Town of Osoyoos Coun. Mike Plante (left) said he will make an official announcement about his intentions on whether or not to seek re-election in the upcoming municipal election at the first meeting of council in October. Fellow councillor Michael Ryan announced last week he would not be seeking re-election after spending the past six years on council. (Keith Lacey file photo)
Sy Murseli is hoping the number seven is his lucky charm in his bid to become a member of Town of Osoyoos council.
Murseli, who moved to Osoyoos 30 years ago, has officially announced he will once again be seeking a seat on town council in the November 15 municipal election.
“I have been saying since the last election that I would run again … and the time has come for major change within our council and I’m proud to be back as a candidate once again,” said Murseli, who proudly calls himself the “council watchdog” over the past several years.
Meanwhile, incumbent councillor Mike Plante remains undecided on whether or not he will be seeking re-election. Plante will make a formal announcement about his intentions at the first meeting of town council on Monday, Oct. 6.
Plante recently became a full partner with the LandSea Okanagan, a travel and touring company out of Osoyoos that offers wine tours and other tourist destination shuttles across the South Okanagan.
Former mayor John Slater, who was a member of Town of Osoyoos council for 18 years – six as mayor and 12 as a councillor – told the Osoyoos Times last week that he’s still not quite sure whether or not he will be running for mayor or one of four councillor positions on November 15.
“I haven’t made my decision for sure,” said Slater. “The bottom line is I’m in the process of trying to sell my farm (a local greenhouse business) and that is taking up most of my time.
“If I could manage to sell my business in the next few weeks, I would give serious consideration to running for mayor, but I know that might not happen, so then I would be looking at becoming a councillor again. It all depends on what happens in the next two or three weeks.”
Slater said he would only run for mayor and go up against Stu Wells if he could dedicate himself to the job full time, once again meaning he would have to sell his business.
“If I want to run for mayor, I want to do it full time,” he said. “If I run for council, I will still be very committed, but I will have much more time and won’t need to put in the long hours.
“If I can sell my farm before the (nomination) deadline in early October, I would run for mayor, but I really don’t know if that’s going to happen, so I’m probably looking for a spot on council.”
Incumbent councillors Sue McKortoff and C. J. Rhodes have announced they will be seeking re-election, while Wells made it clear several weeks ago that he had every intention to continue as mayor.
Veteran councillor Michael Ryan announced early last week at the end of the regular meeting of town council that he would not be seeking re-election.
Ryan called the last six years as a member of council some of the most fulfilling and rewarding of his life, but said he wanted to spend more time with his family after recently becoming a grandfather for the first time.
The husband and wife team of Ray Vandenburg and Jean Clarke are also considering running for positions on town council.
“We haven’t decided yet and we’re not ready to make any final decision,” said Vandenburg. “We have to wait for the right time and it isn’t the right time yet.”
Murseli, 63, said he is confident that his seventh run at seeking a council spot on Osoyoos town council will finally get him elected.
“I continue to run and put my name forward because I never had that opportunity growing up in Yugoslavia under the rotten Communist system and the rotten Communist thugs that ran that country,” he said. “I haven’t been elected yet, but I still believe in beautiful democracy and that fact a man like myself can run for office in this wonderful community and wonderful country.”
Murseli said his campaign will focus on only one thing – hard work and representing the interests of local taxpayers.
“I will always run 100 per cent independent,” he said. “I will defend local taxpayers at all times and will always place their concerns above those of fellow members of council and senior administration.
“I will always show great respect for my fellow councillors and our mayor, but my allegiance is with taxpayers and those who elected me should I be lucky enough to earn a place on council. This will happen in camera and during every single council meeting.”
Murseli said he will “never accept a donation” to run for public office as it could lead to a conflict of interest if elected.
Those considering running for mayor or town council have until the close of business on October 10 to complete their official application at town hall.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
