowna. But I’m not just that. I’m a man of balance. I fight for safer streets and lower taxes; I work extensively on the Parks and Recreation Facilities Committee; I’m concerned about maintaining sustainable and managed growth; I’m also a father and a husband and I’m still actively involved competing in Masters Fastball (although I may have lost a mile or two off my pitching).

TRANSPORTATION

There are a number of pressing transportation issues. We’re working hard to resolve them and are making real progress. We need to work on proper infrastructure and planning to deal with these ongoing and expanding issues. I think as well, a second crossing and the Okanagan Bypass should be on the planning table now.

HEALTHY COMMUNITY

I’m the Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Committee and in that capacity have provided leadership on many important projects which have affected the quality of everyday life for all the citizens of Kelowna.

- Mission Greenaway
- Prospera Place
- The Capital News Centre
- the continued development of our recreation facilities throughout the City

AND most recently of course the exciting expansion of the Mission District Park and Aquatic Centre.

All of these projects have added so much to the healthy community we all strive for.

My family has lived in this city for 100 years, I’ve raised my own kids here and intend to live here for the rest of my life. I know the issues are difficult and I also know as a Councillor that I can’t please everyone but agree with me or not I want to say this - I love this City, what is has become and what it can be and I would like to be a part of that future. And for those reasons I am asking for your support here tonight.




MoveKelownaForward.com has contacted this candidate and received permission to publish this information.


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