New council off to a rough start
Penticton’s new group of political leaders got off to a shaky start Tuesday night, as Mayor John Vassilaki stumbled over his words and Coun. Judy Sentes tried to kill just his second motion.
Sentes fought to hang onto her seat on the board of the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen after Vassilaki put forward the motion to appoint himself and the three councillors who received the highest number of votes in the election: Jake Kimberley, Frank Regehr and Julius Bloomfield. (Campbell Watt, who placed second, declined the offer).
Sentes was listed as an “alternate,” despite her experience on the RDOS board.
“The usual process for a recommendation to our city councils’ representatives to the RDOS would be to consider a councillor’s current experience, time availability and interest,” Sentes stated.
“It is essential for our city’s reps to be well understanding of Penticton’s values and objectives within a regional context as well as a familiarity of the working relationship between these two significant entities,” she added.
“A first-time councillor needs to be very familiar with the workings of Penticton’s city council before representing that council to the RDOS.”
She added that she doesn’t believe Vassilaki’s motion was fair, especially when there were councillors with RDOS experience “already on council,” before addressing Vassilaki directly, saying she would not support his motion.
Sentes then put forward an alternative motion that would have seen the mayor and three most experienced councillors appointed to the RDOS.
Coun. Jake Kimberley was quick to jump to the mayor’s defence, citing his own experience as a past mayor and time spent on council.
“I was directly appointed to the RDOS as a director without any experience in that office and I accepted it,” he said.
“As a mayor myself, I appointed people to that office — RDOS — for the sole purpose of learning,” he stressed.
Kimberley added that everyone goes through a learning curve, before stating that Sentes was appointed as an alternative and would therefore have her opportunity from time to time to return to the RDOS table.
Sentes’ motion was defeated 6-1. She was then the lone vote in opposition to Vassilaki’s appointments, although Coun. Katie Robinson noted Sentes was correct on how RDOS directors were traditionally appointed.
The tense disagreement between council unfolded around Penticton’s newest mayor, who appeared unsure how to direct the meeting and often sought direction from his colleagues.
“I’m a little nervous, folks. Bear with me,” he said after having accidentally read out his instructions on the form in front of him to the crowd.
In his opening speech, Vassilaki addressed numerous items that he plans on addressing throughout his term, such as rescinding medical benefits for council and the added cost of receiving utility bills by mail, plus working to get ahead of developers.
He also committed to ongoing conversations and working with the Penticton Indian Band, along with B.C. Housing and police.
“I want us to strive to be the best in the province, and at the end of the day, it will be up to us determine what we will, or won’t, determine in our hometown,” said Vassilaki.