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mayor
Extra pay for mayor and council approved
VERNON - The next people who sit on Vernon city council will have the option of getting paid to attend meetings, on top of the salary they already receive. Mayor and council decided to keep the stipend at the current $137 for half or full day meetings, but not before throwing out a proposal to...
Jakubeit tosses hat into mayoral race
PENTICTON - Add Andrew Jakubeit to the list of mayoral candidates for the upcoming election, alongside fellow councillor John Vassilaki. Jakubeit announced Tuesday morning he will run for mayor, which leaves another seat open around the council table. He said his platform will centre on community pride, economic diversity, building a better relationship with the...
Not much competition in Vernon election race, yet
VERNON - So far, there’s relatively little competition in the Vernon municipal election race compared to previous years. The City of Vernon reports ten nomination packages have been picked up since Sept. 2. We know three of those can be attributed to Mary-Jo O’Keefe, Victor Cummings and Klaus Tribes, all of whom are competing for...
Unprecedented interest in Mayor’s chair
KELOWNA – It’s looking like voters will have an unprecedented number of choices for mayor this November. With the opportunity to file still a month away, the numbers are far from final, however outgoing Mayor Walter Gray says there does seem to be more interest this year than at any other time he can remember....
How Penticton residents are changing the political landscape in town
PENTICTON - The political movers and shakers that started TimeForChangePenticton have introduced a more advanced campaign to support electoral candidates in the upcoming municipal election. The idea to start Vision Penticton was brewed up at a meet and greet held by TimeForChange organizers on Monday. Vision Penticton is like the “older sibling” to the original group,...
Summerland mayor won’t run for re-election
PENTICTON - Two-term Summerland mayor Janice Perrino announced she will not seek re-election this fall. Perrino made the announcement on Monday that she will be leaving her seat at the council table for another willing candidate. And while she is sad to leave, she said she is leaving feeling accomplished and satisfied. Perrino also works...
Mary-Jo O’Keefe joins the race for the mayor’s seat
VERNON - Another candidate tossed a hat into the ring Friday morning for the upcoming Vernon mayoral race. Mary-Jo O’Keefe stood before a crowd at Davison Orchards to announce her intention. In her speech, O’Keefe said her 15 years of experience serving on the Vernon school board and second consecutive term as city councillor will...
Vassilaki gunning for the hot seat
PENTICTON - From the steps of City Hall, Coun. John Vassilaki announced he will run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election and work to restore power back to the hands of city council. Recent issues, including the city’s lawsuit against the Penticton Hospitality Association, have cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. “And no one has...
Vassilaki considering trading his council seat for mayor
PENTICTON - Local businessman and city councillor John Vassilaki plans to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election this fall. Vassilaki says he is considering running for mayor and will make a public announcement at the end of the month. He will have some competition for the hot seat, as current Mayor Garry Litke...
Vernon mayor leaving the job to ‘someone a bit younger’
VERNON - A Vernon mayor praised for building relationships between local governments feels he’s finished what he started and is letting a younger person take the reigns. Rob Sawatzky, 62, has announced he won’t be seeking re-election this fall. He says he’s getting too old for the demands of the job and plans to spend...
Bernard Avenue revitalization is officially over
KELOWNA – After two years of construction the revitalized Bernard Avenue will finally open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Representatives of the city, including Mayor Walter Gray, gathered at the corner of Pandosy and Bernard Friday afternoon to officially announce the completion of the $14.3 million project. Work began in September 2012 and was completed...
Dinwoodie memorial set for Sunday
WEST KELOWNA – A memorial for former Regional District Director Aaron Dinwoodie, who died of cancer in May, will be held this Sunday at the Lakeview Memorial Hall in West Kelowna. Dinwoodie, who ran for mayor of West Kelowna, was an avid snowboarder who lived the final years of his life in Vancouver and the...
Basran to run for mayor of Kelowna
KELOWNA – First term councillor Colin Basran will run for mayor of Kelowna. The news came during a press conference held today at Earl's rooftop patio overlooking downtown with Basran's wife and parents at his side. “It’s been a nerve-wracking couple of days,” he says. “We are about to embark on an amazing journey over...
Basran expected to announce he will run for mayor
KELOWNA – First term councillor Colin Basran has called a press conference today at 10:30 a.m. where it is anticipated he will announce his intention to run for mayor of Kelowna. Basran, 37, said in the past he was considering running soon after current mayor Walter Gray hinted at his retirement February 13. "I am...