Rule with a View

Moving on over!

2011-06-13T21:45:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I'm moving on over to WordPress and will start blogging there shortly :)

The new address is www.michelerule.ca - please add that to your favorites, follow it, whatever! You can also find me at my Facebook page and on Twitter at @michelerule. Thanks and chat soon!

Michele

Thank you Kelowna!

2008-11-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out and voted for me in the 2008 municipal election! I'm thrilled to be serving as your councillor for another three years!

Where to Vote!

2008-11-13T13:47:00.000-08:00

KELOWNA VOTING LOCATIONS
NOVEMBER 15, 2008
AS Matheson Elementary School 2090 Gordon Drive
Bankhead Elementary School 1280 Wilson Avenue
Black Mountain Elementary School 1650 Gallagher Road
Casorso Elementary School 3675 Casorso Road
Cedar Creek Community Centre 5160 Chute Lake Road
Dorothea Walker Elementary School 4346 Gordon Drive
East Kelowna Community Hall 2704 East Kelowna Road
Glenmore Elementary School 960 Glenmore Drive
KLO Middle School 3130 Gordon Drive
North Glenmore Elementary School 125 Glenmore Road North
Okanagan Mission Secondary School 4544 Gordon Drive
Parkinson Recreation Centre 1800 Parkinson Way
Raymer Elementary School 657 Raymer Avenue
Rutland Senior Secondary School 705 Rutland Road North
Saint Joseph’s Elementary School 839 Sutherland Avenue
South Kelowna Elementary School 4176 Spiers Road South
Rutland Elementary School 200 Mallach Road
Springvalley Middle School 350 Ziprick Road
UBC Okanagan Arts Building (ART102) 3333 University Way
Watson Road Elementary School 475 Yates Road

Qualified electors of the City of Kelowna may vote at any of the above locations upon presentation of acceptable identification and registration (check out kelowna.ca for more information).

Phil Johnson's Questions to Me

2008-11-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

I had an e-mail from Phil Johnson at AM 1150 today posing some interesting questions.

Community Gardens:
This is something I've been working on with the Community Garden people (mainly Ruth Mellor- and also the Healthy Food Council, which I sit on. You'll notice that community gardens appear in the draft of the OCP which was released last Monday. I fully support community gardens, especially in areas of high density, and support using public land to accomplish this (it doesn't take as much land as one might think - check out the newest garden at St Paul and Cawston!). I also think green space around buildings can be used for food production - we'll be looking at new landscaping policy in the next few months and while the focus is on xeriscaping I think there is also room there for edible landscaping. Green roofs are an excellent opportunity to increase growing space and I support including that as a requirement for new development. Of course, you need the cooperation of the residents to make a community garden work (people have to want to garden!), but I think that by providing the space and leading by example the concept will become more widely accepted.

Banning Plastic Bags:
A bit more complicated than it sounds, strangely enough! If we ban plastic bags, then people buy plastic bags to put their garbage in (not so much the big plastic bags, but the "kitchen catchers"). If some of the retailers switch to biodegradable bags, then those make good garbage bags but they wreck havoc if they get mixed in with the recycling! So I would support a ban on regular plastic bags as long as we could also ensure an adequate supply of biodegradable bags - of course biodegradable bags aren't really totally biodegradable because there are still little bits that never disappear.So what we really want in the long run is to change people's behavior so that they don't put a bag in the bucket under their kitchen sink, but rather just wash out the bucket periodically then we could ban the plastic bags and not worry about the side effect of people buying bags!By the way, my family uses cloth bags :-)

Solar Energy Options:
It's really exciting that Mayor Shepherd is part of the 100,000 Solar Roofs project because she can bring al kinds of information to the table. Interestingly, when in Holland year before last we had the opportunity to meet with one of the world's leading solar experts.I don't know if the new BC Building Code requires buildings to be "solar ready" but I would support our by-laws requiring this - it's very inexpensive to put in the conduits during construction and then when the cost of the technology comes down it's easy to install. In any public buildings I support some form of alternate energy being used - whether solar, geo-thermal or some other type we are not yet aware of!

Municpally Run Car Co-op Program:
I'd need to review the business case for a municipally run car co-op before I could agree to it, but I would support any business that wanted to put one in operating by providing the parking spaces! This sems to be how most of the models work that I have seen in places like Vancouver, Montreal and Portland - private enterprise with some support from the municipality for parking. The vehicles should be hybrid or electric (possibly solar!) or very small like Smart Cars. In Gronigen in northern Holland they have a bicycle co-op where you can take a bike and leave it at another station - I'd like to explore that idea as well!

Water Conservation:
We have set goals for reduction of water consumption within the city's water service area. The biggest user on our system is outdoor irrigation - summer water rates as high as seven times the winter rate of water use because of people watering their lawns and gardens. We've made some good progress but there is more to be done. Part of the solution is to encourage drought tolerant plantings. Another solution is the use of greywater for indoor use, such as toilet flushing, and for irrigation. I support changing our by-laws to allow for this.

Banning Single Serve Water Bottles:
I'm not sure that we have the legislative ability at the city level to ban single serving water - probably would have to be provincial. But I do think that the availability of bottled water in vending machines has been a positive thing as it provides a healthy alternative to pop. We need to provide recycling boxes. Also, single servings are preferable to larger bottles in terms of not transmitting fluid borne illnesses.

Answers to EarthCare Questions

2008-10-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

1. Are you in favour of sinking Okanagan Lake Bridge into Okanagan Lake? If so why and if not why?
No – I don’t think there has been adequate research done on the ramifications of that option. Unfortunately it is not the city’s decision to make, but I would support a resolution from council against the sinking to be forwarded to the province.

2. If you are elected, would you support amending the current pesticide bylaw to not allow commercial pesticide applicators to spray cosmetic pesticides in the City of Kelowna? When the bylaw comes into force in 2009 homeowners will not be allowed to spray cosmetic pesticides within City limits.
Yes – that was the original intent of the by-law before it was amended and I continue to support that.

3. On October 24, 2007, in a memo to the City Manager, the City planning department made recommendations regarding the OCP Growth Strategy for the South Pandosy Sector (Mission area). They included withholding support for any development until there has been public input into the Official Community Plan, withholding support for development variance permit applications or rezoning applications that result in height beyond four stories for commercial and residential and six stories for apartment/hotels and eight stories for the Lakeshore/Watt site.

Currently development applications for the Mission area have come before the Advisory planning commission such as the Mission group's Aqua project proposing variance of the height to accommodate three high rise towers. Other development applications in the area include Manteo, Hiawatha trailer park, Gyro Beach Resort (all seeking height variances) and a current project being built by MKS on Trusswell Road.

If elected, what is your position on the proposed developments in the Mission area? What course of action to you propose to deal with the height issues as well as the capacity and transportation issues?

I understand that these projects are in the queue but I feel that the OCP review should be completed before decisions are made. We don’t know what the capacity is for water, sewer, and transportation and we need to know that! Height is a more subjective discussion and I look forward to public input on this.

3. What is your vision on helping Kelowna become a sustainable City?

Sustainability is now part of our vision and I’m proud of that. I think the new reorganization within the City of Kelowna will help reduce the “silo” effect and ensure that departments are coordinated. This is an important step. Things like signing on to the Climate Action Charter (we were one of the first cities to do so) and supporting regional coordination on issues such as air and water quality will help guide us. Reviewing the OCP through a lens of sustainability will make sure we are on the right path. I ran on a platform of looking at each decision for its environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits and I will continue to make my decisions in that way.

4. Okanagan Lake is the major source of drinking water for the North, Central and South Okanagan populations. What steps would you take to ensure that water quality is protected and enhanced? As well, what is your opinion on how effective the Okanagan Basin Water Board has been on protecting Okanagan Lake.
We absolutely must look at water quality from a regional perspective. We have state of the art water treatment for the water users that we serve (only part of the city of Kelowna is served by our water utility – the others are irrigation improvement districts) but it is important to keep the water clean at its source. This includes the entire watershed as well as groundwater sources. I think the OBWB has done some good work and they have committed to looking at ground water extensively for their next focus. All of these steps protect the water in Okanagan Lake.

Rutland Uptown Business Association Questions

2008-10-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

1. The CD Zone is being heralded as a tool that will efficiently and effectively act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the core of downtown, would you support a similar planning and zoning exercise in the Rutland business district? If not, why?

I believe the CD Zone can be a useful tool as it dictates form and character for an area as well as provides opportunity for density transfer in order to accommodate more green space over a multi-owned area. We have recently had some very good examples of both effective and non-effective ways to go about the public process for the exercise. I feel that the model of community consultation and participation used for the Central Green project was excellent and would support a planning and zoning exercise for the Rutland Town Centre using that process.

2. Some may suggest that Kelowna is a victim of poor development which has led to urban sprawl and poor roadway infrastructure. Does the Municipal Candidate support the City of Kelowna's push for densification of Urban Town Centers? And if so, what do the candidates think of the C7 Zoning in Rutland and the new Rutland Urban Development plan involving the linear park that is currently before City Council?

Two major highways running through our community and a patchwork of agricultural reserve lands have created an unusual and difficult urban use form. It is vitally important that we concentrate on developing and densifying our town centres in order to create a more sustainable community – one where residents can walk, work, shop and play. I think the C7 zoning in the Rutland Town Centre, which allows for mixed use development, is supportive of the Urban Town Centre policies. I am excited about opportunities like community parks and transit centres in Rutland and look forward to seeing changes that the community supports.

3. In spite of the fact that most individuals being picked up by the RCMP are from other areas of town, there have been discussions with regard to locating a sobering station at Cross Roads in Rutland. These discussions have not involved URBA or the Resident’s Association. Do you support this initiative, and the location?

A sobering station is absolutely needed in our community. It just doesn’t make social or financial sense to have the RCMP put people in an intoxicated state into jail cells and then release them again without any support when they are sober. The sobering station allows a point of contact for people who need help with their addiction issues.
Regardless of where the sobering station is located, there should be a community advisory committee established to provide input and develop a set of “good neighbour” guidelines. I don’t believe that a sobering station would have a negative effect in the neighbourhood where it is located if guidelines are established in advance.

4. What do you see as priorities for Rutland and what would you do to help achieve them?

What I have heard from Rutland citizens is the need to upgrade streetscapes, improve transit, add more parkland and beautify and enhance the town centre. I believe this can be done through a community consultation process which establishes the specific areas of need and prioritizes them and then by assigning the appropriate budget amounts.

5. Recent economic events have shaken the entire financial world. Kelowna is not immune to these events and we are now starting to see large projects either fail or cease, job losses and property value losses. The City of Kelowna, as a corporation, has an annual budget of close to $500 million dollars, with millions in assets and hundreds of employees. As a councilor, you are really a Board of Directors for the on-going viability of the City as a corporate body. During these uncertain times, all organizations must be run with clear direction and knowledge of the ramifications for all decisions. Please tell us what specific education and experience you have that will assure us that you have the requisite skills for the job.

I have three years of experience now as a councillor and have a good understanding of how our budget and taxation processes work. I believe in hiring the best staff possible with the expertise to provide the advice that we need to make the right decisions. I have a university degree with a focus in archive studies and as a result have learned to sort through large volumes of information and extract the important parts – a valuable skill for the position of councillor. I support planning for the future by creating reserve funds for upcoming expenses and having a financial plan for capital projects. This is the same procedure I follow in my personal financial matters!
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any other questions. Contact therules@telus.net or 250-762-3749.

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week All Candidates Forum Questions

2008-10-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week All Candidates Forum
Answers from Council Candidate Michele Rule

What have you done in the community to address issues of poverty and homelessness?
I have been involved for over 6 years on the Poverty and Homelessness Action Team of the Central Okanagan, first as a liason from the City's housing committee, then as an executive member and now as an ex-officio executive member. I sit on the provinical Sustainable Community Parterships Committee, bringing business and community together to solve homelessness. I am also a member of the Central Okanagan Healthy Food Council.

What role do you think the city could/should play in doing more to address poverty and homelessness?
I think the city has two roles. Firstly, to advocate to other levels of government about the needs of our community. We are the level of government closest to the ground and should have the best understanding of what our issues are. Secondly it is vital that the city be prepared to partner with other levels of government and NGOs to provide housing and other services.

The city has a role in economic development. What are you prepared to do to encourage development of employment opportunities that would provide a living wage for Kelowna’s citizens?
The city currently supports the Economic Development Commission financially. The EDC is mandated to increase high quality employment opportunities and I would continue to support this. Council can also act as an advocate to have minumum wages increased and to provide the necessary increases to welfare and disability rates.

How do you plan to increase child care spaces in Kelowna?
I support rezoning and density bonuses that would provide child care facilities in both residentail and commercial developments. I will continue to support child care initiatives through the Women's Advisory Committee and partnerships with groups such as CATCH.

What would you be prepared to do to improve conditions for people with special needs and vulnerable women and men?
I will continue to be actively involved in groups like PHATCO and also the council committees that are working on these issues, such as the Women's Advisory Committee and the Committee for People with Disabilities. Council is in a position to actively lobby the provincial government for increases in welfare and disability allowances and the provincial and federal governments for the creation of more core-need housing

Would you support the food charter? Why or why not?
I absolutely support the City of Kelowna adopting the food charter. I have been actively involved in the Healthy Food Council for the past few years. It is more and more important that cities become resilient in the face of global food and economic crisis and enshiring food policy into documents like the OCP is the best way to alleviate poverty and strengthen the economy, enhancing urban food security and health.

How would you improve transportation options in Kelowna?
Over the past three years I have continuously supported budget increases for transit expansion, bicycle paths and pedestrian routes. I believe that this is the best way to improve our environment and improve the health of our citizens, and it also saves tax dollars as these items are much cheaper than building new roads.

If you are elected, what would be your first priority?
My first priority will be enacting the recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force of which I was a member. Theses recommendations include creating a housing authority, enacting density bonuses for affordable housing and making changes to the OCP to allow for affordable in-fill housing.

What would you do to increase affordable rental options in Kelowna?
With a rental vacancy rate of 0.3%, Kelowna is in dire need of more rental housing. This has been the focus of discussion at our Community Housing Committee for the past six months and a workshop on how to increase rental housing will be hosted by the City in November. Council has already been involved in lobbying the federal government to reinstate the tax incentives for rental housing. Secondary suites and other inovative options like lock-off suites are also important to create adequate supply.

What do you see as the root cause(s) of poverty?
There are a number of root causes of poverty, and most people become impoverished through a combination of these. The most notable are income, education and literacy, early childhood development, health and availability of proper care, and, unfortunately, gender and race. It will take a concentrated effort by all levels of government, business and community to overcome poverty but I believe it can and will happen.

AM 1150 Radio Questionaire Answers

2008-10-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

2) A bio for use on our website.

My name is Michele Rule and it has been my pleasure to serve as city councillor for the City of Kelowna over the past three years. I have lived in Kelowna all my life and am currently located in the North Glenmore area with my two sons, Justin, aged 15 and Thomas, aged 8. I am an Okanagan College Alumni and have a Bachelor's Degree in Canadian literature and Canadian history from the University of Victoria. In the past I have been active on civic, school, environmental, arts and social committees. I have my own consulting firm working with non-profits in the areas of media and marketing.
Over the past three years I have served on twelve council committees including the Community Heritage Commission, the Kelowna Arts Foundation, the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Community Housing Committee, the Women's Advisory Committee and the Youth Advisory Committee. I am also an active member of the Healthy Food Council and the Poverty and Homelessness Action Team of the Central Okanagan. I represent Kelowna as a director on the Central Okanagan Regional District and as alternate on the Okanagan Regional Library Board.
To find out more about me please visit my website at www.rulesview.blogspot.com or check out my Facebook group "Re-elect Michele Rule to Kelowna City Council"

3) Answers to the following questions

i) Why should Kelowna residents vote for you?

Over the past three years I have served the citizens of Kelowna diligently. In every decision I attempt to balance the three factors that are most important to our quality of life - economic, environmental and social. I will continue to work hard to be an effective representative by being accessible and approachable.

ii) What is your position on downtown revitalization (the CD Zone)?

I am awaiting the public hearing before making a final decision on the CD Zone. I have some concerns with the plans as currently presented, including how the CD Zone will impact the remainder of downtown as well as preservation of heritage buildings and inclusion of affordable housing.

iii) What is your position on the Simpson Covenant ruling appeal?

I have continuosly supported the spirit and intent of the Simpson Covenant. I do not support an appeal of the judge's ruling that a charitable trust exists. I am please that the courts have indicated a willingness to work with the city to determine the parameters of the trust in order to best serve the citizens of Kelowna.

iv) What is your vision for Kelowna?

I see a diverse, inclusive and safe community with opportunies for all of its citizens to succeed. I see a community where the environment is protected and long-term plans have sustainability at their core. I see a community where people live, work and play together with mutual respect and where all people have an opportunity to be heard.

Okanagan Mission Residents Association Questionaire Answers

2008-10-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Answers for OMRA booklet for incumbent candidate Michele Rule

1. Quality of life for residents of Kelowna
What is the most important thing you wish to address in your first year as a member of council? Please state your reasons.

I intend to continue focussing on balancing economic, environmental and social concerns through the decision making process – in order for our community to be healthy and for our citizens to thrive we must make balanced decisions.

2. Official Community Plan
Do you think that the OCP should be amended by City Council to allow for increased density? Please state your reasons.

The city is currently reviewing the entire OCP with input from the community, including the issue of increased density. The revisions will provide a better plan for the long-term development of the city. However, the OCP is always a “living” document and Council needs to be open-minded when reviewing future requests in order to make the best decisions for the community.

3. Sustainable development
Should environmental factors such as adequate local water supply and air quality limit the growth of the City of Kelowna? What do you see as its maximum desirable population? Please explain.

Water quality and air quality are paramount to quality of life for our citizens. I believe that these issues must be addressed on a regional basis in order to be truly effective which is why I support regional partnerships and initiatives such as the Okanagan Basin Water Board. I do not believe in artificially mandating a population cap for our city, but I do believe in the urban centre growth model and in limiting urban sprawl.

4. Simpson/Sawmill Covenant
Do you support the appeal of the Simpson/Sawmill Covenant decision by Madame Justice Catherine Bruce? Please explain.

I have continually supported the spirit and intent of the Simpson Covenant and I feel that Madame Justice Bruce’s findings of a charitable trust fulfill that spirit and intent. I am not in favour of pursuing an appeal of the decision. I am pleased that Madame Justice Bruce has indicated a willingness to work with the city to determine the parameters of the trust and how that might affect future land uses on the east side of Water Street.

5. Carriage Houses (RU6: Two-Dwelling Houses)
There appears to some concern in areas of the city (e.g. Kelowna North) where carriage houses have recently been built. Please provide your views on the continuation of this re-zoning program.

While the original zoning requirements for carriage homes created an unsuitable form for certain neighbourhoods, I feel that the current amended requirements generally provide for sensitive infill and help create an acceptable form of more affordable housing.

6. Secondary Suites (OCP Review Proposal)
Would you agree to allow secondary suites in every residential area with homeowners not having to go through the rezoning process? Please explain.

Secondary suites that require an exterior change or an addition to a building should continue to go through the re-zoning process. I would support secondary suites within existing buildings to move forward under the staff supervised building permit process without rezoning provided that issues of parking and building code are sufficiently addressed.

Re-elect Michele Rule for Kelowna City Council

2008-10-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

It has been my pleasure, and a great honor, to serve as your city councillor for the past three years. I believe I bring an effective, balanced approach to Council.
My vision for Kelowna continues to be a healthier community with affordable housing, safe streets, support services, prevention programs and a vibrant economy, and a greener community with parks and recreation opportunities, clean air and water, and the highest standards in development.
To be an effective councillor one must communicate clearly, listen well and build consensus. I developed these skills through my active involvement in this city as a businessperson, volunteer and community advocate in the arts, environment, social and youth services. I have further developed these abilities over the past three years as I have served on council and a number of committees including the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Youth Advisory Committee, the Women's Advisory Committee, the Community Housing Committee, the Community Heritage Committee and others.
I would be honored to continue serving as councillor in the city of Kelowna with your support. Please vote Michele Rule on November 15th.

Re-elect Michele Rule to Kelowna City Council

2008-10-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone for your support over the past three years! I am ready to serve again and ask you to please support my bid for re-election!

Western Pine Beetle

2006-05-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

Last week the Regional District invited elected officials on a tour of regional parks - including some that they hope to add to the inventory! This was a very informative tour and I feel like I have a much better grasp of the "big picture" with our regional parks system.
One of the stops we made was at Mission Creek Regional Park to view the areas that have been affected by the Western Pine Beetle. Parks staff have removed about 2250 Ponderosa Pine trees in certain areas to contain the spread of the beetle. The only way to really get rid of the beetles is to burn the bark of the trees. The bark and limbs were disposed of by burning with an air curtain burner - this minimized the smoke. Any wood that could be salvaged for use has been.
Parks staff have also set traps (see photo below). These traps contain an attraction pheromone which draws the beetles away from the trees and into the trap. This works really well in conjunction with the neighbouring homes which are using verbenone, which acts as a repellant. Verbenone basically signals to the beetle that the tree is already full of beetles. The beetles then fly to the traps instead! The beetles caught in the traps are frozen to kill them (if they haven't been eaten by larger bugs first!).

A bit of Ponderosa Pine trivia - to identify a Ponderosa Pine with your eyes closed, take a deep sniff! The bark of the Ponderosa Pine in the summer smells like vanilla ice cream - mmmmm!
For more information on the Western Pine Beetle, please visit the City of Kelowna's Pine Beetle Page

Central Okanagan Crystal Meth Task Force

2006-05-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended the screening of "Crystal Clear, Crystal Fear", a documentary based on the lives of three families living in Hope, B.C., whose children were addicted to Crystal Meth. It was an incredibly powerful movie and the panel discussion with some of the film participants was inspiring and frightening at the same time. Later in the evening we were introduced to the chairs of the three pillars of the Central Okanagan Crystal Meth Task Force. The pillars are Education, Enforcement and Treatment. Each pillar has laid out a 90 day plan to tackle Cyrstal Meth in our community.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to educate yourselves and your children about this extremely dangerous drug. Visit the Central Okanagan Crystal Meth Task Force website often and check out upcoming public meetings and opportunities to get involved.

Rutland May Days Parade!

2006-05-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

CATCH Coalition Survey on Early Childhood Development

2006-05-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

Central Okanagan residents want to help kids… and think they need help!

Kelowna, BC – Overwhelmingly, residents of the Central Okanagan approve using their tax dollars to support early childhood development and learning initiatives. While the overall findings of a recent telephone survey were not surprising to Menno Salverda, manager of the CATCH Coalition based in the Central Okanagan, the level of support definitely was.
“The survey showed that 89 percent of the respondents were in favour of government support for young children,” he said. “That was a surprise, but certainly not the only one, or the biggest!”
The recent telephone survey of 250 Central Okanagan residents revealed some startling information about the attitudes of residents about children living in their community.
“For example, as well as supporting the use of their taxes for children’s initiatives, 79 percent also believe that the community should provide some support to parents and their children,” he said. “I think this shows that, at least in the Central Okanagan, people recognize that children really are our future, that parenting can be a challenging role, and that the community has an obligation to step in and help out.”
While there was a huge level of support for children overall, there were also concerns about how children are perceived in the community.
“Respondents were asked to choose two words to describe children these days, and the first word mentioned by 57 percent was negative. They used words like difficult, unruly, undisciplined and troubled. The second word mentioned by 62 percent was also negative and 60 percent used negative descriptors for both of their choices.”
Salverda also noted another surprising finding. “We were surprised that 77 percent don’t know about the research that links the early years with how the child turns out in their teen and adult years,” he said. “I guess that those of us involved in early childhood development, whether in the medical, educational or care giving professions, are very aware of the research that clearly indicates these linkages and we assume everyone knows about them.”

He explained, “We see the consequences of a difficult childhood all the time, so we were completely surprised that so many didn’t know about it. I guess it is such a basic and important connection to the safety and health of our communities that we simply assume that everyone sees it.”
The Community Action Toward Children’s Health (CATCH) coalition is made up of most Central Okanagan organizations and individuals who either are directly involved in children’s health and welfare issues or are interested partners, such as provincial and local governments, educators, non-profit organizations, businesses and health professionals.
The survey of 250 respondents was conducted by Discovery Research as part of the group’s work in improving the lives of children in the Central Okanagan. The survey results are accurate within ±6.2 percent 19 times out of 20.
A summary of the survey is available on the CATCH website under the “What’s New” heading.

- 30 -
For more information:
Menno Salverda
(250) 763-5100, ext. 222

City of Kelowna Committees

2006-02-16T16:49:00.000-08:00
It is my pleasure to serve, at the will of the Mayor, on twelve different community based committees this term, in addition to being first alternate for the Central Okanagan Regional District. Here is the list!

Court of Revision
Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
Community Heritage Commission
Social Planning and Housing Committee
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Citizen of the Year/Civic Awards Committee
Communities in Bloom Committee
Central Okanagan Committee for Safe Schools
Kasugai Sister City Society
Alternate, Regional District of Central Okanagan
Veendam Sister City Society
Kelowna Arts Foundation
Affordable & Special Needs Housing Task Force

If you are interested in volunteering on one of these, or any of the other city committees, you can fill out an application on-line or stop by the City Clerk's Office on the third floor at City Hall.

31st Annual Civic and Community Awards

2006-01-20T08:40:00.000-08:00
The 31st Annual Civic & Community Awards are now accepting nominations. For more information or to download a nomination form, go to www.kelowna.ca, then click on “residents” then “community info”. Nomination forms can also be picked up at the United Way, Parkinson Recreation Centre, Kelowna Community Resources, and City Hall.

This is a fantastic way to honour one of your board members, or other members of your association who have contributed this past year! Please also be aware of the youth category, which honours and encourages our next generation of leaders in community spirit.

Below is a brief article on writing award winning nominations that may be helpful.

~~~~~~~~~~
Writing Award Winning Nominations
By Mary Merrill, L.S.W.

Nominators play a critical role in the nominating process. Whether you are nominating a volunteer or a manager of volunteers, the following tips can help you write an award winning nomination.

1. Read the nominating form very carefully. Be sure you adequately answer all the questions. It is especially sad to see a candidate eliminated because critical, required information has been overlooked or omitted.

2. Always remember that the judges are reading multiple nominations and are looking carefully for specific information. Too much information can be as harmful as too little information. Don't force the judge to hunt for information. Be direct. Support what you have to say with observation and fact.

3. Talk to your nominee. Most people are flattered to be nominated. Ask them the questions and listen for information you can use to support your own thoughts and ideas. Call people that work for and with the nominee. Gather as much information as possible. Be accurate. Give specific examples to reinforce what you are saying.

4. Organize your thoughts carefully and follow the nominating form. Personalize. Focus on key questions on the nomination form: detail accomplishments and their impact; describe leadership abilities; and, describe how the nominee has made a difference in the community through and with volunteerism. Share what stands out. What makes this person outstanding? How have these accomplishments had an impact? Create a unique picture of your applicant.

5. Describe unique characteristics that are more than just what a great or nice person this nominee is. Choose one or two qualities that make this person truly outstanding and then give specific examples. Share personal skills such as listening, teambuilding, collaboration, creativity, and professionalism.

6. If you are nominating a volunteer manager for excellence in the profession, this is your chance to state how this colleague performs his/her work in a manner that exemplifies all that we value. Why should this person be held up as an example for all of us? Years of service, being a nice, caring person or always being willing to help are not in themselves outstanding. These characteristics should be one part of a bigger picture of someone who exemplifies excellence. Share how your nominee reflects core values and beliefs regarding volunteerism. How does the nominee foster excellence and leadership development in others? Ask your nominee to talk about their personal philosophy of volunteerism and give examples of how they live this out.

Council Meeting Agendas

2006-01-20T08:33:00.000-08:00
The City Clerk's Office is offering a new service. You can have weekly Council Agendas sent to your e-mail address. Simply send an e-mail to cityclerk@kelowna.ca and your e-mail will be added to the distribution list. This is a great idea and will help everyone keep abreast of council topics.

The Rules Year in Review

2005-12-21T22:42:00.000-08:00
Dear Friends,

Here’s a little recap from our year! Hope yours was just as exciting and fulfilling and that 2006 proves equally wonderful!

January: We celebrate Justin’s twelfth birthday. Michele updates her first aid certificate and also travels to Nanaimo to share her experiences of coordinating “Homelessness Awareness Week” with the committee there.

February: Thomas continues to attend preschool and also enjoyed “Storybook Theatre” with the Sunshine Theatre Company.

March: We travel up to Edmonton over the Spring Break to visit Stan’s family and also spend a few days in Calgary with our Russian friends. We throw a surprise birthday party for Michele’s mom under the auspices of a “puppy shower” for her new dog, Kipling.

April: The kids and Michele participate in “Bike to Work Week” and also take part in the “Hike for Hospice”. Justin and Michele are kept busy with Scouts as well – camping every month for two or three nights.

May: It’s Kelowna’s centennial celebration and we are involved in a number of activities. Thomas is taking dance classes and t-ball!

June: Michele heads to Vancouver for a three-day meeting of provincial committees involved in homelessness. Justin brings home a stellar report card for the end of his grade seven year. Thomas celebrates his fifth birthday with a bowling party.

July: Justin and Stan head out on a five-day bike camp with the Scouts. Later in the month the whole family heads down to Portland, Oregon to visit Michele’s cousins and then over to the ocean for a few days of playing in the sand.

August: Justin and Michele’s mom travel to Abbotsford for the International Air Show. Michele’s aunt and uncle from California come up for a visit. The whole family goes camping at Otter Lake with our friends from Chilliwack. Michele arranges a surprise lunch party for Stan’s birthday. Stan kicks off his “weblog” at www.rulelaw.blogspot.com.

September: Justin starts his grade eight year and Thomas begins kindergarten! Thomas joins up with the local Beaver colony (the first stage of the Scouting movement). Michele heads into her municipal campaign, trying to secure a seat on Kelowna City Council.

October: Michele celebrates her 39th birthday (for real!) this month. She also coordinates the annual “Homelessness Awareness Week” and travels to Vancouver for the National Volunteerism Initiative Volunteer Academy. Life is very hectic with the election campaign ongoing.

November: Justin has a role in the Theatre Kelowna and Sunshine Theatre Christmas production “Suessical the Musical” which runs nine shows at the end of November. The whole family is thrilled when Michele wins a seat on Kelowna City Council in the municipal election on Nov. 19th.

December: Another year has passed and we are into the Christmas season again! It’s a very busy time as we take part in many celebrations and spend time with family and friends. We’ll be thinking of you, too!

Merry Christmas to all, and all the best for 2006!
Love from Stan, Michele, Justin and Thomas

Thank You!

2005-11-20T00:27:00.000-08:00
The results are in and I just wanted to send a quick thank you to everyone for their support and encouragement! I am so thrilled and honoured to have been elected to Kelowna City Council. This will be such an exciting three years and I look forward to moving Kelowna forward to a healthier and greener community!
Congratulations also to all the other candidates - everyone ran a good race and I hope that you will all stay involved in making Kelowna a better place. It's been a pleasure getting to know all of you.

Thanks again, everyone!

Michele

Voting Day Tomorrow

2005-11-18T07:52:00.000-08:00
I've been receiving an overwhelming number of e-mails and phone calls of support these past few days and I just wanted to thank everyone - it means so much to me! Whatever happens tomorrow night, it has been a wonderful experience getting to know so many of you. I am committed to this community and will always strive to make it a better place for all of us and for future generations!

Please remember to go out and vote tomorrow! Remind your friends to vote as well. If you, or someone you know, needs a ride to the polls, please call me at 762-3749.

Thanks again, and I'll put up a post tomorrow night with the results.

Sincerely,

Michele

Glenmore Valley Community Association Questionnaire

2005-11-15T17:01:00.000-08:00
Here are my answers to the Glenmore Valley Community Association Questionnaire. You can read all the responses at the GVCA website.

1. What are you prepared to do, and what changes would you make, to empower and support the various residents associations.

I am a member of the GVCA and see the value in residents associations. The first step would be to provide each residents association with a small yearly grant for communication purposes i.e. newsletters, print ads, to help them build their memberships. Next would be to provide meeting space if possible. Thirdly, I would attend residents associations meetings throughout the city on a regular basis.

2. What is your timeline for the following road projects: the four-laning of Glenmore Road up to the Scenic intersection (Corbin's Store), a connection from Glenmore Road to UBC-O, a connection from Glenmore Road to Highway 97, and the completion of the Okanagan Bypass from Cerise to Highway 97.

The Glenmore Bypass is scheduled for 2010. With expansion of UBC-O the timeline should be moved up. I would like a bicycle/transit only route between Glenmore and UBC-O. There is a connection planned between Glenmore Rd and Hwy 97 north of the Landfill for before 2012. The Okanagan Bypass to Spall should be completed in 2006. We may need to extend this road east to Hwy33/97 before 2010.

3. Given the tremendous population growth in the Glenmore Valley, what is your timeline for the creation of a parks and recreation plan.

The parks department has been tasked with updating the plan for Glenmore Valley in 2006. I would expect that plan to take into account new development in the valley and include a community centre. Parkland acquisition is a priority. I am pleased with the city's purchase of parkland adjacent to the new Dr. Knox site.

www.OKBC.tv Candidate Profiles

2005-11-14T19:46:00.000-08:00
Public Service Announcement:
Kelowna Municipal Candidates Videoprofiles available now on www.OKBC.tv

For immediate release. November 9, 2005:

Residents of Kelowna now have the opportunity to watch in-depth interviews with most of the candidates for Mayor and City Council via online video. This FREE public service is available to those with high-speed internet access. Go to www.okbc.tv – the Okanagan’s first web-based ‘television’ station. The interviews reveal the ideologies and assets of each of the candidates.

“We live in an ‘On-Demand’ world where we know what we want, when we want and how we want it delivered. Web-television gives us control and choice,” says Humberto Morales President and CEO of OKBC.tv. "We are pleased to be a part of delivering information of relevance to the local community."

Canada is the third largest adopter of broadband technologies and OKBC.TV is pioneering On-line, On-demand Community Broadcasting. We have started our first operation in Canada’s Okanagan Valley and plan to create or help create other operations across this continent and Europe. OCBC Inc. is the umbrella corporation under which OKBC.TV operates as the first community, WEB based television starting with 12 categories relevant to the Okanagan. OKBC.TV delivers focused entertainment and information in a user-friendly, visually-stimulating environment using the latest video and cross media technologies.

For more information on OKBC.TV, or suggestions on new articles, you can contact them @ comments@okbc.tv.

Rule on Dumpsters

2005-11-12T19:48:00.000-08:00
If anyone needed convincing that the Downtown Kelowna Association's plan to remove dumpsters from the downtown core was a good one, then tonight's events should do the trick.

My husband, Stan, and I were headed downtown for a sneak preview at Sheffield's Gourmet Coffee on Queensway at Pandosy around 7 pm when we saw and smelt smoke. There was a dumpster fire in alleyway off Pandosy! Firemen were on the scene within minutes. Then, less than 30 minutes later, smoke again, this time in the back alley closer to the Lawrence and Pandosy intersection. Again, firemen arrived and doused the flames.

Removing dumpsters will clean up our downtown alleyways. Nasty odours will be gone and there will be no easy targets for graffiti. Hiding places will also be gone, and there will be no "dumpster diving". Plus, there will be more recycling! This is a measure that must be expedited and I will do everything I can to make this happen for our downtown.

We Will Not Forget Them - A Remembrance Day Poem by Justin Rule

2005-11-11T08:02:00.000-08:00
We Will Not Forget Them

Remembrance Day comes once a year,
A memorial where we can remember …

The men and women that gave their lives for peace
Our thought for the dead stay quietly in our minds
As they lay under the poppies

We will not forget them

At ceremonies across our nation
We honour our veterans
We will not forget the important lessons we learned

We will not forget them

The silence ends two minutes past
The eleventh hour
When our leaders signed a treaty for a peaceful world

They are not forgotten

Lord, we have one thing to say,
Let the countries of our world understand
What a wreath means.

By Justin Rule

Rule on the Simpson Covenant

2005-11-10T11:30:00.000-08:00
Thank you to everyone who attended last evening's Chamber of Commerce/Downtown Kelowna Association All-Candidates Forum.

I was fortunate to receive a question in regard to the proposed Lawson's Landing development.

While I am in favour of redevelopment in the downtown, including the mixed use, density and height allowable under the C7 zoning, I favour the stepped back approach recommended in the downtown sector plan. I know that this plan allows for a "landmark" development near the foot of Bernard, but this should not occur at the expense of public space that was dedicated to the citizens of Kelowna so many years ago. Nor should any of the precious green space downtown be given up - this will be the one saving grace for the downtown in years to come.

As far as Lawson's Landing is concerned, I believe the project is not right for that particular part of downtown. It would saturate the need for retail and residential space, creating a deterrent to redevelopment in other parts of the downtown core.

Earth Care Society All Candidates questionnaire

2005-11-05T14:46:00.000-08:00
The Earth Care Society sent out the following questionnaire to all the candidates. Here are my responses.

1. Do you support the ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides like Roundup, and 2-4,D in the city of Kelowna?
Yes

2. Numerous communities across the country have implemented bylaws that restrict or ban the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private land. Would you support a bylaw like this in the City of Kelowna?
Yes. More than 60 communities across Canada have implemented by-laws banning the use of cosmetic pesticides, and the Supreme Court has upheld the ability of municipalities to enact such by-laws. To be successful, the City would also need to undertake an education program about alternatives to chemical pesticides, perhaps in partnership with the the local Health Authority.

3. Do you support manual methods of controlling weeds on sidewalks and roadsides instead of using pesticides?
Yes

4. The Province of B.C has broken its promise to implement the agreed on Okanagan Shuswap land Resource Management Plan. Many of the parks created in the plan have not been moved to class A status and remain Protected Areas. Will you lobby the provincial government to implement the plan and move our parks to class A?
Yes. Part of city council's role is to lobby on behalf of its citizens in front of other levels of government. I will begin by contacting the LRMP Implementation Committee to determine the status of the Ok Shuswap LRMP (it seems no official update has been given since 2001) and then bring the matter before my council colleagues and ask them to send an official request to the appropriate provincial minister.

5. Do you agree with the establishment of a National Park in the South Okanagan that includes Okanagan Mountain Park as part of the National Park?
I am totally in favour of a National Park for the South Okanagan and at the very least would want it to abut the boundaries of the Okanagan Mountain Park, which is currently a provincial park, in order to protect our shared watershed and wildlife corridors. Furthermore, if the boundaries could be extended to include Okanagan Mountain Park (not currently in the plan, but something we could ask for) this would have a tremendous impact on eco-tourism for the Kelowna area.

6. How would you as a councilor work to increase the amount of Parks in the city of Kelowna?
Parks and green space protection are a priority for me. A first step is the completion of the 20 year Parks and Recreation Master Plan which will set direction for parks and green space acquisition.

7. Do you support the Lawson landing project on the foreshore of Kelowna's downtown area?
No. We must preserve public access to this area for future generations. I do support the redevelopment and densification of the downtown core, in a stepped back manner from the waterfront.

8. What would you do to improve water quality in Kelowna?
At the local level, we need to complete key infrastructure projects related to water quality such as the North Rutland Sewer and UV Water Protection, as well as develop an Environmental Management System for our works and utilities department. I am interested in amalgamating the 5 water authorities within the municipal boundaries in order to develop cooperative water management strategies and to promote efficient water use. Regionally I support a watershed-wide coalition to ensure the long-term health of our water supply.

9. What would you do to improve air quality in the valley?
Coordinated effort from all stakeholders is the key to improving air quality in the valley. Built environment planning (land use and transportation) must integrate air quality goals. I support the initiatives of the Central Okanagan Regional Air Quality Program.

10. What type of growth do you feel is appropriate, and how is it sustainable?
Sustainable development is development that will maintain both human and natural systems well into the future. Decisions regarding appropriate development for Kelowna should be made in consideration of environmental, social health, and economic factors, as well as the ability of existing infrastructure to handle the growth.

UBC-O Campus Paper "The Phoenix" Question

2005-11-02T07:42:00.000-08:00
I received this question from the Phoenix the other day ...

What will you do to improve transportation to UBC O?

I will immediately begin work on the following: Bus Rapid Transit (trial period to begin January 2006), Rails with Trails Bicycle Paths, link from North Glenmore to UBC-O and an overpass on Highway 97 at University Rd.

And, if you could spend one day at the waterslides with someone famous (dead or alive),
who would it be?

Margaret Mead

Okanagan Mission Residents Association Endorsement

2005-10-31T20:48:00.000-08:00
I would like to thank the members of the Okanagan Mission Residents Association for their support of my bid for city council.

I recognize that there are differences of opinion about the roles of residents associations and whether or not residents associations should endorse particular candidates. I am secretary for the Glenmore Valley Community Association, which decided not to endorse any candidates. The decision to endorse or not is up to each individual association and its members.

As someone running for council I don’t feel it is appropriate for me to tell the residents associations what they should or should not do.

I stress that I am running as an independent and not as part of a slate or party. If elected I will base my decisions on the merits of each proposal or policy and how it benefits Kelowna as a whole.

The final decision about who will serve on the next city council is up to each individual resident of Kelowna. I urge everyone to educate themselves on the policies of each candidate and to please vote.

For my answers to the OKanagan Mission Residents Association questions, please see my post here.

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Questions

2005-10-26T15:17:00.000-07:00
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has given each council candidate a series of questions to anwers. Below please find their questions and my answers. There will be a public forum co-hosted by the Chamber and the Downtown Kelowna Association on Novmber 9th, 6:30 pm at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

1.) What are your views regarding the role of City Council in maintaining the level of economic growth currently experienced in the city?

Economic growth is dependant on customers. The City plays a key role in getting customers to the businesses through transportation, by ensuring business and commercial districts are clean and safe, and by beautification of city owned property and streetscapes. The local permitting process is currently rated average to good by 54% of business owners, but 39% still view it as poor to fair. Mixed use zoning provides businesses with built-in customers and employees.

2.) The tourism industry continues to be a major employment sector in Kelowna. What role do you believe that City Council should play in enhancing this sector?

The City should continue to support Tourism Kelowna and the Cultural Corridor Project. A survey of civic properties such as the Kelowna Museum and the Kelowna Art Gallery needs to be done for long-term capital requirements. A strategic plan needs to be completed for the Kelowna Arts Foundation and for the Cultural Services Division, as well as the master plan for Parks and Recreation.

3.) The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has requested that the City of Kelowna take a leadership role to coordinate the resources (financial and human resources) on such social issues as drug abuse and homelessness. What are your views toward this request?

The City should no more be involved in telling social agencies how to manage their financial and human resources that they should be in telling business how to manage theirs. What the City can do is provide support in the same way they do for business through the DKA – by contributing funding for an independent ”Social Planning Council.”

4.) Construction of the new Bennett Bridge will address the current transportation needs on Highway 97. What are your views toward addressing future traffic needs in Kelowna as the city (and region) continue to grow?

Alternative transportation concepts need to be explored now in order to begin land acquisition for future projects. A traffic and cost-effectiveness study of the different options, including the elevated highway, the second crossing and the by-pass should be done within the next two years. The bus transit system must be improved to become viable through the addition of on-demand buses and Bus Rapid Transit and development should be focused on the town-centre concept as outlined in the Official Community Plan.

Okanagan Mission Residents Association Forum

2005-10-22T16:21:00.000-07:00
The Okanagan Mission Residents Association is planning an all-candidates forum for October 25th, 7:00 pm at the Lutheran Church on Lakeshore Road. In preparation for this, they sent each candidate a series of questions. They plan to distribute the answers to their members at the forum. These are the questions and my answers!

Quality of life for residents of Kelowna:
1. What is the most important thing you wish to address in your first year as a member of council? Please explain the actions you would take to accomplish this goal?

While I have number of goals for my time as councillor, my first priority will be the creation of a Social Planning Council that is all-encompassing, pro-active and at arms-length from City Hall so as to allow for lobbying of municipal and other levels of government. A part-time resource person could be funded by the City to ensure the success of the structure of the council. This has been done very successfully in other B.C. Communities including Kamloops and Prince George.

In-camera discussions:
2. Should all City Council discussions be made public except those concerning staff relations and salary, budget matters and proprietary business information? Please state your reasons.

Council discussions should be as transparent as possible within the limits of human rights and privacy legislation. This allows for communication and accountability.

Official Community Plan:
3. Do you think that the OCP should be binding upon City Council? Please state your reasons.

No. The OCP is a living document which provides a framework for planning and an opportunity to provide a future vision for our community. It is only as accurate and forward thinking as the authors were able to provide at the time and therefore must have flexibility to address unforeseen events and innovations.

Recognizing the distinctiveness of communities:
4. Do you believe that communities such as Glenmore, Rutland and Okanagan Mission must have greater autonomy to develop as historic and distinct communities? Please state your reasons.

No. While each community within Kelowna is unique and should celebrate that uniqueness, they are part of a larger whole. City Council's responsibility is to look at planning that will benefit and enhance the entire city.

Amalgamation:
5. Do you support the amalgamation of Kelowna and Westbank?

My personal feeling is that an amalgamation would prove beneficial to both communities. I look forward to the completion of the Westside Governance Study which will either bear that out or give me cause to reconsider my position.

Ward system:
6. Do you think that a ward system would better serve Kelowna’s growing population? Please state your reasons.

No. Kelowna is not yet large enough for a ward system to be beneficial.

Sustainable development:
7. Should environmental factors such as adequate local water supply, air quality and waste management limit the growth of the City of Kelowna? What do you see as its maximum desirable population? Please explain.

Development should be viewed through the lens of environmental, social health, and economic factors, as well as the ability for existing infrastructure to handle the growth. How we manage growth and its impact on these three factors will determine people's desire to live here.

Advocate for Community Groups:
8. Should the City of Kelowna provide an independent public advocate to assist community groups in making informed submissions to council regarding changes to the OCP or zoning? Please state your reasons.

The City of Kelowna already provides a staff person to aid community groups and while more time should be allocated to this, an independent public advocate is neither necessary or desirable. I would recommend a "Planning 101" course hosted by the City for interested persons.

Healthy Planning Workshop - Smart Growth

2005-10-21T13:57:00.000-07:00
Yesterday I attended a Healthy Planning Workshop sponsored by Interior Health and the City of Kelowna, along with the Planning Institute of BC and the Ministry of Health. This was an excellent opportunity to look at determinants of health in relation to urban planning. I was pleased to see councilor Robert Hobson in attendance.
Dr. Larry Frank of UBC, a recognized expert in the interaction between land use, travel behavior and public health, was the keynote speaker.
I have always been supporter of "Smart Growth" principles and would like to share this quote from Dr. Frank:

"At its best, Smart Growth is like a medicine that treats a multitude of diseases - protecting respiratory health, improving cardiovascular health, preventing cancer, avoiding traumatic injuries and fatalities, controlling depression and anxiety, improving well-being. In the medical world, such an intervention would be miraculous. In the worlds of land use and transportation, it is a thrilling, and attainable, opportunity."

Development proposals are already vetted for environmental impact and economic impact - it is now time to do the same for health impact with a detailed set of standards. I look forward to working with the IHA and planners to develop and implement this assessment tool.

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign!

2005-10-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Election signs are springing up all over town like mushrooms!

My team has decided to wait until November 1st to put up any signs on public roadways. No point cluttering up the landscape any longer than necessary.

If you would like a lawn sign for your yard or window, please send an e-mail with your address to therules@telus.net and someone will deliver one to you. Thanks for your support.

Rule on the Elevated Highway

2005-10-15T17:37:00.000-07:00
There has been much discussion lately about the elevated highway proposal for Highway 97. If elected to Council, I would be interested in reviewing this proposal.

With Highway 97 now designated a federal highway, there is the possibility of additional funds for improvements from the federal government, in addition to the province. I would be interested in costing the proposal from the bridge all the way to Sexsmith Road - a 50 to 100 year solution. I would also like to see a new artist's rendering of the proposal that shows the sight lines and open space for the elevated highway, as well as the on/off ramps. Finally, I feel that if this proposal were to move forward, I would like to see Harvey Avenue below the elevated highway narrowed and made more pedestrian friendly between Abbott and Gordon.

To this point there has been no serious review of this proposal, as it fell outside of the mandate of the Roads Task Force. The Task Force was created to look at a short-term (10 to 15 years), low cost option to the one-way couplet in order to meet the requirements for the City's Memorandum of Understanding with the Province for the new bridge.

Rule on Residents Associations

2005-10-10T19:34:00.000-07:00
It has been a pleasure to serve on the Glenmore Valley Community Association for this past year as secretary. I encourage everyone to participate in their local residents associations. These associations can serve as an important link between City Council and the community.

If elected to City Council, I will look at ways to improve this communication for the benefit of all. The first step would be to provide each residents association with a small yearly grant for communication purposes i.e. newsletters, print ads. Next would be to provide meeting space if possible. Thirdly, I would attend residents associations meetings throughout the city on a rotating basis.

Glenmore Valley Community Association

2005-10-07T07:16:00.000-07:00
The Glenmore Valley Community Association held a general meeting on October 5th. Guest speakers were Anne Brown of the Emergency Social Services and Barb Shave, former Red Cross volunteer. Of particular interest was a list of items to have in a "Grab and Go Bag" in case of evacuation.

A "Grab and Go Bag" should contain the following items:

Blanket, water, flashlight and extra batteries, transistor radio, toiletries, address book with family and friends, change for the phone or a phone card, small first aid kit, medical alert data, medications, note book and pen, seasonal clothing

Other items to consider:

Travel games or cards to pass the time, family photo, non-perishable food

A bag stored in the car could also contain:

Candles, a whistle, local maps, sturdy shoes and a small toolkit

Anne recommended that you refresh your "Grab and Go Bag" twice a year when you replace your smoke detector batteries. This includes replacing batteries, changing clothing to season wear, refreshing water and food supply.

The 10 Minute Cure for Procrastination!

2005-10-05T14:57:00.000-07:00
Yesterday was a busy day as I filed my nomination papers, helped pick up garbage along Glenmore Road with my sons' Scout and Beaver group, and attended the Okanagan JayCees workshop featuring motivational speaker Rhonda Victor. Rhonda is very inspiring. She led about thirty young business women through a number of exercises to determine their goals and start on the road to achieving them.
One of the gems from Rhonda's workshop was the "10 Minute Makeover". Her theory is that if you give yourself a time limit of 10 minutes, you can get past the road block of getting started on anything - a business project, an exercise program, or any other personal goals. I thought this was fantastic advice and wanted to pass it on. For more information on Rhonda Victor, please visit www.incitecoaching.com.

Deepak Binning Fundraising Dinner

2005-10-02T08:18:00.000-07:00
My husband Stan and I attended the Deepak Binning Fundraising dinner on Saturday night for the second year. What a fabulous evening, and a wonderful way to raise funds and awareness around cancer. Many thanks to Mohini Singh for inviting us. The food was fantastic - great work Barbie Bal - and the musical entertainment was invigorating to say the least. Over $30,000 was raised - a record in the five years the event has been running. Congratulations to all the organizers - keep up the good work!

Rule on Panhandling

2005-09-19T08:32:00.000-07:00
"Kelowna City Council will look at amending city bylaws concerning panhandling in city parks. According to a staff report, "bylaw officers are unable to use the Panhandling Bylaw, since it does not cover parks or other City-owned lands such as the ground of City Hall." An amendment to the current bylaw would make it illegal to panhandle in parks and grounds of all City-owned buildings. In his report to council, David Graham, Director of Parks and Leisure Services says, "Panhandlers are often active in City Park. Panhandling makes the park feel unsafe and uncomfortable for many tourists and local citizens. Visitors to parks and other civic sites should expect to be free from harassment, intimidation or unwanted approaches that may be perceived as threatening." Council will review the report during this afternoons council meeting." (Castanet, Sept. 19, 2005)

There are a number of real solutions to panhandling, and while bylaws give authority to remove aggressive panhandlers, what is also needed is an education program for tourists and residents about panhandling, and an alternative for those who want to help. One such program has been implemented in Portland, Oregon. Called "Real Change not Spare Change", this program is a service of the Portland Business Alliance (similar to our Downtown Kelowna Association), and offers education, and opportunity to interact with panhandlers through a voucher program, and opportunities to support service agencies.

This type of solution offers balance between keeping our parks and streets comfortable for tourists and families and helping those in need.

Rule on the Bridge

2005-09-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

The new Bennett Bridge was a long time coming (and still is). While five lanes will help move traffic along, the real issue still remains Highway 97 itself. Traffic control lights need to be coordinated to allow smooth flow-through. Some intersections should not have left turns, and those that do need proper left hand turn lanes and lights. This will take coordination between provincial highway authorities and our municipal traffic team.
Sometime in the next ten to fifteen years we will still require a second crossing, and it is important to build that into our planning now to allow land acquisition for the "landing" spot.
The proposed bike and pedestrian lanes for the bridge appear to be adequate, although somewhat unconventional being combined together on one side of the bridge. It is unfortunate that cyclists and pedestrians will have to cross the flow of traffic on the west side of the bridge at the Campbell Interchange. There doesn't appear to be any accomodation for the new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit).

Rule's Platform - Inter-governmental Cooperation

2005-09-09T19:12:00.000-07:00
Kelowna does not exist in a vacuum, nor should City Council operate in a vacuum! I believe that City Council should represent its citizens through cooperation with other levels of government, both horizontally and vertically.

Horizontal Inter-governmental Cooperation: City Council and the School Board must operate in partnership over location of schools and use of school buildings for the community. City Council must work with the municipal councils of Vernon, Penticton, Lake Country, Summerland and Peachland on a valley-wide air and water quality strategy as well as a transportation strategy. I support the initiatives of the Okanagan Clusters in this regard, and would like to see even more real decision-making power allocated to these valley-wide coalitions.

Vertical Inter-governmental Cooperation: City Council members need to become experts in the gaps and assets in the community for services that are funded by provincial and federal governments in order to properly lobby for funding of these services in our community. This includes highways, education, and social services including core-need housing, detox and prevention services, mental health services, income assistance and shelter allowance.

Rule's Platform - Keeping It Green

2005-09-06T16:59:00.000-07:00
Development: Development must be sustainable. The way development in Kelowna is managed will have a huge impact on our quality of life. I believe that each proposal needs to be looked at to determine the benefits to the community, the detriments, the aesthetics of the project and the need. I agree that there are some horrendous developments in this city that never should have been approved, and some very well thought out projects that serve the purpose of housing and add to the community. I am strongly in support of the town centre model that keeps future development focuessed in our four urban centers: downtown, Pandosy, Orchard Park and Rutland at the crossroads.

Parks and Green Space: One of Kelowna's most attractive features is its green space and outdoor recreation opportunities. We need to expand on these spaces, making them accessible to all our residents. This includes the waterfront as well as natural wilderness lands. In addition to this, I believe that playgrounds and sports fields should be widely available throughout the city to encourage our young people to be more active. I also support the creation of more dog parks in Kelowna.

Going Greener: I support the continuation of the recycling program and would like to see it expanded to include other materials. I am strongly in favour of improving transit service and making our city streets more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. As the population of Kelowna grows, it is vital that we all participate in keeping our environment healthy.

Rule's Platform - A Healthy Community

2005-08-31T09:30:00.000-07:00
Safe Streets: I strongly support the removal of dumpsters from the downtown core, the immediate clean-up of graffiti, the addition of washroom facilities and better lighting, and a needle exchange program that would keep dirty needles off our streets and play areas. I also support the Downtown Patrol and the RCMP street presence, as well as community policing stations.

Support Services: I support the work of the Gospel Mission, the Kelowna Drop-In Centre, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre, the IHA Street Nurses, Iridian Youth Detox and the Dental Clinic, as well as the many other support service providers throughout Kelowna. These services are critical to ensuring that people in our community have a hand up in their time of need.

Prevention: The way to keep our children and our city safe for the future is through prevention programs now. I support the DARE program, drug-free zones, and the restriction of the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to youth.

Affordable Housing: I believe that in order to provide affordable housing, the city needs to make incentives for developers available, including density bonusing for housing agreements. Further to this, the city need to play an active role in drawing provincial and federal funds for core-need housing.

An Introduction

2005-08-24T08:33:00.000-07:00
Michele Rule was born October 11th, 1966, to parents Arina (Rini) Imthorn and Larry Runnalls. Her mother was remarried in 1974 to Marinus (Rene) Elyzen. She has one brother, three step-brothers, one step-sister and two half-sisters. She attended Glenmore Elementary School, Dr. Knox Junior High and Kelowna Secondary School, graduating in 1984. Michele attended Okanagan College for two years and then received a B.A. in Arts (Canadian Literature and Canadian History) from the University of Victoria in 1990.

Michele spent two years abroad in the late 1980s, one year in Germany and Holland and another in Japan. She was married to Martin Harwood in 1988 and they had one son together, Justin. In 1994 she divorced. In 1997 she remarried local lawyer Stan Rule and they have a son together, Thomas.

Michele has her own consulting firm, "Rule's Consulting", working with mainly non-profits on media and marketing.

Michele first became interested in local politics in the early 1990s. Returning to Kelowna from Victoria, she saw the growth that was occuring and realized that city council's decisions were key to shaping that growth in a way that would create a vibrant economy but maintain and enhance the quality of life that made Kelowna such a desirable place to live.

Community Involvement

2005-08-23T17:52:00.000-07:00
I've been active in the community all my life. Here is a list of activities over the past few years. I have created links to those groups that have websites so that you can check them out and maybe get involved yourself!

Current
Glenmore Valley COmmunity Association
Secretary (2004 to present)
Central Okanagan Heritage Society
Guisachan Garden Show Committee (2001 – present)
Executive – secretary (2003 - present)
City of Kelowna Social Planning and Housing Committee
Committee member (2000 – present)
Kelowna Homelessness Steering Committee
Committee member (2003 - present)
Provincial SCPC Representative (Fall 2004 to present)
Homelessness Awareness Week Chair (May 2004 to present)
University 2000
Committee Member (1999 – present)
First North Glenmore Scouting Group
Group Committee Member (2002 – 2004), Section Leader (2004 to present)
MS Walk - Team Captain (2002, 2003, 2004)
Kiwanis Music Festival Society
Volunteer (1998 – present)
Okanagan International Marathon
Water Station Captain (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society
Board Member (1996), Volunteer (1997 –present)
Central Okanagan Hospice Association
Honorary Chair (2004 and 2005)
Salvation Army Kettle Drive
Kettle Volunteer (2002 – present)
Apple Triathlon Host Family (2005)
City of Kelowna Celebrate Canada Committee
Committee Member (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,2005)
Okanagan Families - Iridian Centre Advisory Committee
Community Member (2005)

Previous
City of Kelowna Community Housing Needs Committee
Committee Member (2001-2002)
BC Disability Games
Venue Host (2003)
Lady of the Lake Society
Judge (2003), 75th Anniversary Committee member (2005)
Kelowna Philharmonic Festival Society
Board Member (1995 – 2000)
North Glenmore Elementary Parent Advisory Council
President (2001/2002), Vice-president (2000/2001)
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra
Volunteer (1992 – 1995)
Kelowna Fibromyalgia Support Group
Executive member (1992 – 1994)
Administrators of Volunteer Resources – B.C. Branch
Committee member (2001)
Okanagan-Thompson International Sculpture Symposium
Kelowna Committee Member (2001-2002)

Awards and Recognitions
City of Kelowna Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award (Woman of the Year)
2002 Top Three Finalist
International Year of the Volunteer 2001 Government of Canada Recognition Award