The Penticton Chamber of Commerce will once again host a business focused All Candidates Forum for the City of Penticton candidates on Tuesday, Sept 20 at the Penticton Seniors Drop In Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The forum will be unbiased, neutral and objective, said the Chamber. Submit business related questions in advance to info@penticton.org.
The Chamber is hosting the forum with support from the BC Fruit Growers Association and Association of Interior Realtors. So far, this is the only all candidates meeting in Penticton.
There are 22 people vying for seats on city council or the mayor’s chair.
Incumbent mayor John Vassilaki will have four challengers in the upcoming Penticton election on Oct. 15.
Current councillor Julius Bloomfield, local tattoo shop owner Corey Hounslow, anti-crime group leader Jason Reynen and semi-retired resident Owen Hayward managed to file their nomination papers before the 4 p.m. deadline on Friday, Sept. 9, to make it onto Penticton’s mayoral ballot for 2022.
A total of 17 city council candidates will battle over six spots, with incumbents Katie Robinson, James Miller, Campbell Watt and Frank Regehr seeking re-election.
Andrews Jakubeit, who served as mayor from 2014 to 2018, is looking to make a return to Penticton politics but this time as a councillor.
Helena Konanz, a previous city council is also looking to take a seat at the council table.
The official campaign begins Sept. 17.
The Penticton Seniors Drop In Centre will be hosting a senior-focused all-candidates meeting on Oct. 3 in the Great Hall from 1 to 3 p.m.
All of the Penticton Western News’ coverage of the election can be followed here.