The big hat has retired from politics — for now. Deserving of a rest after 12 years as Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Area B director, four years as chair of the RDCK, six years as chair of the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) and the last five years as chair of the Ktunaxa Kinbasket treaty advisory committee, John Kettle and his wife, Marilyn, plan to go south and fish for a few months. But they will be back.
More than 200 friends, fellow politicians and staff of the RDCK gathered Jan. 20 at the Creston and District Community Complex, (expanded and upgraded under Kettle’s chairmanship), to celebrate an almost endless list of his accomplishments.
Lower Kootenay Band Chief Jason Louie spoke respectfully of his negotiations with Kettle and the RDCK on the use of the Lister area landfill property, and the upcoming band referendum that will hopefully settle the issue for many decades.
Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks described Kettle as an American with a big Canadian heart (actually, the Kettle family became Canadian citizens decades ago), and called him “hardworking, tenacious and with a great sense of humour.”
Kudos and roasts were offered by dignitaries from Columbia Basin Trust, KERHD, RDCK directors and staff, Justin Kettle (speaking for Kettle’s four children), representatives of the Area B advisory planning commission, and the Area B Tourism, Economic Development and Communication Society.
Congratulatory messages were read from Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett, deputy premier Rich Coleman, Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall and Premier Christy Clark, attesting to the fact that Kettle reached out beyond this district for assistance and advice to help his constituents.
The theme of the evening was “Hats off to John” and the hall was decorated with black hats, down to little chocolate cowboy hats on the cupcakes. A delicious beef-on-a-bun dinner was provided by A Break In Time Caffé. Virtual Valley Connection filmed the event and Kettle will be presented with a DVD as a souvenir.
—BY SIGNE MILLER