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Regional board returns chair and vice chair
Despite a 40% turnover in directors around the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) boardroom table Dec. 12, Electoral Area C Director Rob Gay was returned unopposed to the position of chair for 2015.
“I am honoured to be re-elected as chair. I look forward to working with our new and returning directors on our current priorities and identifying new opportunities during our strategic priorities planning session in April,” stated Gay, entering his fourth straight term as board chair.
Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth was also re-elected as vice-chair for a third term.
“I want to thank the board for its support,” said Booth. “It is a position I really do enjoy. I’m looking forward to working with Chair Gay and the CAO in the best interests of the organization.”
The board chair and vice chair are elected annually.
Directors attending their first board meeting included City of Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt and Coun. Tom Shypitka, City of Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick, Village of Radium Hot Springs Mayor Clara Reinhardt and Electoral Area B Director Stan Doehle. District of Sparwood Mayor Cal McDougall has returned to office. He was mayor and RDEK director at the end of the 20th Century and turn of the 21st Century.
Gay is now the longest serving member of the RDEK board, along with Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski and District of Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher. They all joined the board in 2005.
As for returning directors, the most senior board members are Area F’s Booth, Electoral Area G Director Gerry Wilkie, Village of Canal Flats Mayor Ute Juras and District of Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft, all starting their third terms in office. Electoral Area E Director Jane Walter is beginning her second full term, though she had another year after replacing her late husband Norm Walter in 2010. City of Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano is starting her second term.
Lead image: Area F Director and vice chair Wendy Booth and Area C Director and board chair Rob Gay. Photo courtesy RDEK
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
