2008 Election Commitments

  Protecting the taxpayers pocketbook.

  With direction from Mayor Ashton, council forms the Fiscal and Public Asset Review Boards to give additional input to city operations and assets. 

With unanimous support of council, I put forward a motion that directs Mayor, Council and staff to present a revised budget that focuses on added efficiencies, new revenue sources and reasonable reductions.

We as a council undertake and complete a line by line accounting of the 2009-10 budget- the result: we hold the line with no new spending.

We have initiated a core services review process which will help to identify further efficiencies.

Bringing back regular town hall meetings.

Council held pre budget consultations in February, 2009;

Council has since determined that we will have quarterly community forums so you can tell us what you think;

I have taken the initiative to host ongoing internet based town hall meetings on substantive issues (click here to check it out)

Create a short & long term action plan for Penticton.

The city is looking into best practices for conducting a citizen driven community envisioning process through our Community Development Committee, chaired by former councillor Gus Boersma.

Cut red tape at city hall & focus on customer service.

New development services hosts a meeting March 7th, 2009 with the local developers to identify areas of improvement.

The New Development Services Committee and city staff have worked hard on a series of recommendations to reduce red tape and  streamline processes; Council has endorsed all of them and staff are working to implement and prepare by laws for council.

Enforce our panhandling bylaws.

Conducted stake holder meetings to review the existing bylaw.

I presented a notice of motion, asking staff to present an improved by law.

Redrafted bylaw was presented to council and was unanimously passed.

Work to ensure we have safe community.

Thanks to Mayor and council, we are able to maintain current RCMP levels.

 We have endorsed the Fire Chief's plan to hire four fire fighters and to ensure they are properly resourced.

I am working hard for you and Penticton!