The time is upon us to elect our new municipal governments.
In Penticton we have had much controversy surrounding our city council, especially at the beginning of their four year term.
The proposal to lease out a significant portion of Skaha Park in 2015 topped the list of controversies. For the information of the electors, the previous council (2011-2014) was well aware, or should have been aware, that the Expression of Interest (EOI) that went out to developers in 2013 included two “expansion areas” of land adjacent to the Marina totalling 6.83 acres of public park land for development of “hotel, restaurant,…entertainment or recreation.”
Despite what was recently stated by a mayoral candidate who served on the 2011-2014 council, the current council did not “allow the scope of the Skaha Park project to expand.”
The park land that was offered for development in 2013 was clearly defined in the EOI issued on May 17, 2013.
Over the ensuing three years since the public learned of this waterslide plan, I have had significant interaction with Mayor Andrew Jakubeit in my involvement with the Save Skaha Park Society and subsequently as a member of the Parks Master Plan Steering Committee.
Although I was vehemently opposed to the council’s intention to lease a portion of this treasured park for a waterslide, the mayor earned my respect as someone who was willing to listen to, and to learn from, those opposed to council’s eagerness to dispose of public park land.
Most importantly, Mayor Jakubeit acknowledged his mistake and apologized for the way he had handled the Skaha Park proposal.
He said on several occasions that Skaha Park was his biggest regret during his first term as mayor. In hindsight he acknowledges that council should have communicated with the public much sooner in the process.
The only other member of the current council that publicly admitted that the Skaha Park issue was a mistake on the part of council was Campbell Watt.
Many positive changes have taken place at city hall as a result of the Skaha Park debacle. A new Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Park Dedication and Park Protection Bylaws have been completed and adopted by council.
A Parks Advisory Committee will be appointed by council whose role will be to ensure any proposals for public park land will be subject to the newly adopted process and will receive the protection parks deserve.
Improved communication with the public on all important city matters is being done earlier and more meaningfully.
Everyone makes mistakes. Not everyone admits their mistakes and even less are prepared to change because of their previous errors. I have decided to support candidates Jakubeit for mayor and Watt for councillor.
They are both young and have shown they have learned from their mistakes.
Their knowledge of our city will provide the much-needed continuity on city council for the ensuing four years.
Gary Denton
Penticton