My name is Susan Kosola. I moved to Oliver on April 30th of this year. It is beautiful.

My first foray into politics was when I was 12 years old. I was elected mayor of our playground. All the kid mayors got to sit in Chambers for a day with the Mayor of Thunder Bay and a group shot made the paper.

My dream career was in Show Biz. I started in professional theatre at age 16. That lead to classes in Toronto at Second City. John Candy was my teacher and Mike Myers and The Kids In The Hall were classmates. We didn’t all become stars, but I learned to think on my feet.

I found my way into Set Decoration in the film industry. Eventually, I was nominated twice as department chairperson. I declined both times. The third time, I decided to view it as an opportunity. It was. I chaired monthly meetings, represented the department on council, sat on many committees and interviewed prospective permitees.

Four years later, I was hired as a Roving Steward, visiting film and television productions, usually four per day. I saw to political announcements and votes, contractual issues and mediated on personality issues. We represented all of BC and Yukon with a membership just under 5000, similar to Oliver’s population. I also represented at conferences, film festivals, member funerals and took courses: labour law, union, computer, supervisory, work safety and more.

I visited Vancouver Island, Kamloops and scouted film locations from Keremeos to Coldstream.

As beautiful as it is here, I am learning of local concerns, such as high crime, traffic safety, housing, lack of public transit and invisible house numbers, making it challenging for emergency vehicles and pizza delivery.

This is a byelection. Choose me for town councillor and let me prove my worth in the coming year. I love my new home in Oliver and aspire to make it even better. I believe I can bring energy, action, ideas and humour to our Town Council.

You can email me at:
susankosola@gmail.com

Susan Kosola