A well-known political figure around the region has decided to take some time away from the spotlight.
Red Rock Indian Band Chief Pierre Pelletier has decided he will not let his name stand in next month's election. Pelletier is nearing the completion of his third term as chief of the small community on the corner of Highways 11 and 17.
Pelletier has decided to step away from politics to focus on his family and his health. For the past six years, he has led the band, also known as Lake Helen First Nation. In that time, Pelletier believes the community has gone places no other band has with off-reserve real estate purchases.
Pelletier said those purchases have given the community long term revenue streams, a step towards becoming self sufficient and less reliant on senior levels of government.
16 people are currently running for office in the Sept.10 election, with the person with the highest votes becoming the next chief.
Pelletier won't be walking away from politics quietly, before the end of his term he plans to go public with his criticism of the recent provincial wood allocation process.
