Letter to Spallumcheen Residents.With this letter, I am asking for your support and your trusted vote on Election Day, October 17th, 2026
The upcoming election is an important opportunity for residents of Spallumcheen to consider our community’s future -
Effective Leadership Knowledge and Experience Common-sense Approach Honesty and Integrity Open and Transparent Local Government
RURAL vs URBAN
I support orderly, responsible growth for our community.
However, I do NOT support the urban, high-density development being pursued by the current council through its proposed Bylaws 2144 for the South East Sector of Spallumcheen.
Your vote is not about supporting a friend, colleague, or business associate. You are voting for the future of Spallumcheen.
Your vote is private. Use your secret ballot to vote for the candidate whose vision for Spallumcheen’s future
aligns with yours.
My Plan for the Next Four Years.
1. Keep Taxes affordable:
2. Improve Spallumcheen's 232-km Road Network:
3. Revisit the Official Community Plan: I do NOT support High Density Development:
4. Build a Stronger Relationship with the City of Armstrong: That makes cooperation and long-term planning between Spallumcheen and Armstrong essential. Rather than planning individually, we should work together on issues where our communities share interests, including infrastructure, transportation, services and future growth.
5. Open and Transparent Government: Public council meetings will be videotaped.
2. Improve Spallumcheen's 232-km Road Network:
3. Revisit the Official Community Plan: I do NOT support High Density Development:
4. Build a Stronger Relationship with the City of Armstrong: That makes cooperation and long-term planning between Spallumcheen and Armstrong essential. Rather than planning individually, we should work together on issues where our communities share interests, including infrastructure, transportation, services and future growth.
5. Open and Transparent Government: Public council meetings will be videotaped.
Together, we can preserve the character of our community and the rural way of life that make Spallumcheen special, while making thoughtful decisions about growth.
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PLEASE COME OUT AND VOTE. Advance Voting Wednesday , October 7th, 2026Advance Voting Wednesday, October 14th, 2026General Voting Saturday , October 17th, 2026Thank you for participating in our local election.
With a strong team I can make it happen. Please consider to vote for
Mayor:
RIEGER, Guenter.
Council:
LANG, Steve—
TORRENS, Bev—
VAN Deursen Mark,
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Questions to ask incumbent mayor and council candidates who are knocking on doors and defending their decision.
Every Official Community Plan (OCP) should be considered a living document—one that can be reviewed and updated as circumstances change while respecting the community's long-term vision.
During my second term as mayor, Council worked with the community for more than two years on the most comprehensive OCP that was adopted in 1995. I believe it is important to revisit that plan and examine what it can teach us about responsible growth today.
One issue I believe deserves renewed consideration is the South East Sector.
The 1995 OCP identified this area for Country Residential (CR) zoning. In my view, that approach recognized the importance of limiting disturbance to the mountain and protecting an important watershedfor the Spallumcheen Valley.
Another issue requiring careful examination is the historical understanding between Spallumcheen and the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) concerning the possible use of agricultural land that is not suitable for farming.
The concept involved locating homes on appropriate portions of ALR land along Spallumcheen's existing road network of more than 232 km, potentially avoiding the need for extensive new roads and significant infrastructure costs.
The concept involved locating homes on appropriate portions of ALR land along Spallumcheen's existing road network of more than 232 km, potentially avoiding the need for extensive new roads and significant infrastructure costs.
There was also the proposal involving up to 80 acres behind Rogers Flower Mill for an agricultural park. The location near Armstrong's lagoon raises important questions about infrastructure, wastewater treatment, and the historical arrangements between the Township of Spallumcheen and the City of Armstrong.
To establish a buffer zone between the agricultural community within the Regional District and country residential development, the property of our current Mayor was neither designated nor specifically identified in the 1995 OCP. During a former terms it was incorporated in the Official Community Plan.
Spallumchenn's population up to 15,000 +??? Southlands South East Sector-Spallumcheen Phase1to 16 1,350 homes = 3,380 new residents
Whether you are young or old, the future of Spallumcheen affects all of us.
I am very glad that we have a municipal election coming up. Otherwise, many residents might not be aware of important issues and decisions that could have a lasting impact on our community. Like many residents, I am concerned about the possibility of high-density development in our agricultural community, particularly as Spallumcheen prepares for significant population growth over the next 10 to 20 years.
It has taken more than 130 years to build Spallumcheen into the farming community we know today, with approximately 5,200 residents.
Whether you are young or old, the future of Spallumcheen affects all of us.
I am very glad that we have a municipal election coming up. Otherwise, many residents might not be aware of important issues and decisions that could have a lasting impact on our community. Like many residents, I am concerned about the possibility of high-density development in our agricultural community, particularly as Spallumcheen prepares for significant population growth over the next 10 to 20 years.
It has taken more than 130 years to build Spallumcheen into the farming community we know today, with approximately 5,200 residents.
TOWNSHIP OF SPALLUMCHEENMONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024 @ 5:30 PM
https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/65632/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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Let me be clear: "Spallumcheen needs responsible growth to remain a strong and viable community.
But high-density development
is not necessarily the right answer.
Growth will not happen overnight.
It may take many years for our population to increase to 8,000, 10,000, or even 15,000 people. That gives us time to plan carefully rather than rushing into decisions that could permanently change the character of Spallumcheen.
Spallumcheen also has a very unique situation. If our communities, the City of Armstrong and the Township of Spallumcheen, are preparing for substantial growth, shouldn't we first consider where the infrastructure and services are already available? Water, sewer, roads, schools, emergency services, and other infrastructure all need to be considered before deciding where and how major growth should occur.
Spallumcheen also has a very unique situation. If our communities, the City of Armstrong and the Township of Spallumcheen, are preparing for substantial growth, shouldn't we first consider where the infrastructure and services are already available? Water, sewer, roads, schools, emergency services, and other infrastructure all need to be considered before deciding where and how major growth should occur.
Once Council approves one high-density development, it can also create a precedent that future developers may point to when seeking similar approvals.
Key details surrounding Bylaw 2144:
High Density Development for South East Sector
Township of Spallumcheen Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2144 (2024) is a proposed local planning and zoning amendment regarding property in the Southlands / South East sector of Spallumcheen.
Key details surrounding Bylaw 2144:
Scope & Purpose: It addresses rezoning/zoning amendments (specifically involving Residential/Commercial/RC1 or higher-density residential designations) to allow increased density and development in the Southlands area.
Key details surrounding Bylaw 2144:
Scope & Purpose: It addresses rezoning/zoning amendments (specifically involving Residential/Commercial/RC1 or higher-density residential designations) to allow increased density and development in the Southlands area.
Status: Council passed second reading for the amendment in 2024/2025, initiating significant local discussion around open government, public hearings, higher-density residential growth, and infrastructure/water impacts in the township.
I have not seen any advertisements about local discussions regarding Bylaw 2144. Glad we have an election..
Once Council approves one high-density development, it can also create a precedent that future developers may point to when seeking similar approvals.
SPALLUMCHEEN, BC — Guenter Rieger, who previously served as Mayor of the Township of Spallumcheen from 1989 to 1996, has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor in the upcoming 2026 municipal election.
Rieger steps back into the political arena driven by a commitment to common-sense leadership, fiscal responsibility, and transparent governance. A firm believer in non-career politicians, Rieger originally stepped away in 1996 from local government after serving two terms. During his prior leadership, he delivered an open and transparent administration while maintaining stable municipal services without increasing residential tax rates for six consecutive years. During his time many roads were upgraded too. www.spallumcheenchronicle.com
"I like to get the job done in a cost-effective way, using taxpayer dollars effectively," said Rieger. Key priorities of my campaign platform include: “Restoring Inter-Municipal Collaboration: Addressing the breakdown in communication between the Township of Spallumcheen and the City of Armstrong over the past two decades. Rieger plans to reintroduce the joint monthly council workshops he initiated during his past terms to foster cost-effective, unified community planning.
Responsible, Balanced Growth: Supporting orderly development to ensure long-term community sustainability while opposing overdevelopment.
Protecting Agricultural Heritage: Raising serious concerns regarding proposed high-density developments—specifically the South East Sector which will increase Spallumcheen’s population up to 15,000 +, and questioning the scale of the associated new wastewater recovery plant needed to serve that massive development.
Rieger emphasizes protecting Spallumcheen’s more than 54,000 acres of prime agricultural land to preserve its status as a viable farming and business hub.
Accountable Leadership: Reaffirming that local government must serve the electorate, rejecting self-serving political agendas, and restoring a straightforward, accountable approach to municipal office. The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without integrity, no real success is possible.” Some of my concerns: click here
Rieger steps back into the political arena driven by a commitment to common-sense leadership, fiscal responsibility, and transparent governance. A firm believer in non-career politicians, Rieger originally stepped away in 1996 from local government after serving two terms. During his prior leadership, he delivered an open and transparent administration while maintaining stable municipal services without increasing residential tax rates for six consecutive years. During his time many roads were upgraded too. www.spallumcheenchronicle.com
"I like to get the job done in a cost-effective way, using taxpayer dollars effectively," said Rieger. Key priorities of my campaign platform include: “Restoring Inter-Municipal Collaboration: Addressing the breakdown in communication between the Township of Spallumcheen and the City of Armstrong over the past two decades. Rieger plans to reintroduce the joint monthly council workshops he initiated during his past terms to foster cost-effective, unified community planning.
Responsible, Balanced Growth: Supporting orderly development to ensure long-term community sustainability while opposing overdevelopment.
Protecting Agricultural Heritage: Raising serious concerns regarding proposed high-density developments—specifically the South East Sector which will increase Spallumcheen’s population up to 15,000 +, and questioning the scale of the associated new wastewater recovery plant needed to serve that massive development.
Rieger emphasizes protecting Spallumcheen’s more than 54,000 acres of prime agricultural land to preserve its status as a viable farming and business hub.
Accountable Leadership: Reaffirming that local government must serve the electorate, rejecting self-serving political agendas, and restoring a straightforward, accountable approach to municipal office. The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without integrity, no real success is possible.” Some of my concerns: click here
Responsible Growth for a Rural Community
Spallumchenn's population 15,000 +???
Important Message to All Spallumcheen Residents:
Whether you are young or old, the future of Spallumcheen affects all of us.I am very glad that we have a municipal election coming up. Otherwise, many residents might not be aware of important issues and decisions that could have a lasting impact on our community.
Like many residents, I am concerned about the possibility of high-density development in our agricultural community, particularly as Spallumcheen prepares for significant population growth over the next 10 to 20 years.
It has taken more than 130 years to build Spallumcheen into the farming community we know today, with approximately 5,200 residents. We must protect the rural character, agricultural land, and quality of life that generations have worked so hard to create.
Let me be clear: Spallumcheen needs responsible growth to remain a strong and viable community. But high-density development is not necessarily the right answer.
Growth will not happen overnight. It may take many years for our population to increase by 8,000, 10,000, or even 15,000 people. That gives us time to plan carefully rather than rushing into decisions that could permanently change the character of our community.
Spallumcheen also has a very unique situation. We are an independent municipality located around and beside the City of Armstrong, where many urban services and infrastructure already exist.
If our communities are preparing for substantial growth, shouldn't we first consider where the infrastructure and services are already available?Water, sewer, roads, schools, emergency services, and other infrastructure all need to be considered before deciding where and how major growth should occur.
Creating a high-density, urban-style development in Spallumcheen—essentially a satellite "15-minute city"—may not be the answer for our rural community.
Once Council approves one high-density development, it can also create a precedent that future developers may point to when seeking similar approvals. While every application must be considered on its own merits, consistency in planning decisions is important.
That is why residents need to pay attention and participate before major land-use decisions are made.
Growth should be thoughtful, gradual, and supported by adequate infrastructure and services, while protecting agricultural land, the environment, and the rural character that makes Spallumcheen unique.
Spallumcheen needs growth—but it must be the right growth, in the right places, and at a scale that respects our agricultural heritage.Our community has taken more than a century to build.
Let's make sure we plan carefully for the next century.
North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project (NOWRP)
Benefit for Spallumcheen?
The total estimated cost for the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project (NOWRP) has increased significantly, rising from its original 2019 baseline of $36.9 millionto $49.6 million.
Key Factors Behind the Cost Increase Supply Chain & Material Inflation: Global supply chain disruptions and sharp spikes in the price of raw materials, fuel, and specialized equipment heavily impacted estimates. Labor Shortages & Construction.
Escalation: B.C.'s construction sector experienced multi-year cost inflation well above historical averages.Permitting & Environmental Requirements: Detailed engineering design, geotechnical investigations, and meeting stringent provincial environmental and Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) regulations added planning scope. Financial Impact & Management Grant
Funding Gap: A major portion of the project is funded by $24.3 million in federal and provincial grants, but because grant amounts are fixed, local partners (RDNO, Township of Spallumcheen, and Okanagan Indian Band) have had to absorb the cost increases.
Borrowing Challenges: To help cover the funding gap, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) attempted to authorize up to $4.8 million in borrowing through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP), but the initiative failed due to elector opposition, forcing project leaders to look at alternative funding mechanisms, re-phasing options, or Development Cost Charges (DCCs).