Former Town of Osoyoos councillor Ray Vandenberg and his common-law partner Jean Clarke have announced their intentions to run for public office in the upcoming municipal election on November 15. Vandenberg will be opposing incumbent Mayor Stu Wells, while Clarke will be trying to win a seat on town council. (Keith Lacey photo)
Dear Editor:
Contrary to what Ray Vandenberg and Jean Clarke stated and implied in their letter in last week’s edition of the Osoyoos Times, the Osoyoos Museum Society will NOT be asking, or expecting, the local taxpayers to fund the development of the new museum.
During the referendum campaign, the OMS made the clear commitment to raise the money needed for the development of the new museum if area property owners would support the purchase of the building and property on Main Street.
We have repeated that commitment in the information brochure sent to all residents during the campaign, on at least four separate occasions in the Osoyoos Times and at least six times in public presentations to Osoyoos town council over the past three years.
We remain steadfast in that commitment.
Work is well underway on applications to major federal and provincial programs which help fund museums and cultural attractions, as well as private foundations, for the money required.
We will start to submit those applications shortly as the possession date for the building approaches in October of 2016.
The cost of redeveloping the building into the new museum will be limited to the amount we are able to raise through grants, donations and other fundraising activities.
No further local taxpayer money will be involved.
Perhaps Vandenberg and Clarke would consider joining us in our efforts to complete the new museum project successfully at no further expense to area property owners.
Thank you.
Mat Hassen
President of Osoyoos Museum Society
