Who’s on the Osoyoos ballot

SO What · Issue 1 · election guide
Source: Town of Osoyoos 2026 voters guide, candidate statements, candidate website

---

Mayor (pick 1)

Scott Armstrong — Has been coming to Osoyoos for 47 years; bought property here 17 years ago and moved here full-time with his wife after retiring two years ago. Spent 47 years in construction, the last 10 running curtain-wall plants. President of the Sole Vita strata. Has volunteered with the food bank and at Coyotes games, and organized a concert that raised $10,000 for school backpacks. Says water and sewer come first, then development to grow the tax base.

Zachary Poturica — Born and raised in Osoyoos; family roots here date to the late 1950s. Recently finished 23 years in the grocery business, latterly as assistant store manager at Nesters. Served 12 years with the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department and nine as an Osoyoos Credit Union director. First elected to council in 2022 on the Osoyoos First slate. Says his priorities are senior-government infrastructure funding, safe drinking water, protecting Osoyoos Lake and health-care access.

Dustin Sikora — Lives in Osoyoos with his wife and two young daughters; moved here from the coast about six years ago. Served as Military Police in the Canadian Armed Forces. Founded and owns The Range in Langley and patented a way to recover HAZMAT metals from range berms. Vice-president of the Osoyoos Wildlife Federation. Ran for mayor in 2022, leading the Osoyoos First slate. Says his priorities are safe water, responsible taxes, smart development, transparency and to “bring back the party.”

Jim Dinwoodie — Has lived in Osoyoos about 10 years and says he has 33 years of municipal-government experience, including as the Town of Osoyoos’ director of operational services (2015–2019) and in operations and parks and recreation in Fernie. Says he wants to make Osoyoos “THE destination,” ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively, and, as an arts supporter, give visitors more than “that little town with a lake by the border.”

Tom Shields — Arrived in 1978 to read news and sports on CKOO radio; was a development officer in 1981 and Chamber of Commerce president in 1988. Formed Tommy & the T-Birds in 1983 and helped stage concerts including Bryan Adams and Tom Cochrane in 1992. Served three terms as mayor between 1990 and 2002. Cites residents’ requests to bring back councillor portfolios. Proposes cutting property taxes and funding water work with concert revenue and a casino partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band.

Hart Buckendahl — Came to Canada from Germany in 1955, graduated from Oliver High School and earned a business diploma, then farmed and built homes across the South Okanagan. Was an Oliver alderman for a term, then Mayor of Oliver from 1987 to 1993; also led a provincial energy-audit program covering 26,000-plus homes. Says he would serve one term. Lists his priorities as water and sewer, evening council meetings, town operations, local business, and young people and families.

---

Councillor (pick 4)

J.F. Launier — Moved to Osoyoos from Montreal at age eight; graduated with honours from Osoyoos Secondary and earned his Red Seal in town. Owns JF Kustoms autobody; active with the Cactus Jalopies Car Show and Wine Country Racing Association. A leading figure in the 2023–24 tax protests. Says his priority is keeping taxes low; wants water-plant options re-examined and evening council meetings.

Jenn Demo — Has lived and worked in Osoyoos almost 10 years; has adult children and two grandchildren. Says protecting drinking water is one of her highest priorities, through responsible planning, conservation and sustainable infrastructure. Supports balanced growth that keeps Osoyoos’ character while strengthening small businesses, wineries, agriculture and tourism. Pledges fiscal responsibility and to work with residents, First Nations and businesses.

Derek Hesketh — Civil engineering technologist, husband and father who owns a construction surveying company, which he says brings experience in development, infrastructure and construction. His family has lived in Osoyoos since the town incorporated in 1946. Says he wants a sustainable community where families put down roots, and a town his son will want to return to and raise a family in.

Brian Bagnall — Served with District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue from 1974 to 2003, listing his role as captain and training officer; helped its training centre earn Pro Board accreditation. Studied management systems at BCIT. A former CPR, first-aid and high-angle rescue instructor, he coaches tennis and pickleball and has been Osoyoos Pickleball Club president. Is learning Punjabi.

Johnny Cheong — Sitting councillor seeking re-election after 4 years on council. A chiropractor, he co-owns Sunshine Valley Family Chiropractic with his wife; in Osoyoos nine years with his young family. Cites a budget overhaul, asset-sustainability funding, water-treatment progress and $9 million-plus in grants. Says his priorities are keeping the treatment plant on track to operate in 2029, a municipal development corporation and tourism revenue that doesn’t burden locals.

Arlyn Greig — Retired to Osoyoos after 25 years with the Fort McMurray Fire Department, including four terms on the firefighters’ union executive, handling budgeting, purchasing and contract negotiations; sat on a seniors’ housing board there. Ran provincially in 2020 for Wexit BC. Says poor water quality is her main goal; backs fiscal responsibility and evening council meetings, and would donate her council salary to local charities.

Natasha Stevenson — Her family moved to Osoyoos in the 1970s and she went to school here. Opened her first restaurant in town in 2002; runs Wine Tours Gone South and Best Cellar Books and Tours (becoming Best Cellar Bistro). Wants residents heard, local businesses thriving, responsible development, and the lake and town character protected. Says she is running to listen, ask questions and bring people together on solutions.

Sy Murseli — Of Albanian heritage, born in Kosovo; came to Canada from New Zealand in 1981 and says he has lived in Osoyoos more than 45 years. A self-described council “watchdog” for decades; ran for council in 2018 and 2022. Organized the local Terry Fox Run (2008–10) and a 2018 Osoyoos–Oroville walk for Canadian and U.S. troops. Says his loyalty would be to taxpayers and electors.

Ken Davreux — Osoyoos resident since 1997; owns Century 21 Premier Properties in Osoyoos. Director of Emergency Support Services and of the Association of Interior Realtors, and a Rotarian. Councillor from 2003 to 2006. Says his top priorities are clean water that meets health standards, accountability through transparency and better communication, and fiscal responsibility to curb rising property taxes.

Pat Wycherley — Her family has made Osoyoos home for 19 years. Says she wants opportunities for families, support for local businesses and a sustainable future, and will ask questions and push for transparent decision-making and practical solutions. Lists her goals as a strong administration team, better infrastructure, responsible financial management, housing opportunities and a vibrant local economy.

Frank Zandvliet — Born and raised in Osoyoos; worked 33 years for the Town, finishing as water and sewer lead hand. Has volunteered with the Kinsmen and Elks and sits on the Elks Golden Villa board. Spent 25-plus years on the Canada Day fireworks, for years ordering, setting up and firing the show. Describes himself as easy-going and hardworking, someone who enjoys solving problems.

Bridget Wilson — Has lived in Osoyoos since July 2021; a strata manager for about 25 years, work she says built skills in budgeting, financial reporting and working with authorities. Has worked in the local hotel industry and volunteered with the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce. Says water must come first, with clean drinking water for everyone; wants to be a practical, respectful voice on council.

Ron Sargeant — Moved to Osoyoos in 2019 after 45 years as a plumber, 10-plus years self-employed. Did 15 years of search and rescue before moving; has been a member of the Seniors Centre, Festival Society, Elks, Legion and Rotary. Took a prominent role in the tax protests. Says communication is the core problem; wants water first without restarting the lake-plant plan, predictable taxes and regular town halls.

---

Water councillor — Systems 8 & 9 (pick 2; those users only)

Sarabjit Rai — A farmer who has lived in Osoyoos for 30 years. Previously served one term as a water councillor for Systems 8 and 9, running as an incumbent in 2018. Says he would appreciate the chance to serve the community again.

Jim Shogren — Has lived in Osoyoos for seven years. Says water is a high-priority concern for most residents, and hopes to work with the mayor and councillors so residents of his area have a respectful voice at the table.

Gurneet Chahal — Has lived in Osoyoos four years; her husband’s family has farmed 30 acres here for more than 30 years. With a young family that relies on agriculture, she wants the town to keep working with growers. Supports accessibility, responsible water use and positive development; majored in political science.