Similkameen regional director dies suddenly

PENTICTON  – Elef Christensen, a sitting member of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, died over the weekend.

Regional district chair Karla Kozakevich said in a press release issued today, June 25, Area G Hedley director died Saturday, June 23 while walking in Hedley.

Christensen was serving his second term as Director for Hedley and Olalla.

“Elef was well known in his community for his generosity. His commitment to public service is a great illustration of his untiring willingness to helping friends, neighbours and the community he called home,” Kozakevich says.

“Elef would often drive rural residents into Penticton for appointments, or to catch the Greyhound bus. Elef will be missed in the community,” regional district chief adminstrative officer Bill Newell says.

The board of directors and staff extend their condolences to family and friends.

Christensen's alternate director Roger Mayer will take on the Director’s role until this year’s Oct. 20 municipal elections.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.