I will not seek re-election this October. Area "F" deserves a competitive candidate race. Nomination papers are due on Friday, September 11.

Hello everyone,

I've had several calls recently about the upcoming election, so I wanted to be upfront with all of you: I will not seek re-election as your Area “F" Director this October.

Running again was a decision I was truly mulling over. I love this work, and it isn't easy to step back from it. But things have changed for me personally - my aging parents have recently moved in with my family, and I want to be there for them. After a lot of thought, it felt like the right time to step back.

Then the Bald Range Wildfire devastated parts of Area "F." Like many, in times of crisis, the response is to put your head down and keep working. I had eight years of experience in this role to draw on, and I needed every bit of it - advocating for Faulder and Meadow Valley demanded it almost immediately and continues to do so.

Over the past weeks, I've connected with countless citizens from Faulder and Meadow Valley who continue to navigate one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives. I've taken their concerns directly to the Premier, Ministers Greene and Parmar and the RDOS Board. I'm working closely with MLA Boultbee, who agrees that disaster recovery requires a coordinated, multi-ministry approach, and direct citizen feedback in any after-incident report is a must.

Advocacy for all of Electoral Area “F” continues through the Emergency Operations Centre, the RDOS Board, and next week at UBCM, where I'll join fellow RDOS directors in meetings with the Premier and relevant Ministers, including Minister Neill from Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS). RDOS staff and MLA Boultbee will also attend the UBCM meetings, which means this work and provincial conversations will continue seamlessly with whoever is elected as the next Area “F” Director.

My decision not to run did not change my commitment to the role. While no one predicted the nightmare that so many in Faulder and Meadow Valley are still living through, I am committed to representing all of Area "F" fully and without pause until the last day of my term.

Area "F" is not one issue, or one community. No single candidate can represent the full range of what Area "F" needs, but a competitive field of candidates willing to put their name forward will help ensure that all the issues that matter get discussed before voters decide. If you've ever thought about running, please do. Nomination papers are due to the Chief Election Officer on Friday, September 11.

I'd love to support a citizen-led group interested in organizing a public candidates' debate. When I ran eight years ago, the gym at West Bench Elementary School was packed with citizens who asked challenging questions of each of the candidates. If you're interested in helping put that together, please reach out. A public debate is one of the best ways for residents across Area “F” to hear directly from everyone running and ask the questions that matter most to them.

Thank you. Sincerely,

Riley

If you have any questions, please reach out at any time.

250-488-0245

rgettens@rdos.bc.ca