Considering what’s at stake, there is absolutely no reason there should be low voter turnout for Saturday’s municipal election in the Town of Osoyoos.
While voter turnout for municipal elections is embarrassingly low across this country – often in the 20 to 40 per cent range of eligible voters – we’re confident that will not be the case for voters in and around Osoyoos this year.
The fact that a referendum about a proposed new fire hall for the Town of Osoyoos is being held in conjunction with the municipal election should ensure voter turnout is at near record highs on Saturday.
Besides electing a new mayor and four town councillors, every eligible voter will have the opportunity to vote for or against a proposed borrowing bylaw to pay for the proposed fire hall.
The total amount of money that would be borrowed is $5.962 million, however, only $4 million of that amount would be the responsibility of Town of Osoyoos property owners as the town has already signed a deal for the Osoyoos Indian Band and Osoyoos Rural Fire Protection District to provide $1.9 million in funding.
The proposed new fire hall has been one of the most polarizing issues in this community in a very long time. More than 1,100 residents signed a petition to ensure they would have the opportunity to give the final say on this project as part of a referendum.
That’s how democracy works and there is nothing more democratic that taking the time and effort to sign ballots during a general election or referendum.
With a new mayor to be elected and only one incumbent (C. J. Rhodes) seeking re-election, there promises to be plenty of new blood, new energy and great ideas flowing from council chambers at town hall following the election.
The decision to elect a new mayor basically comes down to a battle between incumbent councillor Sue McKortoff and former councillor Ray Vandenberg, who served one term on town council 15 years ago.
Fringe candidate Doug Pederson has provided a few laughs and some interesting comments, but he’s not a legitimate candidate and it would be shocking if he received more than a couple of dozen protest votes on Saturday.
The race for town council is exceptionally interesting as there are numerous candidates who provide plenty of experience in business and community volunteer work.
While Rhodes is considered a heavy favourite to win one of the four spots up for grabs, it should be quite the horse race between challengers John Slater (former mayor, councillor and MLA), longtime “council watchdog” Sy Murseli, longtime community volunteer Jim King and newcomers Jean Clarke (Vandenberg’s life partner and experienced government employee), Mike Campol (local business owner and community volunteer) and Carol Youngberg (real estate entrepreneur and longtime community volunteer).
All of the candidates for council have offered some solid ideas in terms of economic development, job creation, building affordable housing and they all support the building of a new fire hall.
What happens with the new fire hall and when it will be built all depends on the referendum vote on Saturday. The Sonora Centre will be open from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday for voting.
Get out and assert your democratic right to vote and make a difference in your community.
