By-Election In Lake Country Likely in June

The District of Lake Country has to hold a by-election this year to fill the vacancy left Monday by the sudden passing of Oyama councilor Owen Dickie.

Provincial legislation says that by-election needs to be held as soon as is practical.

Lake Country Corporate Services Manager Reyna Seabrook says it won’t likely by until June.

“Out of respect for Councilor Dickie’s family and there is a celebration of life this weekend I believe on the 11th, so we’re starting to get our dates in order and look at potential dates. Most likely we are looking at summertime, the end of June or so.”

Seabrook says potential candidates don’t necessarily have to live in Oyama to run either.

“No residency requirements for neighbourhood constituencies or councilor at large which goes for any municipality. They can live anywhere in BC.”

“We’re working on a bylaw, we know we have to find one, but we need to take some time and give the respect to his family before we move ahead with anything and set dates.”

Dickie was elected to council in 2011. He has been a resident in Oyama since 1989 and died after a battle with cancer.