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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...
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...
Political cyber sabotage in Kelowna mayoral election campaign
KELOWNA – The RCMP are investigating after someone hacked former Kelowna mayor Sharon Shepherd’s old Twitter account. It appears someone used the Twitter account to attack the mayoral candidate’s reputation in an effort to discredit her. “Those who know me soon realized my previous accounts had been take over without my knowledge or permission, for...
ELECTION 2014: Your Penticton candidates
PENTICTON - Friday was the last day for council candidates to submit their nomination papers and officially lock themselves into the race. There are a few unexpected names on the list — some old faces and some new ones, but mostly the latter. There are three mayoral candidates — Andrew Jakubeit and John Vassilaki, both...
Sentes decides not to run for mayor; seeks another term as councillor
PENTICTON - She was tempted to run for Pentction mayor but after taking some time to reflect, Coun. Judy Sentes has decided to seek re-election instead. With three council seats definitely empty going in to the race, Sentes says it’s important for there to be a mix of experienced and new councillors around the table....
2003 firestorm hero enters council race
KELOWNA – The woman who coordinated the evacuation of thousands of residents during the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire is running for a seat on council. Beryl Itani, 76, was the Emergency Social Services director for the Central Okanagan for 30 years. She retired in 2011. According to the City of Kelowna website, Itani has...
Chamber loses Campbell to council campaign
PENTICTON - Council candidate, Campbell Watt will take a leave of absence from his posts at downtown business organizations during his campaign. Watt has requested formal leaves from his presidency positions at the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Penticton Association. If he is elected to council he will fully resign, he says. Both boards...
Sentes contemplating running for mayor
PENTICTON - The mayoral race could get a little heated by the end of the week, depending on whether one councillor decides to follow her peers and run for mayor. Coun. Judy Sentes says her name will be on the ballot, but she's not sure yet if she'll run for council or the mayor's seat....
Litke says election rumours are ‘terrible’
PENTICTON - Mayor Garry Litke is keeping his lips sealed about whether he will run for reelection despite the circulating rumours he does not want to be mayor any longer. Litke will still announce his decision on October 7 — three days before nominations close — whether he will seek more time at the head...
Empowered Penticton citizens won’t back down from political mission
PENTICTON - A group of citizens want to educate, encourage and empower the people of Penticton. Back in August, Pentictonites congregated on the Facebook page Time For Change Penticton to engage in conversation about how to improve the city. The Facebook group was deleted this week after the page was “hijacked” by member Jennifer Taylor...
Chamber president Campbell Watt will run for council
PENTICTON - Campbell Watt has announced he’s running for a seat on Penticton city council and says his experience in local organizations and the business sector will give him a leg-up in the competition. Watt has entered the race with hopes of making a positive change to the city, for example by finding an easier...
Edson Chan represents young population in mayoral race
PENTICTON - A fresh face is joining the race for mayor of Penticton and he hopes his presence will draw the attention of youths into the world of politics. Edson Chan, 26, was born and raised in Penticton. He says he has paid attention to many of the changes Penticton has gone through and wants...
If Elvena Slump ran for council this would be her platform
PENTICTON - Elvena Slump made headlines last week after she received a legal threat from the city for emails she sent to city council and senior staff members about the roles of senior staff in city government. Slump is no stranger to municipal politics, running for a seat on city council herself in 2008. Even though...
Summerland mayor won’t run for re-election
PENTICTON - Two-term Summerland mayor Janice Perrino announced she will not seek re-election this fall. Perrino made the announcement on Monday that she will be leaving her seat at the council table for another willing candidate. And while she is sad to leave, she said she is leaving feeling accomplished and satisfied. Perrino also works...
How Penticton residents are changing the political landscape in town
PENTICTON - The political movers and shakers that started TimeForChangePenticton have introduced a more advanced campaign to support electoral candidates in the upcoming municipal election. The idea to start Vision Penticton was brewed up at a meet and greet held by TimeForChange organizers on Monday. Vision Penticton is like the “older sibling” to the original group,...
Vassilaki gunning for the hot seat
PENTICTON - From the steps of City Hall, Coun. John Vassilaki announced he will run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election and work to restore power back to the hands of city council. Recent issues, including the city’s lawsuit against the Penticton Hospitality Association, have cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. “And no one has...
Time to grab your election nomination forms
PENTICTON - Nomination packages for the uncapping municipal election can be picked up starting today at the Regional District offices and online. The packages include necessary forms and information to help candidates, such as dates, process and strategic plans. Candidates are required to have two qualified nominators sign their nomination. There is no nomination deposit...
Vassilaki considering trading his council seat for mayor
PENTICTON - Local businessman and city councillor John Vassilaki plans to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election this fall. Vassilaki says he is considering running for mayor and will make a public announcement at the end of the month. He will have some competition for the hot seat, as current Mayor Garry Litke...
Election 2014: Councillors could be chosen out of a hat
KAMLOOPS - Council members were fighting during Tuesday's meeting as if their seats are already on the line while discussing possible changes to the election bylaw for 2014. And the general election — when eight city councillors and a mayor will be chosen — is still almost five months away. Several changes were recommended by...