By JOE FRIES Thursday, September 18, 2008 Penticton Herald
Politicians should be held accountable for their actions during their entire term in office, not just in the run-up to elections, say representatives of the Okanagan Skaha Residents Association Members of the association’s steering committee -- David Perry, Tom Siddon and Tom Johnston -- pledged at the group’s inaugural public meeting Tuesday night to keep elected officials’ feet to the fire. Perry reaffirmed the OSRA’s desire to support a group of candidates for school board and city council in the Nov. 15 municipal election, and said he was hoping to "find some new, young, fresh faces" to run for office. Perry emphasized the association will merely be "supporting a group of candidates" from those that step forward, not running a slate under the OSRA banner and "trying to cook the election." Three people did indeed step forward Tuesday night and declared they would run for either the school board or city council, while two others said they were giving it serious thought. Elvena Slump, Ron Barillaro and Kim Marshall suggested they would be seeking election. But as attendee Dave Wallace pointed out, the OSRA must vet its candidates a little bit. "Writing letters to the editor does not give you the background needed" to hold public office, Wallace said.
Borrowing from Barack Obama, the association revealed its slogan: "Are you ready... for change?" As before, the group took aim at city hall for overspending on the South Okanagan Events Centre and for giving inquiring residents the cold shoulder. They also criticized the Okanagan Skaha school board for its decision to demolish the Pen-Hi gym and auditorium and for making decisions behind closed doors. Other than five founding principles, the association hasn’t taken firm positions on any issues. "We’re not pro-development or anti-development," said Siddon. "We’re going to support the best possible development for the future of the community." And any future stances would be hammered out in public, Siddon added. "What this is about," he said, "is to have a forum." Perry promised, the OSRA’s candidates -- and others -- would be held accountable throughout their term for their decisions and for upholding their campaign promises. In other years, he said, "we supported everyone up until Nov. 15, waved goodbye and that was it." About 75 people turned out for Tuesday’s meeting and were encouraged to purchase a $10 membership. Perry said afterwards he was pleased with the attendance and membership in the fledgling group is now "in excess of 100." The association’s next meeting will be scheduled for early October. For more information visit www.actlocalnow.ca.
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Don Quixote: Looks like every community in the Valley is starting a Taxpayers or Ratepayers group to make their local Councils more accountable. In Penticton, the 4 founding members of the steering committee have more Educational degrees than an Osoyoos Celsius Thermometer in July. This should give them enough credibility to avoid the 'wingnut' label that is oft tacked on such a ginger group in their early days.
6 comments:
It would seem that a list of degrees as long as an arm is not an assurance that the holder is not a wingnut. Ted Kascinzky (the unabomber)comes to mind here. There was also that scientist that was distributing Anthrax from the CDC.
Vision and the wherewital to lead while pursuing that vision together with the ability to listen to the wishes of the electorate seem to me to be much more important than academic qualifications.
Our political leaders should also be able to express their vision so that the electorate can understand where the leadership would be trying to take us.
What vision has any ratepayer or taxpayers association given us? Where would they lead? Are they wingnuts with degrees? Lets get a clear statement of intent from the candidates and judge in the election based on something other than "I'm not them."
Great another Taxpayer Association in Penticton
The Vernon and Coldstream taxpayers should contact them and work together for the common good as the Vernon Taxpayers did on the stupid proposals for a cultural centre and civic complex and put a stop to the bureaucratic wingnuts abuse with our money !!
The 'vision' that the taxpayer groups[ that the hater refers to] bring to the table is the vision of ACCOUNTABILITY OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY required of those entrusted with the public purse
AHUGE PUBLIC SERVICE at no cost to the taxpayer!!
Last I heard a void, or the lack of anything was open, transparent and probably accountable because it represents nothingness.
Sounds like a safety meeting, nobody moves nobody gets hurt. Like it or not, ratepayer leaders must lead and make decisions. Having a vision of accountability, openness and transparency is fine if that is the method of governance employed. If its all there is though, then the ratepayers lack the vision to be leaders. Where is the policy? What do you stand for? As has been said before, and I kind of like it, what do you stand for besides "I'm not them"?
Where do we go from here? It would seem into the void.
Wonder if there will be an echo? Wait I think I hear it now ringing through the emptiness, it is saying wide open spaces. Too bad those spaces are between the ears, eh?
You guys are one trick ponies and the last time the electorate voted for a bunch of one-note candidates it led to dysfunction. Here we go again.
Your intellect speaks loud and clear
You shall hear the Taxpayers'Vision[s] sooner than you think
So I suppose you are not impressed by Education as represented by the Penticton Taxpayers'group??
Is it a case of
'I am uneducated and proud of it"?
Long live RH..For those who don't agree with the Coldstream Rate Payers are ignorant simple minded fools..
Lets vote for KISS for Mayor
And so say all of us
Robin Hoooooood and his merry maids and men for ever
RH
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