Dear Editor:
From June of 2012 to May of 2018, I was employed as the executive director for the Summerland Chamber of Commerce. The chamber provides tourism management and various economic development services on behalf of the District of Summerland.
In the past four years, both mayoral candidates, first Janet Peake and later Toni Boot, have acted in the role of council liaison to the chamber. Both served the chamber by attending board meetings and bringing council information to the board.
Only one of these candidates, Janet Peake, also took every opportunity to learn about our portfolios.
Janet unfailingly attended tourism workshops and task force meetings, participated in regional labour market planning efforts, joined us at provincial agriculture tech and economic development conferences and involved herself in committees where her input was valuable. Year after year, she has volunteered her time for all these events.
Her participation went far above the basic requirement of simply attending a monthly board meeting and extended throughout her time on council, not only during the time she was the liaison.
Her participation also provided her with additional insight and a depth of knowledge about the many topics that affect Summerland’s economy.
In addition, she was often the only Summerland councillor present at regional economic and tourism events, despite other community’s much fuller council representation.
In the past four years, and for some years prior to her being on council, I’ve witnessed Janet’s efforts in many community initiatives. She is a gracious, informed and collaborative leader and is well known throughout the Okanagan region.She will represent us well as mayor of Summerland.
Christine Petkau
Summerland
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