Rick Knodel says he intends to run for Area C director again.
The outspoken politician says he really enjoys the job and saw his first term as basically a learning experience.
“Now I’m manoeuvring easier.”
Knodel says he has unfinished business in enhancing/expanding the hike and bike trail from McAlpine Bridge to Road 22. He also wants to see the planned upgrade to the Willowbrook Fire Department, and relief for seniors facing increasing property taxes.
The director wants to continue promoting food security with the help of local farmers since he sees food prices spiraling next year.
Knodel is also compelled to keep an eye on the South Okanagan Aquatics Centre study to ensure the project doesn’t become a financial burden on the taxpayer.
Homelessness is another issue that Knodel has his eye on. The director says he discovered that approximately 30 per cent of the people at Secrest agricultural camp (formerly known as Loose Bay) are homeless.
“We’re starting to see a lot of seniors and single parents who are homeless.”
The director says people tend to stereotype the homeless as the “riff-raff” of society, but that’s not the case.
“People are suffering badly, it’s more than we think,” he says, noting there are more homeless campers these days.
