About 30 people packed a small room at the Sonora Centre Thursday evening to hear presentations and conduct a question and answer period for two hours. Speakers including Mark Pendergraft, Regional Director Area A Osoyoos, Mayor Ron Hovanes of Oliver, MP Alex Atamanenko and (standing) Mayor Stu Wells touched on many, many subjects:

Smart Meters, GMO’s, sewer storage in Osoyoos, new industry in Oliver, lack of pay telephones, the slaughter of horses for meat, hospital care, surplus facilities like Sagebrush Lodge,  new ambulatory care building in Penticton, operations wait times, policing costs, rising populations, Department of Peace, marketing boards, people on fixed incomes, rising tax loads, volunteerism, bridge/sidewalk repairs.

Everyone in the room learned something and most seem satisfied with the answers – politicians stating they are a phone call/email away and citizens should interface more to get problems solved.