Councillor Garry Litke

Garry Litke (B.A., PDAD, M.Ed) is a long time resident of Penticton.

Mr. Litke has been in the education field for many years as a high school teacher, an administrator, a program facilitator and a highly effective provincial mediator.

Now serving his second term as Councillor with the City of Penticton, Garry is well known in the community for his extensive volunteer activities and his leadership in social and environmental causes. Provincially, Garry is a strong and vocal advocate of accessible health care, quality public education, affordable housing and the preservation of agriculture land. He believes that a thriving economy and a sustainable environment work hand in hand.

In his capacity as Councillor, Garry's advisory work includes serving on Social Development, Climate Action, Seniors', Okanagan College, Agriculture and Transportation committees. Through his leadership on the steering committee the current 23 million dollar Penticton Community Center pool expansion was completed on budget and on time. Currently, he is leading Penticton City Council and the community in the implementation of city and regional Climate Action Plans, including OCP amendments.

Now in his third year as Director on the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, Garry chairs the Environment and Corporate Services committee where he has successfully advocated a regional approach to Climate Action planning. He represents the South Okanagan on the Okanagan Air Shed Coalition and just completed helping re-write the Solid Waste Management Plan for the RDOS.

During his six years on Penticton City Council Garry's work has included:

Chair of

· Official Community Plan Review

· Climate Action Committee

· Social Development Committee

· Emergency Services

· Drug Task Force

City Committees

· Pool Expansion Steering

· Transportation

· Agriculture

City Liaison

· Art Gallery

· Seniors' Wellness

· SS Sicamous

· Okanagan University College

Director of the Regional District

Chair of

· Environment Committee

Regional Committees

· Solid Waste Steering

· Hospital Board

Garry is a Director of the Southern Interior Municipal Employees Association and Penticton's

Representative on the Southern Interior Local Government Association.

Experienced in provincial bargaining, mediation, policy development, case preparation and political lobbying, Garry enjoys the challenge of providing Penticton and the Okanagan Valley with a balanced approach to leadership that is both ethically and fiscally responsible.

An accomplished musician and avid athlete, Garry is married to Kendra, an elementary school teacher, and they have three children.