Ron Hovanes – Incumbent Mayor
If you were given a million dollars, what would you spend it on in Oliver?
This being a one-off gift I would work to make sure it went to a capital project that would benefit the most. We have a canal repair, an arena repair needed and an ongoing capital plan that is seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to come.
If this gift could be used outside of planned improvements I would ensure that there was a level of community engagement to seek the will of the citizens.
Do you favour a national park reserve?
I am in favour of having added resources to protect our incredible environment for future generations. I am in favour of ongoing dialogue to ensure that all concerns can be heard and hopefully addressed. What I do believe after announcements about a park reserve over the last year is that it is time for people to make sure they get to the table. If something is to be created then we need to make sure that all concerns are addressed.
What is your solution to crime prevention in Oliver?
There is not a quick fix but that does not mean we should sit back and do nothing. We need to continue to lobby for added police resources, we should add to our bylaw enforcement budget to allow for possible after-hours security patrols, we need to continue to lobby senior levels of government to address addiction and treatment initiatives, and we need to continue to work as a community to share concerns and look after one another. Some of our community’s issues which are shared by many other towns and cities took decades to build to the position we are now faced with. I believe it will also take time to address them on many different levels.
Do you support the legalization of marijuana?
It is happening. I believe over time we may look back that it hasn’t really been such a big issue. The product has always been available, legalization will hopefully take away the criminal aspect. We need to ensure that it is rolled out safely, community input, children are safe and that licensing and enforcement of the rules does not fall onto the backs of the Town. It is my understanding that the province is working hard to ensure that legalization will come safely and that communities ultimately have the final say about retail sales in their communities.
What is the best asset you bring to the council table?
I have 16 years of local government experience that has taught me an incredible amount. The main thing that I have come to realize is that the people of Oliver are proud of their authentic farming community. We have a community where we know one another and we take care of one another. My biggest asset is that I recognize that those who have lived here forever or those that have moved here in recent years do not want Oliver to become another resort municipality . Like others, I want to protect what we have.
