File photo: Dale Boyd/Osoyoos Times

Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

An Osoyoos town councillor praised residents for following public health orders after an anecdotally quiet long weekend during the usually bustling start of the tourist season — and encouraged citizens to support struggling local businesses.

Coun. CJ Rhodes praised residents and businesses at the May 19 regular council meeting, following a sarcastically “highly-scientific” survey he conducted prior to the Victoria Day long weekend.

“I think the Town of Osoyoos and all of its residents and businesses did a really really good job over this past weekend. The many, many people that decided to go by the provincial recommendation and stay home was followed, by many, many people,” Rhodes said.

At about 5:15 p.m before a typical long weekend in Osoyoos every parking stall on Main Street would usually be full, Rhodes said.

“It’s kind of our kickoff weekend. At 5:15 (p.m.) last Friday there was four cars parked on Main Street, and I have pictures to back that up if anybody doubts my statistics,” Rhodes said. “I just wanted to kind of compliment everybody. I think we’re doing a really, really good job in our community. I think the province of British Columbia is doing an extraordinarily good job overall in dealing with this crisis that’s in front of us right now.”

Coun. Brian Harvey noted he has seen some exceptions to everyone following provincial health orders in town, asking citizens of Osoyoos “to take the provincial health recommendations seriously.”

Rhodes also took some time in his councillor’s report to encourage residents to shop locally.

“All of our businesses in this community, almost without exception, rely on this time of year for their income that carries them through the non-tourist season, typically known as fall and winter here,” Rhodes said. “That has been compromised an awful lot in our community by this pandemic that’s going on. Many of the businesses have in fact been closed entirely.”

With no income and continuing overhead costs, it is crucial right now for residents to support local businesses, Rhodes said, with some ready for reopening this week.

“I’m not normally a big pizza eater but I’ve eaten a few pizzas from a couple of places,” said Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff of local restaurants pivoting to take-out service only. “I do have my favourites, but I won’t say that on here.”

“You need to have a comfort level that the business you are going into is following the provincial and health guidelines. If that’s the case please go in and support it. If they are not doing it please explain to the business owner why you don’t have that comfort level yet,” McKortoff said. “But I do think it’s really important to provide the support for many of our local businesses.”

Rhodes, along with the mayor and the rest of council, also supported that the continued closure of the Canada-U.S. border, comments later echoed by B.C.’s Minister of Health Adrian Dix.

“At the end of the day if you’re a smart, savvy resident of Osoyoos and you really care about our community, you will shop local and you will do it at all costs,” Rhodes said.

Mayor McKortoff jokingly accused Rhodes of copying her Mayor’s report, supporting his statements fully along with her fellow councillors.

She said the border is currently set to remained closed until the end of June.