City manager leaving Penticton

PENTICTON – Penticton is losing its controversial city manager.

Annette Antoniak announced today she will be leaving the City of Penticton later this month.

Antoniak has been with the city since 2010, joining the city in time for implementation of the core review. 

She was also instrumental moving the city forward with the first downtown revitalization and waterfront development projects undertaken in the city in 30 years.

Controversy swirled last year after the city demanded apologies from Penticton resident Elvena Slump over letters to the editor she wrote,criticizing city hall and Antoniak.

Slump referred to her as "an unelected power broker who was using illegal in camera meetings to bully and abuse members of council."

Former Councillor John Vassilaki said at the time council did not know of the letter written to Slump, or who authorized it.

Vassilaki said he had no comment to make on Antoniak's departure from the city.

Her final day is scheduled for Feb. 16. She plans to take on a Chief Executive Officer position in a corporation, the name of which will be announced at a later date.

Mayor Jakubeit said the city plans an extensive search to find the next Chief Administrative Officer.

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.