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Rutland in Focus During All-Candidates Forum for Kelowna Election
Residents raised social disorder and affordability concerns as all three mayoral candidates and dozens of council hopefuls answered questions at the long-running forum.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, dozens of Kelowna mayoral and council candidates gathered at Willow Park Church at 439 Highway 33 in Rutland for an all-candidates forum organized by the Rutland Residents Association.
Rutland, which joined Kelowna in 1973, has maintained a distinct identity, prompting RRA president Lynn Jack to organize the forum so residents could speak directly with candidates about neighbourhood concerns.
Jack named social disorder as the biggest issue in Rutland, pointing to the Ministry of Social Development office at Hwy 33 and Dougall Road that moved there in 2023 as a source of neighbourhood problems.
Lower Mission resident Jim King told candidates the city is too focused on tourism, saying "Tourism workers cant afford to live here," and urged attracting other industries to address affordability.
With the Oct. 17 municipal election approaching, voters from across Kelowna attended to evaluate incumbent mayor Tom Dyas, Ron Cannan, and Andrew Mark Uitvlugt before the Oct. 17 vote.