The youngest mayor in Kelowna's history, Colin Basran was sworn in with the rest of council at Rotary Centre for the Arts Monday.
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
December 02, 2014 - 8:45 AM
KELOWNA – The youngest mayor in Kelowna’s history was sworn into office Monday night along with his new council of eight.
In his first speech as mayor, Basran, 37, thanked his family and supporters and outlined the areas he feels are key to a successful term.
Areas like transportation, support for small business, social programs, employment and downtown densification were all mentioned during his 17-minute speech.
Basran also said he would consider selling the naming rights of city facilities to private companies as a zero tax impact revenue stream.
“Over the next four years, our city will continue to look for innovative ways to generate revenue outside of taxation and user fees through an entity called Enterprise Kelowna,” he said. “We as a city should be thinking and acting like entrepreneurs in our own right, and revenue generated through Enterprise Kelowna and our city’s investments will help offset costs for increased services and amenities as our community grows.”
In attendance at the Rotary Centre for the Arts were outgoing mayor Walter Gray, MLAs and MPs from around the Okanagan, city staff and managers and roughly 150 others in the audience. Judge Jane Cartwright issued the Oath of Office and placed the Chain of Office around his neck.
Councillors Mohini Singh, Maxine DeHart, Gail Given and Luke Stack as well as the newly elected Tracy Gray, Charlie Hodge, Ryan Donn and Brad Sieben were also sworn in.
(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014