Two more people have resigned from the Penticton Indian Band’s chief and council, making a total of five vacant spots.
Coun. Jonathan Kruger, former two-term chief, and Coun. Tim Lezard have both resigned from their spots as councillors, according to band administration.
“We are sad to see them go. They did a wonderful job for our community. Penticton Indian Band administration continues to offer programs and services to community members,” band administrator Tabitha Eneas told the Western News.
Further comment has been directed to Chief Chad Eneas, who has not yet returned a request for comment.
Related: Non-confidence issue freezes PIB meeting
The opening of two new spots follows some turmoil in the band, as some members introduced a non-confidence motion for the band and council and held up a meeting until the motion was addressed.
Emotions reportedly grew high in that meeting, originally designated to garner nominations to fill the spots left open by spring resignations of three other councillors, including Denise Lecoy and Naomi Gabriel.
Those two had resigned due to demanding occupations elsewhere, including work with the First Nations Health Authority in the case of Lecoy and operations of the Old Order Distillery in the case of Gabriel.
With five spots currently open, just three councillors and Chief Eneas remain.
Tabitha Eneas did not indicate when or how the open spots will be filled.
Related: PIB vote recount doesn’t affect results
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