In my book, respect has to be earned, it does not come with the title or position. So far it seems that city council have not been able to earn much respect, if any. Sorry Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, a nice photo with a group of good men in funny hats just does not do it.
There are two examples of poor decision making and missing the obvious that still astonish me.
Firstly, benefits package scam which was nothing more than an unethical and arrogant act of self entitlement that bartered away any feeling of goodwill and hope that they started out with. This was a bad decision that will continue to stick to their shoes. But worse, you now question their judgement on everything, as it has been shown to be flawed.
Second, the great Munson BMX track fiasco. After several months of pointless talking and pitting two groups of people against each other they have now decided to have the parcel of land tested to see if it is suitable for agriculture, utterly amazing.
I would have been pounding the table and shouting, “this is the first thing we should be doing!”
Not only does the results of testing decide its use but it decides its potential value. Colleges should use this example in their courses on civic management on how not to do things.
Initially I had hopes for Coun. Andre Martin when he questioned the need for their benefits package but he seems to have faded. Now I am reminded of the groundhog when he comes out, looks at the sky, sniffs the air and asks a question, then disappears. Couns. Campbell Watt and Tarik Sayeed occasionally ask a good question.
The important point that evolves from all of this is that the people of Penticton need to be more interested, involved and critical of what is going on right under your noses, much of it is not good. Stay tuned.
Bill Smith
Penticton