Penticton Council
Community Foundation initiative aims to strengthen neighbourly relations
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is giving the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen $5,000 toward a fund to help residents pay for neighbourhood events like block parties. The Foundation's executive director Aaron McRann approached city council with a request to match funds with the organization in order to leverage equal funding from the...
Former mayor blasts council for waterpark decision
PENTICTON - Penticton mayor and council received an earful in council chambers last night as those opposed to the proposed waterpark development at Skaha Park addressed council once more. A deal was signed earlier in the month for redevelopment of the Skaha Marina area, but council agreed to hear, once more, from those opposed to...
More to Three Blind Mice than biking, but that’s important, too
PENTICTON - The city and region have 20/20 vision when it comes to seeing recreation opportunities in the Three Blind Mice area. City of Penticton Communications Officer Simone Blais said the city has identified the area, located at 1400 Riddle Road, as an area of potential for sport and recreational use. The Penticton and Area...
No change in park status for south Penticton streets
PENTICTON - It may have been an innocent initiative put forward by a Penticton city staffer, but the citizen backlash resulted in the biggest turnout to a public hearing and regular council meeting Penticton’s present council has seen. Several hundred residents packed council chambers and other rooms on the second floor of city hall Tuesday,...
Failure to resolve drainage issues lead to injunctive action
PENTICTON - The problem with drainage issues between three businesses in Penticton’s industrial park started in 2013 and now injunctive action has been taken by the city on two of the properties, as announced at the Monday, March 16 council meeting. City staff began a file on the issue in October of 2013 after problems...
City staff to investigate choices for clothing optional beach
PENTICTON - The solution to the Three Mile Beach clothing optional issue was pared down from a list of 10 staff submitted options to two during Monday's council meeting. The discussion followed a presentation to council by local naturist Kevin Proteau and Canadian Naturist Organization’s Judy Williams. The 10 options were put forward by staff...
Petition to stop trapping going to Penticton council
PENTICTON - One of the oldest animal protection groups in Canada is taking aim at Penticton city council in an attempt to restrict leg-hold traps within city limits. A cat was found in January with a leg badly mangled as the result of being caught in a leg-hold trap. The incident has prompted The Association...
Penticton firefighter commended for bravery
PENTICTON - A Penticton firefighter was commended for bravery during a presentation at the Jan. 14, 2015 meeting of Penticton city council. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit presented firefighter Curtis Gibbons with a Certificate of Commendation from the office of the Governor General of Canada in recognition of his assistance in helping a drowning swimmer in...
City finalizes 2015 budget
PENTICTON - Penticton city council has finalized their budget after just six days of deliberations. On Jan. 12, 2015 council approved a 1.3 per cent increase to cover a $326,230 deficit. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said the 2015 budget factors in cost control and fiscal responsibility, in addition to several strategic investments asked for by residents...
Council gets stingy under new grant policy
PENTICTON - Grant discussions highlighted Penticton city council’s desire to reduce perennial grant requests at Wednesday's budget meeting. Council began the day with a list of grant requests totalling $791,876. Their goal was to whittle away $121,870 of that in order to get the budget on track with the budgeted amount of $670,000. By meeting's...
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...
Politicians host meet and greet
PENTICTON - Penticton’s new mayor and council including local representatives from the provincial and federal governments made themselves available to the public at an informal gathering at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Saturday. A moderate turnout of citizens braved icy winds and below normal temperatures from 10 a.m. until noon to meet their...
Former councillor defines his legacy, offers advice for incoming politicians
After serving three terms on Penticton City Council, John Vassilaki figured it was time to step up or step out. That was Vassilaki’s reasoning behind his recent bid to win the mayor’s position in the November 15 municipal election, when he was defeated by Andrew Jakubeit. "After 12 years in office, I felt my only...