United candidate departs regional board
West Kelowna has a new representative on the Central Okanagan Regional District board.
Coun. Stephen Johnston has given up his seat on the board, and will be replaced by Coun. Rick de Jong.
Johnston is a two-term city councillor who topped the polls in the 2022 civic election, with 2,988 votes.
He has also been named as the West Kelowna-Peachland candidate for the BC United Party in this year’s provincial election, which must be held by October.
Unlike some municipalities, the City of West Kelowna does not have a code of conduct for its councillors. Those documents usually stipulate that a councillor who is aiming for office must take a leave of absence during the official campaign period, which this year is set for Sept. 17 until voting day on Oct. 15.
“I have a lot on my plate these days and I want to make sure every responsibility I have is given the appropriate attention,” Johnston said Wednesday.
“I am a family man first, and have a full-time job. I’m also a city councillor and now the candidate for the BC United Party in West Kelowna-Peachland,” he said.
“After consideration and consultation with mentors, it felt to me like the appropriate thing to do,” he said of giving up his regional board seat.
Johnston has been West Kelowna’s representative on the 12-member board for more than five years.
“It’s been an absolute honour and pleasure to be a part of that team,” he said.
As a regional board member, Johnston earned an additional $19,632 in 2022, on top of his city council salary of $25,413.
In Kelowna, city councillor Loyal Wooldridge hopes to be named soon as the BC NDP candidate for the new riding of Kelowna Centre. Wooldridge remains both as a city councillor and as chair of the regional district board, but has indicated he would take a leave of absence once the campaign begins.
In Penticton, city councillor Amelia Boultbee is the BC Conservative candidate. She is presently not on the RDOS regional board.