by Lyonel Doherty

New members of Oliver Town council had their cake and ate it too during their inaugural meeting on December 5.

There were some butterflies and slips of the tongue (deputy corporate officer Linda Schultz was referred to as “councillor Schultz”), but it was smooth sailing for the most part.

Elizabeth (Betty) Hovanes surprised everyone when she presented her stepson, Mayor Ron Hovanes, with an unusually large gavel. Betty used this gavel when she was exalted ruler of the Elks in 2001. She definitely got a lot of attention back then.

After being sworn in by corporate officer Cathy Cowan, council didn’t waste any time getting down to business – appointing members to committees.

The following is a list of appointments and alternates: Emergency and protective services (Linda Larson and Dave Mattes); multi-cultural services (Larson and Jack Bennest); children and youth centre (Larson and Mayor Ron Hovanes); cemetery committee (Larson and Hovanes); airport committee (Bennest and Maureen Doerr); economic development (Mattes and Larson); School District 53 (Bennest and Hovanes);  Oliver Business Association (Doerr and Mattes); Restorative Justice (Hovanes); accessible communities (Doerr and Bennest); and Sister City (Larson and Mattes).

Hovanes and Bennest (alternate) were appointed to Via 97 (enhancing the highway corridor), while Hovanes and Mattes were appointed to the RDOS.

Mattes and Doerr were appointed to the Okanagan Regional Library board, while Bennest and Larson will represent the Town on the Oliver and District Heritage Society.

Doerr and Mattes were appointed to the Chamber of Commerce, while water councillors Andre Miller and Rick Machial were appointed to the Water Supply Association of BC and the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality committee.

Hovanes, Mattes and Doerr were appointed to the Oliver Parks and Recreation Society.

In the absence of the mayor, Larson will act as mayor in December, January and February, while Bennest will take over that role in March, April and May.

Doerr will wear the mayor’s hat in June, July and August, while Mattes will wear it in September, October and November.