Message from Mayor James Baker

It’s me to give up the gavel. I think 30 years is long enough in my second career, as beloved as it has been. I’ve announced I will not be running for elected office again a er this term ends in October and I can’t help but reflect on the past three decades.

A er moving to Lake Country in 1976 with my wife, Anita, and our four boys, we quickly became involved in volunteering, doing what we could for our children’s school and sports teams and helping local church and community groups meet their goals. This eventually led me to opportuni es to represent my fellow ci zens in elected roles, beginning first in 1981 with the Regional District of Central Okanagan represen ng Lake Country as Director. There, I was happy to spend twelve years working on improvements in this great community. We established the Carr's Landing Fire Department, created the Coral Beach recrea on area, acquired the Okanagan Centre School and founded the Lake Country Heritage and Cultural Society, among many other achievements.

And, of course, it was during this me Lake Country incorporated. I was a strong supporter of incorpora on and an advocate of the ward system which assures neighbourhood representa on on council. I knew this was the right course to take that would provide the people of all four communi es in Lake Country a chance to guide their own des nies and to embrace change but maintain the atmosphere and vitality of the individual communi es.

I was elected to the first council of Lake Country in 1995. I am honoured to have watched the municipality develop so impressively since then. I am proud of the policies and procedures we have developed because, above all, our goal is to provide efficient, effec ve and mely services to the community while using resources economically. I have watched the changes brought about by new provincial legisla on which provided more flexibility for local governments than the old Municipal Act.

My work as an elected official complemented my career as a professor of anthropology and archaeology at Okanagan College and Okanagan University College. Anthropologists are interested in studying people and their communi es. I could apply principles of my studies to the prac cality of council choices, and I have ac vely watched my community grow and develop directly from the decisions Lake Country Council and its ci zens have made over the years.

Nearest to my heart is our ac ve engagement with our First Na ons friends and neighbours. Lake Country is dedicated to reconcilia on, and we have never shied away from difficult truths or conversa ons. I know this is part of Lake Country’s essence and will con nue on as it always has. What began as an interest in my community, with volunteering a few hours a week, became a 30 year career as an elected official. I have never regre ed a moment of it. I believe every member of a community has a voice and should use it and I believe governments should listen. We need to be transparent and open. Everyone should be treated, and treat others, with respect and courtesy and I tried to bring these convic ons to the boards I joined.

My last months as Mayor of Lake Country will be spent encouraging others to take up the mantle and consider volunteering to help your community. Every voice ma ers and every person can help. You may have the skills, know‐how or enthusiasm that is needed.

I feel privileged to have served alongside many tremendous people over the years. I have been inspired, supported and encouraged by fellow elected officials and dedicated staff. I look back at these past 30 years with pride knowing I helped some excellent teams do great things.

I look forward to watching the next Council of Lake Country as it works with its ci zens and con nues to guide the future of this great community.