Kelowna mayor takes seat on Rutland business association

Shortly after Kelowna’s newly elected council began its work, Mayor Tom Dyas made several appointments, including naming council newcomer and downtown business owner Brady Rogers to the Downtown Kelowna Association board. Rogers expressed his willingness to learn about the board's responsibilities before commenting on how he can contribute.

Todd Daniels, owner of Gallery Streetwear, also supports the appointment, stating that Rogers is a "downtown guy" and the right person for the job. Daniels has previously advocated for addressing crime and street disorder issues that impact businesses. He hopes Rogers can effect meaningful change.

Dyas is also taking a seat on the Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) board, putting him directly involved in a community that has long expressed concerns about feeling overlooked. However, some residents like Chris Bocskei, who ran unsuccessfully for city council, believe the mayor should be involved in more community organizations.

Bocskei wants to see a concrete plan from Dyas to address Rutland's issues, rather than just a seat on a board. He emphasized the need for honest conversations between the mayor and the community.

The appointment comes after an election where Dyas won the mayor's race, but former councillor and mayoral candidate Ron Cannan received more votes in Rutland and other suburban parts of the city. Bocskei hopes the mayor's involvement will lead to more attention and respect for the area. He expressed the desire for the mayor to engage in open and honest discussions with residents.