Slate takes shot at zero tax hike

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Sean Upshaw (l) and Mike McLoughlin and seeking seats on council under the Prosper Kelowna banner.

Mike McLoughlin and Sean Upshaw officially kicked off their municipal election campaign in Kelowna Wednesday with the first shot to the bow of the city's other political slate.

McLoughlin and Upshaw are running for seats on City Council under the newly formed Prosper Kelowna slate.

They opened their campaign below the Bear sculpture at Stuart Park with a warning.

"We do have another party in this city and that party is called Taxpayers First and, as we stand here and look at City Hall, I believe the approach they're taking of freezing taxes for the next four years is either cynical or it's naive," says Upshaw.

He added he knows that approach won't work and further states a tax freeze bylaw is not legal.

"A tax freeze bylaw is actually against the Community Charter, it's not even possible. You cannot implement something that fetters the future decisions of council. It could be a policy, but it cannot be a bylaw."

Upshaw and McLoughlin say they are running on a seven-point plan for prosperity beginning with job creation.

"I would like to go on the record as being a pro business candidate and I'm sure Mike does as well. We believe our business community needs to be behind the prosperity of Kelowna and we certainly invite, welcome and encourage all business people to step forward and do what they can to bring about a much better city."

The candidates also corrected media reports stating they are a political party when, in fact they are a political slate running as a tandem.

They have also not ruled out adding more candidates to the slate, however, that would have to be done by 4 p.m. Friday.

"We have actually talked to a few candidates," says McLoughlin.

"I think they are a little reserved. This is a big change for the city. It's the first time where we have had two slates competing for City Council so they are a little reluctant."