Stephen's platform
What I Stand For
Armstrong is a special place — a small Okanagan farming town with a big heart. My platform is built around the real concerns I hear from neighbours every day.
Community Infrastructure
Good roads, reliable water, and well-maintained parks and community spaces aren't luxuries — they're the basics every resident deserves.
- Invest in parks, trails, and green spaces that serve families of all ages. The city has high demand for a secure and safe dog park which I support and will advocate for.
- Reinvest in current city buildings and lands by improving, renovating and create a long term plan; Such as the pool lining, Hassen Arena, Curling rink, Asparagus theatre and Gym.
- Prioritize road maintenance and pothole repair across all neighborhoods. Look at paving gravel parking lots near Memorial park, the pool and skate park. Improve lighting and signals at crosswalks.
- Ensure Armstrong's water and sewer systems are properly funded and maintained which includes additional water sources and filtration upgrades. Review 15 year Infrastructure plan being adopted this month and aline with objectives.
Responsible Growth
Armstrong is growing — and that's a good thing. But growth has to work for the people who already live here and not create new issues.
- Advocate for laneway housing and frontage tax on ally ways, increasing rental units in the community and help landowners with extra income.
- Advocate for affordable housing options for young adults, families and seniors by investing in new rental buildings.
- Review community plan and advocate for an increase in light and medium industrial lands creating high paying and long lasting jobs in town.
- Protect agricultural land from inappropriate development pressure while balancing community needs for more industrial and dense residential growth.
Supporting Local Businesses
Our downtown is the soul of Armstrong. I'll fight to keep it vibrant, accessible, and welcoming for both businesses and shoppers.
- Work with current land owners, city planners and the community to review commercial taxation, permitting and licensing. Connect with stake-holders and solicit feedback on what is working and what can be improved at the City level. No
- Advocate for a review of the downtown revitalization project polarizing the community. I will work with stake-holders, contractors and the city planners to revise with community input.
- Support the Armstrong Farmers' Market and agri-tourism as economic drivers. Work with the local business groups and societies and determine what priorities would best serve the community.
- Promote Armstrong as a destination in the Okanagan region by actively soliciting new hotel accommodations and review AirBB/VRBO bylaws and licensing.
Fiscal Responsibility
Our town has many projects and great ideas, but I will also keep in mind of respecting our community and their hard earned taxes.
- Advocate for a review of city expenses. Be respectful to our tax base and monitor our expenditures.
- Be mindful of all budgets, plans and expenditures. Be frugal where we can and only spend when necessary to respect where our funds come from.
- I will make sure I review and attend all reports, long term plans, council motions and meetings so that my votes will be of sound judgement and mindful of budgets.
- I will keep personal expenditures to a minimum and only spend when necessary.
Environmental Stewardship
I will use my education in Geo-bioscience and climate studies to help guide our Environmental policies and ensure our city protects our lands for future generations.
- Review current Environmental action plans and solicit input from the community to help guide the next 4 years.
- Work with council and the City professionals to review the Community plan for traffic calming, bike lanes, and recycling programs.
- Take action for water conservation and new water sources to help ensure Armstrong will have safe access to water for generations.
- Work with Provincial, Municipal and Federal leaders to review and update wildfire prevention plans, taking a proactive approach to mitigate risk.
Have a question about my platform?
I want to hear from you. Reach out directly or come to one of my community events.