It’s been just over three weeks since the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society held its Annual General Meeting.
The future of the Society appeared in serious jeopardy when that Oct. 17 gathering at the Oliver Community Centre got underway.
In fact, early into the meeting, a motion was passed to waive membership fees in anticipation of the society’s disbandment.
“The existing board does not feel that it wants to continue or that it can continue,” offered acting chairperson Fred Wiley to the group. “My attitude tonight is that we’re looking to reinvigorate the Society, get as many new people in here as we can with talents in various areas.”

The Fairview Heritage Townsite Society was able to survive the AGM, coming away with four directors, including Wiley, Jack Bennest, David Evans and Bernard Penner.
“We have four directors at the moment, and it sounds like we have another person who wants to be a continuing director,” said Wylie during a recent interview. “I’m in the process of sending in some information to the RDOS (Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen) for our presentation to the board which will help us explain what our society is about, what our aims are, and what the reorganization of our society might do in order to progress.”
Wylie insists there are a number of things which need to be taken care of in the short term, such as securing a new five year sub-lease from RDOS, the election of table officers, re-assigning bank and signing authorities and securing directors insurance.

“Once we are done that, we can begin some townsite enhancements, rehabilitation and maintenance as time allows to enhance the existing trail access and use,” added Wylie. “And we would like other Okanagan historical societies to support us in our effort.”
Wiley is not sure when the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society will make its case in front of RDOS.
At the October 20 RDOS Board Meeting, the Board supported Area C Director Terry Schafer’s motion “That staff work with the Fairview Heritage Society on a sub-license of occupation with a 5-year term”.

“The application for the 30-year license of occupation between RDOS and the Crown requires a management plan to be submitted by the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society. Once our office receives and reviews the management plan from the society, our staff will forward the plan to the Crown to complete the application for the 30-year license of occupation. RDOS will then be in a position to issue a sub-license to the society for a 5-year term,” explained Candice Gartner, Rural Projects Coordinator with the RDOS, who was in attendance at the Oct. 17 gathering. “Since the October 17 meeting of the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society, I have been in regular contact with the acting chairperson, and have outlined the requirements of the management plan. I have also informed the society of additional support that can be provided once the necessary tenure has been secured.”

In the meantime…
“I need to recruit more directors,” implored Fred Wylie. “If we get the sublease, and get insurance, then we can actually start to do something.”
If you would like to get involved in the initiatives of the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society, please call Fred Wylie at 250-498-3308.
-Dale Cory