Change in the works, says Ashton

By John Moorhouse Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Penticton‘s new mayor promised a "recognizable change" at City Hall in his inaugural address Monday night. Mayor Dan Ashton, along with newly elected councillors John Vassilaki, Garry Litke, Dan Albas, Judy Sentes, Andrew Jakubeit and Mike Pearce were officially sworn into office by Judge Gale Sinclair before a packed public gallery in council chambers. It was also the last formal council function for outgoing mayor Jake Kimberley, along with councillors Joanne Grimaldi, Rory McIvor and Randy Manuel.

Ashton promised less bureaucracy and less animosity at City Hall. "We have a choice. We can do more with less, or a lot more with the same," he said. "The status quo is not an option."
Penticton residents will see a difference in transparency, accountability, due diligence and attitude from both council and city staff, Ashton said. "Every department, every staff member, every councillor and especially the mayor will be held accountable for how we spend your tax dollars," he said. Ashton said quarterly financial reports will be made available, plus a listing of the exact balances of the city’’s reserve funds as of Dec. 1, 2008. He promised that a one-page synopsis of spending to date on the South Okanagan Events Centre will be completed by the next regular council meeting, accompanied by an estimate on any future capital costs and the project’’s expected completion date as final work continues on the centre‘s smaller community rink. "As this was an issue in the election, it is council’’s first step towards the transparency you have been requesting," he said.

The new mayor said there will be a complete review of the city’’s committee structure, along with the addition of four advisory "overview" committees covering city finance, the Events Centre, business development and customer service, and public safety. Alluding to the loss of more than 1,000 jobs in the Penticton area over the past year, he said council will do all it can to get people back to work. While not referring directly to issues such as affordable housing, Ashton said council will strive for a community with a social conscience -- a "safer, more sustainable and environmentally friendlier community."

Kimberley, in his farewell address, thanked council and senior staff for their hard work over the past three years. He lauded their accomplishments including a "world class" South Okanagan Events Centre and a historic sewer service agreement with the Penticton Indian Band. Kimberley, who served nine years as mayor including a previous stint from 1990-96, also had some words of advice for Ashton. "The position of a mayor is one that gains more criticism than reward," he said. "Unfortunately, the only thing I have had great difficulty with is dealing with negative comments when this city has so much to offer."