Maurizio (Mo) Basso is seen here with local youth Kelsey Launier (left), Barnabus LaFlamme and Lauren Sherwood.
Photo contributed
(Maurizio Basso is running in the September 21 by-election in Oliver. Here are his responses to our questions.)
Q: What prompted you to throw your political hat in the ring?
A: Politics has been an integral part of my life since I can remember. My father was very much involved in the political forum and I believe that he played a major role in stressing the importance of being a part of the democratic process.
Being raised in a household of nine children (four boys and five girls), one learned quickly how to debate, have a strong opinion, be heard, and most importantly, how to work collectively to achieve a goal.
Having taught civics for the past 21 years (16 in Oliver) I have always stressed the importance of civic duty, be it through clubs, volunteerism, or just being good citizens. I believe that I can be an excellent addition to the current council as they forge the future of Oliver.
I will bring a fresh set of ideas and energy to help ensure that the town capitalizes on the development of projects such as the correctional centre, to ensure more dollars are spent in our community.
Q: What is your background? Work experience?
A: Having graduated from UVIC, I took a job in Hazelton, BC for five years prior to moving to Oliver. Four years ago I completed my master’s degree in educational leadership from Gonzaga University.
I have been teaching in Oliver for the past 16 years; during that time I have helped organize the Oliver Sting Youth Basketball league, Nothing But Net basketball, and coached minor soccer. I am also the head coach of SOSS senior boys’ basketball team and have actively volunteered for the Oliver Ironman circuit.
Q: What is your platform?
A: My platform is simple. Oliver needs to get more aggressive with its game plan for the future. Short term, this would include a heavy marketing campaign for the correctional facility as well as the continued pursuit for a hotel development.
The correctional facility brings years of infrastructure work as well as more than 200 permanent jobs. Council needs to do everything in its power to promote our town for those coming to work on infrastructure as early as 2014, as well as the employees that will follow soon after.
The current planned brochure is a good start, but council will need to be more savvy to ensure that we solicit workers and families to live here so that our local businesses, schools, and institutions benefit.
We cannot wait on the sidelines for them to choose Oliver – surrounding communities are already hot on their trail as well. In addition, I feel it is important for council to continue to promote the viability of our town to a hotel developer and although economic conditions are challenging, it is imperative that we show developers and businesses that “Oliver is open for business.”
The obvious ripple effect with these two priorities will not only support our local businesses, but attract new ones as well, allowing our schools and institutions to thrive.
Q: What do you think the Town can do better?
A: I think that we as a town need to be more assertive in our pursuit of economic development. Gone are the days where local government is only responsible for water, sewer and general budget – we may not like it, but municipalities now have to undertake so much more. I understand the ramifications of the current economic situation. However, this should not derail us from our game plan of trying to attract and maintain businesses within our town boundaries. I am very much interested in collaborative discussions with organizations such as Oliver-Osoyoos Winery Association, SOCC, OIB, and other partner groups to see what we can collectively do better with minimal impact on our taxpayers.
Q: What are your thoughts on youth delinquency?
We need to get back to basics where parents know where their kids are – in a small community there is nothing open after 11 pm so parents need to be more cognizant of their children’s whereabouts. Aside from that, we as a community need to try to be more diligent in looking out for our neighbours as best we can, and report any suspicious behaviour. More people can get involved with crime watch, and the town can look at by-law enforcement. At the end of the day it all comes down to holding parents and youth accountable for their actions if they choose to break the law.
Q: What would you do to boost economic activity in Oliver?
A: The town has to be more assertive with its marketing, especially in regards to the correctional facility. We need to enhance our partnerships with OIB, and the RDOS. Current council is working hard to do that, and I believe I can be a positive addition to ensuring our town moves forward and thrives. Communities all over our province are becoming creative and thinking outside the box in order to attract new business opportunities with minimal cost to the taxpayer – we need to step up as well.
Q: If you could change one thing in Oliver, what would it be and why?
A: I love Oliver, and that is why I chose to work here and raise my family. It is not so much what I’d change, but what I am waiting for. With no disrespect, I think we have always struggled with a strong vision and strong leaders to execute that vision. We live next to one of the most internationally known visionaries of our time, Chief Clarence Louie – we need to learn from his achievements and the path he took to get there. Abraham Lincoln’s quote “You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”, is a reminder that if we don’t have a strong vision, we spend a lot of time going nowhere. Our town’s natural beauty and the surrounding area such as the golf courses, the hospital, the great agricultural base, and the new auditorium all have economic opportunities if a plan is in place.
Q: How can we enhance tourism in Oliver?
A: How we market our town is of utmost importance in regards to capturing tourist dollars, especially in tough economic times. I feel the town needs to continue to forge ahead and enhance the partnerships with Chamber of Commerce, Oliver Tourism Association and other local organizations to advertise what we have to offer. This includes two championships golf courses in Fairview and Nk’mip, Mount Baldy with the deepest real powder snow in the Okanagan, the hike and bike trail with the beautiful scenery of the Okanagan River, Tuc el Nuit Lake and the camp grounds that border it, the town pool and water park. In addition, we need to assist and work with our Oliver Business Association to continue to improve and enhance the downtown core. The key comes down to our ability to attract a hotel to the area so that we capture more of the tourists that pass through.
Q: What more can we do to accommodate summer transients and fruit pickers?
A: Council needs to continue to work with the newly regionally formed group FACTOS – Farm And Community Team Okanagan Similkameen. This group of hard working volunteers have received short-term funding to address various seasonal worker issues such as accommodation, transportation, cross-cultural education, labour, safety and security. Surrounding elected officials need to be part of this collaborative movement to work together and ensure our valuable resources get harvested and that our communities have a positive relationship with those who provide the work.
Q: Pick one problem in Oliver and offer a solution?
A: The only problem that I see the town having, is that we did not capitalize on the boom of the early 2000’s. We have an opportunity to make up for that with the advent of the Correctional Facility and Structurelam moving into the area. The town needs to more assertive in its attempts to attract employees of these companies to locate within our boundary. My solution to this would be to ensure that we expedite development to attract these people. A collective approach that highlights “Oliver is Open for Business,” will show developers that we are interested in responsible development, one that will allow us not just to sustain, but thrive.
