(The following is an interview with Jeff Ashe, who is running in the September 21 by-election.)

 

Q: What prompted you to throw your hat into municipal politics?

A: To get involved with local citizens and develop short and long-term plans for Oliver and to grow and prosper as it populates. We need to be flexible enough to meet the challenges of growth and change while keeping the town’s personality intact.

Q: What is your background?

A: I am 55 and was born and raised in Kaleden. I have owned and operated CanadaFit (www.canadafit.ca)  for 25 years, and sell commercial and residential fitness equipment, as well as service our products. I have lived in Oliver for six years.

Q: What is your platform?

A: My platform is to listen to people’s concerns and questions. I want to work on their behalf to make Oliver a better place. For example, airport development concerns, local bylaw improvements, and new infrastructure opportunities.

Q: What issues concern you in Oliver?

A: Airport bylaws, for example, noise and safety concerns; policing needs; water quality; and a business friendly community that is able to keep businesses in town and support their growth and needs. This in turn provides a tax base that helps build local infrastructure.

Q: What do you think the Town can do better?

A: Listen to its citizens and act on solutions that are agreed upon; address reasonable noise bylaws objectively and consistently; and designate truck routes that avoid residential neighbourhoods.

Q: What can we do about youth delinquency in Oliver?

A: A bigger recreation centre that supplies guidance and leap cards for access (discounted or even free) to underprivileged youth and families. Keep them active, healthy and busy.

Q: What would you do to boost the local economy?

A: Buy local campaigns, and keep local businesses local.

Q: If you could change one thing in Oliver, what would it be and why?

A: The development at the airport needs to have citizen safety first. Populated areas need to be avoided and development should occur where density is lowest.

Q: What more can we do to accommodate summer transients and fruit pickers?

A: Mutual respect goes a long way. Offer discount cards through local businesses for summer transient workers such as fruit pickers. We need to help them with the necessities they need while here.

Q: Pick one problem in Oliver and offer a solution.

A: Development around least populated areas of the airport instead of highest populated areas.