Penticton mayor and council noted in taxpayer watchdog’s naughty list

PENTICTON – Penticton City Council has caught the attention of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’ naughty list.

The taxpayers’ watchdog group has named Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and Penticton City Council to its naughty list for council’s handling of the Skaha Park revitalization and proposed waterslides issues.

The federation also called the city out for hiring 10 city managers during a time when the city’s population only grew by 411 people, ceding ground gained from recommendations followed in a core review that took place a few years ago.

“As the public face of the city, the mayor should be the one engaging the public,” says federation director Jordan Bateman, who also noted hiring of a communications and engagement officer this year.

“Santa likes to vacation in Penticton, but city spending is going in the wrong direction and makes him wonder what’s really going on,” he added in a press release issue today, Dec. 20.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories