Either step up or step back

With Loyal Wooldridge becoming the first serious challenger for Kelowna city council and Penticton city councillor Helena Konanz announcing she’s not seeking re-election, the race has unofficially begun for municipal elections in the Okanagan.

It appears likely Konanz will seek the Conservative nomination in South Okanagan-West Kootenay this fall.

If she does, good for her. She served on city council for seven years and appears ready to seek a higher level. She paid her dues.

Former Summerland school board trustee Connie Deneisuk also did the same. After serving on the board, including a stint as president of the B.C. School Trustees Association, she tried her hand at provincial and, more recently, federal politics.

It’s important for individuals to extend beyond their comfort zone. It’s also good to offer new people a chance to serve.

Nowhere do people overstay their welcome than on school boards.

Speaker of the House Bill Barisoff, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, Prime Minister Kim Campbell, and (in the U.S.) Michelle Bachman, a candidate for the Republican presidental nomination, all got their starts on the school board.

If you go to the BCSTA conference, you will meet some individuals who boast about having been a trustee for 40 years.

Moyra Baxter has been with Central Okanagan District 23 for 21 years (never missing a meeting, but leaving early during one.) Ginny Manning with Okanagan Skaha District 67 has been around almost as long — since 2002.

Both should move to a higher level. Baxter would be a wonderful addition to Peachland council. With Manning, who lives in Kaleden, there will be a vacancy for the regional director’s job in her area. With her vast experience in civic government, she’d be an asset to the RDOS.

To quote Gordon Lightfoot, “either step up or step back.”