politics
Churchill development gets go ahead from council
PENTICTON - An unwanted double duplex development on Churchill Avenue will move forward despite disapproval from neighbours. Residents of Churchill Avenue erected signs in protest of the development that was the subject of a public hearing Monday night. Residents raised concerns of traffic, parking and the style of housing. Coun. Helena Konanz asked staff to...
Former Coun. Hopkin endorses Jakubeit for mayor
PENTICTON - Former Coun. Wes Hopkin has officially endorsed his colleague and mayoral candidate Coun. Andrew Jakubeit for the hot seat. In a letter, Hopkin said his experience working alongside Jakubeit as councillor for three years showed him that Jakubeit has the leadership skills to successfully run the city as mayor. Hopkin said he has...
If you missed the candidate forums last week, we got ya covered
PENTICTON - Council and mayoral candidates gathered at the Lakeside Resort last week in front of two rather large crowds to talk politics, strategy and their plans for Penticton’s future. The council candidate forum was held first, on Tuesday, Oct. 28 and 22 of the 25 candidates represented themselves in the question-answer style presentation. The...
MP’s remarks were ‘uninformed and disappointing’: Vernon homeless shelter
‘I WISH I HAD CONFIDENCE THAT I HAVE SUPPORT FROM MY MP’ VERNON - The executive director of a local organization committed to getting Vernon’s homeless people off the streets says recent comments made by the region’s MP are misinformed, especially considering the high number of deaths on its streets the past two years. Barbara...
City questions regional district over unpaid fire bill
VERNON - There’s some financial confusion between local governments about an unpaid firefighting bill. The City of Vernon invoiced the Regional District of North Okanagan for $78,777 in relation to fire protection services at a devastating landfill fire in August 2013. “The bills are still not paid,” Vernon mayor Rob Sawatzky says. “I’m a bit...
Residents protest duplex development with signs
PENTICTON - Residents of Churchill Avenue have erected signs in protest of the development of a double-duplex on their street — an issue that will be discussed during a public hearing and Penticton city council meeting next week. The property at 701 Churchill Ave. is being developed by local developer Schoenne Homes. The development requires...
Vandalized cafe may be linked to municipal election
OLIVER - An Oliver cafe owner says he won’t take election signs down, even after his business was vandalized in what appears to be anti-election behaviour. John Micka, owner of Sunshine Cafe in Oliver has to replace his cafe-front window after it was shot at by a pellet gun. The shot left several small holes...
Vote Elephant Storage signs mock actions at Vernon City Hall
VERNON - When he heard his city councillors were openly breaking one of their own bylaws, Vernon resident Wade Cantalope decided to have some fun. You may have noticed a slightly unusual political sign along the roadways: Vote Elephant Storage Centre. Cantalope, who owns the storage company, isn’t actually running in the election. His campaign...
ELECTION 2014: Advance polling stations open next week in Penticton
PENTICTON - Advance polling stations will be open for two days next week for any Penticton residents needing or wishing to cast their votes a little early. The City is opening two polling stations on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, Nov. 6 at Cherry Lane...
Complementary enterprise pitched for Vernon visitor centre
VERNON - A local politician wants to bring Vernon’s arts and culture to a main pit stop on any tourist’s jaunt through town. Expressions of interest are being accepted for a vacant section of the new visitor centre on 39 Avenue, and City of Vernon councillor Mary-Jo O’Keefe sees it as an opportunity. “I would...
Penticton open for business: ranking
PENTICTON - Penticton has been ranked as one of the province’s top three entrepreneurial cities, and amongst the top 20 in Canada. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released a report called Canada’s Entrepreneurial Commutities which studied municipalities with populations of 20,000 or more and ranked them based on 14 indicators including, industrial diversity, representation...
HELSTON: We should expect more from our MP
The Vernon mayor and our MP are duking things out in a war of words, sparring over the federal government’s role in reducing homelessness. But never mind the federal government, what is the role of our local MP? Colin Mayes, the Member of Parliament for the Okanagan-Shuswap riding, is our elected representative at the House...
Three trustee spots secured, race continues for others
PENTICTON - Three school trustees already have their spots on the board secured, but the race continues for Penticton area candidates. There are three electoral areas for School District 67: Penticton (four seats), Summerland (two seats), and surrounding rural areas (one seat). Ginny Manning will hold her spot on the board since she has no...
ELECTION 2014: A night out with the candidates
PENTICTON - Election candidates and Chamber members have a chance to get to know each other better at a members-only speed campaigning event. It's a chance for Chamber members to have one-on-one conversations with the candidates and ask any questions they like during the five-minute period. Each member will have a chance to meet each...
Get your questions ready for the mayoral candidate forum
PENTICTON - Mayoral candidates will take the stage this week to discuss their goals and answer citizens’ questions at a public forum. The forum, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Penticton Herald, will be held on Thursday Oct. 30, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Resort. Each candidate will...