One sitting Armstrong councillor will not seek re-election in October.
James (Jim) Wright has announced in an open letter to Armstrong residents that he has had to take a leave of absence from his council duties to care for his ailing wife 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Her health care needs are beyond what our health care system can provide,” said Wright, saying staffing shortages at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Kelowna General Hospital has resulted in himself and his family being at her bedside on a daily basis.
“Staff seem to be doing the best they can, however, it is not sufficient enough to meet her healthcare needs,” he said.
Wright is unable to attend council meetings but, he says, he continues to answer constituents’ questions and referrals “the best I can until my term expires in October.”
“To those many residents that have asked me to carry on for a second term on council, I am humbled, but I regret that I will be unable to do so,” said Wright, who was elected to a four-year term in 2018. “I would like to thank the residents of Armstrong for the privilege of working for them as an elected official for the past nearing four years.”
Wright topped the councillor poll in 2018 with 671 votes.
North Okanagan residents will go to the polls in their respective communities and regional district electoral areas on Saturday, Oct. 15.
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