Three Years Ago...

Earlier today, I just took a brief look at my emails as to what local gov't was up to, at this time, in 2008

2008:

1) Central Cariboo Victim Services (increase to requisition)
2) Establish New Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Function
3) North Cariboo gets ready for $15,000,000 Referendum

Now, faster forward to 2011 - I'll update the 3 Items above plus other items coming up

1) Central Cariboo Victim Services ($22,000 requisition all used up).  If more spending is contemplated in the future, voters' will have to approve a lift to the tax requisition limit.  Central Cariboo Joint Committee directed City of WL CAO Brian Carruthers/Victim Services Manager Elizabeth Hutchinson to come back with a plan regarding the future direction of the Victim Services Function and as of today - this plan has not been laid before the Joint Committee

2) Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Function - Function was approved, via counter-petition, in 2008.  A Service Delivery Plan was created/approved by the CRD Board.  There has been discussion around a strategic vision for Arts/Culture for the Central Cariboo region however it has been suggested that the newly established Central Cariboo Arts/Culture Society (CCACS) take the lead to develop a strategic vision, whereas I see a strategic vision for Arts/Culture being so broad that local government take the lead on it, as not to give a suggestion of "the fox in charge of the henhouse".  Finally - the CCACS has a contract to manage the Arts/Culture Function

3) North Cariboo Multi-Centre - the referendum to approve-in-principle borrowing up to $15,000,000 for a Multi-Centre in Quesnel was approved on Nov 15th, 2008 and North Cariboo politicians will have to go back to the voters' if they can not secure the remaining $15,000,000 by November 15th, 2013 from Ottawa/Victoria

Other Issues occurring this fall:


1) "Talk Trash" sessions - the Cariboo Regional District, as part of its' wish to create a new Solid Waste Management Plan or SWMP, will hold various public meetings to get public input.  You can view the public meeting schedule to see when a meeting will be happening where you live here.   The first public meeting on the SWMP will be happening Tuesday from 4-8pm in the CRD Boardroom in Williams Lake.  There will be a formal presentation at 7pm.  You can read a public handout on the SWMP here

Editor's Note - I'm disappointed that this session is occurring on the same night as a WL City Council meeting and could have been held on the weekend of Sept 17/18 as no SWMP Public Meeting has been scheduled for that weekend


2) Fluoride Referendum - As I reported earlier - the City of Williams Lake will be taking the issue of whether or not to continue fluoridizing the City's water to City voters' on November 19th.  Useful information can be located here