Area C Director Allan Patton told ODN Tuesday that this plan to  have a staff member with the bylaw supervision company (Marshall Enforcement Services) has been derailed with the departure of Maria-Eva Roberge.

This information came out at a time when people are presenting petitions in support of Loose Bay to both the Town of Oliver and Rural Area C.

Patton says there has been a lot of criticism of farm workers and where they stay each spring but those attacks should not be directed to the Loose Bay Society which houses up to 350 people during the early summer period.

Mayor Ron Hovanes had been pleased with the appointment of Roberge who was to work with French speaking workers in Oliver and the RCMP but stated this morning that her departure is an internal matter between a town contractor and an employee.

Greg Norton, contacted in Abbottsford, says he is  happy with the support from residents of Loose Bay shown in the petition – its time to move on and look at the progress being made Norton says.

Earlier on ODN

Town of Oliver  is hoping to defuse the tension between local residents and seasonal fruit pickers by hiring a new French-Canadian bylaw officer.

The new bylaw officer, Marie-Eva Roberge, agrees some fruit pickers do experience discrimination from local residents. Roberge also grew up in Quebec, but has lived in South Okanagan for 10 years.

Her main task will be to work as a liaison between French-speaking pickers and disgruntled residents. She says many local residents often don’t understand the fruit picker’s lifestyle of hitch-hiking and camping out, and she’s hoping she can help improve the relationship in her new role.

“I just want to give a better image of Quebeckers in front of the town and for everybody,” she said.

From the CBC

Previously on ODN

Town of Oliver Bylaw Enforcement Officers appointed – Steve and Patricia Marshall and Shilo Lyver. Marshall Enforcement Services granted a three year contract at an earlier meeting. April 9/113 – ODN

Another bylaw officer has been appointed by the Town – Marie-Eva Roberge of Marshall Enforcement will be utilized to communicate with farm workers coming to Oliver for the picking season. She will communicate with RCMP and Town officials in an effort to reduce complaints similar to previous years. April 23/13 – ODN