RDCK elects first woman chair in Nakusp mayor Karen Hamling
By Suzy Hamilton
Nakusp mayor Karen Hamling has made history.
She is the first woman chair to preside over the 20 member Regional District of Central Kootenays board of directors in the board’s 49 year history.
“I’m very proud to be the first woman,” she said at the Dec. 11 board meeting. “But I ran because I felt I was the best person, gender was not an issue.”
Yet she admitted “women do handle things differently, although I won’t be dancing or singing.”
Hamling beat East shore Area A director Garry Jackman for the top post in a sealed vote.
Born in Nanaimo, 68 year old Hamling lived in many parts of Canada and Germany before moving to Nakusp.
She recently retired after 34 years at the Arrow Lakes Hospital, 29 of which were spent as the Health Records Supervisor. Karen previously owned two businesses and now helps her husband with his forestry contracting business.
After serving as a Councilor for the Village of Nakusp from 1987 to 1996, Karen decided she’d had enough of politics.
However, in May of 2004, she was acclaimed to Council and by November of 2005, elected Mayor, a position she continues to hold.
In her acceptance speech she thanked her fellow directors for the honour and encouraged the board to “continue to work together for the benefit of our respective communities and residents.”
During the November municipal elections, criticism surfaced that the RDCK was not accountable or transparent in its financial dealings. Office furniture bought in the lower mainland and staff size were cited.
But Hamling countered that criticism with “the board has been very transparent all along and will continue to be, while being mindful of the services provided by taxes.
“You don’t see a lot of people here,” she said, looking around the boardroom. “Check out the agenda and come to meetings.”
Hamling replaced rural Creston Area B director John Kettle who retired from the RDCK politics this year.
“Do the best you can and leave it better than you found it,” was his advice to the new chair.
Kettle said he is happy to turn over the gavel.
“I wore out, frankly,” he said.
“Last night was the first full night’s sleep I’ve had in 12 years.”
When he returns from holidays in April, he hopes to have “fire in my belly” to join provincial emergency services. Spurred on by the provincial mishandling of the Johnson’s Landing slide that took four lives, Kettle said he will work to change the legislation.
“(Johnson’s Landing) is one thing I will carry to my grave.”
Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff was returned to vice-chair of the board, beating Harrop/Procter/Blewett Area E director Ramona Faust.
Chair Hamling acknowledged that both she and the Vice-Chair are municipal representatives but assured the Board that both municipal and electoral areas would be “represented” at the table.
She and Chernoff both dispelled the notion that municipalities and rural areas have difficulty working together.
“This is a team effort, “ Chernoff said.
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