RDOS elects new board chair

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer - Penticton Correspondent

Election held for new board chair at RDOS meeting

Mark Pendergraft was elected chair of the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Board of Directors at Thursday's RDOS board meeting.

Pendergraft, the RDOS director for rural Osoyoos, has served as acting board chair, since Dan Ashton resigned from the role in early June. Ashton is now the MLA for the Penticton riding.

"I am excited to work and take on this role on behalf of the board," Pendergraft said following the election.

Ron Hovanes, the mayor of Oliver, was also nominated, but he declined.

Hovanes and Manfred Bauer, the mayor of Keremeos,  were nominated for the role of vice chair.

In a brief speech, Bauer said he would find ways to promote the  regional district and its mandate.

Hovanes stated he would support Pendergraft and that he would like to see more of a focus on truly regional benefits.

Bauer was subsequently voted in to the role of vice chair.