Dear Editor:

This letter is written in response to the article that appeared in the Dec. 3 edition of the Osoyoos Times under the headline, “New council perplexed with unexpected low voter turnout during recent election.”

It has been reported that the town’s Chief Electoral Officer Janette Van Vianen commented, “In previous years we had relied on civic information to estimate population figures, however, they did not have an accurate account of the non-resident property electors with B.C. addresses, which has been determined to be 852. The total number of resident electors is determined to be 3,890, making the total number of eligible electors being 4,742.”

As the Town of Osoyoos collects property taxes every year, there is already first-hand available information or “an accurate account of the non-resident property electors with Osoyoos addresses – the total number being 852.”

For the past 15 years, the voices – being the ballots of non-residents – have not been acknowledged in municipal elections for mayor, council and assent voting (on the new museum and new fire hall).

Their rights have been denied and they were deprived of their right to vote in elections and referendums by mail voting.

In municipal elections in 2008, 2011 and 2014, the chief electoral officer stated, “this is not recommended due to cost and staff time. Each mail ballot would likely cost the town $7 or more in paper, postage, envelopes and staff time.”

Unfortunately, previous mayor and councillors, especially Coun. C. J. Rhodes, made sure that the election bylaws remained status quo. Their excuse always was, they were trying to save taxpayers’ money.

I’m sorry, but when it comes to the democratic right to vote, you can’t put a price on democracy.

If town council wants to save taxpayer money, stop paying exorbitant engineering and consulting fees.

I would like to take this opportunity to state some facts regarding the low voter turnout during the recent election.

Outgoing mayor Stu Wells and councillors knew ahead of time that many local residents leave town for holidays in early November.

As well, council knew that the Local Government Act requires that two advance voting opportunities be held for an election with one being 10 days and the second being three days before the general election.

In towns with populations under 5,000, council can pass a bylaw that the second advance voting opportunity not be held, which has been done in the case of the Town of Osoyoos.

Further special voting opportunities should also have been made available for electors who were not able to vote because they were in hospitals or care homes.

Van Vianen’s concern was that this would increase the cost of the election.

For the record, I’m quoting from Van Vianen, who has been the chief election officer for the Town of Osoyoos during the last three municipal elections in 2008, 2011 and 2014. “Council could allow for an additional voting opportunity, however, should keep it in mind that this will increase the cost of the election. At minimum, this will require seven or eight election works, including the chief and deputy chief election officers and election officials for 13 hours, plus any additional expenses, including additional memory cards for the voting machines, etc.”

Regarding holding special voting opportunities for those in hospitals and care homes where residents or patients couldn’t get to voting stations, it was stated to the mayor and council , “This is not recommended at this time.’

It was also recommended that mail voting not be considered because each mail ballot would likely cost the town $7 or more in paper, postage, envelopes and staff time.

Mail voting for non-residents were not allowed. If they were given a chance to vote, the outcome of the electon for council and the referendum on the fire hall would have been different, in my opinion.

Rhodes’ commented, “It’s really sad that voter turnout would be so low in this community … I am sending a message out to all of those eligible voters who did not vote that you will be hearing from me over the next four years.”

I have some very simple advice. Leave voters alone and don’t blame them because the voters were deprived and denied by the previous council of their right to vote.

I am asking all of you on council to show fiscal responsibility, openness as well as accountability over the next four years.

Sy Murseli

Osoyoos, B.C.

(Editor’s note: Sy Murseli ran for one of the four available seats on Town of Osoyoos council in the Nov. 15 municipal election. This was the seventh time Murseli has forwarded his name to try and win a seat on Town of Osoyoos council.