New era in Penticton politics with council inauguration

PENTICTON – The City’s new mayor and council were officially sworn by Judge Gregory Koturbash Monday night prior to getting down to business in their first regular council meeting since the November 15 municipal elections.

Penticton will be served for the next four years by Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and councillors Judy Sentes, Helena Konanz, Andre Martin, Campbell Watt, Max Picton and Tarik Sayeed, all of whom took oath of office under Judge Koturbash’s scrutiny.

In his inaugural address, Mayor Jakubeit said he “looked forward to the collective input we will have on the community.”

Three committees are in the works to address hot button issues in Penticton. The mayor’s task forces, made up of a variety of councillors, will work to make the community affordable, develop the economy and boost tourism development, Jakubeit said.

An incoming committee structure will work on several fronts:

– Community revitalization will focus on downtown, waterfront enhancements and other revitalization efforts within the community
– Agriculture advisory committee
– Arts, creative and cultural innovation committee
– Community sustainability committee
– Development services committee
– Heritage and knowledge committee
– Penticton Creek rehabilitation committee
– South Okanagan Events Centre select advisory committee
-Transportation advisory committee

The four members of council representing the city at the regional district will be: Mayor Jakubeit and Couns. Konanz, Martin and Sentes. Community representation on the committees will be sought next week, a point of inclusion Jakubeit spoke to with the 70 citizens who witnessed the inauguration.

“Feel free to call and arrange a meeting,” he told them.

Jakubeit spoke about the importance of tourism and said the city would not be creating a “third tourism group” (It has the Penticton Hospitality Association and Tourism Penticton) but would instead will work to bring the tourist associations together, with one voice.

“Today we are sworn in, and tomorrow we’ll be sworn at," he said. "Hold us accountable.”

Getting down to business, the new council then proclaimed Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014 as “Giving Tuesday” in the City of Penticton.

The meeting adjourned to a reception, the second in as many days for city council.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.