Incumbent Vernon councillor Kari Gares says one of her greatest "fundamental concerns" is providing adequate and affordable housing.
She says the current council has "worked exceptionally hard to deliver a roadmap to give future councils a template to follow and scorecard with which to gauge their progress."
Gares says housing is a "core need" for everyone and that a lack of housing is a catalyst "to most, if not all, issues affecting the city."
Gares is a third-generation Vernonite.
She graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan with a double major in psychology and history.
She worked in finance with an emphasis on mortgage lending before starting her own brokerage in 2011.
Her goals include:
- Building a strong and diverse business model that creates a more sustainable, and balanced economic approach that fosters connectivity between our business sector and city partners, creates growth and provides a healthy investment atmosphere for alternate sector jobs/industries.
- Focusing on family and youth initiatives and programs that are economically sustainable and socially inclusive to attract growth.
- A focus on infrastructure development that encourages growth and ensures a sustainable future for our community.
She is a longtime supporter of community groups, including the Queen Silver Star excellence program, sport sponsorships, the Elizabeth Fry Society, North Okanagan Minor Lacrosse Association, and is a board member of the Vernon & District Land Trust, which helps develop affordable housing.