City of Powell River councillor George Doubt has resigned his position as a director with qathet Regional District.
At the October 24 city council meeting, Doubt read a one-sentence letter of resignation to mayor Ron Woznow and council, indicating his resignation from the position as municipal director of the qathet Regional District (qRD). He asked that the item be placed on the evening’s agenda under correspondence.
When the item came up for discussion, councillor Cindy Elliott moved to accept Doubt’s correspondence. Elliott, who also serves as a municipal director with qRD, said she wanted to thank Doubt for everything he has done at the regional district.
“It’s a big surprise, this letter,” said Elliott. “The entire time I’ve been on council, councillor Doubt has been a representative of the regional district and has done incredible work over there. I really want to thank him.”
Councillor Jim Palm said Doubt had been a longtime member of the regional board, representing the city taxpayers. Palm recognized the work Doubt had done over the years as a city director on the board.
“I know when I stepped away for personal reasons not too long ago as an alternate director, I was asked a question by councillor Doubt as to why I was choosing to step down, so councillor Doubt, I’m asking you the same question,” said Palm.
Doubt thanked Palm for the question but said he did not want to go into it in detail.
“It’s a personal decision; it took into account all my aspects of life sitting around this table and at the regional district table,” said Doubt. “To be fair, I just want to say there is nothing about the regional district staff or other directors at the regional district board that contributed to me making this decision. It’s all about what’s in this room and in the city. I’m looking forward to a lighter workload.”
City councillor and meeting chair Rob Southcott said he had served as an alternate on the regional board for at least one and a half terms. He said particularly over the past couple of years, he has attended a lot of regional district board meetings and had watched Doubt provide excellent service for the regional community.
“I remember the first time we sat down for coffee together and I thought this is the man that I will support and vote for,” said Southcott. “I am very grateful for the service you have provided.”
Councillors voted to accept Doubt’s correspondence.
Later in the meeting, councillors dealt with the appointment of municipal directors to the qRD board. When city councillors were elected in October 2022, council decided upon two-year appointments for Doubt and Elliott. Their terms are expiring, so council had to deal with the election of regional district municipal directors prior to the next regional board meeting in November.
After lengthy discussion, city councillors voted for Southcott to take Doubt’s position on the regional district board and to carry four votes when voting on weighted matters. Elliott was returned to the regional board, with three votes. Because of the city’s population, municipal regional directors carry seven votes in the regional district.
Councillor Trina Isakson was returned as Elliott’s alternate director. As of the October 24 city council meeting, an alternate director for Southcott was not named.
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