Vernon’s new mayor insists his goal isn’t to make waves with the neighbours.
Akbal Mund made his appointments to the Regional District of North Okanagan and Greater Vernon Advisory Committee Monday, and except for himself, the city’s other representatives are experienced councillors.
“I don’t anticipate any abrupt changes,” he said when asked about the city’s relationship with the rest of the region.
“We’re here to co-operate and do what’s best for our area.”
Sitting at RDNO will be Mund and Councillors Catherine Lord, Juliette Cunningham and Brian Quiring.
At the GVAC table will be Mund, Cunningham and Coun. Bob Spiers.
Scott Anderson and Dalvir Nahal, who are new councillors, will be alternates when the regular appointees are unable to attend RDNO.
Appointments have also been made to a number of other committees, including advisory planning, affordable housing, economic development, finance, tourism and transportation.
“It was a challenge (making appointments) but I got good advice from staff and the incumbent councillors,” said Mund, adding that because he is new as mayor, he will be looking to Spiers, Lord, Cunningham and Quiring for guidance.
“I need to learn and the only way is to have people comfortable in that position.”
For external appointments, Nahal will represent the city at the Arts Council of North Okanagan and Vernon Winter Carnival while Anderson will go to the regional agricultural committee. Mund is the city’s First Nations liaison and Lord has been named to Okanagan Regional Library.
