Ask the candidates
What are your qualifications that will make you a good city councillor?
JOHN ARCHER: I am a team builder. I will always work together with council, city staff and the community to ensure sound policy decisions. I am a team player. I advocate my position while listening to others to work towards a common goal. I have the emotional maturity to make the best decisions in the community interests and to withstand any criticism and remain engaged. I am very approachable and a careful listener and committed to clear and constant communication. I am a critical thinker and always prepare fully to make decisions. I have the financial acumen to understand budgets.
DUFFY BAKER: My commitment to the community and business expertise make me a strong candidate. I started my business from the ground up, and employee 17 people. I am a problem solver. I can clearly define a problem; compile evidence; formulate a solution, and implement the solution. I am able to develop long and short-term community goals and objectives. I can meet payroll; understand balance sheets; comprehend profits and losses; and establish and prepare a budget and monitor its progress throughout the fiscal year. I am a strong communicator and can engage with all people easily.
JULIUS BLOOMFIELD: I have been involved in the business community in Penticton for 26 years. During that time, I have dealt with city planning, building inspections and business licensing which has taught me something of how the city works. I have served as president of the Downtown Penticton Association, volunteered at the soup kitchen and been part of the Penticton Urban Agriculture Association. My concern for the environment will be a factor in making decisions for future planning that will respect the need for green space, preserving the natural beauty of the area and creating a livable city for all to enjoy.
KAREN BROWNLEE: I have 25 years business experience as a single owner/operator of running my own lawn care and landscape business Okanagan Lawn Care Ltd. I am a long-term resident (30 years) from the prairies. I have a deep and genuine passion about the city. I have a voice and if elected, I intend to help have the people get their voice back to properly shape their city. I have deep empathy for our homeless, people with drug addictions and mental health problems. Together, we can help one another make our city a safe place to live for all.
GLENN CLARK: I was born and raised in the Okanagan and know its history. Working towards a university degree teaches one the discipline to manage and organize many things. My work at the Art Gallery for nearly three decades has reinforced that ability often juggling a multitude of issues simultaneously including meeting deadlines, grant writing, working with politicians, committees, volunteers, professionals, artists, Board of Directors and most importantly, the public. Budgeting for the Gallery, one learns how to stretch a dollar and I understand and continually support the good work charities do in our community.
DARYL CLARKE: Engagement and involvement is what I bring to the table. For the past 28 years, I have served the people of Penticton by volunteering on several different city committees as well as a director on the chamber of commerce, PIDA vice chair, PAC chair and DPAC chair I was also plant manager at Cut Technologies. Being involved has taught me how to listen to all the different groups that come forward with a vision and being engaged has shown me many of the processes to get thing done.
CHRISTOPHER EVASIN: At just 20-yearsold, I already have worked as an initial attack wild firefighter with the BC wild fire service, worked at the Penticton Regional Hospital as the lead material coordinator for Houle Electric, and I’m currently working at the Penticton Airport Expansion Project as an electrical apprentice for Houle Electric. I graduated from the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program. I bring to council the perspective of a goal-oriented, unbiased young adult who is growing and developing alongside the community. I want to help Penticton set itself up for success in the coming years.
JOE FROCKLAGE: I have first-hand experience dealing with people that have problems with mobility issues, housing, homelessness, and related issues, and will make it my priority to improve the support for such requirements, as well as focusing on: accountability, mobility issues, green industry and job creation, incentives for innovative business creation and our youth. I can verify, I, Joseph Frocklage am willing ready and able to serve as a councillor for the city and the people of Penticton.
ISAAC GILBERT: Three qualities I want a councillor to possess are well informed, mediation, fiscally responsible, and relationship building. As a park ranger, president of Penticton Toastmasters, supporting community, and personally I practice these qualities. I understand government budgets working at BC Parks and must be fiscally responsible to my members at Toastmasters. As a park ranger, I am the middle person between BC Parks and the public. I must respect, listen, and mediate the public the park laws and standards while being invisible and not letting my ego get in the way. I will build a strong and respectful with Penticton.
LYNN KELSEY:I would make a good city councillor because I am committed to listening to the citizens of Penticton. In the last four years I have only missed two regular council meetings. I take the time to be informed and I challenge and question decisions council makes. I have extensive experience working in a collaborative, solution focused environment. I sat at the bargaining table for the Community Social Services Sector for two years. I am the Vice Chair for Penticton’s Official Community Plan Task Force. I am a strong advocate and will advocate for all Penticton citizens.
JAKE KIMBERLEY: Experience, I had 13 years as a councillor, mayor and director on Regional District. Experience as mayor, a riot, Garnet fire, 3,000 evacuated, flooding on the East hillside and the Apex road blockade. Major projects as mayor, water filtration plant, Front Street upgrade, Duncan Ave. through Channel Parkway, first road upgrades to Industrial Park, purchased parkland east of the Art Gallery. Last term, SOEC, estimated $33 million a year into the local economy. No learning curve, I know how the city works. Therefore I have experience and common sense essential attributes for a councillor.
JESSE MARTIN: I would make a great councillor because I believe in putting the quality of life of our residents first and foremost. I have a great relationship with the Penticton Indian Band and would put in the effort to strengthen the ties between the city and PIB. Also, as a Grade 7/8 teacher the past seven years, I know what it takes to get along with a group. I understand that the best solutions aren’t necessarily the ones presented and would work with the rest of council to find solutions that would benefit everyone.
DOUG MAXWELL: My qualifications to join city council are: 1. Passion about Penticton that has grown in the 23 years I have been a resident. 2. 35 years as a successful small business owner/operator doing customer service, bookkeeping, sales-expense-budget analysis and decision making. 3. Ten years experience as management team member directing and analyzing a 30 location retail chain. 4. Five years experience initiating a franchise chain including presentation, implementation, training and follow-up. 5. University business bookkeeping courses — top of class. 6. Regular attendance at council meetings, know to gain knowledge of our city. 7. Volunteer involvement with Penticton Creek Enhancement, Food Bank, PDSCL board member.
CHRISTOPHER MILLIN: For four years, as owner of Saint-Germain Café Gallery, I’ve immersed myself in the community. I’ve listened to a cross section of people talk about their concerns and hopes, and I’ve heard them all. I am ready to take their voices to City Hall with me. I have a keen business sense, keeping my cafe going in a city that can be hard on small business. I am someone who cares deeply about the future of Penticton, its residents and its visitors. I see so much potential … and I’m willing to give my all to help Penticton reach that potential.
DAVID O'BRIEN: Did not reply.
MAX PICTON: The past four years as a councillor have provided invaluable experience and I feel that many of my skills are well matched for the position. Perhaps more important though, is that I am a passionate Pentictonite. I am not putting my name forward for personal gain, but only because I have a love for my city and feel an obligation to contribute towards its success. I believe in giving back to the community that helped shape me and I would be honoured to receive the opportunity to continue that work.
MARIE PRIOR: The qualities I possess to be a good councilor are: ability to make decisions, integrity, (speaking the truth without compromise). Financial knowledge, 20 years in commercial banking, handling large portfolios, I provided staff training in classroom and group settings. Strong social skills, (studied psychology) which I have used in my private counselling practice in addition to business situations. In general, life experience, compassion and patience gives me a well-rounded personality. I am not easily intimidated and I am experienced in dealing with contentious situations. In short, the ability to work well with others without compromising who I am.
KEVIN PROTEAU: I’m passionate about Penticton, its businesses and farmers. I am your watch dog. We need a council that listens to the people. I am a proud activist in Penticton. I organized the local Marches Against Monsanto, held a public forum on the health /safety of AMR/smart meters, and was instrumental in obtaining the first optout program in Canada. I held the city’s feet to the fire two elections in a row demanding manual vote counts. I fought to save the historic use of Three Mile Naturists beach. A very serious concern right now is the installation of micro-cell towers throughout Penticton.
FRANK REGEHR: I moved with my family to Penticton in 1989 and worked as secretary/treasurer of School District 67 for 22 years. This position provided me with experience reporting to an elected board, which has operating requirements similar to municipal governments. As an accountant that’s analyzed the City of Penticton’s financial undertakings over several years, I have concluded a number of practices and programs are unfair for Penticton’s taxpayers. I would seek revisions to Penticton’s residential/business tax-sharing formulas to improve fairness for all taxpayers. Proper analysis of tax fairness and accountability measures for other programs should lead to improved financial outcomes.
KATIE ROBINSON: I had the privilege of serving on past councils that brought Penticton the following: a water filtration plant, sewage treatment plant, public health clinic, seniors centre, RCMP building, Community Foundation, and bicycle paths, to name a few of many positive projects. I believe being a good listener and using common sense are the most important qualifications I possess. That, and the dedication to spend the time, doing the homework and legwork necessary to making sound decisions. Being a great councillor however, is knowing when to admit you made a bad decision and showing the courage to correct it.
CONNIE SAHLMARK: I see so many opportunities for our community. My approach is like that of a tiny house owner. Any item brought in must serve two to three purposes minimum as space is limited. The same is true for our city budget, therefore any initiative introduced needs to address more than one issue. I’d like to see the missing middle and subsidized housing in addition to our efforts to aid the homeless. We have a tremendous opportunity to develop our own microutility implementing irrigation hydro and an aggressive solar plan. I have the vision, the background and the passion to do so.
DARYL SANDERS: A good councillor should be able to listen attentively to the people and act accordingly, take all the information, good and bad, and make an educated decision based on the facts and not personal feelings. I believe a councilor should make decisions based on city needs and requirements — not on potential for personal gains or business advancements. A good councilor would champion public safety and find ways to work with law enforcement to deal with our current issues. A good councilor would have a backbone, a strong work ethic and be a champion for the people of Penticton — all these traits I have.
JUDY SENTES: I believe that being the executive director of the OSNS for 20-plus years created a wealth of expertise in management, budget and provision of services. I’ve been a school board trustee; chairwoman of a school board; president of the Penticton Art Gallery and, for many years, chairwoman of the Ironman Canada Race Society. Being a partner in the family’s business operations created another valuable experience for me. Ultimately, having been elected as a councillor for the City of Penticton from 20082018 has been the best experience.
CAMPBELL WATT: The qualifications that make me a good city councillor are experience, knowledge and a proven ability to stand for what I believe in. My experience stems from being a councilor for the last four years, but prior to that I was a director for almost six years on the Downtown Association and Chamber of Commerce board, two of those years I was elected as president for each organization. I believe I have shown over the past four years that I do listen to the people and will stand up for what I believe in.