Civic election: Daniel Norman running for Kelowna city council

Photo: Daniel Norman

Castanet News has distributed a questionnaire to city council candidates in both Kelowna and West Kelowna to help voters get to know those putting their names forward. Between the two cities, 45 people are running for city councillor.

All candidates have been given the same questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity when needed. Responses will be published daily in the weeks ahead. Election day is Oct. 15.

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Kelowna candidate: Daniel Norman

Why would you make an effective city councillor?

I would put on my safety gloves and get to work on the dirty jobs and issues that have been plaguing our unique and beautiful city. Growing up in and out of foster care, using local food banks and 15 years in construction has given me a "down to earth” point of view which will translate to a powerful voice on council. I will not shy from the difficult issues presented to our fair city and my experience as a construction safety officer will influence my decisions because safety is everyone’s responsibility.

In your view, what is the number one issue facing the city today, and how would you deal with it knowing city hall only has so much power?

Fear.

Fear of our young citizens. Fear of housing scarcity. Fear of transients. Fear of food insecurity. Fear of drug users. Fear of petty theft, break-ins and robbery. Fear of locking up your bike outside of the grocery store.
I propose increased by-law and foot/bike patrols in all commercial and residential areas funded by a 0.139 per cent surcharge on all development proposals approved by city council and supplemented with community minded volunteers to make our streets safe again and eliminate the culture of fear once and for all.

It could be decades before a second bridge is built across Okanagan Lake. How do you deal with Kelowna's transportation bottleneck in the meantime?

My goal as councillor is to find the simple answers to complex issues. Eliminating the traffic lights at Ellis and Highway 97 is a possibility. Converting the pedestrian crosswalk at Abbott and Highway 97 to an elevated pedestrian overpass that doubles as our “Welcome To Kelowna” sign will have an impact. Encouraging right turns onto Abbott street by eliminating the four-way stop at the lake avenue intersection leading to a quicker left turn onto Cadder Avenue will also ease some pressure.

These are band-aid solutions for a bullet wound problem that can ultimately be resolved with a light rapid transit system from West Kelowna to Kelowna International Airport.

Do you think Kelowna is growing too fast?

No

How would you make Kelowna more affordable?

I will encourage and subsidize property owners to convert lawn areas into highly productive raised garden boxes. The experience of growing my own food has been eye opening and enjoyable to say the least. I am keeping these ideas and solutions as simple and “down to earth” as possible. Another avenue to explore would be tax payer funded food preservation classes focused on canning, drying and pickling. Food production and security is everyone’s responsibility.

If you had $1 million to spend on anything in the city, how would you spend it?

I believe food production and food security is and will be of paramount importance for all Kelowna citizens and visitors. Dividing the funds evenly between Kelowna and Rutland to create two miniature orchards with large community planter boxes, one in Parkinson Recreational Park and the other in Ben Lee park, would greatly benefit all walks of life. Upon adoption of this "food for all” approach to community gardening, the positive outcome will be far reaching and extremely impactful to those who need it most.

A well-fed populace is a productive populace.