The mayor of Oliver and the RCMP detachment commander played goodwill ambassadors in Lions Park last week.
Ron Hovanes and Sgt. Ken Harrington handed out approximately 50 water bottles to fruit pickers and transients.
The mayor said he asked them where they were from and if they were finding work.
“Both Ken and I got across that the expectations of the local people are the same as our guests, which they all could understand.”
Hovanes said that a few transients will leave the occasional mess and give the wrong impression to others.
“I asked where they were staying. Many like staying with farmers where they can camp for free. I told them that camping on the hillsides or next to the river would result in them being asked to move.”
Hovanes said many seasonal workers he spoke to in the last few weeks were not from Quebec.
He noted two young ladies whom he assumed were from Quebec were from Vancouver and Windsor.
One man he spoke to was from Belgium, and his partner was from Spain.
A group of five young people said they had just come from Mexico City.
Although they all have the same fashion sense, they come from all over the world, Hovanes said.
“I also met many from Quebec including one young man who shared that his dad spent a summer here 30 years ago,” the mayor said.
Hovanes said he hopes the town can improve its ongoing relationship with seasonal workers.
“I encourage residents to report infractions if they see them, and I also encourage locals to take the time to say hello. It is interesting what you may find out.”
Hovanes said he has heard a few concerns about transients from local citizens, but no concerns yet from the local business community.
There have been no reports from the RCMP about crime perpetrated by visiting fruit pickers.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
