Has city council lived up to the promises?

Dear Editor:

We are just a month-and-a-half short of the two years in a four-year term for Penticton City Council. And what have they done to keep their promises?

Many of you will remember that one of those promises was to sort out the mess of Pentictonites paying for the recreational services used by the satellite communities.

Penticton is a member of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. As a member we pay approximately 40 percent of the regional expenses. This is done on a pay-by-population basis. Each member of the RDOS also pays for their own individual area costs.

Except Penticton.

We also subsidize the recreational facilities for the satellite communities. We are mired in debt with buildings that are falling into disrepute or in need of updating. Additionally, more millions of dollars need to be spent annually up keeping these facilities.

Half way through the term of Penticton council it is time to assess how they are doing. Mired in a morass due to COVID-19 and the loss of tax dollars, we are looking at massive increases in taxes down the road from all levels of government.

Pentictonites need a level playing field. The recreational facilities are closed for the most part. They should stay closed until the satellite communities start owning up to their share of the expenses for running these facilities.

And no, as I said before, it doesn’t apply to “Olalla Tom.” Just to the cheapskates with low taxes that use our recreational facilities in the satellite communities.

Costs for recreational facilities and costs of upgrades and new facilities should be paid through the RDOS by population percentage the same way that Penticton pays their annual stipend of 40 percent into the RDOS.

So how about it Council? Do your job and keep your promises please.

Elvena Slump

Penticton