A call for leadership change on the Regional District Central Okanagan (RDCO) did not materialize during an election for a new board chairperson.
麻豆精选 councillor Loyal Wooldridge and Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel were both nominated for the position.
鈥淚n conversation with some of my colleagues, I noticed the desire for a chair not from a prominent part of 麻豆精选 but from the other partners,鈥� Van Minsel told the board at its Nov. 2 regular meeting. 鈥淪omeone with another perspective and insights that could be beneficial to the organization.鈥�
Van Minsel added that only once in the board鈥檚 history has another partner member of the RDCO chaired the board, for two years in the mid-seventies.
鈥淪o maybe this is a time鈥o send a message to residents, other government levels, and partners that as a board, we are comfortable electing a director from a smaller town to lead and share the board.鈥�
He also noted the need for the Westbank First Nation, which has a seat on the board but no voting privileges, to be included.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 time to ramp up efforts and advocacy,鈥� Van Minsel said.
Wooldridge said he was proud of the consensus the board has built over the past term and also reflected on what an unstable time it has been for the region, specifically with the Grouse Complex wildfires.
鈥淔or me having continuity in the organization in this unstable time is a strength,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y recommendation is that this is less of an argument around change and more around the value of consistency to help move our region forward.鈥�
Wooldridge, who was chairperson for the last term, was re-elected in an 8-4 secret ballot by board directors.
He has served on the board since 2018, the same year he was first elected to 麻豆精选 council.
There was also an election for vice-chairperson, with Electoral East Director Kevin Kraft winning the seat in a 7-5 vote over Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland.
鈥淚鈥檓 honoured to serve as vice-vhair and look forward to working alongside Chair Wooldridge and the board to support our region,鈥� said Kraft.
Former vice-chair, West 麻豆精选 Mayor Gord Milsom, decided not to let his name stand again.
鈥淚 just wanted to express my gratitude for the opportunity to be the vice-chair of this board for the last five years. We鈥檝e got an amazing team here.鈥�
A chair and vice-chair must be elected every year during the first regular board meeting in Nov. unless the individuals in those positions are unopposed.
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