Oliver Municipal Election – The Times Chronicle is pleased to feature the second of our four-part all-candidate Q&A for the upcoming municipal election for town council on October 15.
Oliver Municipal Election candidates Q&A – Part 1
Aimee Grice – Councillor incumbent
Aimee Grice – Councillor incumbent
Q3. The cost of the installation of solar panels has come down some but is still pricey and the return on investment is slow. I think the best thing our municipality can do is utilize grant funding when available. I would like to see the town continue to install solar panels on town owned buildings such as the fire hall project that was completed in 2020.
Q4. Open and frequent communication is so important. I would like to see more informal gatherings between Council and the OIB Chief and Council. As leaders, we can help set the tone for the rest of the community. There is a lot of painful history to learn and understand and much work left to be done to hopefully move our communities forward together.
Kelly Long – Councillor candidate Kelly Long – Councillor candidate Q3. I support green technology in our community and to help lower our carbon footprint as long as the costs are fiscally responsible and financially viable for our community. It would be important to find out if there are federal grants or programs available to help offset the costs of solar power equipment and installations for the town and residents. Q4. Consult with Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie and his council to find out what they feel the Town of Oliver could do to assist with reconciliation. Together we need to find a way to strengthen our ties and work together as a community. Also, increase awareness of systemic racism and educate our community about generational trauma within the Indigenous community.
Dave Mattes – Councillor incumbent Dave Mattes – Councillor incumbent Q3. While there is always more that can be done, the current Council has done a good job of the solar installation at the fire department and at the museum. We are also looking at Public Works. My plan would be to continue to look at each opportunity on it’s own merits. When funding is available that isn’t needed for infrastructure, investing in other projects including solar makes economic sense. Q4. Our Mayor & Council have worked very hard to develop an honest open relationship with the OIB Council. The plan is to continue this strong relationship to work together for the better of everyone. Solving problems as they arise. Working to return land wherever possible. Giving recognition to the injustice & supporting the band in their fight for reconciliation. Small but important steps for all.
Keith Quesnelle – Councillor candidate Keith Quesnelle – Councillor candidate Q3. To make sure going forward that town controlled utilities such as buildings and street lights etc. are powered by solar panel units. Use the uninhabitable rocky hillsides that are all around us, as land is scarce and expensive, to install solar fields as a supplement to the towns power source. Provide residents/businesses with information and statistics on the cost saving benefits of solar power. Q4. I would continue to build respectful relationships with the people and leaders of our indigenous communities while working together to build partnerships for the future. Also, working together with our indigenous partners provide educational programs and workshops to our community as a whole on the history of Aboriginal peoples including the History and Legacy of residential schools.
Terry Schafer – Councillor candidate Terry Schafer – Councillor candidate Q3. Robbie and I benefit from the 20 solar panels we had installed and I see many folks doing the same as I go door to door. I have previously lobbied to have a solar array on top of the Community Centre and would like to see a greater uptake of that technology by both the Town and private citizens. I’ll do what I can to make it a reality. Q4. It’s on a good track to a greater understanding as we live our day to day. The new sign that will be going up at the arena will make my point. I should also mention that I have a foot in both worlds having been born on a Rez, being married to a Métis and every fall we host the Okanagan Nation Alliance as they use our riverside property to base their salmon studies.
Charles Simpson – Councillor candidate Charles Simpson – Councillor candidate Q3. The biggest obstacle with solar power is the initial cost. A program like PACE (property assessed clean energy) could allow property owners to finance the up-front costs of energy improvements, then pay the costs back over time. Oliver can put a similar system in place to finance solar power with repayment cost added to property taxes. Average home = 11000 kWh/year, 11 kW solar array = net zero Q4. Reconciliation in Canada is more than a one-day event. I believe that reading, learning, sharing, and following the 94 calls to action from the findings of the truth and reconciliation report is a good place to start. We as a society have a long way to go, but it all starts with listening and learning. 
Petra Veintimilla – Councillor incumbent Petra Veintimilla – Councillor incumbent Q3. Over the past term council has seen the potential of solar and has encouraged and/or supported solar installations at the fire hall, the search and rescue building, and the archives building and museum. To leverage our sunny assets moving forward we will require good planning and strong partnerships. Leveraging relationships and working with regulated utility partners will ensure financially viable business models that increase the Town’s and community’s solar use affordability. Q4. I am proud of the relationship we have built with our neighbours at the Osoyoos Indian Band. On a municipal level we have instituted cultural awareness training for staff, a program which I will work to make sure is expanded upon in this next term. We will be raising the OIB flag for the first time in history this September 30 at 2 pm at Town Hall in an event meant to honour our history and help us look forward to our future together. 
