Fluoride Open House - Oct 27th from 5-8pm

From the City of Williams Lake:

As part of the City’s efforts to raise awareness in Williams Lake about the water fluoridation referendum – part of the Municipal Election, Nov. 19 – the City’s Water Committee will host a public Open House at the Fire Hall, Oct. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Representatives from the local dental community as well as Dr. James Beck, MD, PhD, of the University of Calgary and author of The Case Against Fluoride will attend and will be available to answer questions and discuss issues with members of the public.

The Open House will be an informal event where residents may fill in a short survey on water fluoridation and also learn more about the City’s water supply from Water and Waste staff.

Williams Lake is one of only 8 communities in BC to fluoridate their water. However, most recently the City has learned that the cost to add fluoride to the local water supply is going up, from $22,000 per year to approximately 94,000/year. City Council has approved a referendum question to be included on the Municipal Election ballot November 19.

Residents will be asked to consider the following:

“The cost to add fluoride to the City’s water system is increasing from $22,000 per year to approximately $94,000 per year. Are you in favour of the City continuing to add fluoride to its water supply?”

A public information and consultation campaign is underway, and will continue for the next several weeks. Residents can send their questions or thoughts to fluoride@williamslake.ca or visit www.williamslake.ca/fluoride

Residents may also participate in a two to three minute online survey by clicking the SURVEY link on the water fluoridation web page - http://www.williamslake.ca/fluoride

For more information please contact:

Joe Engelberts - Manager of Water/Waste
The City of Williams Lake
Ph: 250 392-1785
E: jengelberts@williamslake.ca

2nd Avenue near Borland St. reduced to Single-lane Traffic (Sewer Upgrade)

From the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is advising residents that the northbound lane on 2nd Avenue near Borland Street will be closed, and there will be single lane alternating traffic between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.12 for sanitary sewer improvements.
Motorists are advised to drive with caution in this area.

For more information please contact:

Joe Engelberts - Manager of Water/Waste
The City of Williams Lake
Ph: 250 392-1785
E: jengelberts@williamslake.ca

Editor's Note - surely the City can extend notices for upgrades of this nature better than just 24 hours or in the case of Moon Avenue, same day.  Residents' should have advance warning about this (ie - a week) rather than the current 24 hours notice.  Surely - planning for this projects would take weeks to get everything lined up...Just saying'

Oliver Street Project Update #8

From the City of Williams Lake:

Water and sanitary sewer work along Oliver Street has been completed. Work is currently underway to remove four hydro poles on Mart Street, to move telephone and hydro lines underground, and to install decorative lighting. This work should be complete in the next two weeks.

Work on curbs, gutters, and sidewalks continues, in preparation for the paving of the street. Grinding and paving of Oliver Street from 8th Avenue to Mackenzie Avenue is expected to begin August 15, and is expected to take one week. Most work will be done in the evenings, to minimize traffic disruption. There is expected to be little traffic disruption during business hours.

For more information please contact:

Joe Engelberts
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1785 or jengelberts@williamslake.ca

City of WL Trial Project: Use 1 Truck to collect Garbage/Recycables

Editor's Note - From the City of Williams Lake.  One question though - if we couldn't mix recycles and garbage when the City started doing curbside recycling/garbage collection (and I might add City residents weren't directly asked if they want to pay for the service, via the two containers each property owner now pays for until 2014), then why the sudden change to do this and will this not open the possibility that, through an accident, garbage might contaminate the recyclables collected and the City be put into the position of dumping recyclables that garbage mixture created??

The City of Williams Lake would like to inform residents of Williams Lake that a pilot project will be implemented that will allow the City and its contractor to gather information on the collection process that may lead to future changes that benefit the residents and the environment. This pilot project will include:

Testing the viability of serving the residents of Williams Lake with only one automated truck during this last week of July and the month of August. Using one truck for pickup of both garbage and recycling will help reduce the carbon emission created by providing this service Initially a second truck will be used during the 5-week trial in the downtown core area to minimize interference with the morning traffic. If downtown traffic does not appear to be affected, this second truck will be removed during the pilot program. The timing of the service for solid waste or recycling pickup at your address may be shifted slightly during the day of service, but the day of service will remain the same. Please continue to ensure your solid waste and recycling carts are at the curb before 7:00 am on the morning of your collection day.

After the trial period, the effectiveness of the pilot project will be analyzed. During this time, the City’s contractor will resume the original process using two trucks.

The City will communicate the results of the pilot project to the public before any proposed changes to the service take effect.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience during this process.

For more information please contact:

Joe Engelberts
The City of Williams Lake
250 392-1785 or jengelberts@williamslake.ca