Fehr confirms run as Vernon faces rapid growth
Vernon City Councillor Kelly Fehr has formally entered the upcoming municipal race, seeking a third term on council and framing his campaign around managing growth, fiscal prudence and community resilience. In a statement released Monday, July 13, Fehr said he is proud of progress made over two terms but argued the city is at a pivotal moment that demands experienced, evidence-based decision-making.
“We are currently navigating a critical period of growth, and I believe that experience, evidence-based leadership, and a focus on our core community values are needed now more than ever,” Fehr said.
First elected in 2018, Fehr said he will run on a platform that centres on housing diversity, fiscal responsibility, climate adaptation, sustainable infrastructure, public safety and collaborative regional leadership. He also underscored the limits of municipal authority while emphasizing the tangible impact of local governance.
“Municipal government does not control every challenge our community faces, but local leadership still matters enormously,” he said. “Council has an important role in planning responsibly, building partnerships, managing resources wisely, and ensuring Vernon remains a welcoming and resilient community for people of all backgrounds and generations.”
Progress cited on strategic plan, Active Living Centre
Fehr pointed to council’s multi-year priorities, saying nearly 88 per cent of the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan has been implemented. He highlighted the Active Living Centre as a marquee initiative, noting the project advanced from groundbreaking to construction during the current term following voter direction in the 2022 referendum. According to Fehr, the facility is slated to open to the public in November, shortly after the municipal vote.
In his announcement, Fehr presented the recreation complex as an example of the city acting on a clear mandate and moving quickly to deliver a community asset. He framed the completion timeline as a signal of administrative momentum that he says he wants to continue into the next term.
Platform focus areas for the campaign
- Housing diversity: advancing options to meet needs across incomes and stages of life.
- Fiscal responsibility: emphasizing prudent management of public funds.
- Climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure: preparing for environmental risks while maintaining core services.
- Public safety: supporting measures that address community well-being.
- Regional collaboration: partnering across jurisdictions to tackle shared challenges.
Fehr said these priorities reflect feedback from residents and the work undertaken over the last two terms. He argued that continuity on council would help maintain progress on files already in motion.
Election timeline and candidate profile
The municipal election is set for Saturday, Oct. 17. Fehr, who serves outside city hall as the executive director of operations for Turning Points Collaborative Society in Vernon, is positioning his experience as central to navigating community growth pressures and service demands. His bid adds an early, high-profile name to the field as the race takes shape.
While Fehr emphasized accomplishments to date, his call for “evidence-based leadership” signals a campaign likely to test ideas on growth management, budgeting and infrastructure against measurable outcomes. With residents watching for concrete plans on housing, climate resilience and recreation services, his record—particularly on the Active Living Centre and progress on the strategic plan—sets a benchmark that competitors may seek to challenge or match.
| Key date | Detail |
|---|---|
| July 13 | Fehr announces re-election bid |
| Oct. 17 | Municipal election day |
| November | Active Living Centre expected to open |
Fehr concluded his announcement by affirming his commitment to what he called Vernon’s “core community values,” asking voters for another mandate to steer long-term planning and partnerships. As the campaign period accelerates, the conversation is set to return to fundamentals: how to fund and phase infrastructure, where to enable new housing supply, and how council can coordinate with regional bodies to deliver services efficiently while maintaining Vernon’s character.
