Photo: Contributed

Myles McGovern, left, Bob Fleming

The race is on for Electoral Area B in the North Okanagan Regional District.

Myles McGovern is challenging long-time director Bob Fleming for the position he has held since 2011.

Fleming was elected RDNO board chairperson in 2016, a position he still holds.

During his time with the RDNO, Fleming has participated in the development of the Greater Vernon Athletics Park and was part of the committee to secure the land for the establishment of the Okanagan Rail Trail.

In a release, Fleming said he “believes in protecting the environment while improving and adding to our parks and green space.”

He also plans to continue to enable the improvement of the local economy through thoughtful and financially sound improvements to services such as water, sewer, fire protection and roads.

McGovern has a successful background in the global technology sector, twice nominated for Canadian Entrepreneur of the year and has been recognized for numerous accomplishments including the development of Google Streetview - as CEO of Immersive Media, he was an architect of the technology and the company filmed the first 75 cities for the streetview launch in 2007.

While CEO of Immersive won an Emmy award for their contributions in Taylor Swift 360 videos and produced

numerous award winning VR applications over the years.

“I am running for the board because I think it is important that people have a choice and an opportunity to vote in our elections. In the past several elections there has been no voting for candidates because there is only one candidate who wins by acclamation. I have always said that I wouldn't ask anyone to do anything that I am not prepared to do myself, so I will run. I talked to many of my neighbours and people in the community who think it is a fantastic idea, so I have accepted the challenge,” said McGovern in a release.