Visioning by Gerry Karr

Why did we call our website Visioning Penticton? Because those of us who are convinced that We Can Do Better understand that “Better” must be defined, and we believe that can best be done through a visioning process. But first we must understand what a vision is. Many have written on this subject, but a good succinct definition can be found in Wikipedia under the heading Strategic Planning:

[One] approach to defining Vision and Mission is to pose two questions. Firstly, “What aspirations does the organization have for the world in which it operates and has some influence over?”, and following on from this, “What can (and/or does) the organization do or contribute to fulfill those aspirations?”. The succinct answer to the first question provides the basis of the Vision Statement. The answer to the second question determines the Mission Statement (purpose) and the Strategic plan (road map) to achieve the vision.

So, a vision needs to be brief, but it also must contain enough “meat” to guide the subsequent mission statement. To trigger discussion, let me posit that:

In 2030 Penticton will be a flourishing place where people of all ages and with diverse interests and talents will be able to find skilled jobs, affordable housing, and abundant leisure opportunities and amenities. Clean industries that are part of the creative and knowledge-based economy will prefer to locate their business here and as a result of industrial diversification our average income will meet or exceed the provincial average. Our built environment will conserve energy and minimize waste. As a result, our tax base will be sufficiently broad and deep to support the community services and infrastructure we expect from our City and to support the needy. People who live here say: “I enjoy working here and I love living here. I can’t think of a better place to make my home and raise my family”.

Now, if we can agree on something like this as reasonable characteristics of a flourishing City, the question is: how do we get there? One thing is certain: getting there will not happen through our present system of ad hoc planning where our OCP is routinely ignored and amended to accommodate shiny new pennies presented by developers interested only in their short-term gain. Once we agree on what a flourishing Penticton looks like, then we need to design a plan and a road map to get us there, and, most important, we need tenacious and continuous oversight to ensure we stick to our plan and our vision.

The only way we can have confidence that present and future Councils will adhere to such a plan is if it is developed through a process that engages community participation and ownership of the product, and that creates a monitoring process and structure – a kind of Auditor – that reports to but is independent of Council.

Last summer our City, with little fanfare, put together a small committee dominated by Councilors that crafted a Vision Statement. So far as I know it is on the shelf somewhere; I can’t find it on the City website. If it is to be of any value (other than wallpaper), it is critical that our new Council embark, as a matter of priority, on a process of community engagement to create public ownership in a Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan. Only this way can the plan have influence that survives beyond the 3-year life spans of our elected Council’s and their proclivity for short term planning. Wouldn’t this be a wonderful legacy for their tenure of office?

I don’t know about you, but in the coming election, my vote will go to those candidates that can show they understand the importance of a clear and publicly owned vision, mission and strategic plan for our City and will make its achievement a top priority.

Guest Editorial by Benoit Robert

Following the 67% majority vote against the prison proposal, residents expected a complete and unconditional retraction of the city's bid for this project.

Unfortunately, Councilor Pearce saw fit to make an expanded motion (during an opportunity to voice comments) to retract the City's bid as well as add a clause to the effect that the city would also support bids
in neighboring communities if highest economic benefit to Penticton could be proven. Mayor Ashton did not see fit to intervene in this situation and simply let the motion be voted upon and carried, then shared with us his wish for "the community to heal". Numerous individuals asked for clarifications at the end of the meeting but few answers were given - we were apparently worried for no good reasons. For those interested in witnessing these moments, they are available for on line viewing on the City's web site, with relevant footage starting at 0:55:12): http://www.penticton.ca/video/2011-06-20.wmv

Penticton electors have recently been treated to a further peculiar decision by City Council to extend services to the Penticton Indian Band IR2 lot, immediately adjacent to the lot in the retracted bid from the City of Penticton and currently the subject of the band's bid for the prison. A prison was not excluded from prospective land uses on this site before the agreement was signed. Yet another decision where there is no need to worry?

The people of Penticton spoke decisively about not wanting this institution located within city limits. By extension, this should preclude our city services from being used by the same institution on adjacent land.

Do the particular wishes of Mayor Ashton, and Councilors Sentes, Jakubeit, Pearce, and Vassilaki therefore override those of the electorate? It is time to consider a strong and strategic vote on November 19.

Collectively, we can do better!

Municipal Election

Today's post is by guest blogger Denis O'Gorman.

The November 19 civic election has special importance to Penticton taxpayers concerned with sound decision making.

And the issue isn't about opposition to economic development as some would have us believe.  Instead, it's about random development approvals such as the highrise on Haynes Street which is out of scale and not compliant with the City's own revitalization goals.  It's also about approval of the P2 project with its towers over 20 stories- excessive height, out of character, and given away with  inadequate community benefits.  It is an ad hoc departure from the height prescribed in the City's Official Community Plan.

And now, there is an otherwise commendable servicing agreement with the Penticton Indian Band for Reserve #2, just off Carmi Rd. Apparently this didn't preclude a proposed prison siting.  Remember, voters rejected that proposal by a 2 to 1 margin.  The risk it presents to other developments means it shoudn't come in quietly through a back door.

The earlier Sierra Club maxim applies here . . . "Not blind opposition to progress but opposition to blind progress."  We need a Council that can set sound policy and abide by it.

Guest Post by Alan Markin

As one of the original members of the Conversation on Community initiative, I am delighted to see that our efforts have resulted in the creation of a Visioning Penticton web site and Blog. These are very important communication provisions that will lead to positive and constructive community-wide dialogue about the many issues that continue to challenge Penticton.

There are many topics of concern that ought to be addressed. How effectively is our community being governed by our present mayor and council? Are mayor and council providing adequate leadership for our community?  Is planning for Penticton's future effective? comprehensive? progressive? visionary? Are citizens thoroughly engaged in planning Penticton's future? What improvements can be achieved in the short, medium, and long terms?

A powerful electorate is an informed electorate, which these new opportunities for civic dialogue will help to create. I am optimistic that the results will produce a clear picture of how WE CAN DO BETTER in shaping an exciting future for Penticton and its citizens.

Welcome to the Visioning Penticton blog

Arising from the prison discussions a term emerged that caught the attention of many.  That term was "we can do better."  Prior to that discussion a group of citizens had been meeting regularly to discuss the future of our community.

These discussions focused on the need to create a clear vision of where we wanted the City to be in 20 years.  The conversations focused on the need for a community vision and the need for committed leadership and effective governance.  Background information and results of these conversations will be outlined on the Visioning Penticton website.

Future posts will present thoughts and concerns on issues and topics currently of interest to Penticton residents.  The intent is to advance constructive thinking on what "doing better" in Penticton would look like.

Comments are welcome and will be edited for appropriateness and length.