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A new era set to begin in regional politics
e-KNOW Editorial
By Ian Cobb
The political landscape of the East Kootenay experienced a dramatic change yesterday.
Two regional mayors (Cranbrook and Fernie) were defeated in the municipal election and two others were replaced by successful candidates after retirements (Elkford and Radium Hot Springs), while one was re-elected (Sparwood) and two more returned to office via acclamation (Invermere and Kimberley).
And one more new mayor will be added to the list once the Village of Canal Flats sorts out the extremely rare tie in the mayoral race, with candidates Mark Doherty and Doug McCutcheon both receiving 158 votes (49.7% apiece) according to Elections BC. Past Mayor Karl Sterzer opted not to run again.
In short, there will be five new mayors heading to the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors, along with two new Electoral Area directors (Area A and Area G) – making it at least eight new faces on the 15-person board. The City of Cranbrook has two directors on the RDEK board. Mayor Lee Pratt was defeated by Wayne Price but incumbent city councillor and recent RDEK director Wes Graham was re-elected. He could re-join the board based on the direction of the new mayor and council.
That leaves the longest serving board member, Area C Director and board chair Rob Gay, City of Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick, District of Invermere Mayor Al Miller, Area F Director Susan Clovechok, Area B Director Stan Doehle, District of Sparwood Mayor David Wilks and Area E Director Jane Walter as the returning veterans.
As it is common practice for mayors to serve on the regional board, potential new directors include City of Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Price, City of Fernie Mayor Nic Milligan, District of Elkford Mayor Steve Fairbairn, Village of Radium Hot Springs Mayor Michael Gray and whomever comes out on top in Canal Flats.
The two new electoral area directors are Thomas McDonald (Area A) and Roberta Schnider (Area G).
To those newly elected (municipal and school board), congratulations and welcome to the fishbowl!
Getting elected is the easy part. The stress you experienced during the campaign and on election day was a pre-cursor for what is to come in the next four years.
You are now community leaders and your fellow citizens will be looking to you to represent them and help keep our collective mountain paradise home moving forward.
While water, sewer, roads and infrastructure and sage legislating are your primary concerns, you will soon learn you are required to solve a litany of societal woes that should be solved by the so-called higher levels of government. It’s the tail-chase of politics in Canada.
Maintain your focus. Always be prepared.
I recommend to the newly elected that they contemplate the people they are replacing.
In many cases they are leaving big shoes to fill and they deserve all our thanks and respect.
In closing, allow me to showcase a few regional politicians who have left a mark and in some cases many marks.
Lee Pratt could be a bit polarizing but he did what he said he wanted to do eight years ago – improve Cranbrook’s roads and court business. Like most people who enter politics and spend time in the hot lights of exposure and the vortex of public opinion, he grew. Thank you for your service, Lee.
Village of Radium Hot Springs Mayor Clara Reinhardt continued the tradition of excellence set by Greg Deck and Dee Conklin and represented her community and region with keen intellect and a level head. Thank you for your service, Clara.
Another devoted and dedicated Columbia Valley resident is leaving politics after 14 years of service. Gerry Wilkie was always astutely aware of what was happening in his community. When he replaced Klara Trescher as Area G Director, he brought diverse knowledge to the board and he tirelessly championed the environment.
Some politicians go through the motions. Gerry never faked anything. His commitment to his community is admirable, to say the least. Thank you for your service, Gerry.
When Mike Sosnowski was first elected to the RDEK board 17 years ago, I thought he was a bit of a dick. Sometimes abrasive and always direct and to the point, Mike occasionally rubbed fellow directors and some members of the public the wrong way.
But something happened on the way to the regional forum – Mike became a whiz-bang community leader. His growth was damned impressive. And under his leadership, Area A took leaps and bounds forward – from the settlement of the location of the Fernie Transfer Station to the massive improvements to West Fernie infrastructure and its inclusion into the City of Fernie. As I could with all the people I’ve mentioned, I could go on and on about Mike’s achievements. Thank you for your service, Mike.
Speaking of making a wealth of improvements to a community, allow me to present exhibit A – Dean McKerracher.
Dean leaves the District of Elkford after 17 years as its mayor, along with three more as district councillor. The changes to Elkford – for the better – are numerous since he took office. Mind blowing, actually, when one contemplates Elkford 17 years ago to today. Despite being “at the start of the road,” as Dean describes his town, compared to being “at the end of the road,” as those outside Elkford may view it, Elkford is a thriving and beautiful community.
And Dean has run the show with more heart than any politician I’ve had the fortune to cover in the East Kootenay the past 32 years.
The love of community that powered Elkford forward came to the RDEK a bit quietly at first. Dean sat back in the classic and wisest manner at the board table in his early days. Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt, and all that. But he soon found his groove, which led to him becoming a vital cog in that board and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District board.
In his time as board vice-chair under the legendary John Kettle and then as chair, the East Kootenay Regional Hospital finally actually became a regional hospital. While Dean says he regrets having to up taxation to meet the ravenous demands of anything-health-system, he succeeded in keeping costs as low as possible.
That and so much more, done with pure heart for his community. Damned commendable Deano. Thank you for your service!
To the local politicians re-elected and acclaimed, congratulations and thank you for your service, again.
To those who were defeated in the election, thank you for your service.
And to those who ran for office but were unsuccessful, your communities thank you, too, for your service and commitment.
Now a new era begins in regional politics.
Lead image: Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher at his final RDEK meeting Oct. 7. e-KNOW file photo
