City of Nanaimo councillor Ian Thorpe is the new chairman of the Regional District of Nanaimo.
At the RDN’s inaugural board meeting on Tuesday night, Thorpe beat the only other nominee, Electoral Area E director Bob Rogers, who ended up being acclaimed as vice-chair.
Thorpe is familiar with the position having served in the last two years of the previous board as vice-chairman to former Electoral Area H director and chairman Bill Veenhof.
“I want everybody to know that I am here to serve the best interests of the regional district and my job as chair is to be impartial and to be fair to everyone and want everyone to have their voice heard,” said Thorpe.
In the past, there has been some concerns about having a Nanaimo director in the position, for fear that Nanaimo directors would dominate board proceedings.
“I want to assure everybody in the audience that is not going to happen,” said Thorpe. “I am here to represent the regional district. Although Nanaimo has eight votes at this table, the Mayor of Nanaimo. Leonard Krog. made it clear to his council that we are here as individuals to vote on issues according to our own values and beliefs.”
Rogers, who is serving his second term as director of Electoral Area E (Nanoose Bay), is pleased to serve as vice-chairman and to have a veteran director as chairman.
The RDN board has 19 directors, with only five returnees. Rogers said having a chairman with experience will help bring this new board together.
“It’s good that we have Thorpe and myself, plus three other returning directors so we can bring some continuity and also identify some of the priorities the board has had in the past,” said Rogers, who added he looks forward to getting acquainted with the new members.
