By Andru McCracken
Gene Runtz will continue to work as the general manager of the McBride Community Forest Corporation (MCFC) in addition to his new role as Mayor of the Village of McBride.
In a statement, the MCFC board said they sought legal counsel before making the decision.
“The MCFC worked with legal counsel to determine what measures needed to be put into place to mitigate the risk of Conflict of Interest so that Mr. Runtz could be offered a new contract to execute the duties of General Manager while concurrently representing the Village of McBride as Mayor. After implementing the recommendations from legal counsel, the MCFC is confident that Mr. Runtz will be able to fulfill both positions and are pleased to announce that Eugene Runtz will be contracting as General Manager for the MCFC.”
“After implementing the recommendations from legal counsel, the MCFC is confident that Mr. Runtz will be able to fulfill both positions.”
– MCFC Board
Runtz is a registered professional forester and operates Runtz Forest Management Ltd and he held the position of general manager of the community forest from October 2017 to 2018. But the board of directors held off renewing his contract when he put his name forward for the office of mayor this fall.
The corporation announced his rehiring this week.
A press release from the McBride Community Forest board praised Runtz for his work during that year.
“Mr. Runtz did an excellent job in moving the MCFC forward toward profitability and establishing a collaborative working relationship with the other Community Forest organizations within the Robson Valley,” said the press release from the board of directors.
Runtz could not be reached for comment before our deadline.
