Mike Plante.
Hinting strongly that he might seek political office in the not-too-distant future, rookie Town of Osoyoos councillor Mike Plante announced Monday he would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming November 15 municipal election.
“It really has been three great years … and I’m not going to lock the door on politics,” said Plante, who moved to Osoyoos with his wife Holly and young family five years ago.
The only reason he had to step back and not seek re-election is because a new business he has started up in Osoyoos is taking up too much of his time, said Plante.
After founding the wine touring company Unveil four years ago, Plante expanded his business by becoming a full partner earlier this year in the travel and tourism company Landsea Okanagan.
While the company is based in Osoyoos and already has a fleet of seven vehicles used to conduct wine tours and to transport customers to various locations across the region, the plan is for further expansion to other parts of the South Okanagan and this is going to take up a lot of his time, said Plante.
He and his family moved to Osoyoos from Edmonton to enjoy the fantastic weather and lifestyle opportunities that are readily available in the South Okanagan and he hasn’t regretted the decision for one second, said Plante.
His goal when he moved to Osoyoos was to get involved in the community as quickly as possible and he did that by joining the local curling club, playing hockey and even joining a bowling league, he said.
He didn’t have a job when he moved to this community, but quickly decided to start up his own wine touring company, went to Las Vegas to purchase a touring bus and started up Unveil in a matter of months, he said.
With the great support of the people in this community, Unveil became a viable and successful business and allowed him to make contacts to expand to become a full partner in Landsea Okanagan, he said.
He has thoroughly enjoyed his three years as a town councillor and has learned more than he ever thought imaginable since being elected in the fall of 2011, said Plante.
“I want to send a big thank you to all of those who elected me into office,” he said. “I have learned a ton … and learned so much about how things happen behind the scenes.”
Plante encouraged other young people like himself who want to make a difference in their community to consider running for public office.
“If you really want to learn about your town, this is the best way to do it,” he said.
While he didn’t make any further mention about future political aspirations at the municipal, provincial or federal level, Plante hinted he would strongly consider a return to public office once his new business is more established and he has more free time on his hands.
He thanked his fellow councillors and Mayor Stu Wells for their assistance, guidance and co-operation over the past three years and said he would never have learned so much and had such an enjoyable experience if it wasn’t for them.
“I have such great respect for everyone on council and everyone in this building (town hall),” he said. “Good luck to everyone on the next council.”
Wells thanked Plante for becoming an active member of the community, dedicated councillor and hinted Plante might one day want to return and take his job.
“I just want to say thanks for three years of great service,” he said. “You’re young enough to come back and sit here (in the mayor’s chair).”
Plante chaired the committee to bring a new splash park to Osoyoos and should be congratulated on a job well done for playing such a prominent role in making the Osoyoos Splash Park a reality, said Wells.
Plante joins incumbent fellow councillor Michael Ryan in announcing their intentions to not seek re-election in next month’s municipal election.
Wells and incumbent councillors Sue McKortoff and C. J. Rhodes have already announced their intentions to seek re-election.
The list of candidates who have announced their intentions to seek one of the four seats on town council include former mayor, town councillor and MLA John Slater, retired business owner and self-described “council watchdog” Sy Murseli, political neophyte Jean Clarke, fringe candidate Doug Pederson, local business owner and community volunteer Mike Campol and retired business owner and community volunteer Jim King.
Ray Vandenberg, a former town councillor more than 20 years ago, is the only candidate who has filed nomination papers to oppose Wells for the mayor’s chair.
Anyone considering running for town council or the mayoralty must file nomination papers before the close of business Friday afternoon at Town of Osoyoos hall on Main Street.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
