Photo: Contributed

Amanda Shatzko

Amanda Shatzko is seeking another term in office.

The current Regional District of North Okanagan Electoral Area C Director has declared that she will be running in the October election for the same position.

“My first day on the job in 2018 I was acclaimed by fellow politicians to be vice-chair of RDNO. A position I have held since then while chairing other committees. It has been an honour to help lead our region in projects and collaborations, and for my peers and constituents to have confidence in my work. I hope to continue the progress by running for a second term,” said Shatzko.

Shatzko was first elected in 2018 for the BX and Silver Star jurisdiction.

During her term, she spearheaded projects that involved safety and maintenance for youth such as installing speed readers and a walking path by Hillview Elementary and connecting BX Elementary to sewer.

She also provided provincial and federal funding towards multiple non-profits for community programs and recreation activities, updated RDNO’s billing systems from paper to online, secured the BX Ranchlands to be held as a local Area B and C agricultural public park and implemented a rural economic development fund.

Shatzko was also the representative for the Okanagan Regional Library board, North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap Hospital board, BC Municipal Finance Authority and alternate to the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

During her term she was able to advocate and represent BC and the North Okanagan in national affairs.

“I’m always learning and looking for the best opportunities and innovations that we could apply to our area,” said Shatzko who during her term also became Level One certified by the BC Local Government Leadership Academy, obtained her master’s degree in communications and is undertaking her PhD at UBC in Political Science.

“Collaborations between jurisdictions are important and I hope to continue to build stronger relations and partnerships with local, provincial and federal government.”

Some of her successful collaborations this term resulted in a partnership with Area B, Spallumcheen and OKIB receiving $30.2M in grant funding for sewer, partnerships with Area B and OKIB to rename and tell the stories of Canoe Beach, investment in improved trail systems and a cultural centre with