Election signs are starting to line the major roadways around Osoyoos as a number of new candidates try to make themselves known. An all candidates forum on Oct. 29 will give local residents a chance to see them in action. (Richard McGuire photo)
With a new mayor to be elected and three of four town council seats up for grabs, this promises to be one of the most interesting municipal election campaigns in the history of Town of Osoyoos politics.
That’s why a big crowd is expected when the Osoyoos Times and South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor the 2014 Osoyoos All-Candidates Debate the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the community theatre at Osoyoos Secondary School.
Myers Bennett, the president of the SOCC, has volunteered to act as moderator for the all-candidates debate.
Much of the town is still buzzing after incumbent Mayor Stu Wells announced one hour before the application deadline on October 10 that he would not be seeking re-election after serving as mayor for the past six years.
After making his final decision not to run for another four-year term, Wells announced he had asked incumbent rookie councillor Sue McKortoff to step forward to replace him.
McKortoff had approached Wells several months ago indicating her interest in running for the mayor’s chair, but decided she wouldn’t make that big step with Wells announcing his intentions to seek re-election.
However, when Wells made his decision to step down, McKortoff decided to withdraw her application to run for re-election on council and take a shot at the top job.
Former town councillor and retired business owner Ray Vandenberg, who served one three-year term on council 20 years ago, will oppose McKortoff.
Also running for mayor is self-admitted “fringe candidate” Doug Pederson, who has run unsuccessfully for elected office in Alberta and British Columbia on several occasions over the past 20 years.
With McKortoff’s decision to run for mayor and incumbent councillors Mike Plante and Michael Ryan announcing they would not be seeking re-election, it leaves incumbent C. J. Rhodes as the only member of the current council who will be seeking to retain his seat on council.
Six other candidates have officially filed their nomination papers and will be busy on the campaign trail heading towards the November 15 election.
They include retired business owner and longtime community volunteer Jim King; former Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa general manager and community volunteer Mike Campol; Osoyoos realtor and community leader Carol Youngberg; retired government employee and Vandenberg’s life partner Jean Clarke; former mayor and longtime councillor and former MLA John Slater; and self-proclaimed “council watchdog” Sy Murseli, who is making his seventh attempt at trying to secure a spot on town council.
Murseli had to return to Europe to attend to a serious family matter and will be the only candidate who is not expected to attend the forum.
The format for the debate will be very simple.
All candidates will be introduced by Bennett and then invited to give a two-minute synopsis unveiling key elements of their platform.
After opening comments by each of the candidates, the floor will be open to questions from members of the public.
In order to run an orderly debate, members of the public will be asked to submit their questions to Bennett.
It is expected the question and answer period of the debate will last roughly one hour.
The forum will wrap up with each of the candidates giving a two-minute speech on their priorities should they be elected.
Bonnie Dancey, executive director of the SOCC, said the chamber is honoured to be involved in this event.
“Debates like this allow people the opportunity to ask some important questions and make an informed decision about who they believe should receive their vote on election day,” she said. “The chamber has been sponsoring these kinds of debates for many years in Oliver and Osoyoos and there is traditionally very good response from the public.
“During the last municipal election three years ago, we held the debate at the Royal Canadian Legion hall in Osoyoos and it was standing room only. We expect another very good crowd for this year’s debate.”
Steve Ceron, general manager of the Osoyoos Times, said it’s important that a community newspaper get involved in sponsoring and hosting debates during municipal elections and he’s looking forward to what promises to be an entertaining and informative evening.
“All-candidates debates have proven to be an integral aspect of our democratic system here in Canada,” said Ceron. “A good community newspaper must be involved in the community and we’re very proud to be co-sponsoring this event with the SOCC.
“It should be a very interesting evening and will hopefully provide the answers to some key questions that will go a long way towards determining who local residents are going to vote for on November 15.”
Doors will open at Osoyoos Secondary School at 6:30 p.m.
Bennett will introduce the candidates and kick off the debate at 7 p.m. sharp.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
