Our special series continues with Jake Kimberley
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of seven interviews with former mayors from Penticton.
Jake Kimberley was mayor of Penticton from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2005 to 2008. Prior to that time, he served one term on city council from 1987 to 1990.
Born just outside of Winchester, Hampshire, UK, he and his wife Kate travelled to Summerland in 1966 to spend their honeymoon with his sister, but within three months had moved to Penticton. Jake is a carpenter by trade. Following his defeat in 1996, he worked in Vancouver for the compensation appeal board for seven years. He is the father of two sons and proud grandfather of two. His wife Kate of 50 years, passed away in January 2016.
He spoke with valley editor James Miller about his nine years as mayor and also offered his personal insight into the present council.
HERALD: What have you been up to for the past 10 years?
KIMBERLEY: Enjoying living as a retiree in Penticton, travelling, playing golf, helping my sons with their house renovations, and spending time with my grandchildren. HERALD: Did you enjoy the job of mayor? KIMBERLEY: I thoroughly enjoyed all my three terms as mayor, even with Muriel Franck standing there in every question period — bless her commitment and her dedication. I had to face some challenging decisions. The very first year in office, the riots destroyed downtown, the Garnet fire led to the evacuation of 3,000 residents from their homes, floods up through the Carmi area and there were the Apex road blocks.
HERALD: You’ve often said that the riot was the darkest day in Penticton’s history. Has Penticton recovered from that?
KIMBERLEY: Definitely, thanks to all the volunteers who were out at the road blocks the following weeks and a couple of years after. Credit to councillor (David) Perry, who looked after the volunteers. I also had council pass two bylaws, zero drinking in public within the city limits and (making it) illegal to ride in the back of pickup trucks without a proper seat and seat belt. There were as many as 30 persons riding in the back of trucks the night of the riot.
HERALD: How big of factor was the Coquihalla connector in the decline of Penticton’s tourism industry?
KIMBERLEY: It definitely impacted the flow of traffic coming south and tourism. The RDOS campaigned strongly back then with the province to help direct traffic south off the Coquihalla. I believe that helped a great deal to bring tourists back to the south end of the valley.
HERALD: Are we going about things the right way with tourism, focusing more on wineries and beaches?
KIMBERLEY: The wineries have definitely drawn a new tourist into the valley and I certainly don’t see that interest slowing down. More and more wine tours are being started up demonstrating that you can get out and explore them and sip without the fear of the red and blue behind you. I have always said that we should promote the fact that we are a unique city, only two in the world that are between two beautiful lakes. That’s never promoted enough for potential tourist visitors. There is a growing economy from culture, which leads back to the need for a performing arts centre in the downtown. I also have friends who are no longer going down to the States, which means we have an opportunity to keep them here at home for their vacation days.
HERALD: How realistic, in your opinion, is the South Okanagan Performing Arts Centre project?
KIMBERLEY: It can be done. It’s realistic enough, we always knew it was going to take time. There is a very dedicated group who continue to work hard to make it a reality.
HERALD: What was your proudest accomplishment during your three terms as mayor?
KIMBERLEY: Thanks to Jack Kler, the former city treasurer, getting the South Okanagan Events Centre built and made affordable. The initial discussion I had with council on the maximum acceptable property tax increase to build the SOEC was unanimous at five per cent. My direction to council was that we will build the SOEC without cutting corners, because previous decisions had shown that to go back and add additional equipment and amenities are more costly in the long run. Do it right the first time. Many thanks to Jack Kler and his negotiating with the province, the SOEC was built at less cost to the homeowner and with a short-term city debt on the building. Just as an aside, in 2005 the city’s costs to operation/management of the Convention Centre alone was close to a million dollars. HERALD: What was your greatest regret? KIMBERLEY: Failing to clearly explain the reasons why the council had to say no to keeping the Pen-Hi auditorium.
HERALD: You’ve remained fairly quiet on most issues over the past 10 years but took an active role in the Skaha Lake Park waterslide controversy. Why did that issue incense you to the point where you took a lead in the community?
KIMBERLEY: Simply put, it’s public property owned and paid for by the taxpayers, who never had a proper say or were listened to in what was being proposed on their land. Parks are one of a city’s most valuable assets. One person’s signature created this three-year problem.
HERALD: You’ve also indicated disgust at the Core Services Review, where 35 managers and union staff were let go.
KIMBERLEY: This was a difficult thing to witness as I had worked with many of those who were affected by the cuts. Literally kicked out the door. These were dedicated senior managers with years of experience who were given little, or no justification, to be fired, let go. These long-serving staff were replaced — or not — by inexperienced senior staff. That was a difficult time and a very expensive, undisclosed cost, time for the city.
HERALD: Have you ever considered a political comeback — either a run for mayor or city councillor?
KIMBERLEY: Always thinking about it. I am enjoying retirement, but do write the occasional observation of council decisions. I’d like to thank all those who are again asking me put my name in October. It is very rewarding.
HERALD: How do you feel the present Penticton city council has done over the past four years?
KIMBERLEY: I believe we’ve recently witnessed what change an experienced administrator has brought to this council.
HERALD: What was the first sign that council was heading in a wrong direction?
KIMBERLEY: Hiring an inexperienced city administrator. Nobody in city hall knew where they were going and how to get there.
HERALD: Who, if anyone, are you most impressed with on council?
KIMBERLEY: Coun. (Campbell) Watt. He seems to make most sense with his questions and opinions. In my observation, there doesn’t seem a necessary level of debate on very important issues and decisions. Being on council takes a lot of personal time to be involved and to be well informed on legislation, their decisions can be costly if they fail to do their homework.
HERALD: What personal advice do you give to potential candidates in the Oct. 20 municipal election?
KIMBERLEY: Make sure you will have the time to commit to your duties. I’ve seen people get elected and suddenly realize their commitment to office takes them away from their families or their work or business.
HERALD: Switching to provincial politics, what is your take on the current NDP-Green alliance in Victoria?
KIMBERLEY: In my observation, one thing that provides good government is to have the ruling party hold a slim majority. The NDP are in that situation now, they can’t stray too far to the left on their policies otherwise they will lose the Green party’s votes and lose being in power.
HERALD: How do you feel Justin Trudeau is doing as prime minister. What do you like and not like?
KIMBERLEY: I think Justin is doing a good job, considering he has had to dive deep into the issues facing Canada thanks to our neighbour to the south. The country is going to face some tough times as a result of President Trump’s initiatives with their No. 1 trading partner Canada. I also like the image that Justin shows the world, presents himself and his country very well on the world stage. He can certainly put Mr. Trump to shame.
HERALD: Do you agree with the decision to legalize marijuana?
KIMBERLEY: Knowing the frustration that police officers have to go through to lay charges, particularly their amount of paperwork to go to court, and then have the courts give the accused a slap on the wrist. So on that understanding, I do agree with the legalization, but the police will still have to charge the pushers. But, maybe there won’t be so many out on the streets now. The RCMP’s task now with the legalizing of marijuana is to watch out for drivers under the influence of marijuana.
HERALD: You grew up in England during the time of Beatlemania. Did you ever think we’d be singing “Love Me Do” 55 years later?
KIMBERLEY: I find it hard to believe that we are still raving over The Beatles and Rolling Stones. I refer to it as sing-along music because we all knew the words to the songs — not like what you hear today. I remember seeing the Rolling Stones when they were an opening act for Duane Eddy. I was at the Ringo Starr concert in Penticton and on leaving a lady I was walking alongside said, “I never thought I’d ever see Ringo Starr in Penticton.” That was a huge reward for all my headaches about the SOEC project.
Next week: Beth Campbell