I have been happy to call Oliver my home for most of my life: first by my parents’ choice, and more recently by my own. After a few years away gaining some life experience overseas and off at University studying International Relations, my husband and I made the decision to return to Oliver and start a family – we are now proud parents to two very energetic little boys.

Over the past few years I have spent my time getting involved in my community and in our region by serving on the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a board on which I served two terms as President. I am on the Festival of the Grape Executive Committee, as well as an active member of the Oliver Business Association, currently in the throws of planning Oliver’s Christmas Light-Up!

Four questions: Is homelessness, poverty, low income an issue and what could a Town Council do about it?

Homelessness, poverty, and low income are issues in every community and as a fellow citizen I have nothing but empathy for people who find themselves in difficult situations for a variety of reasons. Local government is unfortunately not often in a financial situation to provide services and programs to individuals in need, however they can most certainly advocate for change when they see that change is needed. Local government has the opportunity to be a voice for those who cannot be their own voice, and could advocate for moneys to provide more affordable housing and of course offer tangible help when in the position to do so.

At least one report says employees and management in municipalities are paid more than provincial government employees on average – what would you do about it?

Oliver is fortunate to have a steady and dedicated workforce, which has no doubt been made possible in part by employees who feel that they are fairly compensated for the hard work that they do. In terms of wage, Oliver is not doing anything different than any other municipality in the Province and when it comes to contract negotiations, if we were to be offering less in terms of wage than our neighbours, we would almost certainly lose out. In order to attract and retain the best, the town must be competitive.

Main Street and Centennial Park – do you think the Town could take a leadership role in enhancing “our look” to the outside world travelling by?

We are the Wine Capital of Canada, yet driving through out downtown you would have no idea unless you read the signs at either entrance to town – more should be done to take advantage of this potentially lucrative branding. Some of our empty lots on Main Street have been that way for decades, and the time may now be right for the Town to look at ways to enhance our main corridor and perhaps become entrepreneurs in our own downtown. There are many great ideas out there, and we should have Council and community members get together and start looking at ways to freshen things up. Council and the Town should get things started and lead by example – perhaps if we take the initiative to get the ball rolling, others will follow and invest in our downtown.

What suggestions for Oliver’s future?

I would like to see us be proactive, and allocate proper funds to by-law enforcement. If we start working on a proper plan now, come next summer we will be in a position to properly educate the public and keep our Parks and Trails clean and family friendly.

I feel that we need to find a way to engage the community – there are a lot of people out there with a lot of talent, and let’s find a way to make them a part of the conversation and put their talents to good use.

Let’s look at ways to take advantage of our powerful Wine Capital of Canada brand, we should’ve shy away from all that makes us great – we should be proud of what we have and not be afraid to brag about it.