Kozakevich back in for Naramata, new faces elsewhere

(Staff) — Karla Kozakevich easily won re-election in Naramata, but there will still be five new faces among the rural directors of the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen.

By a 470-64 margin, Kozakevich trounced Area E challenger Tim Hodgkinson to win a third consecutive term, according to unofficial results.

She rejoins incumbent rural directors Mark Pendergraft (Area A-Rural Osoyoos), George Bush (Area BCawston); and Bob Coyne (Area H-Rural Princeton), all of whom were acclaimed.

The rookies begin with Riley Gettens in Area F (West Bench-Faulder), who collected 290 votes, compared with challengers Leah Schulting, 170, Rick Hatch, 141 and

Ashley Jestin, 30. The incumbent, Michael Brydon, didn’t stand for re-election. It was the same case in Area D (Okanagan FallsKaleden), where long-time director Tom Siddon stepped down. He’ll be replaced by Ron OBierk, who cruised to victory with 601 votes, versus Rodney Penway, 185, and Bill Schwarz 153. The incumbent in Area C (Rural Oliver), Terry Schaeffer, also stepped aside, making way for Rick Knodel to take the reins with 629 votes, versus challenger Randy Toor at 373. And in the new Area I (Kaleden-Twin Lakes), Subrina Monteith picked up 349 votes to fend off Gary Vollett, 175.

Meanwhile, in a special referendum question, voters in parts of Areas B and G, plus Keremeos, voted 851-162 in favour of borrowing up to $350,000 to purchase a new truck for the Keremeos Fire Department.