Melissa

Jennifer Adams

Three things that are going well: the plans for revitalizing downtown and the north shore and our expanded bus service. Things that are not going so well: affordable housing across the housing continuum, homelessness and community safety. Three things to promote compassion and dignity toward our vulnerable ones: public bathrooms (in the budget but hasn't materialized): 1. more shelter beds and permanent housing. 2. Jobs and businesses that are wiling to train and employ those with disabilities or barriers to employment. People want a hand up, not a hand out. 3. Get out and volunteer for the Mustard Seed and get to know our vulnerable residents, you might be surprised to find out why they are on the streets and why they are not getting help they need.

Beat Klossner

Going well for Kamloops:
- The new affordable housing projects are a good start.
- The city has developed a great community and neighborhoods plans
- It has just the right size, big enough to offer everything one might need, small enough to still be able to talk to each other on the street.
Things need improving:
- The practical implementation of the community plans is largely missing.
- Transit, walkability , public transport, public spaces
- The larger vision on what the city should look like in 5/10/20 years.
promote compassion and dignity towards our cities most vulnerable?
- We need to get away from the "Nimby" approach, they are our fellow humans and it is our duty to care for them.
- Talk to the most vulnerable.Most of us have an opinion about them,few have ever actually talked or spend any time with them.
- Most of us are just a few rent/mortgage payments away from being homeless. Always remember that.

William James Turnbull

1) Sunlight, Friendly & A Hub. 2) Living wage jobs, Parks & Transportation. 3) Immediate Emergency Shelter, Say Hello & Integrate Fully Into Society.

Bill Sarai

We have got the provincial govt involved and stepping up to provide funding for housing . We as a city have provided the land .
Now we need to make sure a 24/7 wrap around programs are available to them. The safe injection site is one tool in the fstuggles of overdoses, I just truly believe the city has let this mobile site set up in a very bad llocation, should not be anywhere near seniors or daycares , I would have it moved to the hospital to save on 911 calls and let the residents live without fear.

Dale Bass

Going well: developing the University corridor, which will expand its impact on the city's economy, continuing to focus on the livability factor if Kamloops and finally taking steps to promote creation of low-income housing.
Needs improvement: Transit services to the growing areas if the city, reducing the tax burden on the small-business sector and improving the city's development-approval process.
Compassion and dignity: the emergency housing plan could be better. We are putting those units in an isolated area with no streetlights or sidewalks and a significant distance from transit. Let's look at tax incentives in areas that will accept treatment centres, maybe help stop the NIMBYism be providing surrounding residents with a reason to say yes and maybe something as simple as providing some sort of washroom facilities in areas where they congregate at night to sleep.

Alison Klie

Three things I think are going well are, working with the Secwepemc people to add the transit line and to possibly turn Stuart Wood into a cultural centre, updating and improving facilities on the TRU campus, and the pedestrian plaza on fourth avenue.

Three things that need improving are transparency in government and community engagement, snow clearing and pot holes, and streamlining the process of building and business permits. That might be considered six things but I think that each of the groupings is its own issue.

I believe that the cities most vulnerable are the at risk children who come from abusive or uninterested households and women who are homeless or trapped in an abusive situation.
There needs to be a separate shelter for women who are struggling with homelessness and addiction, the Y women's' shelter is for women and their children escaping a dangerous situation and they do not have the ability to properly care for someone with an addiction. Meal programs for children of all ages in any school is a great start to ensure no child is left without proper nutrition and after school programs can offer different learning opportunities they may not get at home.

I have had the privilege of doing electrical work at the y women's shelter, I cannot go into specifics but the women who work there and reside there are some of the strongest and most giving people I have met. It is a safe haven and I would like to see them continue and improve this service. When I was in grade eight I would volunteer at John Todd Elementary, now the YMCA, and I would see children come to school wearing flip flops in January and no jacket. Many children relied on the meal programs to be the most nutritious meals of their day. I would donate my clothes and have young girls tell me the clothing article I gave them was their new favourite because it was like new. These children have no choice. They are not able to make a decision to seek help and better their lives. We have a responsibility to them to make sure they are safe, healthy, and happy.

Arjun Singh

3 things that are going well
1/ community spirit
2/outdoor recreation opportunities
3/ lots of amenities and still friendly with good community spirit and cohesion

3 things that need improving
1/ homelessness
2/ potentially, city processes that relate to business and development
3/ helping downtown get even better

3 expressions of compassion and dignity
1/ housing
2/ storage / bathroom
3/ getting to know folks and treating them with respect and love

John O'Fee

From a public education standpoint here is my answer.
Going well:
1. We have a strong base of academic performance in BC that ranks consistently with the best countries in the world. See: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40708421
2. We have access to a great university offering a wide range of academic and trades opportunities that makes higher levels of education more affordable and accessible.
3. We have a growing community that will continue to provide new employment opportunities for people equipped with proper skills.

Three things that need improving:
1. We need to convince the provincial government to provide capital funds for needed school improvements and expansion in some areas.
2. We need to address the public's perception of public education and get everyone to understand how vital education is to a functioning society and a thriving economy.
3. We need to better address the transition from public secondary education to post-secondary education (academic, trades and technology). Completing high school is more of a signpost than a final destination in a person's educational journey. A knowledge economy is going to require a higher level of skill and training.
Three ways to promote compassion and dignity:
1. All children matter whether one is a parent or not. Education can be a great equaliser in our society and it can enrich those from even the humblest of backgrounds.
2. Our district can send a clear message that schools are a safe space for students where they can be themselves.
3. We can explore how to create better outcomes for students with special needs so that they can participate in society to the full extent of their abilities.

Stephen Karpuk

Three things I believe are going well: Access to transportation systems and fibre optic network, growth in our city, diversity in the economy. Three things that I believe we need to improve: Homelessness, Safety/Crime, attitude towards change.

On the last item, our cities most vulnerable, I think we have to stop the shaming and blaming and come together as a community to give them some hand ups. I am against hand outs because they don't work. People need to be accountable to gain self worth. We can give our most vulnerable hope and help, but they have to commit to taking it before we can get them out of the situation. I also believe we have to take a more active role to removing the prolific drug addicted offenders from others. The negative influences of the criminal elements do not help our most vulnerable succeed.
I like the models of help and hand ups that Brookview House in Boston, MA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrMe7jMtuoY

and the Yukon House in Vancouver use. I think we could look at re-purposing the old Rayleigh Corrections site for similar hand up. Thank you for the question. Help get the vote out. Vocal Majority not a Vocal Minority