In last week’s Osoyoos Times, we published introductory profiles of six of the newcomer candidates, but two, Kenny Music and Sherani Theophilus could not be reached for interviews.

They have since been interviewed and their profiles appear here.

There will be further information about the candidates in coming issues, including profiles of the incumbents.

Kenny Music:

Kenny Music, 57, said he became interested in municipal politics after serving as executive director and general manager of the chamber of commerce in Squamish about six years ago. He held that position for about five years.

“I really enjoyed that part of the process, working with council, and it got me really involved on the political side of things,” he said last week.

He decided to retire early from his job as a supervisor at Canada Post in July when he turned 57.

“I was going to wait another three years before I retired, but I wanted to run for council, so I decided to retire early and take a run for this year rather than wait four years for the next election,” he said.

Music said he’s owned property in Osoyoos for the last two years, but he only moved here following his retirement in July.

“My best friend lives in Osoyoos, so I’ve been coming quite often and getting a chance to meet with a lot of the residents, so I’m kind of getting a bit of a name,” he said.

This election marks the first time he’s run for elected office.

Music said his career has been human resources based, so it’s always been about serving people, as well as administrative management.

“It’s always been about serving either employees or members of the community in any way that I’ve been able to, so that’s been my passion,” he said. “All my friends and family think it’s a very good fit for me whenever I’ve expressed interest to run for council.”

Music is originally from Calgary, where he grew up. In addition to Calgary and Squamish, he’s also lived the past six years in Vancouver.

He graduated from University of Calgary in 1995.

Sherani Theophilus:

Sherani Theophilus, 54, said she’s thought about running before and now believes the time is right.

“I think I have the time for it, because it’s quite a commitment,” she said last week.

She added that friends have also encouraged her.

Running for office, she said, will be a new experience, particularly because she’s usually very private.

Raised in an academic family – her father was a professor – she’s studied engineering, math and business, and has worked in various fields.

“I’m articulate, I’m well read, I’m educated, I can read a balance sheet, I’ve taken a few law courses and I understand legislation,” she said when asked what she can bring to council.

“I still have a lot to learn,” she added, saying she’s been assured that town staff will help new councillors get up to speed. “I would like to do something that stretches me a little bit.”

Despite her tendency to be a private person, she mentions snippets from her life that show her to be someone whose achievements and successes have also been shaken by times of profound personal tragedy and loss.

“You learn what’s important,” she said.

The difficult times, and their impact on her own children, have turned her into a strong advocate for youth and mental wellness.

“So now I’m trying to start a peer support youth group in town for kids 16 to 24,” she said. “That’s where we lose kids. They slip through the cracks because we have no system really.”

She serves on the board of the Mental Wellness Society in Penticton.

“I joined the board to try to get services plugged in here for youth, but we just don’t have the budget for it,” she said. “So I’m trying to create a model where the community builds it.”

In the past, Theophilus has worked in public relations and marketing, event planning, and for a while she co-owned a high-end car detailing business in Vancouver. She currently works part time at a hotel.

Born in the southern Indian state of Kerala, she grew up in Windsor, Ontario. Her family moved with her father’s academic career and she also lived in other university communities in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

She first bought property in Osoyoos in 2011 but has been living full time here since 2014.

She immediately fell in love with Osoyoos when she first attended a winery event here, deciding then and there that she wanted to live here.

“I’m such an urban girl, but I just loved it and it’s become our sanctuary for my family,” she said.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times