Byelection to cost Ashton $27,000

THURSDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2013 02:00 JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald
Penticton MLA Dan Ashton is sticking to his pledge to pay the costs of last month's civic byelection  a bill which will top $27,000. Dana Schmidt, the city's chief election officer, told Penticton council this week the byelection costs to date total $27,700. "This is for labour, radio and newspaper ads, signage, facility rental etc.," she said. "We are still waiting for some invoices. "Ashton, who resigned as mayor after winning the Penticton riding in May's provincial election, had promised to personally pay the byelection costs up to a maximum of $35,000. Ashton said in a telephone interview that he fully intends to honour that pledge. However, he declined detailed comment until he is able to appear before council to present a cheque, possibly at the Oct. 21 council meeting. "I've never had the opportunity to say good-bye," he added. "I'd prefer to say something at that point." Although some complaints were received about voting being held only at the Seniors Drop-In Centre on South Main Street, only eight people utilized the special election day shuttle bus to the polls from downtown. Cost of the all-day shuttle was $1,000. The byelection saw Garry Litke elected as mayor to succeed Ashton, while Katie Robinson takes over Litke's former councillor position. A total of 3,752 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 14.5 per cent.