Changes coming.
At the December 5 council meeting, Mayor John Slater hinted that changes would be implemented in the way council will handle issues in the future.
After the swearing- in ceremony, Slater thanked the citizens and his campaign team for their support.
He also thanked the outgoing council and said he believes the public has elected a good council. He added that the town staff also deserves praise for doing a good job, particularly congratulating their work on the election, and he commended the efforts of all the volunteers who work hard in the community.
Slater noted that the next three years would be interesting and the new council would likely be dealing with a lot of development issues.
Osoyoos needs growth to keep our taxes low, our amenities up and our infrastructure in good shape. We need to make sure development is controlled and is going in the direction that citizens want, Slater said.
He added that other priorities include completing the OCP, addressing future traffic issues and protecting agricultural areas.
We need to expand our Advisory Design Panel Committee terms of reference to include view corridors and the impacts of develop-ments on neighbour-hoods. We will have more public consul-tation on all aspects of town operations that impact residents.
We will have regularly called town hall meetings where important community issues can be discussed in an open forum other than council meetings. We will be committed to making sure the public is communicated with on council decision-making processes.rnSlater went on to say that council will be working with Destina-tion Osoyoos on tourism and economic development, and towards the creation of a diverse economic community base to create more full-time employment and provide better services for Osoyoos citizens.
He continued to say the new council would also be committed to the following:rn- work with Tourism B.C. on the new Gateway Centrern- involve businesses in decisions that affect their growth
– work on getting a convention centre in the downtown area
– extend pathways to connect Pioneer Walkway to east Lakeshore Drive and all the way to Lacey Pointrn- continue to make lake and water quality a priorityrn- work with the Recreation Commission and Parks Committee to create a plan for a community water park on the waterfrontrn- upgrade and complete the Sonora Community Centre
– maintain low rec rates for youth and seniors' activitiesrn- expand town's participation in arts, culture and heritage to provide more programs for citizens and visitors.
Finally, Slater said he looks forward to working with new RDOS Director Mark Pendergraft on existing and new joint issues and services to benefit both
