There have been major changes at the Central Okanagan Regional District meetings, with two members stepping down to pursue other opportunities, and a surprise shakeup for Kelowna. Kelowna Coun. Loyal Wooldridge is stepping down as regional district board chairman as he repositions himself to be named the NDP candidate in the riding of Kelowna Centre for the provincial election later this year. West Kelowna Coun. Stephen Johnston has also announced he is walking away from his seat on the regional board as he has been named the BC United Party candidate for the riding of West Kelowna-Peachland. The regional board members are expected to vote for a new chairperson to replace Wooldridge at the upcoming meeting.
In addition to these two voluntary changes, there has also been a shift in Kelowna’s representation on the regional board. Previously, Couns. Ron Cannan, Gord Lovegrove, and Mohini Singh were the city’s representatives. However, the mayor has now replaced them with Couns. Luke Stack, Rick Webber, and Maxine DeHart. Despite stepping down as chairperson, Wooldridge has been appointed back to the board by the mayor. Appointments to committees and the board are ultimately up to the mayor, and according to meeting minutes, Cannan and Lovegrove voted against the shift. Attempts to contact the mayor and the councillors were unsuccessful as they were attending a meeting in Kamloops.
Coun. Singh, who was not able to attend the meeting due to a medical issue, expressed surprise at losing her long-standing seat on the board but is happy to serve as an alternate. She emphasized her dedication to the regional district and expressed her passion for the level of government it offers. Singh, along with Lovegrove and Cannan, will lose a significant stipend with this assignment loss. In 2022, their stipend was around $17,300. Wooldridge, who made around $55,000 as chairperson, will also see a decrease in his salary for the interim. Despite these changes, Singh remains dedicated to serving the regional district and protecting the interests of Kelowna.
The changes at the Central Okanagan Regional District meetings have brought about a major shift in the leadership and representation of the board. With Wooldridge and Johnston stepping down to pursue other opportunities, there will be new chairperson and board member appointments at the upcoming meeting. The surprise shakeup in Kelowna’s representation has sparked discussion and speculation about the reasons behind the changes. Despite some members expressing surprise at the shifts, they remain committed to serving the regional district and working towards the betterment of their communities.
The role of the mayor in appointing members to committees and the board has come under scrutiny following the recent changes. While the mayor ultimately has the authority to make these appointments, there are questions about the process and decision-making behind them. The differing opinions among board members and the lack of communication about the changes have raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the regional district. Moving forward, there may be a need for clearer guidelines and communication around such appointments to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and involved in the decision-making process.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the recent changes at the Central Okanagan Regional District meetings, the commitment of the members to serving their communities remains unwavering. As new leadership and representation are established, there is an opportunity for collaboration and teamwork to address the issues facing the region and work towards positive outcomes for all residents. The changes present a chance for renewed focus and dedication to the goals and priorities of the regional district, ensuring that the diverse needs and interests of the communities within it are represented and addressed effectively. As the board moves forward with the new appointments, there is potential for growth and progress in fulfilling the mandate of the regional district and serving the best interests of all those involved.
