Check your bias at the door

I attended the November 7, Mayoral debate between Sharon Shepherd and Walter Gray sponsored by the Daily Courier where Walter Gray was asked whether he would support signing a Proclamation for Gay Pride Week in Kelowna.

Yes, it would be convenient to “not look back”, but to “look forward” as Mr. Gray so frequently alluded when referencing many other issues posed to him.

Our community is well aware of Mr. Gray’s previous history and his refusal to sign a Gay Pride Week proclamation, and the subsequent findings of discrimination by the BC Human Rights Tribunal. 

In an article in the Capital News, Mr. Gray was quoted as saying, “being Mayor is not rocket science. You leave your bias at the door, you keep an open mind going in, you don’t get elected to serve your friends.”

Last night, Mr. Gray could have shown some of the leadership he is purporting to bring to the Mayor’s Office, by acknowledging he was wrong and that as Mayor of Kelowna he will represent all the diverse communities that work to make our city great. 

But Mr. Gray clearly showed that he isn’t up for the job. Rather than “leave his bias at the door”, and accept one of the responsibilities of Mayor, he stated he would defer decisions on proclamations to Council. 

My vote for Mayor will be cast for someone who has the courage to show true leadership.

Carl Hanson