Oliver Municipal Election – The Times Chronicle is pleased to feature the third 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
Oliver Municipal Election all-candidates Q&A – Part 2
Aimee Grice – Councillor incumbent
Aimee Grice – Councillor incumbent
Q5. Fewer and fewer doctors are opting into family medicine, so we need to appeal to the doctors who do. We must make our community more attractive than others by addressing the challenges faced by young working professionals, such as housing and child care shortages. Increasing the number of family physicians will remove pressure from our emergency room.
Q6. I think FireSmart is an excellent program and it is already being utilized. UBCM’s FireSmart Community Funding & Supports program 2023 intake just opened for municipalities and other grants such as the NSG through the Community Foundation can be applied for by individuals for their neighbourhoods. It needs to be an ongoing effort with education and support.
Kelly Long – Councillor candidate Kelly Long – Councillor candidate Q5. I would advocate for funds from the federal and provincial government to increase resources for home care in our communities. Also, ask for increased funding for nurse practitioners that could work together with the doctors and healthcare professionals to alleviate some of the pressures on the healthcare system. Q6. Our community is aware of the potential risks with fire season, and it is important that the town has the most current information from the provincial government available for the residents of Oliver. This gives the residents the tools and information to help them make smart decisions when it comes to landscaping and fire protection on their property.
Dave Mattes – Councillor incumbent Dave Mattes – Councillor incumbent Q5. This council has been working hard behind the scenes to lobby the province to fund a Primary Care Network facility in Oliver. Council also participates with several Interior Health committees to push for better healthcare in Oliver. This work would continue. Q6. Firesmart is important for properties at the edge of town. The province is already providing incentives to homeowners to be fire smart with their properties. To duplicate this with local taxpayer money for a few specific properties would be a poor use of taxpayer money.
Keith Quesnelle – Councillor candidate Keith Quesnelle – Councillor candidate Q5. Firstly, we must collaborate with existing healthcare providers and the provincial government to address this crisis. At the local level we could provide a permanent residence to accommodate visiting healthcare professionals. We could also consider a dedicated facility to provide some infrastructure and possibly incentives or bonuses for those willing to live and work in our community long term. Q6. Yes, this is an important issue for Oliver. Having an insurance background I believe homeowners understand the risks which is a great incentive, on it’s own, to be fire smart. I also believe that being fire smart is a shared responsibility among homeowners, landscapers and governments. Awareness programs such as the Firesmart BC Homeowners Manual can be very helpful towards being proactive.
Terry Schafer – Councillor candidate Terry Schafer – Councillor candidate Q5. I would advocate that we purchase a vacant lot in Oliver for a multi-disciplinary medical facility, contract a professional management company to oversee and do all paperwork for the doctors, nurse practitioners, and others that would serve our citizens in such a concept. Q6. As I’ve been door knocking I’ve seen how many people have been already making their places fire smart. I think it’s quite naturally catching on and I’m confident in more fire-smarting into the future.
Charles Simpson – Councillor candidate Charles Simpson – Councillor candidate Q5. Attract more local healthcare workers by supporting high school students that are interested in this career with a scholarship from the town. Lobby for and provide support for post secondary education in healthcare through Okanagan College. Advocate for less red tape attracting qualified foreign healthcare professionals. Support attracting travel nurses by providing housing options in town. Q6. FireSmart BC has a wealth of information to make our homes, community, and ranch lands less susceptible to wildfires. Organizing a local FireSmart committee or hosting a FireSmart event and clean-up day are activities we can take part in to prevent the likelihood of wildfires. These initiatives have federal funding and grant money is available to provide wildfire threat reduction activities.
Petra Veintimilla – Councillor incumbent Petra Veintimilla – Councillor incumbent Q5. This issue is country wide. I have been on a rural healthcare committee for the past seven years and have spent the last three on a local PCN committee with Division of Family Practice, local doctors, and IH. Everyone wants to solve this issue and we need to work together to get it done. I would advocate for exploring local government involvement in the creation of a new primary care/multi-disciplinary clinic. Q6. FireSmarting is very important, and has been proven to be very effective in keeping homes safe when wildfires roar through. Fire knows no boundaries, therefore we must work in partnership with the RDOS to access grant funding and encourage firesmarting around our community. It is important to have a council who is able to build and maintain strong relationships, which I have proven I am able to do.
