Once again, it is time to thank the many volunteers who make our communities a better place for us all. In the last few weeks I have seen volunteers at every event in every community contributing to the success of the moment. In Keremeos, the creation of an Age-Friendly Outdoor Exercise Park depended on many community groups and volunteers like the Advisory Group, who dedicated their time to finding the best location and equipment to provide a healthy exercise space.
We also are grateful to have our youth representing us through local Ambassador Programs supported by a hard working group of volunteers and the youth themselves who also volunteer their time.
The Festival of the Grape will celebrate 20 years in Oliver this October, and volunteers like George and Marie Boychuk will celebrate 20 years of participation. These are the kinds of people who our communities depend on every year to help showcase the best they have to visitors from all over the world. We also attract volunteers from all over, who come every year to help The Gleaners prepare fruits and vegetables used to feed impoverished people worldwide. All of the produce is donated by local farmers. Through a special request, they now have official signage on the highway. The Gleaners are lucky to get a lot of summer visitors who help, but they can always use more helping hands in the fall.
The Muffin Program at SOSS will begin again in late September but without one of the muffin bakers who has volunteered for the program since its beginning in 2001. Irene Covey has moved to Summerland and I have suggested to her that she continues to bake muffins and drive them to Oliver! She has been a tremendous volunteer in Oliver over the years and will be missed by many.
And then there are volunteers like Mike Carter, a cancer survivor, who put his time and money into a “Karaoke for Cancer” event at the Oliver Community Centre. Everyone knows someone who has been touched by Cancer, either family or friends. Thank you Mike for organizing this unique event.
September is a busy month with our children back in school and the increased level of activities that it brings. It is great to see the students back at Osoyoos Secondary School. Raising awareness at all levels of how important, economically, schools are to their communities was an emotionally charged process. Provincial government, local government, and the community came together for a remarkable rural solution that enabled other B.C. communities to also be heard. In my current role as Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Education, I am looking at best practises and innovation that already exists in many rural areas that can be shared with others as we look ahead to the sustainability of our rural education system. It is interesting to note that students in B.C. are first in the English speaking world in Reading, Sciences and Math. Our teachers deserve our thanks for the high standard of education they continue to deliver to their students.
The annual UBCM convention takes place late September in Victoria. While some municipalities are reluctant to send too many delegates due to the cost, it is money well spent. The local government representatives who are successful in getting many of their larger projects approved (highways, water and sewer, etc.) know that they need to speak to the ministries directly about their projects, and who to continue the conversations with after the initial UBCM meetings. Relationships are established with all level of government and nothing is better than face to face contact. Mayors and Councillors and Regional District representatives bring a passion for their projects to these meetings that cannot be conveyed through emails and letters alone.
September is Disability Employment Month and we have a goal in B.C. to be the most progressive place for people with disabilities in Canada. We are working to reduce barriers and create accessible workplaces. I encourage all businesses to build inclusive and diverse workforces. It is the most rewarding thing you can do- good for your business and the community.
Enjoy the fall season as we celebrate with great wine and food at the many Okanagan Wine Festivals events. Congratulations to all the Lieutenant Governor Wine Award winners in this riding: Hester Creek, Intersection, Kismet, Gold Hill and Bordertown.
It is wonderful to know that Mt. Baldy has a new owner, and once again and another tourist and local attraction will be back on its feet (skis) for everyone to enjoy this coming winter.
And finally, I would like to wish a Happy 100th Birthday to John Pollard of Oliver. The WW2 Vet and POW celebrated this milestone with family and friends at the Oliver Legion.
Happy Harvest!
Linda Larson, MLA
Boundary Similkameen