Campaign lacks sizzle

Candidates seemingly unwilling to rock the boat

What an election campaign it’s been in Penticton! Big ideas, bold leadership, drama, intrigue, sniping – remarkably, you won’t find any of it here. If you’re a fan of predictable politics, then it’s been a banner year for you. If you prefer a little bit of sizzle, you’ve been sorely disappointed.

Parks? Of course, we need more. Official Community Plan? Yes, the updated version will be an important guide for the new crop of elected officials. Public safety? We’ll find a way to tackle it. Housing? It’s in the works.

What else are the candidates going to say?

And in the mayor’s race in particular, the campaign commitments have been underwhelming, to say the least.

Jason Cox: end the economic incentive zones program.

Andrew Jakubeit: work with the Penticton Indian Band to enhance the path along the Okanagan River channel.

John Vassilaki: work with the Penticton Indian Band to open up new land for industrial development.

Perhaps it’s a reflection on the tumultuous term of the outgoing council that no one really wants to rock the boat. Perhaps no one wants to take a chance by stepping too far outside of the box at risk of not being taken seriously.

But that’s what elections are supposed to be about. Politicians in waiting are supposed to make oversized promises and lay out grand visions for the future. Whether they make good on those commitments is another thing, but at least it fires up people and show they’re willing to take risks.

As it stands now, the next four years will be very uninspiring.

— Joe Fries, City Editor