Rule change good for incumbents

Dear editor: Re: Council to restrict public spaces for campaign signs, Herald, A3, May 23

This council is aware that name recognition combined with these outrageous restrictions on signage could sweep the current council back into office.

When Helena Konanz was first elected to Penticton council she inundated the city with signs embedded with her picture. She had about 300 regular signs plus other assorted sizes.

Relatively unknown at the time, if she was running for the first time now she would need 25 signs in each of the council’s new 13 locations. There wouldn’t be room for any other candidate’s signs.

Not everyone can be president of the chamber or the DPA. Many candidates are relatively unknown in the community. Many work full time, manage kids’ hockey teams, sit on the PAC boards: Quality candidates that understand their community and can bring tremendous life skills to the council table. They deserve a chance to strut their stuff.

Beware of those looking for a job. Look for those making a positive impact on their community, that are willing to make a fouryear commitment of service.

It takes strength of character to do what is right; to listen; debate; make decisions; readdress bad decisions when you are wrong and rectify those wrong decisions.

A good example of stubborn wrong-headed decision making is when Mayor Andrew Jakubeit signed the Trio agreement while about 900 protesters were outside City Hall.

Council is there to listen and consult. Governing comes last. Adequate transparency makes council’s job much easier and very likely would have prevented the signing of the Trio contract.

Incumbents have name recognition advantage: Penticton votes for one mayor and six councillors. Most of us know one or two candidates that would make good councillors. Too many of us go to the polling station and choose an additional four randomly because we think we have to choose six. Name recognition wins and councillors and/or mayors easily get reelected.

Sign restrictions make voter choices harder. I consider this a blatant attempt by council to restrict name recognition which they know gets incumbents reelected.

Choose carefully in the coming civic election unless you want more of the same old same old. Elvena Slump Penticton