Dan Ashton has received his mandate to be the next mayor of Penticton with 45 per cent of the vote, handily defeating incumbent mayor Julius Bloomfield.
Ashton previously served as a councillor on Penticton city council from 1999 to 2008, mayor from 2008 to 2013 and the MLA for Penticton-Summerland from 2013 to 2024. Ashton says he’s happy to once again have the support of residents, allowing him to earn the city’s top job.
“Penticton is a wonderful city and it’s treated our family very well. And I’m just glad to be back.”
Having previously served on council, Ashton says he is ready to bring his style of governing to the city and work with the new council to get things done.
“I’m not a big fan of politics. I like good governance. I practice that to the best of my ability and well known to get along with everybody and get things done. And so I’m really looking forward, again, to work with a good council that has been elected,” he said.
The outgoing council was proposing a hotel be built on Penticton Trade and Convention Centre property, but to do that, a historic trust had to be removed in a referendum that was also on the ballot in the municipal election. Penticton residents voted overwhelmingly in favour, meaning the proposed hotel cannot move forward. Ashton says ultimately the decision was up to the voters.
“The citizens have said no. And that’s important. You know, it’s a citizen city. And they had said no to the referendum. And so be it, it’s a no.”
Ashton also said that he believes if council collaborates on proposals that enhance quality of life for residents, they can uphold Penticton’s reputation as a prime destination to move and travel to.
“If we put our collective heads together, we can keep that shine that Penticton is well known for.”
