Request for plaque in Skaha Park pulled from council agenda

PENTICTON – A letter that was to be presented to Penticton city council requesting a monument to commemorate a local group’s efforts to prevent the commercialization of a public park was suddenly removed from council’s agenda today.

Protect Penticton Parks Society, formerly Save Skaha Park Society, had a request on the agenda to have a plaque installed on a large boulder or stone to say the following:

Skaha Lake Park.
This special place of peace and beauty was threatened with commercial development in June 2015.
Led by Save Skaha Park Society, with 5,112 members, citizens united with one clear voice.
We argued relentlessly against dispositions of public parkland without voter approval. In January 2017 the park was saved when Council settled with the developer.
We must protect, preserve and promote our public parks for the benefit of all.
Let us always remain vigilant.

Saying the plaque would have “democratic merit,” the society indicated it would cover the cost.

Shortly before today’s, Nov. 20, council meeting, chief administrative officer Peter Weeber told council the letter had been withdrawn from the agenda pending review of the request by society members at their upcoming annual general meeting.

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