Where’s the meeting?

At the time of this writing we’re precisely 48 hours away from one of the most important Penticton City Council meetings in years, one that will affect every citizen for the next 29 years (39 years if you count two five-year extensions.)

We haven’t seen an agenda yet. We don’t know the location.

The Penticton Herald, the news leader in our community, is unable to disseminate this important information until the morning of the meeting. (We will post the information on our new-and-improved website as soon as we get it.)

Has this meeting been advertised anywhere? It’s not a case of not trying. “We will be discussing the four options presented in the staff report. We will be providing direction to staff on how to proceed,” Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said in a text message to The Herald’s Joe Fries, promising an agenda this morning.

Barring the unforeseen, an important decision is coming Thursday night. But where?

One of two things has happened. Either the communications department is disorganized or mayor and council doesn’t want to give the public a chance to do adequate preparation for the meeting by not revealing the format until the last moment.

Taxpayers are spending well over $150,000 annually in communications/ engagement. Please tell us what the hell’s going on.

Council is likely to move the meeting from City Hall where they can only accommodate about 150 people, even with an overflow room. Perhaps the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre is unavailable on Thursday night but it’s not that difficult to find an alternate location.

Send out an email to the following individuals: Jane Shaak (Shatford Centre), Bonnie Roller Routley (School District 67), David Prystay (Penticton Lakeside Resort) asking if they can host a meeting on Thursday.

The Skaha/Trio saga has been mishandled from Day 1. Citizens clearly deserve better.

—James Miller

48 hours away, no agenda, no venue