Kelowna

Kelowna Mayor, Sharon Shepherd, thinks the election process in Kelowna needs to change before voters go to the polls again in 2011.

Only 20 per cent of the electorate bothered to cast ballots in the Kelowna election. That compares with 31 per cent who voted in 2005.

Three years ago, Shepherd unseated three-term incumbent mayor, Walter Gray.

"I'm very discouraged at the turnout. What we've been doing is not working," says Shepherd.

"I would like to have a dialogue with my new council about possibly adopting a hybrid ward system."

Shepherd's plan would see the city split into four identified areas of wards, with one councilor elected from each ward.

"The other four councillors would be elected at large and the mayor would be elected at large."

She says this would give ward candidates a chance to get better known in their individual areas.

"We need to do something different. We need the electorate to become more interested."

Shepherd says she is not sure if the new council will have an appetite for change, but says she is ready to look at it.

Meantime, Shepherd says she is pleased with the make up of the new council.

"I had a chance to meet a lot of the candidates during the campaign. I observed them at many forums and read how they all responded to different questions. I think it will be an exciting council that will get a lot done over the next three years."