Yvon said – “don’t make the story about me”. OK I said but it is about you!

The picture at top is of a young vibrant French speaking lady who is really into her exercises and we found her and her male companion at the Lion’s Park stage area this morning during an interview with Yvon Servais.

The playfulness of the picture belies a problem that some people in Oliver have with visitors from a land far away…. Quebec. Those who make the annual trek come for different reasons. Some to work, some to play, some to experience a part of Canada never before seen.

Yvon came to Oliver a couple of years ago after his retirement as a Food Inspector for the Province of Quebec. He offered his services as a bylaw officer last year. He is not able to do the job this year due to a number of health issues. Yvon wants us to know that we can do better in our care and treatment of the young people of his native province.

Showers/Bathrooms
Clothes washing facilities
Better handle on garbage
Tent space – portable housing
Vending machines
Bulletin Board
Signs in french
Information and communication
An area to congregate closer to town is needed

Yvon wants to help. He agrees the picker (summer population) situation occurs each year in late June an early July and then goes away and he wants Oliver to be better prepared on how to handle the influx each season.

Part of that is an acceptance of the facts:

These are Canadians
They are young – many students
Most here for the first time
That pickers/vineyard workers are needed
The area (Town/rural) have some responsibility to welcome and assist.

Yvon found his time as a liaison at Lion’s Park worthwhile and he hopes the plan for 2016 will include signs in French, handouts/maps of town services etc. to be distributed.

“Get on top of it” says Yvon. “Involve yourself early – have a plan.”

Unfortunately Yvon will not be here for next week’s public meeting to speak eloquently about his experiences on the ground in Oliver.

The Oliver Parks and Recreation Society is inviting the public to attend a special meeting regarding Lion’s Park on Monday, July 20 at 5:30 pm in the Community Hall. This meeting will end no later than 7:00 pm, which is the start of the OPRS Regular Meeting for July.