The candidates – in their own words

We invited the candidates for town council to submit responses of up to 400 words total to two questions, with a answers to be published in their own words. Only minor edits were made for spelling and style.

All candidates submitted pieces with the exception of incumbent Mayor Sue McKortoff, who said the articles and ads already published give her perspective.

The questions were:

1. Why would you be a good choice for town council?

2. What issue(s) do you see as your priority?

Responses are published in random order.

Myers Bennett

I have family ties to Osoyoos going back 40 years and have lived here full-time with my wife Judy for 14.

I am making my bid for town council to take on the challenges surrounding both the town’s youth, and its seniors. I am dedicated to the welfare of this community and I’m an advocate of promoting small business.

I will focus on issues such as increased medical services, preservation of schools, affordable housing, water quality, the development of Desert Park and downtown revitalization.

The previous council has taken steps to resolve issues surrounding medical services and accessibility. Now it’s time for council to move forward with implementing the recommendations.

I feel strongly that the schools are the heart of our youth and that we need to ensure we keep our children in school locally and continue to provide them with an excellent education.

In regards to housing, I believe there are ways to attract new construction through tax incentives, i.e. allowing businesses to build three stories, with upper floors allocated for accommodation. Another option could include rezoning some of the older lots from residential to multi-family.

Water quality is one of the foremost impactful issues in Osoyoos. Our lake predominantly drives tourism and we need to take precautions to protect it.

I also support town revitalization to entice the large volume of traffic passing through Osoyoos to stop and enjoy our beautiful community.

I would like to see our recreational trails enhanced, and I am in support of a regional pool. I am in favour of the development and utilization of Desert Park, where I see opportunities for successful events that will augment tourism.

When asked why you should vote for me, I emphasize my extensive experience and community advocacy. I serve on the board of Destination Osoyoos; I’ve served as Chamber of Commerce president in Osoyoos, South Okanagan, Kitimat and Vanderhoof; I’ve had two previous terms on town council in Vanderhoof and I’m a current member of the Rotary Club. Additionally, I’m an Ironman Canada finisher and Level 3 official.

My previous terms on council have provided me with invaluable experience. I have good knowledge of small business having been a successful small business owner. I am approachable and a good listener which are invaluable qualities in representing you. I will listen to the wishes of the electorate, and work hard to implement necessary changes and resolve issues.

Shelley McIntyre

I believe that I would be a good addition to Osoyoos town council because I have passion for this community and want to help shape its future.

My husband and I moved here almost two years ago, building our forever home and laying roots in this community.

The decisions made in town council today affect everyone, and I feel that some marginalized groups are underrepresented. I want to be a voice for all residents and I will strive to create a council that is fair and transparent.

I have the energy, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to help mould the future of Osoyoos.

Before my decision to run for council, I have been engaged in the community, listening to concerns of fellow residents. Many of these concerns I share myself, and that is what I have based my platform on.

A priority for me is finding solutions to the long-term and seasonal housing situation. Town council along with other key stakeholders, including government and industry, all play a role in creating infrastructure to support workers and economic growth.

Another concern that was raised was to help alleviate the congestion in our downtown core. Signage was recently brought up at the town-planning forum. I think we have an opportunity to improve how visitors and residents navigate and explore Osoyoos. Directional signage to our many recreation areas, services and parking options can create better traffic flow, and elevate the experience tourists have. Hand in hand with signage, we should have a better web presence and calendar of events that venues, artists, festivals, fundraisers can all post on. Such as off-season ice rink events, drag racing, and Sonora Centre programming which will encourage attendance and support local associations.

The other concern that isn’t far from everyone’s mind is safety. I do believe that by strengthening our relationship with the RCMP we can promote and encourage community-policing initiatives while the police are targeting prolific offenders. This will work to reduce crime in our area.

Some of these are short-term goals, and some will be ongoing projects for longer duration. Being on other boards and participating in ongoing volunteer work, I know I have the commitment, consistency and energy to help the council complete these tasks and build a better Osoyoos.

Jane Long

Why should you vote for me?

I am a mom, a local business owner, teacher/facilitator and a Chartered Professional Accountant. I have experienced a lot of the difficulties that are experienced by many in our beautiful town, understand the financial considerations for taxation, projects and budgets and have the professionalism to deal with issues and provide a strong voice.

Important issues

• Accountability and Transparency of Local Council – I will be accessible to citizens, listen to the concerns and be a strong voice for locals. I will support citizens and I will be accountable for my actions and ensure transparency of council processes and decisions.
• Housing: Affordability and Availability – I understand the concerns relating to affordability of housing but also the issues of availability. This is something that is a big issue in Osoyoos and needs addressing from a local perspective but also by putting pressure of provincial and federal governments.
• Protecting our unique eco­system – we have a very unique eco-system and some beautiful resources that need to be protected for long-term sustainability and life times of enjoyment.
• Access to healthcare – with a growing population we need to have access to healthcare in our community. There has been a push for a walk-in clinic that will help with the long wait lists for doctor visits and relieve some pressure on the Oliver hospital.
• Education (ensuring long-term access to local schools) – with history showing potential school closures in the community, we need to be proactive to ensure our schools stay open and students have access to education.
• Supporting local business for sustainability – local businesses struggle with high rents and low profits. We need to focus more on shop local campaigns, develop a downtown that brings people of all ages to support a variety of businesses, and provide support to businesses to help them succeed. A Downtown Business Association or Business Development Association is the first step.
• Attracting younger families to aid in the above and ensure long-term sustainability in the community. Young families (maybe even ones with doctors!) are the key to ensuring we have year-round operations of businesses and services.
• Accessibility – last here but not last on the list! Accessibility is key issue in Osoyoos with older buildings and areas. We need to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the town: elderly with walkers or scooters, parents with young ones in strollers, those with injuries just to name a few.

Sy Murseli

1. Why would I be a good choice for council?

I have lived in Osoyoos for more than 36 years. I have gotten to know a great many of its citizens over this time. I have a good understanding of the wants and needs of the average person on the street, but have no allegiance to any group or clubs.

This leaves me free to listen closely to taxpayer concerns and speak honestly.

Since 1996 as the “Council Watchdog,” I have done my part to hold mayor and councillors to account in the past as a private citizen and I would like the opportunity to do it as your elected representative. I will be your voice on council.

What the town of Osoyoos and residents need are four honest councillors who will put the interest of the community before their own interest or those of their relatives, friends and associates.

I am running to be an independent voice on council and speak up for the public interest.

My loyalty will be to the taxpayers or Osoyoos, not the mayor, councillors and administration. Unfortunately, the mayor, councillors and administration don’t care about taxpayers’ money, especially fiscal responsibility, openness as well as accountability.

2. What issue do you see as your priority?

The most important issue is the present council. They already decided to build a new town hall and it should not be built because it will cost taxpayers of Osoyoos $10 million.

I feel that the Town of Osoyoos has too many non-essential management positions. We are top heavy with a disproportionate amount of administration as opposed to frontline workers. I would like to see eliminated all non-essential management positions, saving tax dollars.

What we need in our town is a qualified engineer with municipal planning and public works experience. For the past several years, previous councils and now the current council have failed to save taxpayers hard-earned dollars.

I believe we have to maintain our good neighbour relationship with the Osoyoos Indian Band. Thanking to the Chief Clarence Louie and his council members, our town thrived and prospered from tourism to development.

I support the volunteer organizations in our community who do so much for us. Without their commitment of time and energy, our community would be poorer.

My appointment is up to you. Use your power, vote for me on Oct. 20.

Kenny Music

1. Why would you be a good choice for town council?

I believe I would be a good choice for council for many reasons. There are several great candidates who I would be honoured to work with to collaborate on the many issues that affect our community.

My previous experience running the Chamber of Commerce in Squamish fuelled my desire to run for council. I believe in everyone having a say and a vote; it doesn’t matter who you are or your stature, it’s important to acknowledge, listen and respond to each voice.

I am a great listener, am fiscally responsible and passionate about this community and its well-being. I am a results-oriented, dedicated and seasoned administrator with experience in human resources and business analysis.

I have a personable communication style, have detailed analytical ability and employ investigative techniques for incidents resolution. I am fierce when it comes to finding the right answers and I investigate issues fully before making decisions. I pride myself on attention to detail, am highly adaptive to new environments, empathic, self-motivated and very positive with an optimistic attitude.

I believe in teamwork and have a motto that goes, “We succeed as a Team and we fail as a Team,” so it’s important that we work together through our differences and opinions as a council and community in such a way so that the needs of our town are met and we can celebrate those successes.

Together, we can continue to make this town a great home, destination and resort community.

2. What issue(s) do you see as your priority?

The top issues for me are:

1) The RCMP. Their visibility in the community and local crime. How to better engage the community and utilize the resources of the detachment.

2) Maintaining the momentum of the feasibility of a Community Health Centre here in Osoyoos that provides a variety of health services such as primary care, urgent care and lab/X-ray services.

3) Affordable Housing with emphasis on short and long-term rental housing and looking at possible amendments to bylaws that restrict types of accommodations so that other housing options can be evaluated and considered.

4) Strengthening our local economy, encouraging people to shop local and support our community.

5) Our environment. Flooding and wildfire management, looking at ways to get better provincial and federal support when we are faced with these environmental challenges.

Brian Harvey

I have a strong connection with Osoyoos and the Okanagan Valley. British Columbia was home for my mother, and after she returned in the 1980s to work as a nurse in Osoyoos, I regularly visited  with my own family. She described her time here as “the best 30 years of my life” – a description that affirmed my decision in 2014 to retire to Osoyoos.

I will bring a unique set of skills, perspectives and enthusiasm to council. After graduating with an engineering degree in 1981, I went on to accumulate 22 years of design, management and business experience in the telecommunications (internet) industry. I was responsible for development, investment strategies and the creation of strategic partnerships. Engineering is, at its core, an analytical and problem-solving discipline, skills I will apply with diligence to matters of council.

I chose to leave telecom in 2003 because I wanted to fulfill a long-held interest in the law. I enrolled in law school at the age of 45 and after being called to the Ontario Bar I began my legal career with the federal Department of Justice. My time with Justice gave me insight and experience into processes that will be of benefit as a town councillor: legislation and regulation making, the nature and limits of administrative decision-making, and policy development.

Complementing my working career is a history of volunteer work and community service. This includes parent-teacher councils, sports club boards and advisory boards. Since settling in Osoyoos, I have been a board member at the Desert Park Exhibition Society and the Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club, have been an active participant with the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society, and a member of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.

Of the many issues facing Osoyoos council, three are of particular interest to me. The first two, sustainable managed growth and economic development, and greater availability of affordable housing, are closely related. Third, is my passion for the health of our lake and its shoreline. This includes awareness of, and mitigation efforts for, water quality, invasive species, and flooding risks. I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the issues facing our town.

I have the skills, experience, temperament, and most importantly the desire to serve my community as councillor. I ask that you strongly consider my candidacy and vote Brian Harvey for Council.

For more information and background visit my Facebook page: Harvey4council.

Sherani Theophilus

Why would you be a good choice for town council?

I am running for office for several reasons. Beyond having a broad education, I have also lived and worked in many communities, large and small. Osoyoos has been my home since 2011, and I am committed to the welfare and development of this community.

As a successful business owner for many years, I understand economic development and the importance of business retention.

Living through crisis, surviving, finding safety and creating a safety net for my family allows me to speak to the issues of health, addiction, mental health, employment, poverty and isolation. I represent a different voice at the table.

Osoyoos boasts a unique climate and unparalleled beauty. We also have challenges that require community-based solutions.

As a councillor, it would be my mandate to act on behalf of the constituents and make sure they are heard. The new council must take the momentum of the current council and ensure the implementation of many key projects. This is no small task.

Serving on council requires a large commitment. I put my name forward because I am willing to do the work, learn what I need to learn, and focus on the best interests of this town and its residents.

What issues do you see as your priority?

Health and wellness are priorities. I want all residents to have access to healthcare. That includes mental health. I have personal and familial experience with almost every agency related to child and youth mental health. Access to treatment can be limited and sometimes non-existent.

I am encouraged by the feasibility study of an Osoyoos Health Centre. We are all aware of the numbers of “less urgent” visits to the SOGH emergency department.

Business development and retention is essential to our survival. We have started action on downtown renewal, which is crucial. In the future, I would like to see that attention given to other areas in town that have businesses in operation.

Transportation is also very important to the livability of Osoyoos. Increasing public and affordable transportation directly affects the most vulnerable of our society. It is part of the multi-pronged solution required to address housing, employment, and food security. It can also promote our commitment to the environment and transport visitors to our beautiful town.

We are all stewards of this biodiverse land and lake. It is imperative to preserve its health.

Jim King

Jim and his wife Cheryle chose to move to Osoyoos 10 years ago to make it their home. They have five children and 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Jim had his own business for over 25 years, sold the business and thought early retirement might be nice, but wasn’t meant to be. He was asked to be the executive director for the not-for-profit, Surrey Crime Prevention Society for one year but lasted for 12 years. This taught me to listen to what the public has to say about the community. I was named the Good Citizen of the year, and received the Queens Golden Jubilee Award.

When I moved to Osoyoos, I knew I would get involved and joined the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, becoming the treasurer. A director of Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen, Rotary Club of Osoyoos as Foundation Chair, Past President of the Surrey Board of Trade, to name a few, I also volunteer with other organizations in Osoyoos.

I have been on the Osoyoos Town Council for the past four years. I came to council full of ideas and thoughts I could use to make a difference and then realized the consultation with the public input is very important before making any decisions for the betterment of the town. Known for fiscal responsibility and accountability would be a couple of reasons to re-elect me.

The past fours years council has initiated several projects which will benefit our town. The revitalization of Gyro park, upgrades to many streets, washrooms in some parks, new dog park and upgrade the baseball diamond, Desert Park, pickle ball courts and to lobby the government to keep our schools open, to name a few.

I chose to run again for my second term to make a difference in the community I believe this an honour and privilege to help direct the way the town can be shaped. Two important things that I would like to see move forward is to encourage a regional swimming pool and advance affordable housing. Affordable housing could mean (Staff Housing, BC Housing for people with low income, or near-term housing for the people with lower income.)

When going to the polls, re-elect Jim King for Council.

C.J. Rhodes

Why would you be a good choice for town council?

I am experienced and knowledgeable. My 10 years on council has taught me that respect for taxpayers must be a priority and I have worked diligently to ensure that tax impact is minimal and that increases are the result of sound financial management.

I am approachable and accessible, and I have engaged with many residents on an ongoing basis. I have worked hard to make myself available for discussion on any topic at any time. Accessibility and transparency are an important part of my commitment to Osoyoos residents.

As a small business owner in Osoyoos I can understand and appreciate the uniqueness of our business community. I have a vision for the future of Osoyoos that includes maintaining and improving our quality of life by offering responsible governance to all our citizens.

I have hope and optimism on my side and I believe that I can be part of a team that is focused on our future yet remain independent enough to be creative.

What issue(s) do you see as your priority?

I feel it is mandatory for town council to become more involved in improving the quality of our lake water and to be relentless in pursuing new and better ways to govern the betterment of our lake and all our groundwater resources. Our lake is an important part of our lifestyle and economy and must be preserved and protected for future generations.

Ongoing infrastructure challenges will be part of our future. The high costs of maintaining and improving sewer and water resources requires financial due diligence and sound decision making.

As a family person, I understand that the wellness of our community may be affected by the lack of quality jobs and affordable housing. My future includes hard work and dedication to making these circumstances better.

The Osoyoos town hall is a deteriorating facility that will require attention over the next few years. It is common knowledge that commercial building costs are incredibly high. It will be a major undertaking with financial implications that will require good decision-making and due diligence by everyone involved.

Doug Pederson

First off, I will do more than all the previous mayors to save our lake. It will be easy to beat nothing…

And to be far more transparent than any previous town administration.

We need to embrace pot legalization and save the local marijuana producers from foreign investors…

Where do you candidates stand on marijuana?

What about supporting the existing $30 billion a year local businesses?

Or will outsiders have first crack at our market?

There are 500,000 Canadians (a large percentage from B.C.) with criminal records for pot.

If pot heroes live or work in Osoyoos – they will automatically get a FREE dispensary license.

They were and still are the original pot dispensers…

They know the product… The supply chain and have good customer contracts…

A hard to beat combination… And right now it belongs to them…

Our pot producers… formerly the black market are the best in the world.

They have hundreds of varieties of pot plants, only rivalled by California…

And this year will be the LARGEST outdoor crop ever, for obvious reasons…

Next year will be even more exciting. Tremendous potential, just ask me.

If elected…the Osoyoos Pot Hall-of-Fame will show them what this plant can do.

Pot is being used for the radiation clean-up at Chernobyl and Fukushima.

Not a problem for this weed to clean up the lake!!! – let’s get started today…

As a side benefit… those plants will distract the birds from our valuable vineyards… and save their little lives… Birds love pot seeds like no other…

That’s just the start… BIG NEWS… Pot prevents Alzheimer’s.

If you have watched the media lately…

This market is set to explode and will be worth $1/2 trillion U.S. soon.

Lets keep B.C.’s share and expand… Nobody is better poised than the B.C. Bud Growers.

Don’t be stupid and pass up this incredible economic opportunity for our communities and province.

Get on board or out of the way…

P.S.

I’ll be asking my supporters to only vote for those that are pro pot. Even if it is just the Mayor…

Meet and discuss weed and other issues with Me… (on video).

I’ll be At Jojo’s Café, here in Osoyoos most every morning…from 7 a.m. to 9.

Doug For Mayor and transparency.

Make Osoyoos Home of the Pot Hall-of-Fame

Osoyoos B.C.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/stonedan for the latest video updates.