The director for Area E (Rural Nelson) of the Regional District of Central Kootenay will seek a third term in November’s civic election. But Ramona Faust says it wasn’t an easy decision since the term length is increasing from three years to four.
“Truthfully, it gets in the way of accepting other employment,” she said. “It’s so many daytime meetings as opposed to evening ones.”
Faust is one of a handful of directors to hold down an additional job on top of regional district duties. During her first term, she worked as administrator for North Kootenay Lake Community Services, although she left the position in 2011. She continues to run a small consulting practice.
Faust said she believed that she, the board, and regional district staff have “done some good work” over the last three years, pointing to Morning Mountain becoming a mountain biking and hiking destination, the extension of the Taghum Beach, and transit improvements.
She also noted several projects about to begin, including a management plan for Balfour Beach, and further renovations to the Nelson aquatic centre.
“This particular contingent of directors has gotten a lot done and I’ve enjoyed working with everyone and I’ll be sad to see some people go,” she said.
Faust said she hasn’t heard if anyone will run against her.
She joins fellow incumbents Garry Jackman (East Shore), Larry Binks (Rural Creston), Hans Cunningham (Rural Salmo), Walter Popoff (Slocan Valley), and Paul Peterson (Arrow Lakes) in seeking re-election.
Rural Nelson director Ron Mickel and Rural Kaslo director Andy Shadrack are both retiring. Tom Newell is seeking to replace Mickel, while Shadrack’s alternate, Aimee Watson, hopes to fill his shoes.
Chair John Kettle (Rural Creston), Andy Davidoff (Rural Castlegar), and Gord Zaitsoff (Lower Arrow-Columbia) haven’t announced their plans.
In addition to the 11 rural directors, the board has nine municipal positions appointed by their respective councils.