Osoyoos Municipal Election – The Times Chronicle is pleased to bring you the first of a four-part all-candidate Q&A for the upcoming municipal elections for Osoyoos and Oliver town councils on Oct. 15. Candidates appear in alphabetical order and responses are limited to 80 words per question. The position of Mayor in Oliver is by acclamation and two candidates dropped out of the race after registering: Leigh Lougheed in Oliver and Amanda Hilario in Osoyoos.
Sue McKortoff – Mayor candidate (incumbent)
Sue McKortoff – Mayor candidate (incumbent)
Q1: I am Sue McKortoff, a 50 year resident of Osoyoos. I was a teacher here for 35 years, married and raised two children- Ryan and Kirstin. I have a son-in-law Justin and one grandson named Asher. I am an active volunteer in the community and I always support local businesses.
Q2: My experience on Council, and my knowledge of local issues are important. I have the time and energy to listen and learn. I am a positive leader and a team player, always approachable. Working together, collaborating and sharing is key to producing results. I am also involved with Okanagan groups like the Water Board, International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control, RDOS, OK Similkameen Hospital District.
Dustin Sikora – Mayor candidate
Dustin Sikora – Mayor candidate
Q1: I am a former serviceman turned entrepreneur with a beautiful wife and two amazing young daughters. I was born with a strong sense of duty, morality, courage, high professional standards and an intense work ethic. Osoyoos is a jewel that faces neglected infrastructure which must be corrected. I commit to again serve our community with duty and pride this time around as your elected employee.
Q2: I have technical businesses with dozens of amazing employees and I know what happens when people and processes are neglected because my paycheque depends on it. I don’t accept our council’s complacency and declining standards of service that they have given the taxpayers. So, I’ve built a plan and I’ve attracted a high power team that will fix the problems because that’s what real leadership does.
Myers Bennett – Councillor candidate (incumbent)
Myers Bennett – Councillor candidate (incumbent)
Q1: I am Myers Bennett and I encourage you to re-elect me as a member of Osoyoos Town Council. I have proven my dedication to the position for the past four years and have served two prior terms on Town Council in B.C. I have an abundance of business experience having owned and managed many businesses. I have been very active and involved in this community and will continue to do so along with my commitment to Council.
Q2: My dedication and community involvement make me an excellent councillor, and I have established many great connections over the past four years throughout Osoyoos and the Okanagan. The connections I have made are a result of taking the time to attend various meetings as a taxpayer, including meetings with Interior Health, the school board, Destination Osoyoos and MIABC. I have worked faithfully for this community over the past four years and I look forward to your continued support.
Johnny Cheong – Councillor candidate
Johnny Cheong – Councillor candidate
Q1: Five years ago we moved to Osoyoos and no place has felt more like home. My wife and I are both family chiropractors who have grown a business, we have become a part of this beautiful community and started an amazing family. For everything Osoyoos has given us, I feel it is my absolute duty to give back. I want to ensure the health, success and prosperity of our residents young and old.
Q2: Time and purpose. As a driven 33-year-old and member of this community, I have so many years, so much time to learn and better myself so that I can advocate for Osoyoos now and in the future. As a healthcare practitioner, my purpose is to alleviate pain and enhance health. I deeply care for our community and I want to do everything I can to support the health of our community.
Wesley Greve – Councillor candidate
Wesley Greve – Councillor candidate
Q1: I moved to Osoyoos from Dawson Creek in 2014 and now own North Basin Brewing. I’m a mechanic by trade and previously worked with a crew in the oil sands. Living in Dawson Creek taught me a lot about how a town council can impact social and economic disparities. Work in the oil sands showed me that the best way to solve a complex problem is by involving those directly affected by it.
Q2: My background on high performance maintenance crews has given me a unique skill set for developing and implementing innovative solutions to complex operational issues. This would be an asset to town council given the crises we confront with our aging water and sewage infrastructure, the lack of affordable housing, inaccessibility of medical services and the seasonality of our local economy.
Jim King – Councillor candidate (incumbent)
Jim King – Councillor candidate (incumbent)
Q1: Jim King, born and raised in Vancouver. Married to his wonderful wife Cheryle, between them they have five children, 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Jim ran a very successful business for over 20 years and had over 20 employees, which gave him the opportunity to semi-retire at the age of 43. He felt that he was missing something, so he volunteered his time in the not-for-profit world.
Q2: Being on council gives me extensive knowledge and experience of the issues in Osoyoos. Involved in the profit and not-for-profit world I am able to bring a balance to council in my decisions. As an experienced councillor the most important thing is to listen to the people. A council that can work together for the betterment of the town. Creating a vibrant town, a unique place to live, work and play.
Sy Murseli – Councillor candidate
Sy Murseli – Councillor candidate
Q1: Albanian heritage, born and raised in Kosovo. Professional coach and player in Dubrounik while at University of Dubrounik. Worked as a tour guide throughout Europe. Canadian citizen 1984. Coached B.C. women’s handball team at Western Canada Games in 1983 and head referee of B.C. Team Handball. Organized Terry Fox Run (2008, 2009, 2010). Organized Walk for the Troops (Canadian and U.S.) supporting troops and families deployed around the world; walked 30 kms from Osoyoos to Oroville and return. Local business owner.
Q2: I am running to be an independent voice on council speaking up for public interest. My loyalty will be to taxpayers of Osoyoos, not the mayor, not the councillors and absolutely not to the administration. Since 1996 as the council watchdog, I have done my part to hold mayor and council to account in the past as a private citizen and I would like the opportunity to do it as your elected representative. I will be your voice on council.
Zach Poturica – Councillor candidate
Zach Poturica – Councillor candidate
Q1: I’m born and raised in Osoyoos, a three-term director of the Osoyoos Credit Union. For 11 years I worked with the RDOS as a firefighter and Deputy Fire Chief. I’ve spent the past 17 years working with elected officials and staff in all levels of government on matters including policy, communications, and strategy. Despite my younger age, I’ve followed municipal politics since around the age of nine.
Q2: I feel I’d bring a unique perspective if elected. Since 2005 I’ve built strong working relationships with elected officials across all levels of government. I’m a listener and a firm believer in effective communications. As we stand at the crossroads of addressing infrastructure needs while addressing issues like housing and access to health, we need to collaborate with other levels of government.
