Got some questions for Oliver’s municipal candidates, school trustees or Area C candidates? Then get them ready for the all-candidates meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at Frank Venables Theatre.
The Oliver Chronicle and South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting the event starting at 7 pm.
Moderator Myers Bennett, president of the chamber, agreed it will be a great opportunity to question the candidates on various topics.
“I think that now the term is for four years you need vibrant people that want to see the community grow in a positive direction . . . you need people that want to see Oliver move forward and not vote for someone because they are retired and want something to do but have no foresight.”
After the forum, the voters should have a good idea of who has foresight and who hasn’t.
While there is no election race for mayor (incumbent Ron Hovanes was re-elected by acclamation), there are seven candidates vying for four seats on Oliver Town council and three candidates vying for two Oliver school trustee positions.
Council incumbents include Larry Schwartzenberger, Maureen Doerr, Dave Mattes and Jack Bennest. The three challengers are Petra Veintimilla, Jeff Ashe and Lilly Zekanovic.
The three school trustee candidates running are incumbent Rob Zandee, Cory-lee Mills and Rachel Allenbrand.
Also invited to the forum are regional district (Area C) candidates Terry Schafer, Joel Malcolm and Rick Knodel.
The format for the evening will see the candidates give a two-minute synopsis unveiling key elements of their platform. Then the floor will be open to questions from the public. People will be asked to write down their questions beforehand so that the forum can run in an orderly fashion.
The forum will wrap up with each candidate given one last opportunity to speak.
Bonnie Dancey, the chamber’s chief executive officer, said they hope to see the community take part by asking questions in order to help them decide who to vote for.
Dancey said they want to ensure voters can hear the candidate’s views prior to the advance poll on November 5.
Dale Cory, associate publisher of the Chronicle, said the newspaper is pleased to partner with the chamber to offer voters this opportunity.
“As the only true news source in Oliver, we feel it’s important to bring the people running for office to one venue, and give residents of the community ample opportunity to form an opinion on the candidates that will lead Oliver for the next four years.”
Bennett said Oliver is going to get a great opportunity to attract some good paying jobs with the new correctional centre, so he’s curious to hear what the candidates will do to attract people to live in Oliver.
“What incentives is the Town prepared to offer to get them (people) to set up and move to Oliver versus Penticton and Osoyoos?”
Bennett said there is land available to build a nice motel/hotel facility which is “badly needed” in Oliver.
He also wonders what the candidates think about downtown revitalization and enhanced airport opportunities. In addition, what do school trustees want for our children?
Lyonel Docherty
Oliver Chronicle
