After a dozen years on municipal council, including the last six in the mayor’s chair, Janice Perrino will step back from the municipal council table.
At the council meeting on Monday evening, Perrino announced she will not put her name forward for the Nov. 15 election.
“Over my six years, I’ve worked with two incredible councils and along with amazing staff we have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible,” she said.
“I have to say all of my major goals that I came to this table with have been accomplished.”
These goals included holding two citizen surveys in 2009 and 2012, water separation and water metering work, the new RCMP building, a scheduled transit service to and from Penticton and a new home for the library among others.
Perrino said the road upgrades and roundabouts have been one of her proudest accomplishments.
The new RCMP detachment, which replaced an aging and crowded building on Jubilee Road East, was another important achievement, she said.
She said her role with the Penticton Regional Hospital will require a significant time commitment in the years ahead as she works to raise $20 million to cover the cost of all the medial equipment for the hospital expansion. “It’s the biggest project we have ever taken on and we can’t fail,” she said.
“I wouldn’t be able to give the mayor’s job the time and commitment I’m used to giving and what I know is required.”
Perrino’s first mayoral win came in the 2008 election, when she received 2,183 votes to Peter Waterman’s 1,651 votes. Both had been councillors on the previous municipal council.
In the last municipal election in 2011, Perrino was the sole mayoral candidate.
Nomination papers are available at municipal hall. Nominations will be accepted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10.