politics
Governance question snipped from fall election ballot
VERNON - A question about changing how local municipalities are governed has been stripped from the fall election ballot in Vernon. City council voted not to include a question asking voters if they want the city to pursue the creation of a municipal restructuring committee. The committee would study the implications of governance restructuring. The...
Another candidate in the running for Vernon mayor
VERNON - A prominent local businessperson has announced his intention to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election. Akbal Mund, known for his involvement in numerous local events and fundraisers, says he’s ready to take on a role at city hall. “One hundred per cent of my focus will be looking after the City...
Who is Elvena Slump?
PENTICTON - We know Elvena Slump for her letters to the editor and recent controversy over a lawsuit filed against her by the city for remarks she made about senior staff in those letters. But this isn’t her first controversy. Slump, 76, spent nearly two decades working in print, publishing news, including a paper called The...
Mayor and council discuss job retention and insurance
PENTICTON - Mayor and council have been busy this week at the 2014 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler, discussing issues from insurance claims to job recruitment and retention with provincial ministers. A resolution to restore full ICBC claim coverage was passed by the UBCM membership Wednesday. Municipalities want ICBC to reimburse cities in...
This is who’s running for city council so far
PENTICTON - There is a growing list of candidates bidding for a spot on city council and there's still almost two months until ballots are cast. Coun. John Vassilaki and Coun. Andrew Jakubeit are both giving up their council seats for a chance at being mayor, and former councillor Wes Hopkin's seat is also vacant....
HELSTON: Local politics are not boring
I’d like you to list the names of your city councillors. Okay, just one councillor. The mayor? No? Then you’re just like I was before I got paid to know. I’ll be honest; I never used to take much interest in local politics. Like many, I considered it boring, small town, no consequence stuff. But...
Councillors ‘think money grows on trees:’ Vassilaki
PENTICTON - While every member of city council has traveled to Whistler this week for the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, Coun. John Vassilaki says they are wasting money by sending so many people to the same conference. Vassilaki, who announced his mayoral candidacy at the beginning of the month, says the cost for sending...
Vernon councillor seeks another term
VERNON - Councillor Brian Quiring will seek another term on Vernon council this fall. A partner with MQN Architects, Quiring has lived in Vernon since 1993 and served on council for the last three years. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Master of Architecture degree and supports development and construction as an...
There’s a passionate new face in the Vernon election race
VERNON - A passionate newcomer determined to put some personality in local politics has announced she’s running for a seat on Vernon city council. Dalvir Nahal, 38, is a first time councillor candidate. Born in India and raised in Vernon, she’s called the city home for the last 36 years. The energetic and candid breast...
Jakubeit tosses hat into mayoral race
PENTICTON - Add Andrew Jakubeit to the list of mayoral candidates for the upcoming election, alongside fellow councillor John Vassilaki. Jakubeit announced Tuesday morning he will run for mayor, which leaves another seat open around the council table. He said his platform will centre on community pride, economic diversity, building a better relationship with the...
Council meets Tuesday to talk tax exemptions and big hugs
PENTICTON - City Council will be held Tuesday night this week, with an agenda ranging from the biggest hug to tax exemption properties. There are three delegations on the agenda, including a presentation from Scott Mudry, a resident looking for council’s approval to organize the biggest group hug. There will also be presentations on the...
Another Kamloops church getting into residential real estate development
KAMLOOPS - Just a week after a downtown church officially broke ground on a residential development, council a similar development is in process on the North Shore. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints on 8 Street is looking to rezone a portion of its property to allow for the construction of a four-storey building...
STAHN: Will being emotional pay off for Cavers?
As we head into civic elections this year, most politicians try to keep their heads down, avoid controversy and charm voters. But Coun. Donovan Cavers—never shy about voicing his opinions and feelings—seems to be taking the contrarian view. He's getting more vocal. In each of the past two council meetings, Cavers has spoken out against...
Budget ramped up for John Tod centre
KAMLOOPS - The finishing touches are being installed as a crew hustles to complete the conversion of John Tod from a school to a community centre — and now a parking lot has been added to the 2014 to-do list. Work began on the $2.2 million conversion earlier this year but the city planned to...
Tax fate for local nonprofits in hands of council
PENTICTON - Four local organizations were added to the list of tax exempt properties, even though they didn’t originally qualify under the city policy. Council made a motion to add four organizations—The Paternal Order of Eagles, The Penticton Minor Hockey Association, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, and the Senior’s Drop-in Centre—to the...