Poverty and low income are in every community; it is a global problem. Council can keep finances in line, so that taxes are not increasing at an exorbitant rate each year. As the Federal and Provincial governments continue to download services to the municipalities this will become harder each year to maintain, as the citizens look to the council to provide services that were provided by higher governments previously. Bringing in solid businesses, such as the correctional facility, with great pay and benefits, is a step in the right direction. We have to encourage these businesses to continue to look at Oliver as a viable alternative.

We talk about poverty and low income in one breath, and then say our Town employees and management are paid more then their provincial government counterparts. Our Town employees are very aware of their position in our community and that they are well compensated for their work. It is a well known fact that employees paid fairly, tend to stay in their positions for the long term, which is a cost savings to the Town, as re-training can be very expensive and time consuming.

Main Street is an ongoing issue for the citizens and council. I am hoping that the new incentives we have implemented will move things forward as the economy starts to flourish. Council may have to take the initiative to create the excitement and encourage building, how that will look is still under review.

I would like to see an economic round table, with council, business and citizens, exploring different avenues, as well as getting a good prospective of what is needed and will be supported. It’s fine to encourage businesses here but we in turn must be willing to support them, if not they will not flourish and close very quickly.

I would like to see more winery presence in the downtown area for the summer months, giving everyone an opportunity to see what this great area offers. As I was talking the other day to some real wine consumers, they never get to all the wineries, so having one venue to try would be great.

My family has been actively involved in the greater Oliver area since 1964 and was instrumental in the development of the community known as Willowbrook. I returned to Oliver in 1985 to raise my own family. Community involvement is a huge part of my life. Throughout the years I have done volunteer work for Oliver Figure Skating club, and for 20+ years I volunteered with the Oliver Youth Ambassador program. I am co-chair of the Oliver Business Association, have been a Rotarian for 8 years and have served as president for the past two.

I also helped to create the Highway to Healing not-for-profit organization that assists local families who have a child requiring medical care not available locally and requires travelling outside the Okanagan Valley. As a business owner of Beyond Bliss on Main Street, I am deeply committed to Oliver and what we have to offer. We are organizations, businesses and citizens alike working together to create great events like the FOG, Sunshine Festival, Music in the Park, Farmer’s Market, various sporting events and more.

There is much to be done and I am confident that with your support I can continue promoting Oliver as THE place people proudly call home.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at mdoerr@oliver.ca or call 250-485-7739.