The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board has a new chairman.
Mark Pendergraft, director for Area A (rural Osoyoos), was acclaimed to the position during a special vote held at a board meeting July 4. Village of Keremeos Mayor Manfred Bauer was elected vice-chair.
“I’m happy my fellow directors saw fit to support me in the role of board chair and I look forward to working on behalf of the board, the regional district and its citizens,” Pendergraft said.
He assumes a role vacated by Dan Ashton, who was elected to the provincial legislature in May and officially resigned his seat on the board June 13. The board’s vice-chair (Pendergraft) had served in an acting capacity since April when the provincial election was called.
“I will continue in the same direction of the past chair and maintain a regional perspective with a focus on providing for the greater good of the entire region while ensuring local concerns are recognized and dealt with fairly,” said Pendergraft.
The regional board consists of elected representatives from each of eight electoral areas and appointed representatives from the various member municipalities within the regional district.
