Sue McKortoff, candidate for mayor, Town of Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)
With the 2014 municipal election set for this Saturday, the Osoyoos Times wanted to give all of the candidates running to become mayor and town councillor the opportunity to make one final impression with eligible voters.
We have decided to ask each of the candidates four questions.
1. What would be your top priority during your first year in office?
My top priority would continue to be water security and water quality. I support the task force recommendations on safety, access to the lake and environmental sustainability. The Lake Osoyoos Water Quality Society provides weekly monitoring of our lake water in the summer. The BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring program and the Ministry of Environment compile the results and provide education about general lake protection. The Waterfront Master Plan oversees projects that are in progress at Gyro Beach and the marina. The International Joint Commission on Osoyoos Lake is a co-operative agreement between the provincial government and Washington to balance water levels and the Okanagan Basin Water Board co-ordinates research on water sustainability in the Okanagan Basin. Providing sewer services to the east and southwest portions of the lake would be a priority. I will continue to support all these initiatives.
2. How can you make a positive difference to the Town of Osoyoos and the residents who live here?
I am a positive thinking, energetic, interested and approachable community leader. I have continuously shown a strong commitment to our town and will continue to listen to our residents and respond to good suggestions and ideas. I believe in learning from the past and welcoming new perspectives to build a strong future. I strongly endorse having interested citizens volunteer for local committees and task forces. Important town issues will be researched so that a sensible compromise and a course of action can be reached.
3. What in your background qualifies you to be a good mayor/councilor?
I am well qualified to become the mayor of Osoyoos as I have spent three years as a town councillor, continually learning about municipal government and discussing important local issues. I have lived in Osoyoos for 46 years, raised a family and worked as a teacher. I continue to be a volunteer for many local community groups, including Osoyoos Festival Society, Soroptimist International of Osoyoos and Market on Main. I have the experience to help make a smooth transition from the present mayor and council to the new team.
4. What is the most important issue, in your opinion, facing the community and what will you commit to doing about it?
I believe tourism and agriculture are our biggest economic development drivers. Destination Osoyoos has recently taken on the challenge of combining tourism promotion and economic development. We need to support local businesses, farms and orchards and make a committed effort to shop locally, while supporting sustainable long term employment initiatives to keep our young people in the community.
I invite input from working people of all ages to consider what types of employment and jobs would be appropriate in our town. I ask them to onsider our natural resources and our climate and examine what we have been able to sustain. Investors want to succeed as well as workers who need to support families, and enjoy and enrich our community life. Thank you.
