What’s happened to Kelowna?

Dear Editor:

What a stinging rebuke of the planning and policies of the Mattiussi-Gilchrist-Smith management regime at the City of Kelowna, and the past two mayors and councils.

The Globe and Mail study of the most livable cities in Canada was published Dec. 16. The results for Kelowna were damning.

1. 100 most livable cities in Canada. Kelowna not among them.

2. Top 10 cities for retirement. Kelowna not among them.

3. Top 10 cities for entrepreneurs. Kelowna not among them.

4. Top 10 cities for raising children. Kelowna not among them.

5. Top 10 cities for young professionals. Kelowna not among them

6. Top 10 cities for midlife transition. Kelowna not among them

7. Top 10 cities for newcomers. Kelowna not among them.

The arrogance of the decision-making, the variances given to developers for height or width, unwillingness to accept any advice from outside on any topic, particularly in the case of the UBCO building disaster, the placement and type of drug rehabilitation centres, the indifference to the concerns of people affected by the decisions. and so much more.

The report is an objective assessment of how the city administration has done, and the result is a resounding F for failure. The residents, other Canadians and the facts have spoken. We have gone from desirable to undesirable in 15 years.

Don Henderson Kelowna