Former face of Global Okanagan seeks Kelowna council seat

Photo: Elect Rick Webber Facebook

The former face of Global Okanagan is entering politics.

Rick Webber announced on Facebook Wednesday night he will be running for Kelowna city council this fall, a decision he said he’s reached with “plenty of excitement and some trepidation.”

“I changed the name of this Facebook page and plan to use it as the campaign's main social media outlet over the next few months,” he added.

Webber retired from Global Okanagan in 2019 after nearly 30 years of anchoring at CHBC and 43 years in the broadcasting industry.

"After delivering news and information to local homes for many years as a television news anchor and producer, I would like to continue contributing to my community in a public service capacity," Webber said in a news release Thursday morning.

He said his decades as a journalist means he has a close understanding about how government works. He says he respects the direction of the current council, but public safety, housing and roads could be improved.

Webber, if successful, would be the third CHBC personality elected to city council in recent years. Mayor Colin Basran worked at the station from 2002 to 2007 before entering real estate, while Coun. Mohini Singh was at the station from 1989 to 2007.

Local government elections in B.C. take place on Oct. 15.