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Council candidates put tax hikes, bike lanes in focus at well-attended Penticton forum
More than 400 people heard candidates call for lower taxes, safer road design and a stronger year-round economy.
- On Thursday, more than 400 people packed the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre for an all-candidates forum featuring 19 candidates running for Penticton City Council. Voters will select six representatives on October 17.
- Candidates debated rising costs, pointing to consecutive year-over-year tax hikes of 5.31, 8.63, and 5.93 per cent following a 9.5 per cent increase that began the 2022-2026 term. Janine Walker proposed an independent audit of city finances.
- Infrastructure dominated the discussion, as Lyle Brant argued "All traffic-calming must be paused." Andrew Jakubeit prioritized fixing "some of the problematic bike lane traffic tunnel designs" at Skaha Lake Road and Green Avenue.
- Affordability emerged as a primary concern, with Celine Lucier stating Penticton should be a place where residents can "afford to build a life." Lee Abel urged a "No" vote on the upcoming referendum regarding land-use restrictions around the PTCC.
- Incumbent Jason Reynen emphasized his record of questioning city decisions when needing more information, while Shannon Stewart highlighted her efforts to push for greater transparency at City Hall.
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Penticton Western News+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Council candidates put tax hikes, bike lanes in focus at well-attended Penticton forum
All 19 candidates running in the Penticton City Council race made their case in front of voters Thursday night (Sept. 24) for why they should be elected this fall. More than 400 people packed the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (PTCC) for an all-candidates forum hosted by the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. Voters will select six candidates for council when they hit the polls on Oct. 17. Here’s what was said: ‘All traffic-cal…
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Total News Sources4
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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