Outcome of Monday's WL Community Forest Mtg

WL Community Forest Package

At a meeting Monday which drew a crowd of 100 people at the 150 Mile Community/Fire Hall, a 2 hour discussion was had regarding the contentious Williams Lake Community Forest which was facilitated by Gail Wallin of the Fraser Basin Council

Two themes, in my opinion, which were unable to be resolved at this meeting including number/composition of the Board of Directors of the 'General Partnership (City of WL/WL Indian Band) (increase from the current 6 and why weren't applications advertised for appointments to the Board) and also benefits that flow to the communities (Big Lake, Miocene, Horsefly/WL Indian Band).

I do have to hand it to Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook and WL Indian Band Chief Ann Louie for making a true effort for being 'contrite' and demonstrating a genuine effort to work with the Big Lake, Horsefly and Miocene communities

However, in my opinion, Monday's meeting resolved nothing and the process used was not agreed to by all parties as I could tell that as a couple of people didn't hide their frustration at the process used (discussion by faciliation, rather than presentation then open discussion).  Had the latter than the former been used, a more fruitful outcome could have been seen

As an observer, I think that the Board of Directors' for the WL Community Forest must have two things:

a) No connection (work or otherwise) to current elected officials or their Staff - City of Williams Lake/WL Indian Band

b) Representation of all areas affected by the WL Community Forest

A good healthy number for the Board would be 11 (1 rep from Big Lake, Horsefly, Miocene, Esler plus the current 3 from WL and 3 from the WL Indian Band plus a neutral Chair agreed to by all parties who wouldn't vote expect to break a tie)

All parties now await a final report from Monday's meeting from the Fraser Basin Council.  I think that report will dictate what the next steps will entail...

--- SBF