Emotions ran high Tuesday night at the regional district as chair Joe Stanhope paid a heartfelt ode to his longtime friend and colleague, outgoing director George Holme.
Stanhope called it an "honour" to serve on the RDN board with Holme over the last three decades.
"George is certainly a longtime friend of mine," he said, noting his commitment to local government which was recognized by a 2011 contribution award from UBCM.
Stanhope went on to thank Holme's family, including his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth, who was sitting in the audience.
"Political involvement has to be a family endeavor and there's a lot of give and take and the whole family has done a great deal for our community," he said.
Stanhope commended Holme for overseeing "many key initiatives including the regional growth management plan which was one of the first in B.C., the liquid waste management plan, the transit business plan, the building of the Oceanside Place Arena complex and construction of the Arrowsmith Dam, a big issue that will pay dividends for years to come."
Stanhope said in more recent years Holme was closely involved in building the new Nanoose Bay Fire Hall, securing regionally significant parkland and building a great relationship with Snaw-Naw-As chief David Bob, who also attended a meeting in honour of Holme.
"On behalf of the RDN board of directors I want to thank you for three decades of commitment," Stanhope said, to a teary-eyed Holme. "I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with you on this board."
Stanhope and Holme shared a sincere hug, before the chair presented a framed picture of Moorecroft Regional Park to Holme, of which he was instrumental in creating.
Before the end of Holme's last meeting he brought forward three new motions which all passed.
Holme directed staff to establish a mechanism to allow all residents whose wells have demonstrated to be "significantly impaired" by the well on Parker Road to be brought into the Nanoose Bay Penninsula Water Service without a connection fee; that $50,000 from the Nanoose Bay cash in lieu of parkland fund be put aside for the future acquisition of what is known as "the Notch" and that a request be sent to the Ministry of Transportation to allow for 1.5 metre sidewalks along Wembley Road to provide for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.