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Meaghan Archer

Meaghan Archer

  • Joined: January 01, 2023
  • Articles: 530

ARCHER: Hey Boonstock, just tell us what’s going on

Hey kids! Boonstock is only three weeks away! Nothing but fun and sun and music and culture and stuff! It’s all good all the time! Just please don’t look behind the curtain. I know I’ll be accused of being the grumpy old parent shushing the teenagers on their three-day sleepover, but I wish I didn’t...

ARCHER: Holding government leaders accountable

Government bodies get a bad rap when it comes to spending money, and sometimes the facts prove our tax dollars are not being well spent. But when government officials show us what's in their pockets, it becomes easier for the public to trust their leaders and the decisions they make on behalf of the community....

ARCHER: Appreciate local history before it’s lost

There’s an old adage that says “You never know what you had until it’s gone.” Yes, it’s a bit tacky to use cliches but it may be worth taking a closer look at the people and places in your life and recognize them before they go up in smoke. Earlier this week, Keremeos lost one...

ARCHER: Shoutout to all the fire crews

Last week the Thompson-Okanagan was literally on fire, as I’m sure most of you know—it’s hard not to ignore large puffs of smoke coming from mountain tops, hazy skies that make it hard to breathe and endless news articles on fire updates and evacuation notices. Most of us watch these fires spread from a distance,...

ARCHER: This one goes out to all the young people

Looking around the city council table, there are a lot of, how do I put this gently, wise faces, especially now that the youngest member, Wes Hopkin left for law school in Toronto. The 25-year-old councillor, who 22 when elected, brought a youthful spirit and fresh outlook to city governance. At his last council meeting...

ARCHER: A lot of talk, how about some action?

The group TimeForChangePenticton has become a sort of phenomenon over the last few weeks. I “liked” the page early on and my Facebook feed has been blowing up with notifications of posts and pictures and comments. People are talking about issues that many argue were not being talked about (enough) before. All the talk is...

ARCHER: Can you have your event and quiet weekend too?

There are always going to be people who don't approve of noise, location or some other detail of an event. Even events like Challenge that are very well accepted by the community and city officials get some negative remarks, such as blocked off roads, congested traffic and loud fireworks. Following social media this week, it...

ARCHER: City staff aren’t immune from taxpayer scrutiny but here’s a better idea

PENTICTON - City Hall has quite the series of plot lines going these days, with lawsuits, legal threats to citizens, complaints from residents and rallies outside on the street. Mayor and city councillors have taken a lot of heat from the media and public, whether it’s about vote results, a development project, or the use...

ARCHER: Heritage homes add character to Penticton

There’s something about an old house that I just love. I get this giddy feeling hearing the old wood floors creak as I was across a room, the dated wallpaper, hand-cranked appliances, and little odds and ends of years long past. And it still feels, in a way, like home. So when it comes to...

ARCHER: The trouble with Penticton’s priorities

Penticton has been all about beaches, peaches, wine and scenery for decades. Our little town is sandwiched between two beautiful lakes and fenced in with mountains and blue skies, so of course it makes sense to market it as a tourist attraction—a place to visit and hopefully stay. But in order for people to stay...

ARCHER: Facebook can make or break a politician

It’s no secret that during an election, a candidate's skeletons can be pulled out from the closet and displayed in the light for all to see. It’s happened on all levels of government, and makes a juicy plot twist for Hollywood movies and HBO shows. But it’s hard to think it could happen to you.

ARCHER: What will your vote stand for?

Rapper Lil’ Jon’s “Rock the Vote” video is going viral and for good reason. The video, which shows young celebrities turning out to vote in the U.S. midterm elections, demonstrates the significance of voting. Everyone has something they can fight for, and represent with their vote. Our municipal election isn’t on the same scale, but...

ARCHER: Do signs mean anything?

If you left your house at all this week, you’ve seen all the election signs that went up after nominations closed last Friday. They come in all sizes and colours, some with photos, others with their catch phrases. They are all trying to catch the attention of community members—the electorate—and make a name for themselves....

ARCHER: The importance of being a jury member

I spent three days this week at the Penticton courthouse sitting in on a coroner’s inquest for the death of a 30-year-old man, Steven Joseph Scott, who died two years ago while in police custody. I had never been to an inquest before and was happily surprised to find the five-person jury and all the...