L. Schwartzenberger
Lyonel Doherty photo
Town council is hoping to plan a retreat in order to get to know its newly elected member, Larry Schwartzenberger.
The idea was introduced by Councillor Jack Bennest, who said council has a new member and only one year left in its mandate.
Bennest said it’s important that council puts out the “gone fishing” sign and has a bonding session to “have its head on straight heading into 2014.”
“I don’t think it needs to be a structured meeting, a nice room and two pizzas would be just fine,” he stated.
Bennest pointed out that he supports local businesses and doesn’t want to take Town money to Osoyoos or Penticton. So he suggested a meeting room at the Oliver air cadet hangar.
Mayor Ron Hovanes supported the idea of a retreat, suggesting the possibility of bringing in a facilitator for a team-building exercise.
Hovanes said past retreats have been valuable.
“We don’t need to go overnight in Kelowna, but it would be beneficial to get out of town and rent a venue and order lunch, rather than sit around this table (in council chambers).”
Councillor Dave Mattes said the retreat would be more about listening to what Schwartzenberger had to say regarding his ideas.
Schwartzenberger agreed that a retreat would be very helpful for him as a new councillor.
“I came in cold not knowing the priorities (of council). I’d like to know what you guys want to accomplish in the next year with my input.”
A date for the retreat has yet to be determined, and no budget limit has been set at this time.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
