About Us

By Al Paterson
If he was still alive, Les Kerry would be proud of what his enterprise has become. He would probably be amazed at the Kelowna we live in today, compared to the one he came to know.
As Kelowna grew, so did the operation Kerry started: the Kelowna Capital News. In 1930, the Great Depression hit full stride, knocking the world economy on its back. It was also the year Kerry rolled up his sleeves and, with drive and determination, began the Capital News.
In August of 1930, Kerry published 1,700 copies of the first Kelowna Capital News. He did it on a hand-cranked Gestetner duplicator. Kerry's first office was the dining room table of his boarding house. Kerry was the publisher, editor, reporter, ad salesman and press man. As Kelowna grew, so did the Capital News. In one way or another, the Cap News was owned by the Kerry family until 1993 when Graham Takoff sold the business to Lower Mainland Publishing Ltd.
The Cap News began as a weekly and stayed that way for 40 years. In 1970, the paper was published twice a week. Then, in 1978, the KCN began its current format, publishing three times weekly.
Takoff began with the paper in 1960 as a reporter/ salesman. But it was during his tenure as publisher that the paper grew to its present scope. "The highlight during the 33 years I was with the Capital News was coming to work every day," said Takoff. The Kerry presence is still felt at the Capital News because Les's grandson, Brian Takoff, has worked there since 1981.
One man who witnessed a lot of changes was Marcel Pawlitsky. He is a rarity, a throwback to a time when people spent virtually their entire working lives with the same outfit. "I started with the Capital News in the spring of 1966," said Pawlitsky. "I retired in May of 1996. It was a wonderful 30 years. Most of the time I couldn't wait for Monday to come around so I could go back to work. Yes, I loved it that much." Pawlitsky started in the press room, and it wasn't long before he was promoted to shop foreman, a position he maintained for the rest of his career. He credits one person: Graham Takoff.
"Graham was the best. It was so great because he never doubted me. He gave me total control of the back shop. Whenever I had a problem, I could go into Graham's office, close the door, and we'd hash it out. We had some dandy arguments, and I can't say I won them all. But I always came out of his office smiling. I owe it all to him."
Shortly after Lower Mainland Publishing assumed ownership of the Capital News, long-time advertising manager Jim Clark became publisher. In 1997, Clark resigned and Paul Winkler took over as publisher. Winkler left the company in November and his successor was Richard Sadick. In May of 2001, the newspaper was sold by LMPL to a group of investors headed up by Bruce Hamilton, owner of the Kelowna Rockets junior hockey franchise. Sadick left as the publisher in October 2001 and his successor was hired in January 2002, Nigel Lark.
In August of 2003, the newspaper was sold again, this time to Black Press, the largest community newspaper chain in B.C.
In February, 2005, the Capital News launched a daily paper catering to businesses and downtown coffee shop readers.

Your Community News Team

	Sales Manager Gary Johnston (250) 979-7327
	Managing Editor Barry Gerding 250-763-3212
	Classified Manager Amber Gerding 763-3212
	Reporter, Columnist Judie Steeves	Judie Steeves is an outdoors columnist for the Kelowna Capital News and has been writing Trail Mix for the Friday edition since Mar. 25, 1994. She started working at the paper 18 years ago and has been writing about the valley's natural environment ever since, as well as enjoying it in her spare time. She's also co-author of a guide book called Okanagan Trips and Trails.
	Assistant Editor, Reporter Alistair Waters	The assistant editor of the Capital News, Alistair Waters has a nose for politics at the civic, provincial and federal levels, and helps readers understand the verbal spin doctoring politicians are fond of using.
	Reporter, Columnist Jennifer Smith	The city hall beat reporter for the Capital News, Jennifer Smith provides insight into the world of Kelowna municipal politics as well as her experiences as relative newcomer to the Okanagan lifestyle.
	Reporter Mike Simmons 250-763-3212
	Editorial Jean Russell
	Sports Reporter Kevin Parnell 250-763-3212
	Publisher Bruce McAuliffe 250-763-3212