Tom Dyas has some big plans for the city.

If elected Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 next mayor, he wants the city to consider creating its own police force to replace the RCMP, build a new city hall, along with a replacement for the Water Street Fire Hall, and include subsidized housing in the project. He would also like to replace the existing city hall with a new performing arts centre and conference centre.

That害羞草研究所檚 not all.

He also wants to join with a local family trust to have a ranch built on the outskirts of town to house the city害羞草研究所檚 homeless.

Dyas proceeded to reel off his list of projects when closing out his appearance at Monday害羞草研究所檚 Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum.

害羞草研究所淎 good mayor needs a clear long and short-term vision and he needs to work as part of a team,害羞草研究所� said Dyas.

But his list of expensive projects brought quick rebuke from the man he is trying to unseat, incumbent Mayor Colin Basran.

害羞草研究所淎nd he害羞草研究所檚 going to do all that and spend less money?害羞草研究所� said Basran before making his closing remarks in which he said he is concerned 害羞草研究所淭rump-style politicking害羞草研究所� is creeping into the current Kelowna civic election, a thinly veiled reference to repeated accusations by Dyas that leadership is lacking at city hall and that 害羞草研究所渨e can do better.害羞草研究所�

Defending his record, Basran pointed to a 害羞草研究所渂ooming害羞草研究所� economy in the city, accolades Kelowna has received for being a business-friendly city from a number of provincial and national business organizations, the city害羞草研究所檚 work to address homelessness and diversity and its financial management.

害羞草研究所淪trong leadership means making tough decisions and continuing to move Kelowna forward, together,害羞草研究所� said Basran.

Following the forum, Dyas said despite calling for city hall and the Water Street Fire Hall to be relocated, he did not have any land in mind. But he said he feels the current city hall site could be better used for a performing arts centre and conference centre.

As for a city police force to replace the RCMP, Dyas said his proposal to look at the option was not a knock on the job the RCMP is currently doing.

The issue of crime downtown came up a few times, with candidate Bob Schewe, a retired city bylaw officer weighing in. He said there are two types of street people in the city, those who are simply homeless and want to work and those who commit petty crimes and do not want to work or be helped.

He said the latter should be made 害羞草研究所渦nwelcome.害羞草研究所�

The fourth candidate in the race, downtown business owner Bobby Kennedy, said he feels the city has enough police officers but they are not being used properly. He said officers need to patrol the downtown on foot.

害羞草研究所淕et them out of their cars,害羞草研究所� he said.

He also wants the city to capitalize on cannabis legalization and bring in a 害羞草研究所渃ity cannabis tax害羞草研究所� that could help fund a number of different city initiatives and infrastructure.

He said his campaign is focused on the city making money, not looking for it from residents in the form of higher taxes.

But many who showed up at the lunch-hour mayoral forum, were there to see Basran and Dyas, two former good friends and acknowledged front-runners in the four-way race. Given the format, they did not have a chance to square off against each other, but they both got shots in, even if they were somewhat veiled.

Dyas opened his remarks by thanking Basran and the current city council for their 害羞草研究所渄edication and service害羞草研究所� over the last four years, but quickly added he is concerned about leadership at city hall.

害羞草研究所淲e are drifting in a direction that I am uncertain of, and I am not sure who is leading the ship,害羞草研究所� he said.

Later, Basran said leadership was not just about telling people what they want to hear, a response to Dyas saying he does not feel Kelowna residents and business-people are being heard at city hall.

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