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UPDATED: RDCK Area G: Hans Cunningham re-elected

Regional District of Central Kootenay: Hans Cunningham is poised to become the longest serving director in RDCK history.
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Hans Cunningham

Hans Cunningham was re-elected Saturday in Area G (Rural Salmo) of the Regional District of Central Kootenay. He defeated Werner Kraus 218 to 24. Turnout was 23 per cent.

“I was reasonably confident,” Cunningham said, “because a lot of people said ‘We know you, we like you, you do good work. Why should be change?’ I’m glad people have confidence in me and will do my very best to live up to their confidence.”

Cunningham, 71, has served as director since 1986 and during his next term will become the longest-serving director in RDCK history, passing John Voykin’s record of 31 years.

Cunningham started out as an alternate director in the 1970s, at a time when “I think the whole board was old men who smoked and some went out for a three-martini lunch. Some fell asleep at the table. That has changed.”

Cunningham said he has always liked the regional district model of operating with distinct services, although in recent years the board has tackled broader issues.

While he’s been approached to run provincially and federally, he has always declined: “I’m not a party person. I’m a local government person.”

Cunningham also beat Kraus in 2011.