Dan Burton was fuming angry to be shut out of the park that is part of his daily routine. Burton and many other local residents were very upset when it was announced in October that Haynes Point Provincial Park was being closed to continue the search for human remains after some were discovered in the park in April. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The unexpected withdrawal of longtime Town of Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells from the upcoming municipal election, controversy created by the brief closure of a popular provincial park in Osoyoos and the grand opening of a new building that will provide hospice services to Osoyoos residents of years to come made headlines in October.
Wells dropped a bombshell by withdrawing his mayoralty candidacy minutes before the deadline for municipal nominations in the Nov. 15 municipal election.
Coun. Sue McKortoff announced minutes later she would be filing papers to run for mayor instead of running as a councillor.
The announcement by Wells sent shock waves through Osoyoos Town Hall, stunning staff and political observers.
Wells said he waffled about whether or not to run again in the weeks leading up to the nomination deadline. He only made his final decision one day before the deadline.
Two days before Wells withdrew, he announced to his wife Martha Collins before she went to work that he had decided not to run.
Only after a sleepless night of gnashing his teeth and twisting did Wells finally decide for sure not to run. Half an hour later he called McKortoff to tell her of his decision and ask her to run for mayor.
McKortoff had told Wells earlier this year that she planned to run as mayor, but in August she made the decision not to run this time because she didn’t want to run against him.
The two then agreed to work together on council with the understanding that McKortoff would wait until Wells was ready to step down before running.
When Wells told her of his decision on the Thursday, she initially tried to persuade him to stay on, but agreed to run when it was clear his decision was final.
Wells said he supported McKortoff’s candidacy.
“I have full confidence in Sue McKortoff,” said Wells, adding the level of mutual respect the two enjoyed is not seen in very many communities.
Wells said two factors weighed most heavily on his decision – the change to four-year terms from three as of this election would mean a longer commitment and Wells realized the job didn’t have the same “zing” for him that it once had.
Wells served two terms as mayor and one as councillor. He was also a school trustee for 11 years.
It took more than a decade to become a reality, but the Desert Valley Hospice Society (DVHS) finally has a place to call home and there were an awful lot of people in Oliver and Osoyoos who are happy about it.
Three months after announcing it had reached an agreement with BC Housing to operate a new facility in an abandoned building on Jonagold Place, the impressive new facility was officially opened as part of a lavish ceremony that attracted several dozen supporters.
The DVHS has been providing end-of-life care and counselling to residents of Osoyoos and Oliver for many years without having a permanent facility to call home.
That has all changed with the opening of the new DVHS Supportive Care Centre.
While it will still take at least a couple of years before the board of directors can even think about applying for funding to provide beds to clients, the opening of the Supportive Care Centre provides a major milestone for the organization, said DVHS board president Linda Shaw.
Many Osoyoos residents were very angry about the indefinite closure of Haynes Point Provincial Park in October and many carried through on promises to defy orders to stay out.
Local residents were surprised when they arrived at the park for their daily walk and were turned away by an official from BC Parks.
“I’m fuming. I’m so upset,” said Oleander Drive resident Dan Burton. “I come down here every morning for my walk. I’m known to be with a camera at all times. Today it’s come to an end.”
The Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) had issued a joint news release on May 22 indicating that the park would be closed effective Oct. 1 for camping and day use. The entire park, including the boat launch, was closed to allow archaeologists to do a survey of the park grounds as the result of the discovery of human bones in April.
The discovery suggested the park might have contained an aboriginal burial site.
Mark Weston, Okanagan section head with BC Parks, said the ground survey was expected to last until the end of October and was time sensitive because it must be done before the ground freezes. BC Parks hopes to be able to provide the public with information about the archaeological assessment early in 2015, he said.
In other news, Mike Plante announced he would not be seeking re-election in the Nov. 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 was because a new business he started up in Osoyoos was 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.
“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.”
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Osoyoos Times
Minutes before the nomination deadline in October, Mayor Stu Wells withdrew his candidacy for mayor in the November municipal election. Coun. Sue McKortoff decided to seek they mayoralty instead. Wells said he discussed his decision a day earlier with McKortoff and would be supporting her candidacy. (Richard McGuire file photo)
