Industryprovides high-payingjobs

Some candidates are running for city council that will likely be strong advocates for the Downtown Penticton Association.

Remember: The newly-elected council automatically selects two council members to resolve problems and represent the interests of the DPA and the Industrial Park.

The Industrial Park supplies many of the high paying permanent jobs in Penticton necessary to the lifestyle and well-being of local resident’s. The DPA supplies many entry-level jobs.

The importance of these two areas to local residents cannot be understated. That is why specific councillors represent their interests. Electing more as regular council members skews council. Jobs are important but residential taxpayers always seem to get the short end of the stick.

Recently we had an open house showing us the plans for the Northern Gateway. As I live in the downtown residential area I had several questions and ideas on what businesses I think should be encouraged to come to the Northern Gateway only to be told by a city staff member, “No we can’t do that… we mustn’t do anything to negatively affect the downtown businesses.”

What I hear from this is that the DPA has way too much representation at City Hall.

The DPA has a high success rate with the popular Saturday markets. Does that mean the residential downtown area has to be penalized to keep them happy?

I see under the current plan an eclectic mix where you can go for coffee in a colourful, fun-type atmosphere and where well-off people can shop in exclusive stores or use their bikes to go grocery shopping at the other end of town. There are several highrise development projects in that area.

There is already too much representation for the DPA on council without electing additional councillors to act as their mouthpiece to an obviously brainwashed city staff.

Pentictonites need to question whose interests City Hall staff serve: Do they serve the locals who want new opportunities for shopping in the Northern Gateway or are City staff there to serve the interests of local organized lobby groups?

I was in business for many years. One fact I know: If you can’t make it without constant government interference you don’t deserve to be there.

Elvena Slump Penticton