More than 150 people attended the all-candidates forum at Frank Venables Theatre on Tuesday night. All 13 candidates answered several questions on a number of topics. Lyonel Doherty photo
Everything from the national park to poverty was addressed by candidates at Tuesday’s forum at Frank Venables Theatre.
Approximately 160 people attended the forum to listen to 13 candidates (seven for council, three for regional district and three for school board).
The two-hour event sponsored by the Oliver Chronicle and the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce ran smoothly without drama. Nobody raised a voice or heckled anyone.
One resident even called the forum “boring.”
The candidates are council incumbents Maureen Doerr, Larry Schwartzenberger, Dave Mattes and Jack Bennest. Their challengers are Jeff Ashe, Petra Veintimilla, and Lilly Zekanovic.
Regional district (Area C) candidates are Joel Malcolm, Rick Knodel and Terry Schafer.
School trustee candidates are Rachel Allenbrand, Cory-lee Mills and incumbent Robert Zandee.
During question period, Brita Park asked school board candidates what strategies they would use to encourage new families to relocate to Oliver.
Allenbrand said the community and the school board need to communicate on this and be a voice to attract these families coming here for the new correctional centre.
Mills said the board has taken steps to address this, and they need to bring to the forefront that Oliver schools have a lot to offer. She noted it’s a matter of the Town and local groups getting together to promote this.
Zandee said the school district has reached out to the correctional centre in hopes of an educational partnership. He also noted the importance of marketing the theatre to new families.
Donna Ashcroft asked the candidates if they would support research on bringing a national park to the South Okanagan.
Schafer admitted this is a very contentious issue that has divided his family. He questioned the claim about 700 jobs being created, but noted that any jobs will help Oliver. He also stated that a lot of communities support the proposal.
Malcolm said he would support a provincial park in order to maintain more local control. “A provincial park would be more beneficial and less resisted.”
Knodel said he doesn’t see a need for a national park in the region, adding that private land would have to be purchased, which would impact ranching.
Zekanovic said she is willing to preserve the area and protect it from development. She would support the park concept if “everyone” can use it, she pointed out.
Veintimilla drew applause when she stated there is no doubt that a national park will benefit the business community. She acknowledged that the issue of ranching needs to be addressed, but that can’t be resolved unless talks continue.
Schwartzenberger said Town council will not have a lot of input in the process. But if an agreement is reached, he would like to see a referendum as the deciding factor.
Mattes said if the park creates 700 jobs as proponents are claiming, the Town of Oliver would need to double in size. He also agreed that a referendum is a good idea.
Doerr, a rancher’s daughter, admitted she is “on the fence,” noting there are a lot of unanswered questions. She too said that a referendum is needed.
Bennest said he would support the park concept if an agreement is reached, but he favours consolidating the land and managing it provincially.
Ashe said he would like to see the park provincially run, but first there needs to be more discussion and a referendum.
School board candidates were asked what they would do to keep schools open in the face of declining enrolment.
Zandee said the board is looking at a $400,000 deficit, adding there are 75 fewer students than last year.
“We can’t keep running this way,” the incumbent said, noting the board has to work to address the problem.
Mills said they have to expand community partnerships to keep all schools running.
Allenbrand said the board can’t keep schools vacant, but if elected she would look into a plan to keep them operational.
Norberto Rodriguez asked the candidates how they would address violence and poverty in Oliver.
Zandee said the school district is doing a lot to deal with these issues, including anti-bullying initiatives (Pink Shirt Day).
Mills said the district offers food programs (breakfast and lunch) for students so they do not go hungry.
Allenbrand said she has been involved in the district’s Roots of Empathy program, which teaches students compass She also noted that the district ensures that students get the nutrition they need.
Schafer promoted the Restorative Justice program that he has been involved in over the past several years.
Malcolm said studies show that more affluent societies have less crime, so his solution is to improve the economic stability of the Oliver area.
Knodel said they need to create better paying jobs and speak out more against violence.
Zekanovic said poverty creates violence, so they need to do more to prevent it. She expressed her surprise that the high school does not have a garden or greenhouse to grow food.
Veintimilla said children need to be properly educated on the issue of violence, and a stronger economy is needed.
Schwartzenberger said violence is tied to the drug trade, so the solution is working with the RCMP to keep drugs at a minimum.
Mattes said council has tried to “set the table” for businesses to create jobs. The Town has also kept taxes low and remained competitive with other jurisdictions.
Doerr encouraged neighbours to look after neighbours. “If you see something, say something to the authorities . . . we all need to take responsibility.”
Bennest said poverty is on the rise because of fewer good paying jobs, so it’s up to council to “keep the community as busy as possible.”
Ashe said the solution is to keep taxes low and create more opportunities to keep youth busy and off the streets.
By Lyonel Doherty
