Town of Osoyoos “rookie” councillors Mike Plante and Sue McKortoff say they have thoroughly enjoyed their first four months in office, admitting there’s a lot to learn. Photo by Keith Lacey
Becoming public servants comes naturally for Sue McKortoff and Mike Plante as they both love people and want to make a difference in the community, but it might also be in their respective DNA.
McKortoff’s great grandfather, Edward Frederick Clark, was the former mayor of Canada’s largest city and former Member of Parliament and Plante’s parents have spent much of their life in Africa doing missionary work. Clark was Mayor of Toronto from 1892-96 and became an MP in 1900. When he died in 1905, his funeral was the largest ever held in Canada, said his proud great granddaughter.
While their paths were much different to landing in Osoyoos and becoming members of town council, McKortoff and Plante share a passion for doing their small part in making this town a wonderful place to call home.
It’s no wonder they’ve also become good friends since being elected to town council last November.
Four months into their first term, the “rookie” councillors say the learning curve has been eye opening but they’re enjoying every minute of it.
“I enjoy every single day getting up and opening my inbox to see what kind of emails I’m getting from citizens,” said Plante, who at age 37 is by far the youngest member of town council. “I never know what I’m going to see in there, but there’s always lots of people giving us ideas and comments and it shows the people of this community care about the decisions we’re making as councillors.
“I love people. I love working with people and I love working with people to getting things done, so it has been great.”
McKortoff, who moved to Osoyoos from Toronto 44 years ago “and has never left because this is just a fantastic place to live,” shares the same excitement after four hectic months on the job.
“Before I was elected to council, I used to read the paper and be interested in what’s going on, but since joining council, I’ve learned that I’m required to know a lot about everything being discussed and it’s been a big challenge to become informed about so many issues, but I’m loving it.”
Even though they may be rookies in political life, no one can accuse of McKortoff or Plante of lacking life experience.
McKortoff enjoyed a rewarding 37-year teaching career here in Osoyoos and has been an active community volunteer for most of that time, including being chair of the popular Cherry Fiesta for the past 10 years and former hospital board committee chair for many years. In 1993, her passion for community work earned her the former Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.
Plante has a degree in physical education and had a “cup of coffee” in the CFL, where he played two games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2001 season. He has worked in numerous jobs, including a long stint in quality control and safety in too many small towns to mention in Alberta’s oil patch.
His wife Holly’s family has been coming to Osoyoos to vacation for 40 years. When they got married in 2007, they decided to move here permanently and immediately became involved in the community. Plante became a volunteer firefighter within weeks and joined the town’s tourism advisory council.
He has since formed his own wine touring company called Unveil, which keeps him very busy when not working on council business.
His wife also joined numerous community organizations and runs her own online shopping website.
McKortoff grew up in Toronto, but knew “at age two” she wanted to live out west and attended university and teacher’s college at the University of British Columbia.
Her first job offer was for a position at Osoyoos Elementary School 44 years ago.
“I never applied for another job,” she said smiling. “I spent 34 wonderful years teaching in this community and met a lot of really wonderful people. My kids and my mom and dad and sister and brother all live in Vancouver and they’ve asked me why I don’t go and move there … I tell them it’s a wonderful place to visit and go shopping … I’m quite happy here.”
McKortoff met her husband Mel, who passed away four years ago, in Osoyoos. All of her best friends, mostly fellow retired teachers, still live here and they gather regularly for dinner parties that have been going on for more than 40 years, she said.
McKortoff said she has thought about running for town council for many years, but decided to take the leap some time ago.
“It was something I had thought about for some time and I decided a couple of years ago I was going to take the leap and I’m so very glad I did,” she said.
“I think I had done enough volunteer work and taught enough kids in this town that jumping into public office would be the next logical step.”
Plante was born in Burnaby and spent his early childhood in B.C. as his father was a pastor in Smithers.
But his family moved to Edmonton when he was still in elementary school as his dad opened up his own sheet metal company.
In between running the family business, his mom and dad did a lot of missionary work in Africa.
“My parents have always been about helping others and giving back and they instilled those values in me.”
McKortoff said fellow councillors C.J. Rhodes and Michael Ryan and Mayor Stu Wells have provided great advice and leadership over the past four months and have been very helpful as they learn the ropes as councillors.
As newly-elected officials, you quickly learn how important it is to rely on the experience, knowledge and good judgment of town staff, said McKortoff.
“We have terrific staff … they really do a good job,” she said.
Being able to be part of a council which didn’t increase property taxes for the first time in many years was exciting, said Plante.
“We did increase user fees on garbage, water and sewer by $15 per household, but the amount of projects we’ll be able to get done in this coming year because of that slight increase is amazing,” he said. “When you explain to people how much work can get done because of that increase, they really do buy in.”
The biggest assets you can have as a new councillor is the ability to listen and show patience, said McKortoff.
If you listen to constituents and their concerns, consult with fellow councillors and staff and take the time to think carefully about what’s being discussed, you will make the right decision most of the time, she said.
“At the end of the day, we want to make decisions about what makes the best sense for the town,” she said.
“Things might not get done as quickly as you would like sometimes, so you do have to show some patience.”
Each member of the current council has “championed” at least one cause for 2012. McKortoff’s cause is trying to get the current weather station moved from Kinsmen Park to a site near the airport as it would give more accurate readings, she said.
Plante has been vocal about his plans to open a new splash park in Osoyoos, with a local organizing committee announcing last week its preferred location is Jack Shaw Gardens near Osoyoos Elementary School and the Sonora Community Centre.
“This project really means a lot to me,” he said. “We want community buy in on this and we’ve got it so far. I would really like to see something on the ground that people can see and use instead of another project involving pipes and water you can’t see.”
Only four months into their three-year term, McKortoff and Plante won’t commit to running again in 2015.
However, both said they’re having such a good time something drastic would have to happen to not have their names on the ballot.
