Mayoral candidates forum

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The candidates for mayor, with moderator James Miller

The three candidates for mayor of Penticton were given the opportunity to let the public know where they stand on important issues at a forum, Thursday night.

Around 400 people, including several candidates for council, turned out for the forum at the Lakeside Resort, co-sponsored by the Penticton Herald and Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.

Herald managing editor James Miller served as the moderator for the evening.

Here are the names of the three candidates running for mayor in the Nov. 15 election and their platforms:

Andrew Jakubeit:  told the large and enthusiastic crowd that he is focused on community pride, which means cultivating a sense of community and shopping local.

Also of importance is how we grow revenues vs cutting costs and building the economy with high-tech incubation, such as the animation industry.

Fostering relationships with the Penticton Indian Band is of importance, he stressed, as is branding Penticton as the festival and event capital of BC.

He further wants to empower council to be leaders and harness passions into actions for the city.

Jukka Laurio: Described the struggles he had when he first moved to Penticton, finding work and an affordable place to live.

In the summer he stated it was a great place to hang out, but when winter came there was nothing to be found.

He ate at the Soupateria, lived in trailers and finally got a big break when he found a more permanent place to live.

He has always seen Penticton as a place with great potential, he stated. For himself, he kept working, eventually opening up a cafe, where he was able to employ young people.

John Vassilaki:  Joked with the crowd that they were saving the best for last, when he gave his address following the other two candidates. He stated he wants to be mayor because now is the time for leadership and experience, both qualities that he said he has.

His platform has five pillars, keeping Penticton affordable, a focus on jobs and the city's economy, increasing accountability and transparency, informed and more active citizens and cleaning up Penticton.

He further described himself as a passionate Pentictonite, who would like to see the city return to its glory days.

Following their addresses, the three answered questions from the public.

Among topics of concern were the downtown revitalization, homelessness, amalgamating the museum and S.S. Sicamous and creating more gardens in the city, at a time when the cost of food is on the rise.