Stephen Zopf

2026 Election Candidate

Environmental

Policies in the Armstrong Official Community Plan "direct future growth strategically to protect ecological and agricultural areas, offer more housing and transportation choices, support economic prosperity and diversity, prioritize sustainable municipal infrastructure planning, enhance community wellbeing, and support our transition to a more sustainable and climate resilient community." Please give local examples of 'good' and 'not good' building development in Armstrong, and state why. Do you support the downtown revitalization plan for Armstrong and why/why not?

I support renovation of our cherished and historic downtown core, I do not support the current plan as it is. Only 120 citizens and 70 school children were involved in the open houses and online survey, representing only 3% of the population. And further to this point, the April 2024 open house sticky notes, emails and surveys were negative, even though the city stated a clear majority supporting the project. Main concerns were removal of parking, not diagonal parking, no accessibility parking spots, narrow street width so semi trucks have a hard time navigating, removal of trees and no loading zones.

The proposed bike lanes through smith drive, pleasant valley, Rosedale and wood avenue represents a massive shift in parking capacity within the city limits which businesses oppose. Removing the centre turn lane and making a round about at smith/smith drive would back up from the highway into the round about, and then traffic back up with people trying to turn into local businesses.

I propose a review of CARI and really see what the community wants to be done. There is a need for bike lanes and traffic calming but not at the expense of businesses and community access to services.

Armstrong has experienced significant climate impacts for the last few years. How do you propose to address these crises, both in preparing ahead for disasters like drought, wildfires, heat domes and floods, as well as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to climate change?

As councillor, I would review the current environmental plan and the 15 year infrastructure plan and determine how we proceed with great public input. Water is of utmost concern and the long term plans are well behind in water availability and filtration. I would look at working with our neighbours in Spallumcheen and create new wells, along with increasing capacity at our reservoir on Silverstar.

Create a bylaw for new builds to include central

Air conditioning, review current flood maps and determine the right course of action to control heavy amounts of water through Fortune creek and the wetlands. Increase drainage capacity and divert overflow.

And for fire prevention, create bylaws limiting fire risk plants and trees within the city limits, mandate for new construction a buffer zone around neighbourhoods, and work with Spallumsheen to review brush and green belt management surrounding the city and Spallumsheen.

With the increase in electric bikes and scooters, we need to address rules around usage, safety and speed limits for those vehicles. Designate key neighbourhoods for bike traffic off the main roads to protect local businesses from lost parking.

Do you support the use of public funds to contribute to acquiring natural lands for environmental conservation purposes? Under what conditions would the perceived need for more housing, businesses, roads and other infrastructure prompt you to trade away natural lands with high ecological value for urban expansion?

There will always be issues with development and urban ecology. I believe both need to coexist as both are important. Once we lose key natural lands, it rarely can return back later on. My proposals for growth don’t include taking land away from natural sites but densification of current lands. Laneway frontage taxes to subdivide city lots, tax incentives for laneway housing initiatives, and creating rental housing on city land. Increased townhouse developments will also be key to increase our population.

Drought, contamination, increasing demand are just some of the water issues. What actions would you prioritise to protect our creeks, lakes, aquifers, and groundwater for home and agricultural water sources, habitat for fish and wildlife, and human recreation?

As in my earlier statement on the environment, the waste water and water delivery systems in Armstrong need redevelopment and it has to be soon. The main long term plan for water in Armstrong shows that we are behind the timeline. Filtration, new water wells and increased capacity for our existing fresh water reservoirs and intake need to be addressed with our neighbours and the community.

Social

In smaller communities we need to be creative in how we help one another; how do you see the role of local government in this?

The city needs to foster community spirit by listening to their needs and delivering in helping where we can. Helping those who can’t find rental accommodation, food for their families table, public transport to a doctor or work in Vernon or Kelowna, Haugen medical

Society and adding additional doctors and nurses. These would be something I would advocate for.

How do we tackle misinformation and growing distrust in local government as well as uncivil behaviour on social media and in person?

The previous council (2018-2022) did not have issues with social media, however the current administration did. The biggest difference is the current Council has a perception of no accountability and not listening to the community. As social media is one of the avenues for community input, people use this platform to voice their concerns and feedback about the council. Council should have a social media manager for their feeds and a dialogue should be done at the council meetings about said feedback.

The City needs to have an active response to feedback and give the community opportunities to voice their concerns, either digitally or in person. I would propose, once a month, a community outreach forum, where it was more of an informal “pulse” on community sentiment. Have a digital survey sent out and a form online to fill out each month for feedback.

What personal and/or professional experience has most shaped your understanding of Truth and Reconciliation, and how would it influence your decisions as a municipal elected official?

While working in the exploration geology industry from 2004-2015, I was a project manager and advocated for First Nations involvement in every aspect of our projects. I made may friends over the years in Terrace, Dease Lake, Smithers, New Aiyansh, Stewart and many other locations and was heavily involved with Reservation management, tribe politics and cultural experiences.

I have seen first hand the damage done by the residential school systems and the social and political barriers that First Nations face each day. The UN declaration, which Canada has adopted, is still a work in progress and is a polarizing subject for some of the community. I want to engage with all stakeholders and solicit feedback on how we can support our local First Nations while balancing the needs of our community.

Cultural

How do you personally engage with arts, culture and heritage in Armstrong, and how do you think local government should support these features of our community?

I am a practicing visual artist who paints with acrylic on canvas! I believe the arts, culture and heritage of Armstrong are key to the success of the City. These features of the community drive business, engage the public in purposeful engagement and brings people into the city to experience the arts and a rural town feel. The City should support by giving space for these features to be displayed in public, banners and advertising in the region, and creating fun events to promote the arts.

Economic

What is your understanding of how small local governments can support our economic development, including the success of our small local businesses?

The city is a key driver of economic development. Their support includes: roads, lights, wayfinder signage, sidewalks, beautification of the commercial areas, and overall health and safety of the city. The city also supports businesses with grants, business councils and organizations, block watch, RCMP volunteers and advertising. City can also reduce taxation and license fees to build new growth and reduce costs for the businesses.

What is one action the municipality should take to strengthen our local food system and improve access to healthy, affordable food? Why that action?

The Farmers market needs more support from the city, including a more permanent location to help drive awareness and increase traffic for the vendors. We also need to protect our agricultural basin by leveraging our relationship with Spallumsheen and the surrounding farming properties. The city can also do Tax breaks for farm to table restaurants, incentives for local businesses to get food inventory within a 50km radius of the city. Especially with the current trade issues it is imperative we help with access to local food and services.

Health

As Mayor / Councilor, how would you work to support access to medical services?

The city has to continue to support the Haugen Medical Society which helps fund our local medical clinic. We also need to review the current mandate as with expansion, there are citizens who live in Armstrong but do not have a doctor. We should also propose a walk in type clinic for those who cannot get into Haugen as a patient.

How will you ensure that our planning of our built environment, our programs and our policies support the diverse physical and mental health needs of our population?

With a city of 6,000 residents, we do have our Haugen Medical office and our community health centre. I do feel that we need more doctors, and advocate for a new walk in clinic at the health centre like the one in Vernon. Rather than sending our families to the Vernon hospital we could go to the health centre for minor ailments and procedures.