SILGA
Nominating
Committee
Report
Presentation of the results
of a call for nominations
for the Southern Interior
Local Government
Association
Spring 2012
Report of the Southern
Report of the Southern Interior
Local Government Association
Director Rhona Martin
Columbia Shuswap Regional District
SILGA Nomination Committee Chair
The Nomination Committee was
formed under the bylaws and
executive procedures of the SILGA
Constitution.
Director Rhona Martin, CSRD
Director Ronaye Elliott, TNRD
Mayor Chris Pieper, City of
Armstrong
Alison Slater,
Executive Director, SILGA
The Nominations Committee
authorized circulation of a call
for nominations and preparation
of associated material (see
background appendix). The
results of the call are summarized
on the next page and full
biographical materials submitted
by nominees begin on the page
following. It is important to
recognize that the role of the
committee is to review
submissions and prepare this
report. It is not the role of the
committee to recommend
anyone for nomination. We are
to ensure nominations are
complete, and according to
policies and procedures.
Further nominations can be
received at the convention from
the floor as has always been
provided. Please contact the
nomination committee chair if
there is any aspect of the
procedures that you would like
clarified.
SUMMARY OF NOMINATIONS FOR SOUTHERN INTERIOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION POSITIONS
The Nominating Committee Chair will present the recommendations as the nomination for these
positions. Other nominations can still come from the floor as has always been provided.
Candidates Speeches - Each candidate will have one minute to present themselves and their
platform.
FOR OFFICER POSITIONS:
Rhona Martin, Columbia Shuswap R.D. continues as Immediate Past President
(Elect one each)
President
Councillor Harry Kroeker
st
1 Vice-President Councillor Marg Spina
2nd Vice-President Director Tim Pennell
City of Merritt
City of Kamloops
TNRD Area “A”
FOR DIRECTORS AT LARGE:
(Elect six)
Maria Besso
Gary Litke
Ryan Nitchie
Shelley Sim
Jackie Tegart
Angelique Wood
District of Coldstream
City of Penticton
City of Armstrong
District of Clearwater
Village of Ashcroft
Okanagan Similkameen RD
FOR ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR:
(Elect one)
Patty Hanson
Central Okanagan RD
Nominated for:
President
Councillor Harry Kroeker
City of Merritt
Personal Biography
Harry has lived in B.C since 1969 after being born and raised in Manitoba. He moved to Merritt
in 1978 when he purchased a local business that had gone bankrupt. He was able to make it
profitable and retire in 1998. After looking at other communities to retire in he decided to stay in
Merritt. Harry and Marlene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010. He has 6
children, 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Political Background
Harry has always been active in his community and he has served on various organizations in the
City of Merritt, many in a leadership capacity. He has also served as President of the
Yellowhead Highway Association and is currently serving as President of SILGA. Harry has
been a councillor in the City of Merritt for 18 years.
SILGA Vision
I believe we've made great strides in how we work for you, our stake holders. Communication
and education for our members is most important so we can both reach our greatest potential.
We will continue to strive in improving on both these fronts. In our survey for conference topics
the response was great, but we could not begin to have all these addressed at the conference. We
have not destroyed them but will find a way to research them and communicate back to you.
Having been married to the same gal for 51 years shows you I know what's involved in
commitment. I commit to you that if elected as your President I will do everything I can to make
this organization even more effective than it already is.
I ask for your support in my bid for President of SILGA.
With this in mind I'm asking your support in electing me as your President.
Thank you for your consideration.
Nominated for:
1st Vice President
Councillor Marg Spina
City of Kamloops
Marg Spina is a long time Kamloops resident who was
elected to Kamloops City Council in 2008. She is currently
on the TNRD board as well. She is married to Ross, has 3
children and a grandson.
Throughout her 36 years of community work and as a BC
Regional Manager of Consumer Affairs, Marg has made
great contacts within all levels of government. Marg received the 1992 Canadian Governor General 125
medal for her community volunteer work, and the BC Community Achievement award in 2006 for her
long time volunteer work, innovative community projects and working partnerships, such as Kamloops
Food Share.
Marg serves on numerous Kamloops City Council Committees; Audit Committee, Coordinated
Enforcement Task Force, Community and Council Services, MIA, Olympic Torch Relay Committee,
Social Planning Committee, Parcel Tax Audit, and the new Kamloops City Council Airshed
Committee. Marg is also an alternate for the Parks and Recreation Committee, Police Committee and the
Thompson Nicola Regional District.
Political Experience
B.C Ministry of Social Services Advisory Committee 2 terms
Board Director College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC 2006 to present- Public Appt
Chair CLPNBC Inquiry Committee 2008 to present
Founding member BC Council on Autism, President of Kamloops Rotary North 2000
Founder Giant Steps West 1989 (renamed Chris Rose Autism Therapy Centre)
Kamloops Community Health Council
Elected to Kamloops City Council 2008
SILGA – Board director 2009-12. SILGA Member Services and Education, Policies and Procedures,
Communications and Convention Committees.
SILGA Vision
Working together as partners on important community and regional issues to bring about positive
outcomes for our SILGA member communities and regions.
Nominated for:
2nd Vice President
Director Tim Pennell
Thompson Nicola Regional District
Area “A” Wells Gray Country
Biography
In 2002 Tim was elected as a director on the Cariboo Regional
District where he served one term. In 2007, after taking early
retirement as a Flight Service Specialist, Tim and his wife Barb
relocated to the Clearwater area. Once again bitten by the
‘political bug’ Tim was elected as the Thompson Nicola Regional District’s Wells Gray Country
representative in 2008 and subsequently re-elected in 2011.
Tim currently chairs the TNRD’s Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Implementation
Committee; additionally Tim was elected as the TNRD’s to the UBCM Off Road Vehicle
Working Group. Tim is also the TNRD’s Fraser Basin Council representative and is a member
of their Governance Committee.
In April 2010 Tim was elected to the Southern Interior Local Government Association executive
as a Director at Large. Tim currently chairs the Resolutions, Policies and Procedures Committee
and has held the 2nd Vice President position since the 2011 Civic Elections.
Tim brings his experience and a love of local government politics to the TNRD, SILGA and
FBC. Tim is an avid outdoorsman and works locally as a general construction/maintenance
contractor on a mining exploration project. Additionally Tim and his wife Barb are
owner/managers of a manufactured home park located in Vavenby, BC.
Nominated for:
Director At Large
Councillor Maria Besso
District of Coldstream
Maria was raised in Montreal, went to Concordia University, and upon graduation
moved west to Calgary to work as a Coal Exploration Geologist for Gulf Canada
Resources in May 1983. She spent the summer in picturesque N.E. B.C. mapping
for coal in the Chetwynd area then stayed on with Gulf to complete reports until
she was hired for a more permanent position in the Coal Department at Esso Resources in early 1984. She
enjoyed field work, exploration, and drilling throughout western Canada, until June 1986 when a
downturn in coal exploration resulted in a career change.
Maria worked as a successful realtor in Calgary from 1986-1990 and achieved many top sales
awards. She went on to become self-employed and took some tax accounting training as well as business
management course to advance her career. She married a fellow geologist in 1989 and went back to
Geology in 1991 briefly working as a consultant for Associated Mining Consultants, and then on her own
for M.G.B. and Associates Geological Consultants. Maria and her husband Greg semi-retired to B.C. in
1993, where they chose to raise their three children in the beautiful Coldstream Valley.
From 1996 - 2008 Maria was an active volunteer with the local school system, she served on the school
Parent Advisory Council, the District Parent Advisory Council, as well as the BC Confederation of Parent
Advisory Councils, holding various positions including President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. When School Planning Councils (SPC) were legislated in B.C. Maria also served on the S.P.C.
as well as many School Board Committees and School Accreditation teams. In Nov. 2000 Maria ran for
School Board Trustee for SD#22, but was not elected. In Nov. 2007 Maria's political interests were
sparked by a local dispute about the conversion of a 118 acre parcel of fertile agricultural land in the
Coldstream Valley to playing fields. She became active in the referendum campaign which was
successful in convincing the local community to preserve the ALR Land as farmland. Consequently she
was then encouraged to seek a seat on the local municipal Council in the Nov. 2008 election. Maria was
elected for her first term in Coldstream in 2008 and was re-elected in Nov. 2011.
While on Council she has served on the Okanagan Regional Library Board, chaired the
Agricultural Advisory Committee, sat on the Environmental Advisory Committee, the Advisory Planning
Commission, and was the alternate on the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee at the Regional District of
the North Okanagan.
In the Community she continued to volunteer in the not for profit sector, she helped found the
Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake , she sat on the Okanagan Symphony Society Board in
Kelowna, and has been the treasurer for the Okanagan Symphony Society - Vernon Branch since the year
2000. Maria is also an avid skier and loves Silver Star Mountain Resort, one of the best reasons to live in
the Okanagan!
Maria has attended all the SILGA conferences in the last three years and realizes that it is
important to have a strong regional organization to represent the issues that are important and unique to
the Southern Interior. She feels that we have important issues, particularly around Water, Agriculture,
Economic Development, and Environmental Protection, that are synonymous with the identity of our
region. Strong representation is necessary!
"If elected as a SILGA Director, I would try to the best of my ability to be informed, and capably
represent the interests of the Southern Interior Region!"
Thank you for your consideration,
Maria G. Besso
Nominated for:
Director at Large
Councillor Garry Litke
City of Penticton
A long-time resident of the Okanagan Valley, Garry Litke (B.A., PDAD,
M.Ed) was involved in the field of education for 33 years.
A high school English teacher, Mr. Litke spent much of his career as a
personnel and contract administrator, a program facilitator and a highly
effective mediator. He has held administrative positions with the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation
and was President of the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union for ten years.
Garry is also a successful contract negotiator and, most notably, was instrumental in negotiating the
teachers’ provincial contract that resulted in the lowest class sizes in North America.
Garry is well known in his community for his extensive volunteer activities and his leadership in social
and environmental causes. Provincially, Garry is a strong and vocal advocate of accessible, affordable
health care and quality public education. He believes that a thriving economy and a sustainable
environment are viable and attainable. He is an advocate for affordable housing and the preservation of
agricultural land in Penticton. Garry’s advisory committee work includes Climate Action, Agriculture
and Transportation Demand. Currently, he is leading council and the community in the implementation of
Climate Action Plans, including OCP amendments. In addition, he helped ensure that the Community
Center pool expansion was on budget and on time through his work on the steering committee. He also
serves as a director on the Board of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.
Experienced in policy development, case preparation and political lobbying, Garry welcomes the
challenge of providing the Okanagan Valley and the province with a balanced approach to leadership that
is both fiscally and morally responsible.
A 31-year resident of the Okanagan, Garry is an accomplished musician and amateur athlete. He is
married to Kendra, an elementary school teacher, and they have three children.
Why SILGA?
I am interested in serving with the Southern Interior Local Government Association because I like to
represent the best interest of all citizens. SILGA and UBCM do an outstanding job of promoting issues
that concern all of us and I feel I can play a role in that effort. In particular, I would promote a regional
approach to climate action planning in order to share the resources and expertise of all regional districts
and municipalities. Corporate plans, community plans and OCP amendments are currently works in
progress, and through wider based coordination we can improve our efforts. We also need to be looking
critically at utilities pricing, especially as it affects our civic budgets. And finally, the enactment of a new
Water Act will change the way we view our water supply and consumption. We need to be sure those
changes are well considered. Those issues and others raised by our members will create some interesting
discussions at SILGA and I hope to be involved.
Nominated for:
Director at Large
Councillor Ryan Nitchie
City of Armstrong
I am currently serving my 15th year as a councillor with
the City of Armstrong. I am the youngest ever elected official in our City's history and am now a
'veteran councillor' having served 5 consecutive terms.
I was appointed to the OMMA Board 7 years ago and won re-election at the convention in
Revelstoke and was subsequently re-appointed in 2011 following the civic elections. During my
time on the SILGA board I have served with various SILGA committees and as the
representative to the Municipal Insurance Association of BC.
I truly enjoy my time with the SILGA board and one of the projects I was appointed to was an
awareness campaign for the area association. I completed a power point presentation which was
to be used by the board members to attend various council meetings throughout the region to
educate them about the SILGA board and how the board could be used to help advance issues to
the UBCM and senior government.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to once again be a part of the SILGA team and
hope that I bring experience and enthusiasm to the position.
Nominated for:
Director At Large
Councillor Shelley Sim
District of Clearwater
Born and raised in Vancouver, BC Shelley moved to Clearwater in 1993.
As the primary Owner and Managing Director of Original Holidays Inc,
Shelley has over 20 years business experience with specialized
knowledge of the inbound tour and travel wholesale market. Her focus remains primarily on the European market
with peripheral perspectives on emerging Asian opportunities. Shelley brings a rounded skill set to the table
including sales, marketing and business analysis and trend evaluation. Along with her business experience, Shelley
contracts her services for local and rural event planning including tournament championships and sport initiatives.
Shelley has established herself as a vocal spokesperson for the needs of physician recruitment and retention within
rural regions of the province and advocates for stronger representation to smaller communities. She currently sits on
the local Physician Recruitment committee and was integral in organizing the Heart of the Matter Rural Health
Symposium held in Clearwater in the spring of 2009. The symposium was exceptionally successful in bringing
together rural communities and leaders from all over the province including the Minister of Health, key stakeholders
including the CEO of Interior Health Authority (IHA), leaders of Health Match BC and the participation from the
College of Physicians and Surgeons as well as two leading universities providing medical schools. Physician and
healthcare recruitment is a pressing issue to all of British Columbia. Shelley brings the voice of rural to the
provincial forum and is working with other community leaders in identifying sustainable solutions and models for
the future. In recognition with her work with the University of Northern BC (UNBC), Shelley was invited to speak
at the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada annual national conference held in June of 2011.
Cited as an active and engaged community member, Shelley extends her passion and innovation to many other
community organizations and is applauded for her ability to take the ordinary and create an extraordinary experience
for the benefit of all. Shelley served as the Vice President of the Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce
until November 2011. As part of the Superintendent’s Committee on Mathematics for School District 73, Shelley
was an active task force member and many of her recommendations were included in the final report. She currently
sits as the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee of the Whole in her role as first term Councillor for the
District of Clearwater.
Other areas of her involvement include:
Member – Clearwater Physician Recruitment Committee
Member – Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Member – Tourism Wells Gray
Director, Non-Profit Group Information Wells Gray (IWG)
Executive Member – North Thompson Liberal Riding
Executive Member – Clearwater Ski Club and Lodge
Executive Member – Raft River Elementary PAC
Executive Member – Clearwater Youth Soccer
President – Clearwater Secondary School PAC
In addition to her business and volunteer contributions, Shelley is a strong supporter of youth sports and volunteers
with Minor Hockey, Minor Soccer and participates in the youth track and field program. She resides in Clearwater
with her husband Wayne and their three children.
Nominated for:
Director At Large
Councillor Jackie Tegart
Village of Ashcroft
I am asking for your support in putting my name forward for a
Director position on the SILGA executive.
I am currently serving my third term as a Councillor for the Village
of Ashcroft. I have served on all committees of Council including finance, First Nations
Relations, Economic Development, to name a few.
I have served on the SILGA executive in the past. I was asked to serve on the executive after the
election in November and was pleased to fill in. I believe that many of the issues that are placed
on our local agendas often are being dealt with at other tables in the region. SILGA provides us
with the opportunity to share information, issues and solutions that work. It is the vehicle to
ensure our issues are carried forward to the UBCM executive table and convention. SILGA is
our regional voice which is only as strong as we make it. I ask for your support to serve SILGA
and lend a strong voice to the executive.
Nominated for:
Director at Large
Director Angelique Wood
Okanagan Similkameen RD
Angelique Wood was born in Montreal, PQ but grew up in
the small farming town of Chilliwack, BC. After graduating
high school, she moved to Vancouver, first attending UBC
on a President’s Entrance Scholarship, and later going to Emily Carr Institute where she
graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1995. She went on to work in sales, marketing
and display for two of Canada’s most prestigious public and private art galleries and museums
for more than 12 years. This included work at the Museum of Anthropology, UBC, as an
exhibition design assistant and curatorial assistant. She also worked in sales and marketing at the
world renowned Inuit Gallery of Vancouver from 1998-2004.
In 2005 she began to search for a home away from the fast-paced life of Vancouver. The
Okanagan-Similkameen area captured her heart and she decided to purchase a house in the small
town of Hedley, moving there early in 2006. She immediately became active in the community
and has since been sharing her diverse skills and knowledge with various groups and
organizations in the Similkameen Valley. She has been a volunteer firefighter with the Hedley
Fire Department since 2008 where she is one of the fire truck drivers.
Angelique’s skills have led her to become active in all areas of community development and
planning, from working on organizational development with community groups; to assisting in
cultural resource management with First Nations; and the every-day volunteer activities that keep
a small town running. In 2005/2006 she developed and coordinated a province-wide educational
initiative to end violence against women for BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses.
Angelique believes that being resourceful with limited budgets is more important now than
ever before and that to survive and thrive in the future we need to work cooperatively by finding
our common ground.
Nominated for:
Electoral Director
Director Patty Hanson
Central Okanagan RD
I am running for SILGA this year because I did not finish my
original term when Kelly Hayes won the election by 5 votes. Now
that I am back in I am very interested in becoming part of the team once again. I am serving my
3rd term as Regional District Director. I live in the RDCO in the Joe Rich area with my husband
Murray, we have lived here for 14 years. We have 3 grown daughters and 4 grandchildren whom
we adore.
I look forward to serving all of you on the SILGA Board. I am interested in both rural and
municipal government issues.
Patty Hanson
Background Information
on
Southern Interior Local Government Association
Nominations and Elections
NOMINATIONS
1. Appointment of Nominations Committee (up to 3 members, to include the Past President,
who will be chair)
Responsibility: President
Completion Guideline: 60 days before convention (but usually done at the June or
September Executive meeting)
2. Call for Nominations sent to the membership
Responsibility: Nominations Committee Chair
3. Nominations to be received by the Nominations Committee Chair, who consults with the
Nominations Committee and prepares the Nominations Report with photographs and
biographies.
Responsibility: Nominations Committee
Completion Guideline: 2 months before convention
4. Forward the Nominations Report to the Host Committee for inclusion in the delegate
binders.
Responsibility: Nominations Committee
Completion Guideline: 1 month before convention
NOTE: If, at the close of the annual convention, there are not sufficient members elected to
the Executive to constitute a quorum, the local government who has the President as one of
its members shall be responsible to find sufficient members to serve on the Executive. If there
is no President, the local government currently responsible for providing administrative
arrangements to the Executive shall have the responsibility to find sufficient members to
serve. NOTE: In addition to the above mentioned, nominations can still come from the floor
as has always been provided.
TO BE ELECTED
All positions are for a one year term and those presently serving may run for another term if
they so wish, except for the President who can only serve for two consecutive terms.
Offices to be filled are for President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President and seven
Directors, one of who must be an Electoral Area Director of a Regional District.