FILE PHOTO - Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki poses for this undated photo submitted by the City.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/City of Penticton

Most of the members of Penticton city council don't want to talk about the tax sale that drew the ire of the B.C. Ombudsperson.

B.C. Ombudsperson released a very critical report about the way the City of Penticton went about collecting a tax debt in 2017 when staff forced the sale of a vulnerable woman's home and left her with $140,922 less than the property was worth. 

Four out of seven members of council did not respond to questions that were sent Dec. 9.

READ MORE: City of Penticton sells vulnerable woman's home over $10K unpaid tax bill

One councillor who responded was James Miller, who was only elected six months ago.

“The case of Ms. Wilson dates back to 2017, prior to my arrival on council. In fact it was a different mayor and council and all of the staff members involved with this file, from my understanding, are no longer with the City," Coun. Miller said. "I doubt that the present mayor, council and staff would have handled this file the same way.” 

Miller welcomes the idea of discussing the issue with council at a future meeting, which could involve the Ombudsperson's recommendation that the vulnerable woman be reimbursed the six-figure amount. 

“I would definitely meet with Ms. Wilson, or her family representative, if they were to reach out to me,” he said.

In an email, Coun. Judy Sentes said: "It has saddened me greatly but the circumstances are such that I cannot comment."

READ MORE: City of Penticton won't compensate vulnerable woman over forced sale of house

Mayor John Vassilaki responded with a written statement that did not address most of the questions asked.

“On behalf of City Council, I acknowledge this is a most regrettable situation, but it is also a situation that occurred between 2015 through to 2018, before the current Council was elected,” reads an emailed from Vassilaki.

“The City of Penticton fully recognizes the seriousness of what took place and the impact the loss of ‘Ms. Wilson’s’ home, through the tax sale process, had on her. It is however Council’s view that the actions taken by the City would be better understood had the Ombudsperson included, in their report, the full scope City staff’s attention and work on this matter.”

Coun. Katie Robinson said she will respond after she returns from a 10-day trip abroad.

— This story was updated at 10:36 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, to include a response from Coun. Judy Sentes.

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