The Herald is asking each of the seven candidates in the April 5 byelection a series of questions each Friday. All questions were sent in writing. Responses were limited to 100 words and not edited.
Aaron Baisarowicz
Q: Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: No, I do not support any additional funding or expansion of the bike lane project. This project has already run far beyond the initial stated budget. The bike lane has created challenges to emergency services vehicles and caused numerous accidents putting peoples’ lives and property at risk. There were significant plastics used in the initial project that were, for a period, constantly replaced until the city gave up. The bike lane has done very little to convert daily drivers to cyclists to reduce carbon production. These projects also increase traffic congestion and as a result additional vehicular carbon output.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils paying in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: Most importantly we need to stop dumping concrete throughout our city. Concrete creates .9 pounds of carbon for each pound manufactured, when factoring in transportation and installation it is closer to 1.2 pounds of carbon. The concrete used in the bike path so far has contributed 1-2 MILLION pounds of carbon into our community. We should focus on local electricity production, through solar and hydro, rather than increasing consumption. B.C. imports 25% of our electricity from Alberta and the U.S., generated by burning coal and gas. This means all additional electric products we utilize are powered by coal and gas.
Bradley Bartsch
Q: Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: As a former cyclist myself, I do not see Penticton as a difficult city to cycle the existing road and trail network is quite adequate for almost every ability of cyclist, so no I do not support continued funding for increasing the number of bike lines in Penticton (cyclists and motorists, need to share our road infrastructure.) I believe there are more pressing issues facing Council.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils playing in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: City Council needs to be both an example to the rest of the community and learn from individuals and businesses that are already excelling in this regard. Progress and change is possible. This can be done by ensuring that all city properties take advantage of alternative energy sources, such as solar and small scale, wind generation. And also limit their waste of resources, renewable and non-renewable. City council is the representation of the community, and I am confident that this community wants to see its council being efficient with its use of all resources including those which may harm the environment
Juliana Buitenhuis
Q: Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: The bike lanes have already been allotted a significant investment, so I believe they should be completed. Bike lanes are an equalizer; they allow people who cannot afford vehicles, seniors, and children to travel across the City safely. The bike lanes are showing a 20-30% growth in usage annually, additionally they reduce greenhouse gases and attract tourists. My son has epilepsy, so will likely never drive – but bike lanes will allow him to travel independently in a protected space. This being said, bike lanes need to be constructed with the support and consultation of business and residents fronting them.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils paying in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: We can look to Summerland as an example of how a municipality can support reducing emissions, allowing residents to completely offset their own electricity with wind and solar, after which the District will purchase any excess energy that is put back onto the grid. By creating district energy systems municipalities can keep utility rates down, as well as tap in renewable power to existing infrastructure. The City of North Vancouver draws energy from a pet cremation facility, and the City of Vancouver captures waste heat from sewage to provide heating and hot water – but let’s start with food waste collection.
Jason Reynen
Q: Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: When it comes to continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure, I believe it’s important to encourage alternative transportation and promote sustainability, but it has to be done in a way that works for the broader community. To be honest, I’m not a fan of the current location or design of the existing bike lanes. In their current form, I don’t believe they serve the community as effectively as they could, and they’ve created some frustration for drivers and business owners along those routes. Because of that, I’m not currently in favor of expanding east-west bike lanes on major streets until we properly review and adjust what’s already in place. Future expansions should only happen if supported by clear data on usage, safety, and overall benefit, and if they can be done in a way that doesn’t negatively impact traffic flow or local commerce.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils paying in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: In terms of municipal councils’ role in addressing climate change, I think councils have an important part to play, but it needs to be practical and aligned with community needs. Councils are responsible for setting the tone on land use, transportation planning, and building policies, but any measures taken should balance environmental goals with financial realities for both the city and its residents. It’s about making progress in ways that are achievable and sustainable, not creating burdens that the community can’t afford. Strong local leadership means finding common ground between long-term environmental responsibility and day-to-day affordability and livability.
Ankit Sachdeva
Q: Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: Yes, I support funding east-west bike lanes. Our cycling network, like Lake-to-Lake, is near completion—abandoning it now would ditch the dream we’ve worked towards. Big cities I’ve lived in thrived by finishing strong; Penticton can too. Though some changes might be necessary which we can look at a later stage. More lanes cut emissions, ease traffic, and make vibrant travel safe for all, not just the ‘haves.’ It’s about fairness—families deserve connected paths. I’ll ensure funding completes this vision, bridging gaps for a greener, thriving city rather than leaving it half-done.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils paying in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: Municipal councils lead climate action in BC with local solutions like bike lanes, cutting emissions directly. They can push pro-climate initiatives—think LEDs and solar on city buildings to slash energy use. In Penticton, I’d champion these, plus retrofits, ensuring the ‘have-nots’ benefit as costs rise. Big cities taught me efficiency; Penticton here can innovate—ferries, trees, cycling. A vibrant Penticton unites us for sustainability and resilience, driving province-wide change through bold and fair action.
Nick Stulberg
Q: Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: Yes, I do. We’ve only just begun creating Penticton’s interconnected active transportation network. I would consider it a failure on the part of current and future Mayor/Councillors to stall at the single north-south AAA bike lane. I live up Duncan/Carmi near Columbia Elementary School. Riding my e-bike to work downtown includes avoiding vehicles and buses far more comfortable going down steep Duncan Avenue than someone on their bike. It never feels safe. We don’t need curb-separated bike lanes on every street, but we do need more dedicated bike lanes on East/West roads like Westminster, Eckhardt, Duncan, Carmi, and Green Avenue.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils paying in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: Municipalities are on the front line in the battle to address climate change. Infrastructure projects, transportation priorities, commercial-and-housing development guidelines, and so many other areas that directly impact local greenhouse gas emissions are products of local government actions. It also falls on municipalities to plan, prepare for, and mitigate impacts of increasingly severe climate-related disasters. As part of Mayor and Council, our role is to bring forward, promote, and protect the systems and processes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as create a community capable of surviving in an everchanging climate.
Riley Thompson
Q:. Do you support continued funding for the city’s cycling infrastructure by adding additional bike lanes that run east-west on major streets?
A: I know that most residents would like the City to take a break from bike lanes which I support. I’m prepared to consider them on a case-by-case basis but still recognizing that we have other priorities. Some of the routes identified that run east-west are on wide roads with ample space for bike lanes. If these roads are due for upgrades, it would make sense to consider them.
Q: Indirectly related to Question No. 1, what role do you see municipal councils paying in addressing climate change in British Columbia?
A: Living where we do, we see and suffer the impacts of climate change with fires each summer and extreme weather impacting our crops and livelihoods. In reality, there is not much that we can do here in Penticton that will make an impact other than to do our part to support our own resiliency by diversifying our economy, supporting our farmers, and being Firesmart.
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