Anti-prison petition backed by protest

JOHN MOORHOUSE/Penticton Herald  Wednesday, May 25, 2011
 Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton received an earful in addition to a 3,458-name anti-jail petition on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday afternoon.  More than 100 protesters, some carrying placards, turned out for the presentation of the petition by the group Citizens Against Penticton Prison. A second petition, signed by about 110 students at Penticton Secondary School, was also handed over to the mayor. Campaign co-organizer Loraine Stephanson said the petition is meant to bring some balance to the issue.  “It was started because we thought the city was only presenting the positive side of the issue and not any of the risks or potential downside impacts,” Stephanson said. “That was very disturbing to people.”  Many of those in the crowd also expressed their opposition to the 720-inmate correctional facility, asking Ashton to explain why council decided to proceed with its submission prior to a community vote.  “I‘m mad at council for even starting this,” said one woman to cheers from the crowd. “We don‘t want it.”  Ashton fielded questions for close to 30 minutes before heading back inside City Hall. He said council has tried to remain neutral on the prison question, but he personally believes the city should look at every opportunity to create jobs and improve the economy.  “We all know Penticton is a very tight-knit and very close community on it, but council is charged with taking a look at what may bring employment to the city,” he said to a chorus of boos from the crowd.  Ashton noted a copy of the petition will be forwarded to the Solicitor General‘s Ministry.  Petition spokesman Tom Bijvoet said afterwards he was buoyed by the large crowd on hand for the presentation.  “We never expected this kind of crowd. We thought we‘d just be meeting up with the mayor and handing him the pile of signatures,” he said. “I think it sends a huge message to the mayor and council.”   Bijvoet said he was surprised by council‘s decision to hold an “opinion poll” June 14-18 rather than a binding referendum on the prison question. However, he said the petition shouldn‘t be overlooked.  “It‘s good that the mayor wants to listen to the citizenry, but I think we‘ve been very loud and clear,” he said.