Rick Webber wants to be re-elected to Kelowna city council

Rick Webber is paying for his own campaign for re-election to Kelowna city council in October's civic election.

In a news release announcing he'll run for a second term on council, Webber stressed he wants to be an independent voice, free from political affiliations, campaign donations and special-interest influence.

"Council decisions should be based on what's best for Kelowna residents, not on who contributed to a campaign," he said.

"I've served independently for the past four years and intend to continue doing so."

That means his re-election campaign will be self-funded, he will not accept donations for financial support and he will not seek endorsements from political parties, organizations, industry groups or electoral slates.

Before getting into politics, Webber was a news reporter for more than 30 years and retired as the TV news anchor for Global Okanagan in 2019.

Webber's upcoming campaign will focus on public safety.

"Residents continue to tell me that crime, social disorder and homelessness are among their biggest concerns," he said.

"Kelowna must continue to invest in public safety, but also programs that support vulnerable people to address social disorder that makes the broader community feel unsafe."

Since first elected in 2022, Webber said his priorities have been public safety, neighbourhood livability and accountability in local government.

He also successfully advanced measures requiring extra supports for tenants displaced by redevelopment housing projects.

Webber is the latest on city council to make his intentions known.

Four-term councillor Charlie Hodge was the first to announce earlier this year that he would not be throwing his hat in the ring again because of his failing health with emphysema.

Largely unknown fashion designer and clothing store owner Emily Salsbury of EMMYDEVEAUX declared earlier this year that she will be running for mayor.

First-term Mayor Tom Dyas has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election.

Coun. Ron Cannan, who previously served on council 1996 to 2005 and was the Kelowna-Lake Country Conservative MP from 2006 to 2015, revealed last week that he will run for mayor.

This week, two-term councillor Loyal Wooldridge divulged he won't be seeking re-election do he can spend more time with family, finish graduate studies and think about a new way to serve.

With what's been announced so far, Kelowna may have a new mayor come October and there will be at least three new faces on city council.

The other four current councillors -- Maxine DeHart, Luke Stack, Mohini Singh and Gordon Lovegrove -- haven't made their plans public yet.

"Kelowna needs councillors who are willing to ask tough questions, listen to residents and make decisions based on facts and community impact," said Webber.

"I would be honoured to continue serving the people of Kelowna for another four years."