Christina Lake doesn’t have a key to the city. Instead it has a paddle to the community.
Outgoing economic development manager Donna Wilchynski became the first person so honored recently, as she prepares to take a new job with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.
“It is a good opportunity for her,” said regional district director Grace McGregor, who has worked closely with Wilchynski for the last six years-plus.
“She has a lot to offer them. It’s going to be hard for us to fill the position. You don’t replace Donna, ever. It will have to be a different vision. We’re working on that right now. We don’t know what that looks like yet but we were very fortunate to have Donna here.”
In addition to her economic development role, Wilchynski was the manager of the Gateway Community Development Association.
To send her off, she was presented with a paddle pictured at top. It’s about 16 inches long and has “Thank you, Donna” written on it.
