John Slater, candidate for councillor, Town of Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)
With the 2014 municipal election set for this Saturday, the Osoyoos Times wanted to give all of the candidates running to become mayor and town councillor the opportunity to make one final impression with eligible voters.
We have decided to ask each of the candidates four questions.
1. What would be your top priority during your first year in office if you are elected mayor/councillor following the November 15 municipal election?
Working with staff and the new council and the community to address all their concerns.
2. How can you make a positive difference to the Town of Osoyoos and the residents who live here?
I love Osoyoos and feel enthusiastic about serving the community once again in the capacity as councillor. My local and provincial experiences provide me with insights and expertise that I am eager to share as part of a team. While working with an effective council, I am committed to put my energy towards water conservation and producing a healthier lake, affordable recreation for our youth and affordable housing. I believe that by working together as a community we can make great things happen for Osoyoos and its residents. Other top priorities would be keeping the downtown stores occupied and vibrant, maintaining a flourishing tourism industry and creating more sustainable jobs in the community. I believe that by working together as a community we can make great things happen for Osoyoos and its residents.
3. What in your background qualifies you to be a good mayor/councillor?
I have been a contributing member of the Town of Osoyoos since I moved here in 1980, at which time I bought a campsite, built the Osoyoos Waterslide Park and then began coaching sports. My love for the community continued to grow and I decided I wanted to contribute more of my time to help the community flourish. I was a director with the Osoyoos and District Recreation Commission, the Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce and the Kinsmen club. I was first elected as a councillor 24 years ago in 1990. I continued to contribute to the town as a councilor over the next 12 years. I then ran for and was elected as mayor for two consecutive terms. I spent nearly 10 years as council’s representative on the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board of directors and I spent several years on both the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Okanagan Regional Library Board and was also very involved with Destination Osoyoos. Tourism is one of our biggest assets
4. What is the most important issue, in your opinion, facing our community and what will you commit to doing about it?
I feel that we need more lower cost housing in the town. It will stimulate more jobs and keep our downtown viable, improve our recreation facilities and ensure our schools are safe and secure. I have done a lot of good work in this community over the past four decades and hope to be able to continue to do more after November 15.
