The long wait is over, and the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Penticton Hospitality Association in their long-running dispute with the City of Penticton.
“The PHA is naturally delighted to announce that the Supreme Court of B.C. has now struck down in its entirety the City of Penticton’s illegal attempt to seize control and withhold funds from the lawful stewardship of the PHA. This is a just decision that benefits the entire community,” said Tim Hodgkinson, PHA operations director, reading from a prepared statement.
Hodgkinson said the PHA will have further comment in coming days. Not surprisingly, Mayor Garry Litke said the city is far from delighted with the decision.
“Obviously, I am not happy with the decision. It wasn’t a decision that we really expected. We became involved in this topic more than a year ago now, when we became concerned about the financial accountability of that organization (the PHA),” said Litke.
“We will accept that pronouncement and move on,” continued Litke, explaining that the city’s long-term goal is for the PHA and Tourism Penticton to work together to leverage the tax funds and get back as much as they can in terms of enhancing tourism in the city.