As the calendar turns to bring in yet another new year, we, the citizens of the Town of Osoyoos and surrounding area, have plenty to be thankful for.

And there’s plenty to look forward to as we head into 2015.

We are all very fortunate to live in a community that is certainly one of the most beautiful and friendly small towns anywhere in this country.

We are also very lucky to live in a region where we are spoiled by continual good weather.

Mother Nature was particularly spectacular and nice to us in 2014 as we enjoyed sensational spring weather on top of the usual fantastic weather that we get to enjoy virtually each and every summer.

While there are many years when our spring weather is highlighted by an abundance of rain and cloud, that wasn’t the case this past spring as the nice weather started early and continued throughout most of April, May and June.

After another brilliant summer of long, hot days and endless sunshine, the start to this winter has also been quite enjoyable as there has been very little snow and many days of above average mild temperatures.

We can only hope this continues throughout 2015.

Another reason to be excited about 2015 is the introduction of a brand new Town of Osoyoos council following the Nov.15 municipal election.

Newly-elected Mayor Sue McKortoff – who is joined by incumbent councillor C. J. Rhodes and three newcomers, including Carol Youngberg, Mike Campol and Jim King – form what should be a productive, hard working and progressive leadership team.

We’re confident the new team at town hall is going to continue to keep taxes at a reasonable level and hopefully initiate some economic development opportunities that will bring new jobs and new families to our wonderful community.

Full construction on the new South Okanagan Correctional Centre will continue throughout the year and dozens of new jobs will be created for contractors, labourers and workers in numerous fields as this $200-million project continues construction north of Oliver over the next 12 months.

The Osoyoos Coyotes have clearly shown they are a legitimate contender to win its second Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) championship in the past five years.

The Coyotes have lost only six times in 37 games and are all but guaranteed to head into the league playoffs with the best record, which means they would have home ice advantage in each and every playoff round.

Here’s hoping the Coyotes will continue their excellent play and give their loyal fans a playoff run to remember starting in only a few weeks time.

Osoyoos is also a community that continues to care about and take care of its most vulnerable citizens.

Those who have plenty never cease to assist those who have so little and that’s one of the biggest reasons this is a great place to live.

We have great weather, great leadership, a great hockey team to cheer on and some of the nicest and friendliest people you would ever want to meet all sharing the same sense of community on a daily basis.

We wish health and happiness to all local citizens as we head into the new year and may all your hopes and dreams come true over the next 12 months.