In Penticton, John Vassilaki has been elected as mayor. Vassilaki captured 5,144 votes, or 47.3 per cent, defeating five other challengers, including Jason Cox, who had the second most votes at 2,621 (24.1 per cent), according to preliminary results from the City of Penticton.
Incumbent Andrew Jakubeit was third with 2,564 votes (23.6 per cent), James Blake was fourth (312 votes), Dominic Wheeler was fifth (76) and Jukka Laurio was sixth and last (41).
Earning seats on council were Jake Kimberley, Campbell Watt, Frank Regehr, Julius Bloomfield, Katie Robinson and Judy Sentes.
Below is the full list of mayoral and councillor candidates.
Candidates
Mayor:
James Blake
Jason Cox
Andrew Jakubeit (incumbent)
Jukka Laurio
John Vassilaki
Dominic Wheeler
Council:
John E. Archer
Duffy Baker
Julius Bloomfield
Karen L. Brownlee
Glenn B. Clark
Daryl Clarke
Christopher Evasin
Tracy Franklin
Joe Frocklage
Isaac J. Gilbert
Lynn Kelsey
Jake Kimberley
Martyn Lewis
Jesse Martin
Doug Maxwell
Christopher Millin
David O’Brien
Max Picton (incumbent)
Marie Prior
Kevin Proteau
Frank Regehr
Katie J. Robinson
Connie Sahlmark
Darryl S. Sanders
Judy Sentes (incumbent)
Campbell Watt (incumbent)
Boundary
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan, located at the southern end of Okanagan Lake and the northern end of Skaha Lake. It’s south of Summerland and Naramata.
Population (2016)
33,761
History
The Penticton area has been the home of the Syilx peoples for as long as seven millennia.
European fur traders would arrive in the Okanagan region in the 1800s.
The word “Penticton” means “a place to stay forever” in the Interior Salish language.
Thomas Ellis would take up that message in 1865, becoming Penticton’s first European settler, and distinguish himself for cattle ranching.
After retirement, he sold off a good share of his land holdings, and they became Penticton.
For a time, it wasn’t easy to access Penticton. But that changed in 1910, with the announcement that it would become the headquarters for the Kettle Valley Railway, linking it with the Kootenays and opening up new parts of B.C. to fruit grown in the area.
Growth in Penticton accelerated after the Second World War, and it would become a city in 1948.
The city would gain fame around the world after the Penticton Vees won the 1955 World Ice Hockey Championships, beating the Soviet Union.
Today, Penticton is a major destination for vacationers and those who love a nice glass of wine.
Median total income of couple economic families with children (2015)/B.C. median
$105,856/$111,736
Crime Severity Index (CSI) — 2016
RCMP — municipal/B.C.
145.92 (+2.70)/93.63 (-0.71)
RCMP — rural/B.C.
79.55 (-0.59)/93.63 (-0.71)
Violent Crime Severity Index (CSI) — 2016
RCMP — municipal/B.C.
87.92 (-16.92)/74.86 (-9.81)
RCMP — rural/B.C.
25.93 (-25.77)/74.86 (-9.81)
Political representation
Federal
Richard Cannings (NDP)
Provincial
Dan Ashton (BC Liberal)
Comments