Council passed a bylaw allowing Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad to remain in the industrial park despite objections from a couple of neighbours. The is a family owned tourist attraction is the most popular attraction in Osoyoos according to TripAdvisor. From left Poul Pedersen, his wife Ulla and daughter Lotte Mendes appear in a file photo at the time of their 10th anniversary last year. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The production of a new television series that showcased the world-class wine and amazing lifestyle choices available in the South Okanagan and the retirement of a much-respected veteran member of Town of Osoyoos council made headlines in September.
Calling the past six years as a member of Town of Osoyoos council some of the most memorable and rewarding of his life, Michael Ryan announced he would not be seeking re-election in the upcoming municipal election in November.
Ryan said he thought long and hard before making the decision to step away from public office.
“I have to say that my six years on council have been one of the most enjoyable and satisfying periods of my life,” said Ryan. “Every meeting brought issues that were both challenging and thought provoking.
“I am proud of the many accomplishments of the two councils of which I was a member. I, and my fellow council members, were acutely aware of the awesome responsibilities we had, and, with it, the opportunity for improving our community and the quality of life of our fellow residents.”
Working with Mayor Stu Wells and the other three members of the current council has been an enriching and rewarding experience professionally and personally, said Ryan.
His family responsibilities as well as his desire for more family time and for personal interests, combined with the change to a four-year term for municipal councilors in British Columbia, all contributed to his decision not to seek another term in office, said Ryan.
“I am deeply grateful for those who supported me in so many different ways as a candidate in three elections,” he said. “I am thankful, as well, for the feedback and ideas that I have received for improving our community from many of you.”
Ryan gave special thanks to his loving wife Vera for “her unfailing support. Without her, I could not have spent six years in elected office. I will continue to be interested and involved in volunteer and civic affairs, although at a less intense level.”
Coun. C. J. Rhodes said Ryan has been a wonderful councillor and contributing member of this community.
“This is a sad moment for me,” said Rhodes. “I’m speechless and I really don’t know what to say. But you are going to be missed. I have so much respect for you and all that you have done for this community. That respect has never diminished from day one.”
Wells said Ryan has done a remarkable job as a councillor and will be missed by fellow councilors and all residents of Osoyoos.
Poul Pedersen, whose family owns and operates the Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad, was greatly relieved that the tourist attraction can continue operating in the industrial park.
“I absolutely feel good,” said Pedersen. “I think we had a very positive reaction from council.”
Osoyoos town council gave third and final reading to a bylaw that allowed for site-specific rezoning of the property to allow an “indoor model railway tourist attraction.”
The land owned by Pedersen’s daughter Lotte Mendes was previously zoned M1 or General Industrial.
Pedersen said the tourist attraction, ranked sixth in the province among 1,700 tourist attractions by the website TripAdvisor, will continue to be upgraded.
“We are pleased that finally we got everything approved and secured because before it was a little up in the air because of the zoning situation,”
A new television show produced entirely in the South Okanagan could potentially, if everything goes right, be shown to tens of millions of viewers across North America.
Osoyoos’ own Kenton Gilchrist, a talented film producer, musician and multimedia artist, produced the new television program called Ventures in Wine Country.
The pilot episode of Ventures in Wine Country was completed and shown to subscribers across the South Okanagan who subscribe to the Telus Optik cable package.
Gilchrist and a four-person crew worked on filming and producing the pilot episode over several months.
The first season of Ventures in Wine Country showcases the owners of three wineries in the South Okanagan, including Covert Farms in Oliver, Painted Rock in Penticton and Black Swift in West Kelowna.
The pilot not only introduces viewers to the owners of the three wineries, but “tells a story about why they got involved in this industry, all of the challenges they face and why they love what they do,” said Gilchrist.
“Looking back at where we were a year ago and where we are now with a finished pilot that we think has a real shot at success, it’s sometimes hard to believe,” he said.
Gilchrist is the co-owner of Asymetriq, a Vancouver-based film production company he formed several years ago with his business partner Jon Hunwick.
Asymetriq signed a contract with Telus Optik after pitching the idea of producing a cable television series focusing on the people and places that have turned the Okanagan Valley into one of the world’s most acclaimed and revered wine-growing regions in the world, said Gilchrist.
If they can produce six to eight quality episodes in the next two to three years, Gilchrist said the long-term plan is to try and sell the show to a major American or Canadian cable channel such as Outdoor Life Network or The Food Network.
Being able to broadcast the show on a major network like The Food Network would provide a viewing audience of millions of people, he said.
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Osoyoos Times
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was very popular in 2014 with local groups getting dunked to raise money and awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease. Town council took its turn. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Teachers from Osoyoos Elementary School were on the picket line into September as the school strike continued. A settlement reached shortly afterwards allowed school to resume later in September. From left are Richard Bayliss, Margi Chantler, Helen Wollf, Julie Dias and Richard Hoen. (Richard McGuire file photo)
