Council

Summerland Council 2022 - 2026
From left to right, back row: Richard Barkwill, Doug Patan, Adrienne Betts, Martin (Marty) Van Alphen, front row: Deputy Mayor Erin Trainer, Mayor Doug Holmes, Janet Peake

The District of Summerland is governed by an elected Council comprised of a Mayor and six Councillors. The Local Government Act and Community Charter give Council the authority to establish policies to guide the growth, development and operation of the District and to levy taxes to provide services.

Doug Holmes was elected Mayor in 2022 after serving eight years as Councillor. He represents Summerland at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and serves on the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB). Doug has long advocated for a culturally and economically vibrant community and has been Council’s liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council, and Summerland Secondary School Youth Council. Known in the community for coaching youth tennis and for his work to support Syrian and African refugees, Doug settled in Summerland to raise his family in 2004 after an international career in business and journalism. Based in Paris and London, he worked for Microsoft Corp for 10 years and authored a book on the use of Internet technology in the public sector, which was translated into seven languages. He has been a company director and magazine publisher in the UK, a foreign correspondent in Eastern Europe, a copy editor in Hong Kong, and a newspaper editor and CBC radio reporter in the Northwest Territories. Doug has been to every Canadian province and territory and has visited more than 90 countries. He has a degree in journalism and political science from Carleton University in Ottawa. Contact Mayor Holmes at dholmes@summerland.ca.

Erin Trainer is a third-term councillor, and was recently appointed to the newly created position of Deputy Mayor. She grew up in the Lower Mainland and moved to Summerland in 2011 to be closer to her parents. (Her mother was born and raised in Summerland.) Erin lives in Trout Creek with her husband Erick Thompson and three young children. 

Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (UVic), and diplomas in both Broadcast Journalism (BCIT) and Public Relations (UVic). She worked as a TV news writer and producer in Victoria, and prior to having children, worked as the marketing coordinator for Summerland Credit Union and manager of the Penticton Farmers' Market. She also co-founded the Trout Creek Residents Association, an informal group that organizes events and community clean-ups. 

She is a strong advocate for healthy living and is the council liaison for the Parks and Recreation Committee and Friends of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens. She has served as both a Summerland director and alternate director on the RDOS board. She enjoys hiking, running and biking. Contact Councillor Trainer at etrainer@summerland.ca.

Martin (Marty) Van Alphen moved to Summerland in 1988 with his family and has been a tireless supporter of this community and has held numerous leadership positions.

From 1991 to 2006, he and his wife started-up, owned and operated a successful collision repair business and currently run a diversified small farming operation in Summerland.

Marty believes that the most important skills he brings to the Council table specifically for businesses both old and new are; enthusiastic support, knowledgeable advice, effective advocacy and old-fashioned know-how. Contact Councillor VanAlphen at mvanalphen@summerland.ca.

Richard Barkwill is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has a degree in  Agriculture from UBC. He was born and raised in Summerland and currently lives on a   small farm in Prairie Valley. His goal while on council is to preserve Summerland as the   unique community it is, while accommodating growth and a respect for the environment.

Richard has been a Councillor since 2014 and is the representative on the Summerland  Museum & Archives Society. Contact Councillor Barkwill at rbarkwill@summerland.ca.

Adrienne Betts is the only first-term councillor on the 2022-2026 Council. She grew up east of Edmonton, AB and spent nearly 10 years living in Ottawa where she met her husband Mike Boersma. Together with their children Alex & Jane, they migrated west to beautiful Summerland in 2019 to operate the landmark Granny’s Café & Bakery.

Adrienne has 25+ years of experience in the Food and Hospitality Industries. She holds a degree in Political Science (UofA) and has lived across Canada and the world. Her excellence in customer service comes from a commitment to authenticity, quality, and acceptance of people’s unique qualities.

As a business owner and employer of many local youth; wife, mother, contributing community member and woman under 50, Adrienne is passionate about bringing a fresh perspective to governance and priority setting. Seeing a future for all our children includes a serious commitment to climate change action. Contact Councillor Betts at abetts@summerland.ca.

Doug Patan, his wife Julie and two of their four children Joel and Kyle moved to Summerland in 2008.
Doug has over 18 years of municipal government experience and is currently employed by the City of Kelowna as the Building & Permitting Branch Manager  / Chief Building Official.
Doug has taught BC Building Code at the Center of Arts and Technology, is a member of Technical BC’s Safety Standards administrations group, was the South Central Interior Zone Director for the Building Officials Association of British Columbia and a member of the Pembina Institute on HVAC systems and design.

Doug’s experience in dealing with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions gives him excellent skills in working collaboratively with citizens, business owners and government agencies.  Contact Councillor Patan at dpatan@summerland.ca.

Janet Peake - Bio coming soon!
Contact Councillor Peake at jpeake@summerland.ca.