Two weeks ago in this space, we expressed concern that more than halfway through the election nomination process, only four people had stepped forward to be councillor candidates.
What a difference the next few days made as more local people stepped up and put their names forward.
With the election now underway, there are nine people running to be councillors and two for mayor. (One of the original 10 dropped out).
What’s more, there are more excellent candidates for councillor than the four positions allow. Each offers different strengths and weakness and all come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but most of the nine would be good picks.
The choice this year is also much better than 2014 when there were several candidates whose negativity might have made for a toxic council. Fortunately voters made wise choices.
At the mayoralty level, voters have a choice between incumbent Mayor Sue McKortoff and perennial candidate and cannabis advocate Doug “Stone Dan” Pederson.
Pederson may provide some entertainment, but based on 2014 when McKortoff beat him 1,285 to 54, we’re not expecting an upset. Still, stranger things have happened (just look south), so McKortoff plans to campaign anyway.
At the school board level, there are three capable candidates running for two positions.
In the coming weeks, the Osoyoos Times will try to provide as much information as possible about the candidates, also inviting candidates to make direct appeals to voters.
We learned that unlike in the past, no organization was planning to sponsor an all-candidates forum.
Consequently, we’ve organized one for Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sonora Community Centre.
We thank the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce and Veronica Vinge for providing moderation. And we thank the Town of Osoyoos for providing space.
Unfortunately due to the number of candidates, there won’t be time at that event to hear from the school board candidates, but we will provide them with space in the paper.
The choice of who will represent Osoyoos for the next four years is extremely important.
We hope that as many local residents as possible will take the time to inform themselves and then turn out to vote.
