Residents association wants to take back City Hall

By JOE FRIES Penticton Herald Aug 7
Lingering resentment surrounding the manner in which the disposal of two buildings at Penticton Secondary School was handled has catalysed the formation of a new residents‘ association that plans to field candidates in the upcoming municipal election. The Okanagan-Skaha Residents Association is set to host a press conference this morning at which the nascent group will encourage citizens to come forward and, under its banner, run for seats on the school board and city council. “We‘re looking for candidates that will adhere to certain philosophies with respect to the democratic operation of the school board and city council,” said Dave Perry, a former Penticton mayor who is involved with the new organization, which he said would eventually be incorporated as a society. While it‘s not a direct offshoot of the Penticton League of Sensible Electors (PLEASE), Perry said the two groups share members – and a desire for a more open democracy. In July, PLEASE lost a Supreme Court challenge to halt demolition of Pen-Hi‘s north gym and auditorium, buildings the school board had deemed disposable and the city was not willing to take over, choosing instead to propose building a new performing arts centre. Throughout the battle to save the structures, PLEASE members felt their concerns and call for a referendum fell on deaf ears.

“As a result of that, (we) have greater concerns about what we feel are democratic issues in the operation of these two organizations,” Perry said. “People have a right to stand up and have their voice heard, and have it heard in a respectful manner.” He promised, however, that the residents association would quickly move past the Pen-Hi drama: “There will be broader platform issues that you will see emerge as we get closer to the election, so this is not a one-trick pony. “The candidates will be taking positions on a broad range of issues.” Perry said the organization, which also has former MP Tom Siddon and former Summerland mayor Tom Johnson on board, doesn‘t yet have any political hopefuls lined up, but founding members will “keep those options open and see what candidates come forward.” Once nominees for both city council and the school board have been selected by the association‘s membership, “We‘ll be putting forward an endorsement group out of those candidates,” Perry explained. He‘s been involved with municipal politics since 1990 and doesn‘t recall seeing another “full-on citizens‘ association” here, but thinks that Penticton is ripe for such a body. “Some people suggest Penticton is too small for this sort of thing,” Perry said, “but I think the actions of city council and the school board have angered a large percentage of citizens in the community and the surrounding area. “So we think it‘s timely now to have an organization such as ours that will have direct input into those who are going to be seeking those seats.”