Leaders of local governments are in Penticton this week to discuss issues and topics that directly impact their communities.

More than 140 delegates representing nine cities, 10 districts, four towns, seven villages, six regional districts and one resort municipality are taking part in the four-day Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA), convention at the trade and convention centre.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity to learn, and we also do a lot of partnerships,” said Marg Spina, who was acclaimed for a second term as SILGA president on Thursday.

During the convention, members also looked at resolutions on medical marijuana, brought forward by West Kelowna and Lake Country, invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels, suggested by Osoyoos, strategic wildfire prevention, suggested by the RDOS, as well as several other issues.

Emergency resolutions on the implementation of the MMBC recycling program also considered.

There were also discussion on BC mining and volunteer fire departments. On Friday morning, there will be breakout sessions on the Rob Ford Saga, focused on legal perspectives for elected members, and Penticton’s downtown revitalization.

With files from Castanet