Submitted questionnaire

Greg Dahms

Self Employed

This is the candidate’s public questionnaire. It is not a ForChange recommendation. Committee recommendations will be published after the review is complete.

1. 01 · Why are you running for Kelowna City Council?

   I am running for city council because I believe I can bring a common sense approach to help find solutions to long running issues facing our community.
   For example:
   Housing affordability and cost of living.
   By making sure Kelowna is building the right kind of housing, in the right places, at prices that people who work here can actually afford!

   Infrastructure, growth and transportation.
   With a growing community comes an increased need for infrastructure and transportation but at what cost. We need to grow sustainably, at a pace that that is affordable, and in the best interest of our residents today and for future generations.

   Community safety, livability and responsible public spending.
   People experiencing homelessness need housing and support, while residents and local businesses have a legitimate right to safe, clean and orderly public spaces.
   Addressing homelessness with measurable outcomes, while maintaining safe and welcoming neighborhoods and public spaces.

2. 02 · Issue #1: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Housing affordability and cost of living.
   The City's 2024 Interim Housing Needs Assessment estimates that 44,500 additional residential units are needed between 2021 and 2041, including roughly 6,000 units addressing existing unmet need. The question is how do we do this affordably? One option is calculating how much of the cost of a new Kelowna home is attributed to municipal fees, approval processes, infrastructure requirements and development regulations. Then we can identify things the city can reduce without compromising safety or infrastructure standards. Regarding cost of living, the city could look at areas of spending and locate ways for residents to pay less for costs and fees for parking, recreation and community activities. This would be a small contribution to helping the rising costs residents are experiencing.

3. 03 · Issue #2: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Infrastructure, growth and transportation.
   Kelowna has witnessed major growth over the past 10 years and our aging infrastructure is showing its cracks. From lack of electricity in the downtown core, flooding issues, and traffic congestion. The big question is how can Kelowna continue to grow without creating an infrastructure bill that future taxpayers can’t afford? Whenever Council considers expansion or major developments, residents should see who pays for the roads, water, sewage, parks, sidewalks, maintenance and even eventual infrastructure replacement. We should be asking what will this development cost the city in 10, 20 or even 50 years from now. “Growth should pay its fair share” We need to know what it will cost taxpayers long after the developer has gone home…

4. 04 · Issue #3: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Community safety, and responsible public spending
   This is my third campaign for City Council and the issue of Safety has been an ongoing problem for Kelowna . At present the city acknowledges that homelessness requires partnerships with BC Housing, Interior Health, the Provincial & Federal Government . What I propose is to demand measurable outcomes from homelessness spending, like how many entered, how many obtained housing, how many returned to homelessness, how many received mental-health addiction support and what is the cost per successful housing outcome? If we are spending money, we need to know whether it’s working. As a previous local business owner , I too was impacted by this community safety issue, from break-ins, fires, and camping in front of our doors. I would continue to work with local business owners to find cost effective options for safety, security and theft.

5. 05 · What experience, skills, and community involvement do you bring to the role?

   As a long- time resident of Kelowna, and the Okanagan valley, I Have been active in the community as a local business owner, operating a business whose purpose included raising money for the BCSPCA, creating recycling programs and building awareness for animal welfare.
   My history of community involvement goes back over 40 years when I first volunteered for the Vancouver Parks and Recreation and Today I continue to support my community with over 600 hours of volunteering at the Mission Thrift Store. I have also helped to raise funds for the Humane Society, Salvation Army and Gospel Mission. I have a political background that goes back 25 years , when I first ran for public office as candidate for MLA in the 2001 Provincial Election and sitting on the board of a Provincial political party as fundraising chair.
   I have spent years building businesses, working in the community, dealing with people directly, and watching Kelowna change. As a parent who raised two children in Kelowna I understand the importance of safety, a strong economic community, job creation, access to education as well as health care and spaces for parks and recreation.

6. 06 · How will you approach council decisions when priorities compete for limited resources?

   The most effective approach, in my view, is to stop treating competing priorities as a choice between good things and bad things. Council's job is to decide which things are most urgent, most effective, most affordable, and most within municipal control.
   I might support the objective, but since resources are limited, I would rather fund a more urgent infrastructure requirement that protects taxpayers from larger future costs. My role isn't to make every good idea happen, it is to make sure we spend limited taxpayer dollars on the things that produce the greatest public benefit, address the greatest risks, and protect Kelowna's long-term financial health.
   We can't afford everything, so Council owes residents an honest explanation of what we're choosing to do, and what to postpone.
   That is, in my view, the difference between managing a municipal budget and actually governing a city.

7. 07 · How do you work with people who see an issue differently than you?

   First you will never please everyone, each of us have different needs and different viewpoints.
   All issues are important to the person involved. We may not agree at first, however it is important to keep an open mind and listen carefully to their point of view. If you spot common viewpoints agree in a positive manner. If you have differing viewpoints let the other person know what they are so both parties have the opportunity to possibly investigate them further. We may still disagree about how to solve a problem, however often we tend to agree on what we want to achieve, safer neighborhoods, responsible spending, better services, and a stronger community, for example.
   Today it is becoming more difficult to dissect the truth from the false news or made up posts on line. We need to revert back to some common sense and look for the true facts before making a decision or response. Listening, learning and keeping an open mind are powerful tools in working with others.

8. 08 · What else should voters know about you?

   As a resident born and raised in British Columbia I have always felt a drive to be a part of every city and community I have lived in. I pride myself on my political achievements over the past 25 years. Even though I have not YET won an election, my tenacity and love for helping my community is the reason I am running again. In every city I have lived in I have dedicated time volunteering in some capacity to help others. I have sat on various boards during the growth of my two children, Fundraising committee Linda Howorth Preschool, Playground Committee Hillcrest Elementary, PAC Hillcrest elementary. Soccer coach daughter’s soccer team. I have created awareness for animal safety as well as raising much needed funds for the BCSPCA and currently I am still actively volunteering at the Kelowna Mission Thrift Store.
   I am a long time resident of Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley, local entrepreneur, community fundraiser, business owner, community volunteer, real estate professional and a political candidate.
   I look forward to meeting as many residents as possible throughout the campaign, listening to their concerns and talking about how we can build a stronger Kelowna together!

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