WL Snow/Ice Control Policy

Yesterday, I noted the City of Quesnel's Snow Removal Guide...

While the City of Williams Lake does not have a "Snow Removal Guide" per se, it does have its' own Snow/Ice Control Policy which you can read here

In addition - the City of WL has published a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the Snow/Ice Removal policy which you can also read here

Should you have any questions on snow or ice removal in the City of Williams Lake - you can contact the City's Director of Municipal Services, Gary Muraca, via telephone at 250-392-1783 or via email here

~SF

Local Gov't Mgs - Wk of Dec 1-5

A number of local governments will be having Inaugural Meetings to start the 2014-2018 Term of Local Government as follows:

Wells - Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 2nd at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Avenue).  View the full Agenda here

Quesnel - Inaugural Meeting on Monday, Dec 1st at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor, 410 Kinchant St).  View the full Agenda here.  Refreshments in Council Chambers Foyer following adjournment

Williams Lake  - Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 2nd at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart Street).  View the full Agenda here.  Refreshments in WL City Hall Foyer following adjournment

For Williams Lake/Quesnel Meetings - there will be an opportunity for members of the public to address City Council

Inaugural Meetings for District of 100 Mile House, School Districts #28 (Quesnel) and #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) and the Cariboo Regional District will occur the week of Dec 8 - 12

~SF

WL Council Appointments for 2014-18

This afternoon - the Dec 2nd Inaugural Meeting Agenda for Williams Lake Municipal Council was published and one item on the Agenda is Council Committee appointments for 2014-15.  The Standing Committees of Council (5) are:

1) Community Services - Members: Councillors Laurie Walters (Chair), Ivan Bonnell and Sue Zacharias

2) General Governance - Members: Councillors Craig Smith (Chair), Scott Nelson and Laurie Walters

3) Finance - Members: Councillors Scott Nelson (Chair), Craig Smith and Jason Ryll

4) Public Works - Members: Councillors Ivan Bonnell (Chair), Jason Ryll and Sue Zacharias

5) Executive - Members: Mayor Walt Cobb (Chair), Councillors Jason Ryll and Scott Nelson

The appointment of members of Council to the 5 above mentioned Committees are at the pleasure of the Mayor and do not require a Council Resolution

View the full Council Committee appointment list here

Meanwhile - some other noteworthy appointments which require a Council Resolution:

1) Cariboo RD -- Mayor Cobb as City of WL Director with Councillor Ivan Bonnell as Alternate Director

2) CC Beetle Action Coalition  - Mayor Cobb as City Director with Councillor Scott Nelson as Alternate Director

3) Northern Development Initiative Trust,  Reg Advisory Committee - Mayor Cobb as City Director with Councillor Craig Smith as Alternate Director

~SF

Quesnel Snow Clearing Guide

The City of Quesnel has published its' Snow Clearing Guide for its residents including methods used for snow removal, scheduling, operational areas, and ways the public can assist the snow removal crews...

Read more here

~SF

2nd Quarter Report says BC Balanced Budget for 2014-15

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

B.C. remains on target to balance the 2014-15 Budget with a projected year-end surplus of $444 million, up by $178 million since the First Quarterly Report, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

Revenue for 2014-15 is forecast to be $45.5 billion, which is $194 million higher than the First Quarterly Report projection. Increases in revenue from taxation sources, federal transfers and net income of commercial Crown corporations were partly offset by lower natural resource revenues. Much of this net gain in revenue is not expected to carry forward into future years.

Total government spending is forecast to be $16 million higher than projected in the First Quarterly report, partly due to higher spending by health authorities to respond to demand for services. Spending by government ministries is forecast to be down $29 million, compared to the first quarter forecast, partly due to lower debt servicing costs.

Taxpayer-supported debt is forecast to be $300 million less than projected at the First Quarterly Report. The government’s taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP ratio — a key measure of affordability — is forecast to be 17.7%, 0.1 percentage points lower than the restated First Quarterly Report projection. Compared to Budget 2014, taxpayer-supported debt is forecast to be $1.1 billion lower, and the debt-to-GDP ratio 0.4 percentage points lower — down from 18.1% (restated) at budget.

B.C.’s real GDP is forecast to grow by 1.9% in 2014 and 2.3% in 2015, unchanged from the First Quarterly Report.

de Jong will meet with members of the independent Economic Forecast Council to discuss B.C.’s economic outlook at their annual meeting in Vancouver on Dec. 5, 2014. The meeting is open to media.

Michael de Jong, BC's Minister of Finance says -

“With a provincial budget of almost $45 billion, the current forecast surplus of $444 million is still a modest amount. While this quarterly update demonstrates there have been some positive short-term gains, we’re committed to continuing to exercise fiscal discipline to ensure B.C.’s budget remains balanced.”

“We have continually set and met, or exceeded, our fiscal targets. For this fiscal year, taxpayer-supported debt is forecast to be $1.1 billion less than projected at budget. This government remains committed to managing taxpayer-supported debt and further reducing the taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP ratio.”

Quick Facts:

Retail sales are a source of strength in the B.C. economy, advancing 5.7% year-to-date to August 2014 compared to the previous year, with notable increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers, general merchandise stores, and food and beverage stores.

B.C. housing starts increased by 5.8% year-to-date to October compared to the same period in 2013.
B.C. businesses have enjoyed solid growth in export sales in the first nine months of 2014. The value of B.C. international merchandise exports was up 8% year-to-date compared to the same period of 2013.

Increased economic activity in the United States has benefited B.C. with exports to the U.S. up 15.4% year-to-date to September 2014 compared to the previous year.

B.C. employment growth remains modest with a 0.7% increase year-to-date to October compared to the same period last year. This increase translates to about 15,800 more jobs.

End of a Era...

At last night's final Williams Lake City Council meeting for the 2011-2014 Term - Mayor Kerry Cook along with City Councillors Ivan Bonnell, Geoff Bourdon, Danica Hughes, Surinderpal Rathor, Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias gave term end reports.

Both incoming Williams Lake City Councillors Scott Nelson and Craig Smith watched from the public gallery

While most gave reports around how they saw the 2011-14 term progress - Councillor Laurie Walters said an emotional goodbye to Mayor Cook and Councillors Rathor, Bourdon and Hughes while acknowledging continuing with Councillors Bonnell and Zacharias

Councillor Sue Zacharias, who will be continuing for another term, asked the new City Council to not forget about the social needs of the community while Mayor Cook in her term-end report called on the next City Council to take up the torch of First Nations relations and carry that forward in the 2014-2018 Term.  This was acknowledged, by way of nod, of incoming Williams Lake City Councillors Craig Smith and Scott Nelson

While it will be sad not to see Surinderpal Rathor in local government circles in the next term- it will be interesting to observe where the 2014-2018 Williams Lake City Council takes the community over the next 4 years... but I know, in talking with incoming Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb, that the Cariboo Regional District/City of Williams Lake relationship is one of his priorities, moving forward

I personally wish Geoff Bourdon, Danica Hughes, Surinderpal Rathor and Kerry Cook the very best in their future endeavours and I'm looking forward, as the incoming CRD Area 'D' Director, to working with the new 2014-18 Williams Lake City Council as we all work together for the betterment of the Central Cariboo region.

The 2014-2018 Williams Lake City Council will be sworn into office on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014 at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers

~SF

WL Council Highlights - Nov 25th mtg

Present: Mayor Cook and Councillors Bonnell, Bourdon, Hughes, Rathor, and Walters

Staff:

Darrell Garceau - City Manager
Rena Schill - Corporate Services/Records Mgmt Coordinator
Nigel Whitehead - Planning Tech
Chris Hutton - Planner
Tom Chung - IT Mgr
Geoff Paynton - Director of Community Services
Beth Holden - Events/Marketing Coordinator

Meeting called to order at 6pm
Meeting Agenda approved/Nov 4th WL City Council meeting minutes approved

Delegation:

1) Dylan Matheson, Wildsafe BC Coordinator appeared before Council to discuss the 2014 Williams Lake Wildsafe Program Summary

A Question and Answer period ensued
Mayor Cook, on behalf of Council, thanked Mr. Matheson for his time and information

Resolved - Council received for information the report of the Planner dated November 19, 2014, together with the 'WildSafe BC Year-End Report 2014 - Williams Lake', containing a summary of the 2014 WildSafe program in Williams Lake and Staff report back to Council on issues contained in the 2014 Year End Report from WildSafe BC

Business:

1) Council received for information the account payable cheque runs for Nov 6, 13, and 20th

2) After receiving no public input - Council approved DVP#14-2014 (Lorne Marshall - Interior Lot Line Setback Reduction for Proposed Shed - 1265 Eleventh Avenue North)

3a) Council authorized submission of a bid application to host the 2015 BC Mountain Bike Tourism Symposium and up to $4,000 of the $5,000 budgeted for the Event Hosting Grant in 2015 be allocated specifically to this project. Council also approved the allocation of Staff time to this project leading up to the event, as well as successful operations of the weekend long symposium.

3b) Resolved - That the report of the Events/Marketing Coordinator re: BC Mountain Bike Tourism Association 2015 Symposium be referred to the Jan 2015 Central Cariboo/City of Williams Lake Joint Committee meeting

4) Council adopted Street Naming Bylaw #2223, 2014 by the following vote:

Affirmative - Mayor Cook, Councillors Bonnell, Bourdon, Hughes, Walters and Zacharias
Negative - Councillor SPS Rathor

5) Council received the "Council Information Package" as of Nov 25th as follows:

• November 3, 2014 - Seniors Advisory Council re concern at continued delay for the planning required for the CMH renovations;
• November 3, 2014 - AMTA Newsletter re closing of doors;
• November 5, 2014 - UBCM 'The Compass' Newsletter;
• November 6, 2014 - Minister of Health re UBCM Meeting and CMH redevelopment;
• November 14, 2014 - CRD Board Highlights;
• November 19, 2014 - UBCM 'The Compass' Newsletter.

Members of Council gave their "Farewell Speeches" to the conclusion of the 2011-2014 Term of Williams Lake Municipal Council

Meeting adjourned at 7:07pm

WL/Soda Creek Indian Bands on Mt Polley Re-Start

At this past Sunday's Mt Polley Community Meeting in Likely - Steve Robertson, Corporate Affairs VP for Imperial Metals is quoted by Cariboo Country/The Goat as saying Mt Polley could re-start sooner than later

This caused both WL Indian Band Chief Ann Louie & Soda Creek Indian Band Chief Bev Sellars to say that no discussion on any potential re-start of Mt Polley was had with their respective Band Councils' and in any event, was premature until the Ind. Panel Review on Mt Polley is completed by Jan 31st, 2015 in addition to other clean up site issues...

Read more here

This underscores the fact that people need to bear in mind that First Nations command a significant "moral veto" on resource development projects and the absolute necessity to have early and on-going consultation and accommodation for both Williams Lake & Soda Creek Indian Bands and their members' as they have traditional territory interests in the area around Mt Polley.

I can't see how Mt Polley Mine will restart without, at least, some sort of approval of both WL/Soda Creek Indian Bands.... in addition to the regulatory approvals which is still some months away....

~SF

Judicial Recount required in SD72 - Zone 2

In a very rare occurrence - a Provincial Court Judge in Campbell River will be called upon on Thursday to decide the fate of the election of 1 Trustee to represent Trustee Electoral Zone 2 (Sayward Valley) in School District #72 (Campbell River) after both Barbara Bowbrick and Gail Kirschner (Zone 2 candidates) received 98 votes each, both in the preliminary and final election counts

Sections 138 + 139 of the Local Government Act (LGA) speak to the process of a judicial re-count.  If a tie still exists after recounting every one of the 196 ballots cast, then Section 141 of LGA will apply (names in hat and draw one) - read Sections 138-141 of LGA here

Media is covering this story here (Campbell River Mirror) and here (CTV - Vancouver Island)

~SF

Wolves still a problem for Cattle Owners'

Yesterday - Cariboo Country/The Goat interviewed Kevin Boon, General Manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Association regarding wolves turning on cattle and the financial losses than incurs onto local ranchers and those in BC.  This is an issue that has been discussed in the Cariboo-Chilcotin for a number of years and I suspect will continue to do so, given the delicate balance of relationships required between cattle owners, local trappers and the BC Conservation Service

Read more here

~SF

Two Phases to Mt Polley Incident Clean-Up Plan

Courtesy of the BC Environment Ministry:

The first phase of a long-term remediation plan for the area impacted by the Mount Polley breach focuses on human health and environmental safety through the winter and spring, to June 2015. A progress report on Mount Polley Mining Corporation’s remediation plan, focusing on Phase One of a longer-term plan, was released by Environment Minister Mary Polak.

The company has already completed or initiated many components of Phase One, toward achieving three key outcomes, which will ensure:

No further unauthorized discharges into Hazeltine Creek;

The impact zone will be stabilized to manage seasonal events; and

Water quality entering Quesnel Lake and at the outer edge of the impact zone will meet provincial water quality guidelines.

Deliverables of Phase One of the longer-term plan are contained in a letter to the company outlining what actions have been completed to the ministry’s satisfaction, and what actions still need to be taken over the short-term. This letter, along with the progress report and other supporting documents can be found online at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley/updates.htm

To achieve compliance with Phase One objectives, a number of erosion mitigation measures are completed or underway, including a silt fence installation at the mouth of Hazeltine Creek, re-contouring, flow diversion, Polley Lake outlet flow control and installation and operation of settling ponds at Lower Hazeltine Creek. Steps to protect the area from additional environmental damage due to increased water flow from thawing snow, known as the spring freshet, are also part of this first phase.

Phase two of the long-term plan covers the timeframe from July 2015 to August 2016, and focuses on remediating the impacts of the breach. During this period, the ministry will work with the company to implement longer term mitigation strategies ensuring the health of Hazeltine Creek, and Quesnel and Polley Lakes, while continuing to monitor the company’s compliance with the Environmental Management Act and the Pollution Abatement Order.

The company is also expected to finalize and implement a long-term monitoring plan as part of Phase Two.

Since the breach occurred on Aug. 4, 2014, Mount Polley Mining Corporation has submitted a series of plans and actions the company has taken in response to the breach to the ministry for review. These plans have been reviewed by Environment ministry staff, along with an environmental working group and an independent science panel, with refinements relayed to the company on an ongoing basis.

To assess both immediate and potentially longer term impacts from the breach, ministry staff have been taking water, sediment, fish tissue and plankton samples from waterways impacted by the tailings spill since the breach occurred. Initial findings indicate metal concentrations from outside of the impact zone are below B.C. drinking water guidelines.

Following this period of intensive sampling the ministry is now transitioning to an auditing role, continuing to work with the mine, other provincial and federal agencies, First Nations, academia and local communities to establish an integrated approach to further monitoring. Installation of five monitoring buoys to collect water quality data on the sediment plume in Quesnel Lake over the winter months is a result of this work.

The Mount Polley Mining Corporation is responsible for the entire cost of the breach including the cleanup, remediation and site restoration. The ministry will continue to oversee all work undertaken by the company to ensure a long-term environmental monitoring program is implemented.

Mary Polak, Minister of the Environment says -

“While full environmental remediation will take years, this first phase of the longer term plan sets a clear path towards the recovery process. We will continue to work closely with the mine, First Nations and local communities to ensure the necessary mitigation plans are in place to restore the land back to its original state as best we can. The first phase of this plan will stabilize the environment during the spring freshet and ensure cleanup efforts remain on track.”

Quick Facts:

On Aug. 4, 2014, the tailings storage facility at Mount Polley Mine breached releasing approximately 17 million cubic meters of water and eight million cubic meters of tailings into Polley Lake and Quesnel Lake.

The Ministry issued a Pollution Abatement Order (PAO) on Aug. 5, 2014, under the Environmental Management Act to abate the discharge, undertake an environmental impact assessment of the release, and implement remediation activities. Failure to comply with the PAO could lead to a maximum fine of $300,000 per day and up to six months in jail.

Ministry of Environment staff have been on the ground since the breach occurred providing support to the impacted community, First Nations and local government.

The cause of the breach is unknown at this time. Three separate investigations to determine the cause of the impact of the breach are underway.

Learn More:

All planning documents developed by Mount Polley Mining Corporation are publically available on the Ministry of Environment’s dedicated Mount Polley site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley.htm

Dunkleys' invest in NC Arena 1 project!

Joint Release of the City of Quesnel & Cariboo Regional District:

Dunkley Lumber Ltd. has become a part of it with a generous contribution of $140,000. The locally based sawmill has joined many in the corporate community in supporting the North Cariboo arena project.

“At Dunkley, we believe that investing in our community is investing in our business and our employees. We are pleased to be a part of this project and along with our staff, look forward to opening day at the new arena,” said Robert Novak, President. 

“I would like to sincerely thank Dunkley Lumber for supporting this project and their continued support of our north Cariboo communities,” stated CRD Vice-Chair Ted Armstrong. “Your monetary support for this project is a testament of your dedication to the north Cariboo and its residents.”

“Dunkley Lumber is one of our largest employers in the region and we are pleased to have them on board,” says Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “We are grateful that Dunkley has been a corporate sponsor of many new enterprises in Quesnel and thank them for their kind contribution towards a new community arena.”

The new arena will feature a 1,600 seat NHL-sized arena and accompanying event and assembly areas.

For more information about the North Cariboo arena project or how you can participate in the fundraising efforts, visit http://ncarenaproject.com/, visit our Facebook page at http://facebook.com/ncarenaproject or join us on Twitter: @ncarenaproject

Opportunity for Judicial Recount closes today!

As per Section 138 of the Local Government Act - an elector from the respective local government jurisdiction (municipality or electoral area), a defeated election candidate or the respective Chief Election Officer seeking a judicial recount of the Nov 15th local election results has until 4:30pm today to launch one in BC Provincial Court.  A judicial recount may be pursued on the following grounds:

(a) That votes were not correctly accepted or ballots were not correctly rejected as required by the rules of section 129 - Local Government Act (LGA);


(b) That a ballot account does not accurately record the number of valid votes for a candidate;


(c) That the final determination under section 135 of LGA did not correctly calculate the total number of valid votes for a candidate.

The full Section 138 of LGA is below:

Application for judicial recount

138 (1) An application may be made in accordance with this section for a judicial recount, to be undertaken by the Provincial Court, of some or all of the votes in an election.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (5), an application may only be made on one or more of the following bases:
(a) that votes were not correctly accepted or ballots were not correctly rejected as required by the rules of section 129;
(b) that a ballot account does not accurately record the number of valid votes for a candidate;
(c) that the final determination under section 135 did not correctly calculate the total number of valid votes for a candidate.
(3) The time period during which an application may be made is limited to the time between the declaration of official election results under section 136 and 9 days after the close of general voting.
(4) The application may only be made by
(a) an elector of the municipality or electoral area for which the election was held,
(b) a candidate in the election or a candidate representative of a candidate in the election, or
(c) the chief election officer.
(5) An application must be made by the chief election officer if, at the end of the determination of official election results under section 135, a candidate cannot be declared elected because there is an equality of valid votes for 2 or more candidates.
(6) The document commencing an application must set out briefly the facts on which the application is based and must be supported by affidavit as to those facts.
(7) At the time an application is commenced, a time must be set for the recount that is adequate to allow the court to complete the recount within the time limit set by section 139.
(8) The person making the application must notify affected persons
(a) by immediately notifying the chief election officer and the affected candidates in the election, if any, that a judicial recount will be conducted at the time set under subsection (7), and
(b) within 24 hours of filing the document commencing the application, by delivering to these persons copies of that document, the accompanying affidavit and a notice of the time for the recount.

If an application for judicial re-count is not forthcoming from any of the three groups of individuals as referred to in Section 138(4) of LGA after 4:30pm today, then the successful election candidate may take the Oath of Office as early as Tuesday, Nov 25th until Monday, Jan 5th, 2015 being the last day for a successful election candidate to take the Oath of Office

~SF

Mt Polley Likely Mtg today!

Later today from 2-4pm at the Likely Community Hall (6271 Rosette Lake Rd) - there will be an update in regards to Mount Polley.  There will be presentations from Ministry of Enviroment & Mt Polley Mining Corporation,

Reps from Ministry of Energy/Mines, Cariboo Regional District, and Interior Health will be present to answer questions.  MLA's Oakes (Cariboo-North) and Barnett (Cariboo-Chilcotin) plus the Hon. Mary Polak (Minister of Environment) will be present as well.

The community of Likely is encouraged to come out and ask questions. Coffee/tea will be provided

SD27 SOFI Report for 2013/14 School Year

In one of its' last pieces of business before the 2011/14 Term ends - the Board of Education for School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) will receive the Statement of Financial Information or SOFI Report for the 2013/14 School Year.  Board Trustees received remuneration ranging from $18,791.93 (Tanya Guenther - Board Chair) to $13,840.92 (SD27 Zone 5 Trustee Sheila Boehm)

As far as expenses go - Tanya Guenther claimed top spot with $9,724.16 which is down from $11,515.43 in the previous year while Zone 7 Trustee Joyce Cooper submitted the lowest expenses being $5,678.79

As far as SD27 Staff go -- In 2012/13 - remuneration for employees making above $75,000 was $16,296,632 with expenses claimed being $126,233.  In 2013/14 - this was $10,037,119 with expenses totaling $135,068

In the category of employees making less than $75,000 - in 2012/13, remuneration was $23,898,921 with expenses being $123,495.  For 2013/14 - this was $27,333,770 with expenses being $149,332

View the full 2012/13 SOFI Report here

View the full 2013/14 SOFI Report below:

SD27 SOFI Report for 2013/14 Year

RBC Sports Day in Canada gets Williams Lake residents moving

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

To mark this year’s RBC Sports Day in Canada, a national celebration of sport, the City of Williams Lake is hosting free family swim lessons at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex from 4:30-6:30 p.m.. These lessons will teach families basic swimming and drowning prevention skills. Following the lessons, families will be invited to stay for games, a movie and a snack from 6:30-8:30 p.m.. KidSport™, Big Brothers and Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Pregnancy Outreach and the Child Development Centre will provide information on their organizations in the Complex lobby.

“We’re thrilled to be part of RBC Sports Day in Canada,” says Geoff Paynton, Director of Community Services. “The City of Williams Lake has a long tradition of swim lessons.”

“Sport has the power to build community and get Canadians moving,” said Elio Antunes,
President and CEO of ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport
participation in Canada. “Fostering opportunities for sport at both local and national levels allows
us to build a better and stronger society, while also becoming more physically active leading to
healthier, more active lifestyles.”

RBC Sports Day in Canada caps off a week of more than 1,800 local events and activities, such
as community-wide festivals, try-it days, open houses, games, competitions, meet-and-greets,
tournaments, fun runs, spectator events and pep rallies, and concludes with a special broadcast
on CBC Television on November 29.

“Children need every opportunity to develop the confidence and skills they need to enable them
to play and also recognizing there are lifelong lessons gained through sport,” said Jane
Broderick, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, RBC. “RBC Sports Day in Canada is part
of our larger commitment to kids and youth through the RBC Believe in Kids Pledge, a five-year,
$100 million promise to help one million kids with a wide range of programs.”

“When sport is inclusive, fair and fun, Canadians and their respective communities are able to
reap the benefits associated with a positive sport experience,” said Karri Dawson, Director of
True Sport Operations at the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. “Good sport instills character
in our kids, strengthens our communities and increases opportunities for personal excellence.”

About RBC Sports Day in Canada

RBC Sports Day in Canada, celebrated on Saturday, November 29, 2014, is a national
celebration of the power of sport to build community and get Canadians moving. The official day
caps off a week of more than 1,000 local events and includes a special broadcast on CBC
Television.

RBC is the title sponsor of RBC Sports Day in Canada, which is presented by ParticipACTION,
in partnership with CBC Television, ICI Radio-Canada Télé and True Sport, working in
collaboration with national sporting organizations and their networks of coaches, athletes and
sports enthusiasts across the country. RBC Sports Day in Canada is generously supported by
Sport Canada and in BC through Healthy Families BC. For more information about RBC Sports
Day in Canada, please visit: http://sportsday.cbc.ca

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Nov 24-28

A number of local governments are having final meetings of the 2011-14 term as follows:

Quesnel - Orientation Session for the 2014-18 Quesnel Council on Monday, Nov 24th

Williams Lake - Final meeting of the 2011-14 Williams Lake Municipal Council at 6pm on Tuesday, Nov 25th in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: Dylan Matheson, Wildsafe BC Coordinator re 2014 Williams Lake Wildsafe Program Summary
* DVP #14-2014 - Lorne Marshall - Interior Lot Line Setback Reduction for Proposed Shed - 1265 Eleventh Avenue North
* BC Mountain Bike Tourism Association 2015 Symposium - Application to Host
* Farewell Speeches from Mayor Cook, Councillors Bourdon, Hughes and Rathor

View the full Agenda here

100 Mile House - Final meeting of the 2011-14 100 Mile House Municipal Council at 7pm on Tuesday, Nov 25th in 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue).  View the Agenda here

School District #27 - Final meeting of the 2011-14 Board of Education at 6:30pm on Tuesday, Nov 25th in the SD27 Boardroom (350 2nd Avenue North, WL).  Agenda is available here

Cariboo Regional District:

South Cariboo Joint Committee - Meeting on Monday, Nov 24th at 5:00pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Ave).  Items on the Agenda include Lisa DePaoli and Rita Giesbrecht to appear before the Committee to discuss South Cariboo Early Years Centre & South Cariboo Food Security Committee; Josh Dickerson from Canlan Ice Sports to appear before the Committee to present the 2015 2015 Annual Operating Plan for the South Cariboo Recreation Centre plus resume consideration of the 2015 Grant in Aide applications.  View the full Agenda package here

New Prosperity Mine Just Doesn’t Pass the Test

This afternoon - British Columbia for Prosperity, a group of private citizens for practical resource development said "New Prosperity does not meet the test" after multiple attempts by Taseko Mines to get New Prosperity or "Prosperity" approved by Ottawa, only to be rejected 3 times running while Victoria has given its' blessing. Taseko Mines is currently in legal proceedings as a result of the New Prosperity mine proposal rejection in Feb 2013

Read the Op-Ed here

As a result of the William Title Case win and its' legal implications - I would argue it will be a very long time, if ever, if we'll see Taseko Mines attempt a 4th time to get their proposed mine approved near Fish Lake...

~SF

Mental Health service improvements

Editor's Note - the BC Government's version of this announcement is here

Courtesy of Interior Health:

Individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders will benefit from Assertive Community Treatment teams and a crisis response team providing targeted supports for Kamloops, Kelowna and the Cariboo-Chilcotin, a first-of-their kind for the Interior, Health Minister Terry Lake announced today.

“While we have a strong base of services for people with mental health and substance use issues, there are some clients who require more intensive intervention and support to live a healthier life,” said Lake. “This will be possible with these new ACT and crisis response teams, and is just one example of work going on throughout the province to support those in need of additional support.”

Funding for the ACT teams and the crisis response team is provided jointly, with Interior Health contributing $2 million and the Ministry of Health providing $2 million for a total of $4 million. IH will establish Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Kamloops and Kelowna and a crisis response team in Williams Lake to serve the Cariboo-Chilcotin and 100 Mile House.

“ACT teams provide a very intensive, team-oriented range of supports for individuals with serious mental health issues and substance use challenges,” said Kamloops South Thompson MLA Todd Stone. “I’m proud these teams will now help our communities, and hope to see the same successes ACT teams have shown in other areas of the province.”

The ACT teams will be comprised of mental health and substance use professionals from various professional backgrounds, working together to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support to individuals who are suffering from severe substance use and mental health challenges.

Different from traditional programs, as the name states, the ACT team reaches out directly to clients 24 hours per day, seven-days-a-week, making client contact in the community as often as two to three times per day, based on individual needs.

“Interior Health is pleased to bring the ACT teams to our communities and clients in need, and will benefit from the experience of similar teams implemented in other health regions,” said Interior Health Board Chair Norman Embree.

In addition to the ACT teams, a crisis response team will be created to support clients in the Cariboo-Chilcotin geographical region. This team will consist of two nurses alternating to provide seven-day-a-week coverage and service and will also work closely with mental health and substance use and emergency department staff to support clients requiring intensive treatment and follow-up.

“We know that many individuals with serious and complex mental health and substance use illnesses use our emergency departments,” said Dave Harrhy, Mental Health and Substance Use Network Director. “One of the goals of these teams is to support clients to the point that they are better managing their symptoms and health in the community and are less likely to need to visit the emergency department.”

Interior Health is in the process of hiring staff for the ACT and crisis response teams, and hopes to see them in place by February with clinical programs starting in the late spring and early summer.

Today’s announcement is partially funded by the $20.25 million earmarked for health authorities to invest in more local programs and supports to improve care for the severely addicted and mentally ill population. This announcement builds on significant progress on the action items outlined in the Ministry of Health’s November 2013 report for individuals with severe addictions and mental illness, with even more programs to be announced in the upcoming year.

Interior Health is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and providing a wide range of quality health-care services to more than 742,000 people living across B.C.’s vast interior. For more information, visit www.interiorhealth.ca, follow us on Twitter @Interior_Health, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/interiorhealth.ca.

More funding for Mental Health/Substance Abuse in Cariboo-Chilcotin

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Individuals living in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region with mental health and substance abuse will benefit from Assertive Community Treatment teams and a crisis response team providing targeted supports.

“Mental health and substance use challenges affect the lives of individuals, families and communities,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett. “This funding will increase access to meaningful, positive support and help take action and find innovative ways to address mental health, substance use and unhealed trauma.”

Funding for the ACT teams and the crisis response team is provided jointly, with Interior Health contributing $2 million and the Ministry of Health providing $2 million for a total of $4 million.

“Mental health challenges can affect anyone in our communities,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “This funding will not only strengthen services in the Cariboo region but will enable those affected with mental illness, the support and improved social connections that they deserve.”

The ACT teams will be comprised of mental health and substance use professionals from various professional backgrounds, working together to provide treatment, rehabilitation and support to individuals who are suffering from severe substance use and mental health challenges.

Different from traditional programs, as the name states, the ACT team reaches out directly to clients 24 hours per day, seven-days-a-week, making client contact in the community as often as two to three times per day, based on individual needs.

“Interior Health is pleased to bring the ACT teams to our communities and clients in need, and will benefit from the experience of similar teams implemented in other health regions,” said Interior Health Board Chair Norman Embree.

In addition to the ACT teams, a crisis response team will be created to support clients in the Cariboo-Chilcotin geographical region. This team will consist of two nurses alternating to provide seven-day-a-week coverage and service and will also work closely with mental health and substance use and emergency department staff to support clients requiring intensive treatment and follow-up.

“We know that many individuals with serious and complex mental health and substance use illnesses use our emergency departments,” said Dave Harrhy, Mental Health and Substance Use Network Director. “One of the goals of these teams is to support clients to the point that they are better managing their symptoms and health in the community and are less likely to need to visit the emergency department.”

Interior Health is in the process of hiring staff for the ACT and crisis response teams, and hopes to see them in place by February with clinical programs starting in the late spring and early summer.

Mt Polley Mtgs - Nov 23rd/24th

T.J. Grewal out!

T.J Grewal who had been in the race to become the next Federal Conservative Party nominee for the Federal Electoral District of Cariboo-Prince George is now officially out after exhausting all of his appeal avenues.  The Conservative Party of Canada denied his nomination package because he had not been a standing Party member for the required 6 months prior to submitting a nomination package.

Read more here

With Grewal's departure - that leaves City of PG residents Shari Green, Todd Doherty and Nick Fedorkiw in the race to become Dick Harris's successor.  The deadline to become a Federal Conservative Party member is 8:59pm tonight in order to be eligible to vote in the forthcoming nomination meeting with that occurring sometime in mid-December

~SF

SD27 Board of Education - 2014-2018 Term

Zone 1 - Linda Nielsen

Zone 2 - Tanya Guenther

Zone 3 - Chris Pettman

Zone 4 - Christine Dyment

Zone 5 - Dr. Sheila Boehm

Zone 6 - Brice O'Neill

Zone 7 - Joyce Cooper

SD28 Board of Education - 2014-2018 Term

1) Tony Goulet
2) Julie-Anne Runge
3) Gloria Jackson
4) George Natalizio
5) Wendy Clement
6) Howie Schonke
7) David Chapman

Cariboo RD Electoral Area Directors - 2014-2018 Term

Area A - Ted Armstrong
Area B - Jerry Bruce (Newly Elected)
Area C - John Massier
Area D - Steve Forseth (Newly Elected)
Area E - Byron Kemp
Area F - Joan Sorley
Area G - Al Richmond
Area H - Margo Wagner
Area I - Dylan Cash (Newly Elected)
Area J - Roger William
Area K - Betty Anderson (Newly Elected)
Area L - Brian Coakley

District of 100 Mile House Council - 2014-2018 Term

Mayor - Mitch Campsall

Councillors' - Ralph Fossum, Bill Hadden, Spence Henderson and Dave Mingo

City of Williams Lake Council - 2014-2018 Term

Mayor -Walt Cobb
Councillors - Ivan Bonnell, Scott Nelson, Jason Ryll, Craig Smith, Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias

Inaugural Mtg - Tuesday, Dec 2nd, 2014 at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers

City of Quesnel Council - 2014-2018 Term

Mayor - Bob Simpson

Councillors' - John Brisco, Ed Coleman, Scott Elliott, Ron Paull, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg and Sushil Thapar

Inaugural Meeting: Monday, Dec 1st at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers

District of Wells Council for 2014-2018 Term

Mayor - Robin Sharpe

Councillors - Mandy Kilsby, Lorraine Kozar, Richard Wright, and Virginia Wilkins

Newly Elected Officials eager to start

With the 2014 Elections over and the City of Quesnel having released the official election results as has the District of 100 Mile House and the City of Williams Lake releasing theirs later today at 4pm - the newly (or returning) elected officials are eager to start their new posts:

a) CRD Directors for Areas D, E, and K - read here
b) Mayor-elect Walt Cobb - read here
c) WL City Councillor-elect Scott Nelson - read here
c) School District #27 Trustees for Zones 4/5 - read here

As per Section 136 of the Local Government Act - Chief Election Officers' are required to release the official results of the local elections by 4pm today!

Inaugural Meetings of Local Governments for the 2014-18 Term will be held as follows (ones I'm aware of):

Quesnel - 7pm on Monday, Dec 1st, Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel)

Williams Lake - 6pm on Tuesday, Dec 2nd, Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart St)

Cariboo Regional District - 9:30am on Friday, Dec 12th, CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake)

McLeese Lake VFD - Winter Fundraiser

The McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department is excited to partner up with

                Regal Gifts for one of our Winter Fundraising Campaigns!

Our Fundraising purpose is to continue to raise funds for training, equipment, and a Fire Hall!

Regal offers more than 1000 products with hundreds being priced under $20.

We are sure everyone can find something either for themselves or as a gift for family and friends!

The McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department is a non-profit organization providing fire protection

services to the McLeese Lake Community and surrounding area.

Please help support this great cause!

Start Shopping Here! -> www.mlvfd.shopregal.ca

Additional info FYI:

1. The website can be viewed using any internet browser at address line but cannot be found using a search tool

i.e. Google, it will not direct you to the website. So please forward this email to all of your friends and family!

1. You can start placing your orders immediately and all orders must be placed by December 31^st, 2014 (campaign ends)
2. After placing your order on our web store, the products are delivered directly to you.

In stock items generally arrive within 7-10 business days. Please shop early in order to have gifts shipped to you by Christmas!

1. To ensure your order is delivered quickly, we need you to either enter a physical address (not PO Box)

or include your phone number when asked during the order process. For speedy delivery we recommend including both.

1. Product Exchanges are done directly through Regal’s Exchange Centre – www.regal.ca/exchangecentre.

Refunds can be requested through the Centre as well as long as your campaign is open.

After the campaign closes you will only be able to receive an exchange

Official Results: NC HandyDART Referendum

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District’s Chief Elections Officer has declared the results of the North Cariboo HandyDART Referendum held this past Saturday as official. A total of 1,223 residents cast their ballots with seventy-two per cent saying yes to an increase in requisition. The referendum asked residents if they support an increase to the maximum allowable taxation under the North Cariboo HandyDART service from $15,000 to up to $70,000.  

The following is a breakdown by advance polls, polling locations and mail ballots.

Polling Station	Yes	No	Total
Advance Polls & Mail-in ballots	88	24	112
CRD Quesnel Library	79	24	103
Kersley School	78	34	112
Red Bluff School	288	105	393
Bouchie Lake School	176	74	250
Parkland School	33	21	54
Barlow Creek School	47	17	64
West Fraser Fire Hall	88	47	135
Totals	877	346	1223

Official Results: SKP Referendum

Joint Release from the City of WL/Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District’s Chief Election Officer has now declared the results as official for the Sam Ketcham Pool (SKP) Renovations and Upgrades Referendum. A total of 4,240 central Cariboo residents participated in the SKP Referendum through mail-in ballots, advance polls and general voting day held this past Saturday.  Sixty-eight per cent of participating voters voted in favour of the Cariboo Regional District borrowing up to $10 million over 20 years for renovations and upgrades to the Sam Ketcham Pool at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The remainder of the cost of the approximately $11.3 million project will need to be made up from grants, fundraising and capital reserves.

The following is a breakdown by advance polls, polling locations and mail ballots.

Polling Station	Yes	No	Total
CRD Advance Poll #1 – Nov. 5	87	35	122
CRD Advance Poll #2 – Nov. 10	42	15	57
WL Advance Polls – Nov. 5 & 12	759	343	1,102
CRD Board Room	141	81	222
Mountview School	136	73	209
Chilcotin Road School	52	28	80
Wildwood School	81	28	109
150 Mile House School	75	63	138
WL – Nov. 15	1,505	684	2,189
Mail Ballots	5	7	12
Totals	2,883	1,357	4,240

Simpson: Different Kind of Leadership

Quesnel Mayor-elect Bob Simpson spoke to CBC Daybreak North on his election win and what lays ahead for Quesnel for the next 4 years.  Was disappointed that he made no mention of working with the Cariboo Regional District while mentioning the City of Prince George:

Interview below:

listen to ‘Quesnel mayor-elect Bob Simpson promises a different kind of leadership’ on audioBoom

Oakes congratulates new local governments'

Courtesy of the Hon. Coralee Oakes - Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development:

“Putting your name forward for public office is a significant commitment of an individual’s time and energy in service of your local community. Congratulations to all the candidates who sought local government positions on Nov. 15 and who have previously served their local communities.

“I would also like to thank all of the citizens who exercised their democratic right to vote for the more than 3,000 candidates seeking elected positions in municipal governments, regional districts, school boards and park boards.

“As the minister responsible for local government, I look forward to working with all of the newly elected local government representatives, as we work together to ensure a strong economy, and a secure future for all B.C. residents.

“This year, government introduced changes to the Local Elections Act, the most significant changes in 20 years. It is encouraging to see that voter turnout is generally up throughout the province, and we are encouraged that peoples’ voices were heard.

“In the Capital Region (Victoria-area) , a number of municipalities asked ballot questions about governance structures at the local level, and results indicate many citizens in the region are open to examining changes to the local government structure and/or service delivery.

“There is always value in dialogue about whether current governance structures are meeting local community needs. There is only one taxpayer, and it is the responsibility of all levels of government to ensure the most efficient and effective delivery of public services.

“The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development is now in the process of reviewing the referendum results related to this highly complex matter in greater detail, as I am sure the newly-elected councils will wish to do so when they take office.

“I remain committed to provide the support and resources required by the newly-elected local governments, once they have had an opportunity to discuss and review the results in greater detail.”

Newly Renovated Childcare Space in Wells

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Funding for 24 new licensed child-care spaces that will serve families in Wells has been approved to proceed, thanks to funding through the provincial government’s B.C. Early Years Strategy.

The provincial government is providing the Wells and Area Community Association with $21,794 in capital funding to renovate their Huckleberry Daycare at Wells-Barkerville Elementary School, adding 24 multi-age spaces.

“Child care is not only a crucial part of early childhood development, but it also means that parents can pursue career, education and training opportunities, knowing their children are safe, happy and well-cared for,” said Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North. “As part of our government’s commitment under the B.C. Early Years Strategy, this newly renovated space will be an important part of the community of Wells and will provide enhanced quality care for families.”

These 24 new licensed child-care spaces are part of the provincial government’s commitment to support the creation of more than 1,000 new spaces by March 2015.

This investment marks the first phase of the provincial government’s Child-Care Major Capital Funding roll out, and will allow child-care providers to:

• Build a new child care facility, including the cost of buying land or a building.
• Assemble a modular building and develop a site.
• Renovate an existing building.
• Buy eligible equipment (including playground equipment) and furnishings to support new child-care spaces in an existing facility.

The provincial government is now in the process of working with the child-care providers to sign project agreements that include the specific requirements that providers have identified for each site, such as the need to lease or buy property, obtain local zoning permits and hire contractors to renovate the sites. 

Construction and renovations for the new spaces are expected to begin by March 2015.

In addition to these 1,000 new spaces, the provincial government aims to support the creation of a further 1,000 spaces by March 2016 under its B.C. Early Years Strategy. This builds on the approximately 107,000 spaces that government currently supports throughout the province.

Applications for the next phase of child care major capital funding will start early in 2015. Interested child care providers can visit www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/major_capital.htm for more info.

Voter Participation in Municipal Council Elections

With the 2014 Election now over - let's look at overall voter participation in the 4 Municipal Council elections

Wells - 113 voters cast ballots out of a possible 244 eligible voters meaning an overall voter participation rate of 46.3%.  In the 2011 Election, the overall voter participation rate was 58.7%

Quesnel - 3,020 voters cast ballots out of a possible 7,217 eligible voters meaning an overall voter participation rate of 41.8%.  In the 2011 Election, the overall voter participation rate was 40.2%

Williams Lake - 3,565 voters cast ballots out of a possible 7,400 eligible voters meaning an overall voter participation rate of 48.1%.  In the 2011 Election, the overall voter participation rate was 50.7%

100 Mile House - 580 voters cast ballots out of a possible 1,641 eligible voters meaning an overall voter participation rate of 35.3%.  In the 2011 Election, the overall voter participation rate was 36.12%

Civic Info does not report on voter participation rates for School Districts 27/28 plus the Cariboo Regional District

Conclusion:

While the voter participation rates in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House may appear to go down in 2014 vs 2011 - this info is misleading as the number of eligible voters in these communities went up in 2014 from 2011, however the voter participation numbers overall look pretty decent... in my opinion

Next Steps:

Election Results are still preliminary until Wednesday at 4pm as per Section 136(1) of the Local Government Act when the Chief Election Officers' for all local elections will declare the official election result at that time

~SF

Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum Result

On Saturday, November 15, 2014, qualified electors within the Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services Area (City of WL and portions of CRD Areas D, E, F) voted on the following question:

Are you in favour of the Cariboo Regional District adopting Bylaws 4906 and 4907, which will authorize the borrowing of up to $10 million over 20 years and increase the Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services annual taxation limit to a maximum of the greater of $3,500,000 or $1.98/$1,000 of assessed value of land and improvements, to provide for the upgrade and renovation of the pool and amenities at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex? (Based on 2014 assessed values, the estimated annual cost to undertake this borrowing and operate the upgraded pool translates to a residential tax rate increase of approximately $40/$100,000. The new taxation limit for recreation services of $3,500,000 translates to a residential tax rate of $148/$100,000 of the net taxable assessed value of land and improvements.)

And the preliminary final result is:

Yes: 2,883
No: 1,357

These bylaws can now proceed to adoption.  The CRD Board of Directors' are expected to adopt this bylaws at its' Dec 12th Inaugural Meeting

~SF

Thank you note from Bobbie-Jo Macnair

Provided by Bobbie-Jo Macnair:

Well I didn't quite make it. Congrats to those who did, I think Williams Lake did a fine job of selecting their councillors. I've learned a lot over the past few months and met some really great people. Thanks to everyone that helped me along the way. Let's see what the future has in store.

Thank you note from Tovi Pare

Provided by Tovi Pare:

I would like to send out a HUGE Thank You to everyone who came out to support me as well as all the people who have campaigned to help improve our city. I am fortunate to have friends, family and community support behind me, through my various involvement in Williams Lake, I am prouder that ever to call this my hometown. 

This has been an incredible learning experience, as well as an exciting newchapter in my life. I look forward to continuing to become an involved and active member in making our city as amazing as I believe it is, and still can be...

I offer my congratulations to Walt Cobb our new Mayor and the Council members Ivan Bonnelle, Scott Nelson, Jason Ryll, Craig Smith, Laurie Walters and Sue Zacharias. I am excited to see what can be accomplished in the next 4 years.

Thank you note from Sue Lachance

Provided from Sue Lachance:

I would just like to send a huge congratulations to all of the newly elected Council in Williams Lake. Walt, may you lead in the professional, fair manner I know you can. Scott Nelson, you will bring your unbridled enthusiasm, energy, spirit and knowledge, Sue Z. & Laurie and Ivan, may you continue the course which has been set before you, Jason and Craig, may your new energy, ideas and business ability help to bring a new beginning for the city. All of you are there for a reason, to bring Williams Lake back to the strong, healthy community it once was and will be again. Blessings to all of you and I wish you all a heartfelt good luck into the future. You have four years of hard work ahead. We will all be watching and hopefully helping where we can along the way.

Sue Lachance

Thank you note from CRD Area D Director-elect S. B. Forseth

Good afternoon - thanks to everyone for their congratulatory emails, phone calls, phone texts and Facebook messages.

I am humbled and honoured to have been elected for the first time as the CRD Area D Director and thank you to the 138 Area D residents' who placed their faith in me, it will not be misplaced.  Also - thanks to Blaine Wiggins and Pennie Daffurn for running and advancing their ideas in the election.  Their ideas will be advanced for the betterment of Area D.  My campaign commitments were:

a) Complete McLeese Lake Library by 2018
b) Work with the McLeese Lake VFD Society on their goal to becoming an full Independent VFD (Volunteer Fire Department)

c) Lobby for new 2nd Floor at Cariboo Memorial Hospital
d) Continue "Community Conversation" on dog/off-road vehicle issues at Wildwood

Upon assuming my post on Dec 12th - one of the first things I hope to get started is streetlighting for residents' of Lagerquist Rd. in McLeese Lake

Other issues will obviously come up in the next 4 years and I look forward to working with the residents' of Area D to finding solutions to these problems...

If you should have any questions/concerns - I am always accessible:

PH: 250-267-6725
E: sforseth000@hotmail.com

Or connect with me via my Facebook page here or drop me a private FB message here and I will get back to you as quickly as I can...

~SF

Thank you note from WL City Councillor-elect S.D. Nelson

Provided from WL City Councillor-elect S. D. Nelson:

thank you williamslake 

its a honor to represent a great community like williamslake congrats to all of the new council members jason(ryll)  ,craig(smith), sue (zacharias) laurie (walters) ivan (bonnell) and to mayor walt cobb 

many thanks go out to kerry cook for her hard work over the last 6 years and to surrinder (rathor) for his outstanding 21 years of community public service in wiliams lake

thanks to tovi (pare) sue (lachance) bobby-jo (macnair) wayne (lucier) peter (bowman) and marnie (brenner)  john (bjornstrom) for taking a positive leadership role in williamslake
congrats to steve (forseth) at the crd - area d

thank-you to the community for creating such a positive change
and thank-you to all of the campaign supporters that worked tirelessly day in and day out to create change

cheers scott nelson

Unofficial Results - School District #28 (Quesnel)

1) Tony Goulet
2) Julie-Anne Runge
3) Gloria Jackson
4) George Natalizio
5) Wendy Clement
6) Howie Schonke
7) David Chapman

Unofficial Results - Cariboo RD Electoral Area Directors (2014-18 Term)

Area A - Ted Armstrong
Area B - Jerry Bruce
Area C - John Massier
Area D - Steve Forseth
Area E - Byron Kemp
Area F - Joan Sorley
Area G - Al Richmond
Area H - Margo Wagner
Area I-   Dylan Cash
Area J - Roger William
Area K - Betty Anderson
Area L - Brian Coakley

Unofficial Results - District of 100 Mile Council for 2014-18 Term

Mayor - Mitch Campsall

Councillors - Ralph Fossum, Dave Mingo, Spence Henderson and Bill Hadden

Unofficial Results - District of Wells Council for 2014-18 Term

Mayor - Robin Sharpe

Councillors - Mandy Kilsby, Richard Wright, Virginia Wilkins, Lorraine Kozar

Unofficial Results - School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)

Zone 1 - Linda Nielsen
Zone 2 - Tanya Guenther
Zone 3 - Chris Pettman
Zone 4 - Christine Dyment
Zone 5 - Dr. Sheila Boehm
Zone 6 - Brice O'Neill
Zone 7 - Joyce Cooper

Unofficial Results - Quesnel Council for 2014-18 Term

Mayor - Bob Simpson

Councillors - Scott Elliot, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, Ed Coleman, Sushil Thapar, Ron Paull, John Brisco

Unofficial Results - WL Council for 2014-18 Term

Mayor - Walt Cobb

Councillors - Scott Nelson, Jason Ryll, Craig Smith, Sue Zacharias, Laurie Walters and Ivan Bonnell

General Voting Locations - 2014 Election

With the 2014 Election campaigning all over - it is over to you, the voter, to decide the candidates' fate... Find below the voting locations for all local government and Boards' of Education elections.

Finally - As I did in 2011, Elections BC regulations require that I not blog during the day Saturday. So, the next blog post will be Saturday after 8pm letting you know the unofficial results for local government and Boards of Education elections.

Best of luck Saturday to ALL candidates:

~SF

Voting Locations by local government or Board of Education:

Wells - 8:00am to 8:00pm in the Wells Community Hall (4269 Sanders Avenue) (Vote for up to 4 Councillors only)

Quesnel: - 8:00am to 8:00pm at Quesnel City Hall (410 Kinchant St) , Correlieu Secondary School (850 Anderson Drive) and Dragon Lake Elementary School (2655 Hydralic Road) (Vote for 1 Mayor, up to 6 City Councillors and up to 7 SD28 School Trustees)

Williams Lake: - 8:00am to 8:00pm at Marie Sharpe Elementary (260 Cameron Street).  Free Transit available - for more information, click here (vote for 1 Mayor and 6 City Councillors & Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum).

100 Mile House: - 8:00am to 8:00pm at 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue) (vote for 1 Mayor and 4 Councillors)

Cariboo Regional District: - 8:00am to 8:00pm at the following voting locations for Areas A, B, D, E, I and K - click here (vote for 1 Director in Areas A, B, D, E, I and K plus referendum votes in Quesnel - NC HandyDART + Williams Lake - Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum in Areas D + E only)

School District #28 (Quesnel - Rural Voters Only in CRD Areas A, B, C and I):

a) Barlow Creek Elementary (816 Highway 26)
b) Bouchie Lake Elementary (2074 Blackwater Road)
c) Kersley Elementary (2800 Arnoldus Rd)
d) Nazko Elementary (9560 Nazko Rd)
e) Parkland Elementary (5016 Bjornstrom Rd)
f) Cariboo RD Quesnel Library (410 Kinchant St)
g) Red Bluff Elementary (1533 Maple Dr)
h) Wells Community Hall (4269 Sanders Avenue)
i) West Fraser Fire Hall (243 Jackpine Flats)

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin, Zones 4 and 5 Election only) - Click here

** Please bring two pieces of ID (ie: Drivers License, BC ID Card, Health Card, Debit Card, Credit Card, Utility Bill) that shows a residential address and a signature plus meet the following criteria:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
• Canadian citizen (land immigrants who are not yet Canadian citizens are not eligible to vote)
• resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
• resident of OR registered owner of real property in the local government jurisdiction for at least 30 days
immediately before the day of registration
• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an
election or otherwise disqualified by law **

Cariboo RD Board Highlights - Nov 14th/2014

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice

Sally Errey, Recruitment Liaison Coordinator and Trevor Barnes, Executive Director from the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice, appeared before the Board to provide an update on recruitment activities in the Cariboo Chilcotin. The organizations focus is currently on the recruitment and retention of health care professionals to the region. Further information about the Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice is available online at divisionsbc.ca/cird.

The Telegraph Trail

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors endorsed a resolution to include a portion of the BC’s Telegraph Trail on the CRD’s Heritage Registry. The Telegraph Trail includes the Yukon Telegraph Line section north of Quesnel and the Collins Overland Telegraph Line section which extends south of Quesnel. The Statement of Significance includes a tribute to the late Andy Motherwell, former CRD Electoral Area B Director. The CRD will now notify the Minister responsible for Heritage Conservation, to make sure that the property can be added to the provincial and federal heritage registries.

South Cariboo Trades School support

The CRD Board endorsed a resolution from the South Cariboo Joint Committee to look at a proposal for the development of a trade school and research centre. The Board also authorized that funds of up to $15,000 be committed as support funding for the creation of a business plan shared equally between the District of 100 Mile House and the Cariboo Regional District's South Cariboo Economic Development service.

Director’s Initiative Funds Approved

During today’s CRD Board of Directors meeting, the Board authorized up to $400 from Electoral Area H Director Initiative Funds. The funds will be used to advertise a public meeting regarding a proposed parcel tax increase in the Area H Community Hall requisition.

NDIT Applications supported by CRD

The Cariboo Regional District agreed to support three separate applications to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT).

The Forest Grove and District Recreation Society’s application to Northern Development’s Community Halls and Recreation Facilities program is for a grant of up to $30,000 toward the roof replacement project. The Forest Grove and District Recreation Society is undertaking replacement of the compromised roof on the Forest Grove Community Hall and curling rink, which is connected. The request is for $30,000 in grant funding from the Regional Development Account, under the Community Halls and Recreation Facilities Program. Other funding for the project, which has a total value of $89,288 is proposed to come from the applicant (Forest Grove and District Recreation Society), the Regional District Community Works Fund and other sources to be determined.

The Williams Lake Indian Band is undertaking development of a business plan in order to attract investors and access other funding opportunities for needed upgrades to the Chief William RV Campsite. The request is for $10,000 in grant funding from NDIT’s Capital Investment Analysis Program. The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Development Account has a balance of approximately $1.5 million available for grants in 2015.

The Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government is undertaking improvements and upgrades to the Xeni Gwet’in Community Airport. The request is for $190,000 in grant funding from Northern Development’s Regional Development Account, under the Economic Diversification Infrastructure Program. The project has a total estimated value of $295,000 with other funding proposed to come from the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government, the Province of BC and the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Employment and Training Society (CCATEC).

Upcoming Meetings

Dec.12, 2014 – CCRHD Board Meeting & Inaugural CRD Board Meeting for 2014-18 Term

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Nov 17 - 21

After Saturday's General Election Vote - only the District of Wells & School District #28 (Quesnel) will be meeting next week as follows:

Wells - Final Regular Council Meeting for 2011-14 Term.  7pm on Tuesday, Nov 18th in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Avenue).  When available, Agenda can be viewed here

Quesnel - Final Regular Council Meeting for 2011-14 Term.  7pm on Monday, Nov 17th in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant Street).  ON the Agenda

* Term End Reports from Mayor Sjostrom and City Councillors'
* Provincial 10 Year Transportation Plan - City Manager B. Johnson to report
* Accessible Parking Awareness Campaign

View the full Agenda here

School District #28 (Quesnel) - Final Board of Education Meeting - 7pm on Wednesday, Nov 19th in the SD28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd).  When available, Agenda can be viewed here

Final meeting of Williams Lake/100 Mile Municipal Councils & SD27 Board of Education will take on Tuesday, November 25th

~SF

City looking for partners for Cariboo Lodge project

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a non-profit housing society to enter into a partnership for redevelopment of the Cariboo Lodge site, to help address the City’s affordable housing needs.

The vision of the partnership is for a non-profit society to work alongside the City of Williams Lake to vision and design the project. The Society would take on the role of managing the development process, including taking a lead role in identifying funding, and would eventually be responsible for operating the project. This EOI will be followed by a Request For Proposal for a Development Consultant to initiate a preliminary design and feasibility plan for the project.

The City acquired the Cariboo Lodge property in 2008 from Interior Health. It had been vacant for some time and there was considerable damage to the interior of the building. In 2009 a preliminary building audit identified substantial problems with the two older portions of the building, with limited options for renovation or repair. The newest portion of the building was leased in 2010 to the Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Chilcotin Branch for a residential tertiary mental health program.

In 2011, the City retained City Spaces Consulting to conduct a Need and Demand Analysis for Williams Lake. The report was updated in early 2014 to provide additional information and up to date data analysis in preparation for next steps informing affordable housing needs in Williams Lake. The study process was overseen by the Cariboo Lodge Task Force, and managed by the City of Williams Lake’s Manager of Social Development.

In Williams Lake, housing developments have primarily been single family, large lot developments both inside and outside city boundaries. Of the total housing stock in Williams Lake 63% of the housing is owner-occupied while 37% is rented. The average house price in Williams Lake is $259,203, an increase from 2013.

Affordable housing is not only an issue for those who are not employed and are in receipt of government subsidies. While income assistance recipients find it nearly impossible to find rental housing that is within their shelter funds (maximum $375 for a single person and $570 for couples), many of those who are employed in the retail and service industries and in other low paid positions have problems finding affordable rents. Rental rates have generally increased since 2008 despite economic decline. Rental rates ranged from $436 for a bachelor unit to $586 for a one-bedroom apartment, and average $825 for a three bedroom apartment. Vacancy rates have come down considerably from 2010 and were an average of 3.7% in spring 2014.

Expressions of Interest will be accepted until Dec. 15, 2014, and the City will be moving forward with a feasibility study in early 2015.

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