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A secret ballot vote was taken at Thursday’s Regional District of Central Okanagan Board meeting to decide who will serve as chair for the upcoming year.
Kelowna City Councillor Loyal Wooldridge was re-elected as chair and will serve his third year in the role since taking over from Gail Given in 2021.
He said he’s grateful to get a vote of confidence from his peers and is ready for another year of hard work.
“With the challenges our communities have faced recently, including recovery following the Grouse Complex wildfire and impending changes in emergency act legislation, as Chair, I will provide steady and consistent leadership for our region,” Wooldridge explained.
“As a Board, we will continue to advance our strategic priorities to deliver an exceptional quality of life for our residents, protect the environment we call home and work collaboratively with the syilx / Okanagan people to tackle the issues that impact us all.”
Wooldridge also took the opportunity to thank West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milson for serving as the Board’s vice-chair over the past five years as he exits the role.
“Mayor Milsom has provided exceptional leadership and mentorship to me and our colleagues over the last five years,” he noted. “It has been a privilege to lead alongside him and I am grateful for his continued role with the Board.”
Stepping into Milsom’s shoes will be Kevin Kraft, who serves as the director of the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area.
Kraft was elected to the Board in 2022 and is actively involved in the community as a past member of the Ellison Fire Department, president of the Ellison Parks and Recreation Society and a director on the Okanagan Sun’s Board.
“I’m honoured to serve as vice-chair and look forward to working alongside Chair Wooldridge and the Board to support our region,” said Kraft.
“As an Electoral Area director, I hope to bring a new perspective to Board leadership and balance the needs of our rural and urban communities.”
The 13-member RDCO Board meets twice monthly and manages fiscal and policy issues arising as part of local governance for the Central Okanagan.
Appointed and elected members represent the four municipalities, two electoral areas of the Regional District and a non-voting member for Westbank First Nation Chief and Council.
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