By Lyonel Doherty

Oliver Chronicle

One thing Randy Toor from Oliver is passionate about is giving local youth every opportunity to succeed.

And he’s hoping to do that as Area C director.

The businessman, who calls himself a people person, is seeking to represent rural Oliver on the regional district board.

Toor said he is running for director because of the concerns he routinely hears from residents.

“I have always put my community first and would like to provide a top quality service . . . an opportunity to give back to my community.”

Toor reiterated his passion for youth, saying there is really nothing for young people to do in Oliver. As a result, many venture out while others get into trouble, he noted.

“We need to create opportunities for them to either stay in the community, or if they go to university, they should be able to return to his community and start business practices.”

Toor said housing for temporary and transient workers is a huge issue within the farming community. He also stated the crime rate in Oliver has increased significantly with break and enters, thefts of machinery and thefts from vehicles.

“People are not feeling safe in Oliver.”

Toor said the other issue that concerns him is red tape and bureaucracy currently faced by farmers and small business owners. His goal is to reduce that.

He would also like to see the Town Hall provide services in different languages.

If elected, Toor said he would like to influence economic growth in the community by way of jobs and new businesses (this could mean a tax break for new business ventures).

“We need to find ways to invite young families to Oliver. I want to market our community to the world.”

He also sees the importance of enhancing tourism to showcase the community.

Toor reiterated that a reduction in the crime rate would bring down the fear in this community.

“I want to make Oliver the Oliver it used to be. We seem to have no identity. We live in paradise and I want to promote the community as such.”

Toor’s background includes being an auxiliary constable with the RCMP for 25 years. He was a town councillor for one term in 2005, and was president and secretary of the Oliver Sikh Temple for 10 years.

He is a partner of Desert Hills Estate Winery with strong communication skills.

“I am a fearless leader who is not shy to raise concerns with MPs or MLAs.”