Penticton voters have no shortage of choice in the upcoming municipal election, with 26 people running for six councillor seats and six people trying to take the mayor’s chair.
The Western News spoke with five of the mayoral candidates to see how they felt about so much competition. James Blake did not respond to an interview request in time to be included.
John Vassilaki says there’s no problem with so many candidates, as long as they are wanting to look after the interests of the community.
Jason Cox sees it as a response to the current administration.
“I think the high number of candidates this year probably speaks to the rather challenging time the current mayor has had,” said Cox. “It looks like there are more than a few people that think they can improve on that job.”
Incumbent Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says he respects anyone who wants to “put their money where their mouth is and thinks they can make a difference.”
“All candidates need to show what they’ve done in the community, for the community, to prove some leadership qualities,” said Jakubeit, explaining that his campaign focuses on the accomplishments of the council this term, including improved engagement with the community.
“It’s easy to huff and puff and say you are going to do this and that. The proof is in the pudding and action speaks louder than words,” said Jakubeit. “If you look at our last 18 months, we’ve made significant progress, we haven’t been in the paper with a lot of community concern or dissent.”
For Dominic Wheeler, a first-time mayor candidate, that engagement is also an important issue, though he has a different take on it, having become intimately familiar and involved with the city as he drove a taxi; he says he’s heard about the city issues from all viewpoints.
“You have to listen to the people. Sometimes that has been overlooked,” said Wheeler. “I am for the people, from the people. I am a working man. I am doing this to help other people, not for myself.”
Jukka Laurio, who has run for mayor twice before, said this time he is running a serious campaign.
“The last two times I was just trying to send a message out and tell the people of Penticton something. I was just trying to send some ideas out there,” said Laurio, who is infamous for running a cannabis dispensary in defiance of city regulations. “This time it is more serious, there is a lot more at stake here. Penticton’s economic condition is so bad that if something is not done … it will just fail, it will collapse in on itself.”
Laurio’s solution is to put even more focus on the tourism industry and create some internationally-known festivals that will bring more people to the city.
Cox thinks the number of candidates for mayor will help his campaign, highlighting his involvement with community groups, city committees and representing the business sector.
“The candidates in the race that have not put that time in the community … are going to have a tough time getting their name and their word out there,” said Cox. “Any candidate can list what the issues are. I think I am someone who will be talking about solutions, not just problems.”
Vassilaki doesn’t think the race will be as tough as it was in 2014 when he first ran for mayor after serving on council for 12 years.
“Last time they wanted a change from the old guard,” said Vassilaki, adding that when voters put the new guard in place, they found the inexperience of leadership didn’t bring what they expected.
“We have to start listening to the community rather than doing our own thing once we get elected and we forget about those that elected us,” said Vassilaki.
“Just because I want something to happen personally doesn’t mean the community wants it. I should be asking the community what it is they want, especially on big ticket items.”
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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