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.

Additional Info...

Jason Ryll's Final Msg to WL Voters'

Message from Jason Ryll (WL City Councillor candidate) to electors of Williams Lake:

Post by Jason Ryll For City Council.

Advanced Poll #'s - CRD/SD27

The Williams Lake Tribune is reporting that the Cariboo RD & School District 27 Advanced Poll Numbers are as follows

Cariboo Regional District - in Williams Lake, 138 Votes were cast on Nov 5th with 61 votes cast on Nov 10th.  Meanwhile in Quesnel - 60 votes were cast on Nov 5th with 59 votes cast on Nov 10th

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - 25 Votes cast in the 2 Advanced Poll Days for Zones 4 and 5.

General Voting Day is tomorrow from 8am - 8pm

BC Communities receive Grants-in-lieu-of Property Taxes

Courtesy of the BC Government:

Today the B.C. government will distribute approximately $17.1 million in compensation for municipal property taxes to 59 communities throughout the province.

Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed every November to reimburse municipalities for services that benefited government properties, such as municipally run sewers, roads and fire protection.

Grants are issued in accordance with the Municipal Aid Act and are payable on land owned by the provincial government such as courthouses, provincial government office buildings and warehouses.

Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grant-in-lieu calculation. Other provincial assets such as highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are also excluded from compensation under the Act. BC Emergency Health Services is responsible for grants-in-lieu payments for ambulance stations.

Since 2002, the government of British Columbia has distributed more than $220 million as grants-in-lieu to B.C. communities. A portion of the funds are paid by each community to its regional district, and both levels of local government use grants to help pay for local services.

This years’ payment from the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services is $1.1 million less than last year’s total of $18.2 million. The reduction is attributed to a number of factors, including decreases in assessed property values from BC Assessment, transferring ambulance stations to BC Emergency Health Services, and government no longer having a presence in some municipalities due to selling or transferring of property assets.

The funds are distributed electronically on behalf of government by the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.

Grants Distributed by Community:

Wells - $974.79
Quesnel - $53,991.52
Williams Lake - $56,928.95
100 Mile House - $21,738.88

Last Day of 2014 Election Campaign

Today is the last day of campaigning for those seeking election or re-election as a CRD Electoral Area Director, Councillor, Mayor or School Trustee prior to Saturday's general voting session from 8am - 8pm

According to a Williams Lake Tribune poll being run earlier this week -- 94.1% of participants indicate that they have decided who they are voting for in Saturday's election for the City of Williams Lake City Council/Mayor

Meanwhile - let us look at minimum numbers (From 2011 Election data) to get elected as a Councillor on the 4 Municipal Councils:

Wells - 65 votes (with 5 people running for 4 seats)
Quesnel - 1,233 votes (with 10 people running for 6 seats)
Williams Lake - 1,156 (with 14 people running for 6 seats)
100 Mile House - no Councillor election as the 4 seats were acclaimed

School District #28 (Quesnel) - 1,690 (with 10 people for 7 seats)
School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - Zone 4 needs 138 votes to win in 2 way race with Zone 5 needing 337 votes needed to win in 3 way race

As for Mayor - here are the minimum votes required  to win (2011 Election data)

Quesnel - 1,057 votes in 3 way race
Williams Lake - 1,777 in 3 way race
100 Mile House - 257 votes to win in 2 way race (race is same in 2014 vs 2011)

As for municipal councillor incumbents running again- here are their 2011 vote totals:

Wells - Richard Wright (77),  Virginia Wilkins (67)
Quesnel - Ed Coleman (1,733), Scott Elliot (1,679), Laurey-Anne Roodenburg (1,348), Sushil Thapar (1,333) and John Brisco (1,233)

Williams Lake - Laurie Walters (2,296), Sue Zacharias (2,004), Ivan Bonnell (1,742)
100 Mile House - All 4 Councillors were acclaimed - no election

When the results are in Saturday night (after 8pm) - I personally will be comparing incumbents re-elected Saturday vs their 2011 Numbers...

As for the Cariboo Regional District - in 2011, there were 4 Elections in Areas E, H, J and L.  This time out, there are 6 Elections in Areas A, B, D, E, I and K.  So for comparative purposes, to win in Area E, current Director Byron Kemp will need to receive 98 or more votes to retain his Area E Directorship however in that election - 4 people were in the running...

As I have stated repeatedly - please get out Saturday, no matter the local election race, and let's make this the biggest voter turnout for Cariboo-Chilcotin local elections ever

~SF

Incumbents do not deserve re-election

Letter to the Editor from local Williams Lake resident Kim Herdman:

Dear Editor:

Election day is fast approaching. The Citizens of Williams Lake have the opportunity and responsibility to elect 7 individuals who will lead, support, promote, and govern our fair city. Will those elected lead with vision? Will they support not only the businesses but the people of Williams Lake and, not to be forgotten, the environment? Will they promote good business practices but also good citizenship and more important will they promote a citizenship that is engaged in the social/political arena? Will they govern with fiscal responsibility and wisdom that bases their decisions on the laws of the land, the sustainability of the land and enriching the quality of life for its citizens?

If we look back at all the fiascoes that this council not only wasted time and money on we see that not only did they waste time and money but more importantly they did nothing to enrich the quality of life but instead lowered staff moral, created a them versus us attitude throughout the City in regards to major resource industries as well as to the Republic of Life re-branding. It seems that while they are so star struck with the pie in the sky vision of mega projects they ignore the subtleties of supporting local businesses when they paid $35,000 to the American firm Civic Plus (https://www.civicplus.com/) to redesign the already newly redesigned City website. Their lackluster regard for employment and contract law has had them waste hundreds of thousands in legal fees and resulted with the unintended consequence of having a revolving door of staff and a strained relationship with the (Cariboo) Regional District.

The incumbents may feel that they did a good job; they may be well loved community members having long ties to the community but that does not mean that they deserve another term.

Jason Ryll speaks to WL Voters'

With just roughly 32 hours of campaigning time remaining -- WL City Councillor candidate Jason Ryll posts a quick two min video on why you should vote for him

Disclosure Note: On Wed Nov 5th - I personally voted for Jason Ryll as one of six Williams Lake City Councillors'

A reminder that all Advanced Voting opportunities have concluded and the final chance to vote will be on Saturday from 8am - 8pm at Marie Sharpe Elementary.  Unofficial results of the City of Williams Lake 2014 Election should be known by 8:20pm

Video:

Post by Jason Ryll For City Council.

2 Days of Advanced Voting - City of Williams Lake

After two days of Advanced Voting in the City of Williams Lake election, a whopping 1,195 voters took advantage.  In 2011 - the two day Advanced Voting amounted to 985.  In 2008 - 709 took advantage of the two days of advanced voting with 840 doing the same in 2005

Final chance to vote is this Saturday at Marie Sharpe Elementary from 8am - 8pm.  Unofficial results are expected by 8:20pm Saturday with final results certified by Tuesday afternoon

~SF

CRD Fin/Budget Ctme Mtg #1 (2015 Budget - Morning Session)

Present: Chair J. Glassford and Directors Armstrong, Massier, Bischoff, Kemp, Sorley, Richmond, Wagner, Rattray, Sharpe, Bonnell and Alternate Director Roodenburg (Quesnel)

Staff:

J. Bell- CAO
A. Johnston - Corporate Officer
S. Reid - CFO

Meeting called to order at 9:12am
Meeting Agenda approved

Consideration of the Draft 2015 Business Plans:

2015 Draft Business Plans approved unanimously

a) Airports
b) Contributions
c) Development Services
d) Environment Services (Bus Plan Goal added to start Recycling in Wells in 2015)
e) Protective Services (with amendments approved at the meeting)
f) Sewer
g) Streetlighting
h) Water
i) Library
j) Heritage Conservation

CC Arts/Culture 2015 Business Plan approved by the following vote:

Affirmative - Chair J. Glassford and Directors Armstrong, Massier, Sorley, Richmond, Wagner, Rattray, Sharpe, Bonnell, Campsall and Alternate Director Roodenburg (Quesnel)

Negative - Area D Director D. Bischoff & Area 'E' Director B. Kemp

Meeting adjourned to lunch at 12:05pm

2 Days of Advanced Voting - City of Quesnel

This morning - it is being reported that 651 voters in the City of Quesnel took advantage of 2 Days of Advanced Voting.  This is up from the 2011 Election

The final opportunity to vote in the City of Quesnel election for 1 Mayor and six Councillors is Saturday, Nov 15th, 2014

~SF

Caron withdraws from Conservative Cariboo-PG Nomination Race

250News.com is reporting Gerald Caron, a resident of Vanderhoof, is now withdrawing from the Conservative Cariboo-PG Nomination race and instead will seek the Conservative nomination for Skeena-Bulkley Valley

Caron commented "The (Federal Conservative) Party is in search of Conservative women, and I don’t think they want to hear any negativity about Shari Green..  Read more here

Meanwhile - that leaves outgoing PG Mayor Shari Green, and PG Residents Todd Doherty, Nick Fedorkiw and TJ Grewal in the running in Cariboo-PG with Grewal's status as a Conservative nominee in Cariboo-PG still in doubt.  Grewal is seeking a waiver from the Federal Conservative Party to stay in the nomination race as he had not been a Federal Conservative for the required 6 months prior to running for nomination.  Deadline to be a Conservative Party member and vote in the forthcoming nomination meeting for Federal Conservatives' in Cariboo-PG is Thursday, Nov 20th at 9pm Pacific Time

~SF

72 hours to go...

With 72 hours of campaigning left to go prior to Saturday's General Voting Day for all local government elections - here are some local election news:

a) Quesnel candidates (City Council, CRD Areas A/B and SD28) outline their platforms - click here

b) Bob Simpson challenges MP Dick Harris on his defence of Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom - click here

c) Williams Lake City Councillor candidate Tovi Pare introduces herself to City of WL Electors - click here

d) City of WL Mayor/Council candidates /CRD Area D Director candidate Steve Forseth respond to Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society survey -- click here 

e) BC's Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes says Get out and vote Saturday! - click here

f) Area F resident Rob Gordon says proposed Pool Referendum taxation puts too much tax strain on those within Central Cariboo Recreation Function .... click here

g) Natural resource development could affect local government races on Saturday in Kamloops, Burnaby and Hudson's Hope - click here

~SF

Advanced Vote #2 - City of WL/Quesnel/SD Zone 5

For the electors of the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake and those electors in SD27 Zone 5 (CRD Areas D/E + portion of Williams Lake in Electoral Zone 5, School District #27) - you have a final opportunity today to vote in advance of General Voting Day on Saturday, Nov 15th, 2014 as follows:

City of Williams Lake:

WL City Hall Foyer (450 Mart St) from 8am - 8pm - Wed Nov 12th

School District #27 - Zone 5

School Board Office (350 2nd Ave, WL) from 8am - 8pm - Wed Nov 12th

City of Quesnel:

CNC/UNBC Campus (100 Campus Way - off of North Star Rd by McDonald's Restaurant) from 8am-8pm, Wed Nov 12th

Bring two pieces of ID that shows a residential address and signature

After 8pm today, ALL Advanced Voting Opportunities for all local government/Boards of Education elections will conclude and your final opportunity to vote will be Saturday, Nov 15th, 2014

~SF

Remembrance Day 2014

2nd Advanced Vote -- Cariboo RD Areas A, B, D, E, I and K

For those who reside in Cariboo RD Electoral Areas A, B, D, E, I and K -- you have a 2nd Advanced Voting opportunity today.  See below for precise voting locations:

ELECTORAL AREAS 'A', 'B', 'I' & NC HandyDART Referendum

Cariboo Regional District Library
101-410 Kinchant Street, Quesnel

ELECTORAL AREA 'D', 'E', 'K' & Sam Ketcham Pool Referendum

Cariboo Regional District Board Room
Suite D, 180 North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake

After today - those electors in CRD Areas A, B, D, E, I and K will have their final opportunity to vote for a Director and participate in the NC HandyDART/Sam Ketcham Pool Referendums on Saturday, November 15th

~SF

NSTC backs Kerry Cook's 3rd bid for WL Mayor

In an announcement I long expected -- the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, which covers First Nation bands like Soda Creek, Williams Lake, Dog Creek and Canim Lake, have announced that they are backing Kerry Cook for a 3rd term as Mayor of Williams Lake

As we enter the final week of campaigning for the 2014 Election - expect all of the Williams Lake Mayoral candidates and their campaign teams to push hard to get out every vote possible during the 2nd Advanced Vote on Wednesday and also General Voting Day on Saturday while convincing voters at the door that they (Cook, Cobb, Rathor and Bjornstrom) alone are the best choice for Mayor

View the announcement from the NSTC below:

NSTC Endorses Support for Kerry Cook FINAL

Stolen iPads from WL Walmart

Courtesy of the Williams Lake RCMP:

On November 7, 2014, the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a complaint at Walmart, 1205 Prosperity Way, advising that this morning, an unknown male entered a locked case within the store and stole 18-20 Apple iPads. The suspect was described as Caucasian, wearing a ball cap, and grey t-shirt with red stripe.

If you have any knowledge of this offence that might assist with the ongoing investigation, or know who committed this offence, please call the Williams Lake RCMP at 250 392 6211, or Crimestoppers at 1 800 222 8477.

One Week to Election

In exactly seven days from today -- voters in the Cariboo-Chilcotin will heads to the polls to elect new Mayors, City Councillors, School Trustees and Regional District Directors in Areas A, B, D, E, I and K of the Cariboo Regional District

For the voters of Quesnel - there is a 2nd Advanced Voting opportunity today at Quesnel City Hall from 8am - 8pm.  You will need to bring two pieces as voter registration takes place on-site

As for future Advanced Voting:

Monday, Nov 10th - Advanced Vote #2 for CRD Areas A, B, & I (plus North Cariboo HandyDART) at the CRD Library in Quesnel (410 Kinchant ST) + CRD Areas D, E, and K (plus Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum for qualified voters of Areas D and E) at the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Ave in Williams Lake).  Both are from 8am - 8pm

Wed, Nov 12th - Advanced Vote #2 for City of WL from 8am - 8pm at WL City Hall.  Bring 2 pieces of ID with you.  Also - Zone 5 of School District #27 at the SD27 Admin Office (350 North 2nd Ave).  Both from 8am - 8pm

While the results for Quesnel/Williams Lake elections should come fairly quickly as electronic counting is used in these elections, other election results for CRD, Wells, 100 Mile, SD27 + SD28 may take a little while to be known...

As of this writing - there are currently no All Candidates Forums scheduled this upcoming week for 100 Mile, Williams Lake, Quesnel and Wells or SD27 + SD28.  There is an All Candidate Forum scheduled today at 2:15pm for CRD Area 'B' Director candidates Heloise Dixon-Warren (incumbent) and Jerry Bruce at the Parkland Community Hall and another one scheduled for Thursday, Nov 13th for CRD Area 'A' Director candidates at the Kersley Community Hall.

As a City of WL voter - I, plus many others, will be interested in the final results of the City of Williams Lake election as to who the new Mayor/Council will be.  No matter what election race or person(s) you are supporting -- please make the effort to come out and vote and let's make this the most successful local elections every!

~SF

100 Mile/Cariboo RD Board meets next week

Next week - only the District of 100 Mile House/Cariboo RD Board meets as follows:

100 Mile - Regular Council Meeting on Wed, Nov 12th at 7pm in 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Ave).  View the Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District:

Finance Committee - Meeting on Thursday, Nov 13th at 9am in the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue).  Discuss 2015 Draft Business/Financial Plans.  Meeting is open to the public.  View the full Agenda here

CC Reg Hospital District - Meeting on Friday, Nov 14th at 9:30am in the CRD Boardroom.  Items on the Agenda include Hospital Consent Calendar, WL Seniors Council raising concerns about Cariboo Memorial Hospital project and presentation from Central Interior Rural Division of Family Practice.  There will be an In-Camera (Closed to the Public) session as per Section 90(2)(b) of the Community Charter

 View the full Agenda here

Cariboo RD Board of Directors - Meeting on Friday, Nov 14th at 9:45am in the CRD Boardroom

On the Agenda:

* Various Planning Items
* NDIT Application from WL Indian Band to develop business plan for upgrades at Chief William campsite

* Recommendations from Joint Committees - North, Central and South
* Request from Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff for up to $400 from Area 'D' Director Initiative Fund to host thank you dinner to members of the Area 'D' Advisory Planning Commission and to thank the long service of Area D APC member Ron Kaufman

* There will be an In-Camera Session as per Sections 90(1) a+c of the Community Charter

Please note - this is the final meeting for CRD Area D Director Deb Bischoff, Area K Director Chad Mernett and Area L Director Bruce Rattray.  Watch for farewell presentations to these Directors

View the full Agenda here

Other Dates to note:

Sat, Nov 8th - 2nd Advanced Vote for City of Quesnel election, 8am - 8pm at Quesnel City Hall

Mon, Nov 10th - 2nd Advanced Vote for CRD Elections in Areas A, B, I + North Cariboo HandyDART Referendum for CRD Areas A, B, C, and I & Areas D, E, K + Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum (Referendum applies to Areas D + E only)

Mon, Nov 10th - Xeni Gwet'in Title Case presentation at TRU WL Campus - 7pm

Tues, Nov 11th - Remembrance Day

Wed, Nov 12th - City of WL Election, Advance Voting Day #2

Mt Polley Review Panel seeks input

Earlier today - the Mt Polley Review Panel announced that it was asking for the public and informed interest groups to provide information relating to its investigation into the breach of the tailings storage facility (TSF) at the Mount Polley Mine on Aug. 4, 2014.

Review Panel Chair, Norbert Morgenstern, a well-recognized leader in the field of geotechnical engineering, stressed that the focus of the Review Panel’s investigation is on the factors related to the cause of the incident and not issues of environmental impact or liability.

“We are looking for input and comment from individuals and organizations that can contribute to our understanding of the factors and underlying causes of this dam failure so we can determine the cause and identify actions that can be taken to avoid future such incidents,”

Submissions are requested in writing only and can be delivered to the Review Panel by mail at:

Mount Polley Independent Expert Engineering Investigation and Review Panel at 5B – 940 Blanshard Street, Victoria, B.C., V8W 3E6.

Submissions may also be made through the Review Panel’s web site at: www.mountpolleyreviewpanel.ca.

All submissions must be received by the Review Panel prior to midnight on Dec 7th with a final report due January 31st, 2015

Read more here

1st Advanced Vote - Quesnel/100 Mile

The Goat/Cariboo Country reports 1st Advanced Votes in Quesnel and 100 Mile House as follows:

Quesnel - 2014 1st Advanced Vote; 396 people voted.  In 2011 - this was 316

100 Mile House - 2014 1st Advanced Vote; 139 people voted.  In 2011 - this was 88

There will be an addition voting opportunity for Quesnel residents on Saturday, Nov 8th from 8am - 8pm at Quesnel City Hall with another voting opportunity at the CNC College on Wednesday, Nov 12th from 8am - 8pm.

While in 100 Mile House - the next voting opportunity will be on Saturday, Nov 15th (General Voting Day) in 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Ave) from 8am - 8pm

New CRD Area 'D' Alternate Director

This afternoon - I was advised that a new Alternate Director was appointed for Electoral Area 'D'.  The appointment is effectively immediately and remains in effect until Nov 30th when the new Electoral Area 'D' Director will need to appoint an Alternate Director for the 2014-18 Term as per Section 787 of the Local Government Act

My personal thanks to outgoing Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff for giving me the opportunity to serve as her Alternate Director for just under the last two years... It was an honour to serve as her Alternate Director and won't forget the things I learned while serving for her at the CRD Board table in her absence and to be able to learn from many of the other CRD Electoral Area/Municipal Directors around the CRD Board table

~SF

1st Advanced Vote - Cariboo RD

The Cariboo Regional District is reporting that roughly 200 residents took part in yesterday's 1st Advanced Vote for elections in Electoral Areas A, B, D, E, I and K.

Details for 2nd Advanced Vote which is on Monday, November 10th are below:

ELECTORAL AREAS 'A', 'B', 'I' & NC HandyDART Referendum
Cariboo Regional District Library
101-410 Kinchant Street, Quesnel

ELECTORAL AREA 'D', 'E', 'K' & Sam Ketcham Pool Referendum
Cariboo Regional District Board Room
Suite D, 180 North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake

1st Advance Vote Numbers - City of WL

The City of Williams Lake is reporting that 666 voters took part in the City's 1st Advanced Vote.

This is an increase of 58% over the 2011 1st Advanced Vote number, 42% over the 2008 1st Advanced Vote number and an increase of 58% over the 2005 1st Advanced Vote number

For the record - here are the 1st Advanced Vote numbers by election year:

2005 - 384
2008 - 278
2011 - 386
2014 - 666

I was very pleased to see the result of the 2014 1st Advanced Vote result.  If this continues, we should see an overall increase of total voter participation by the time the final vote tally is done on November 15th.

In 2011 - the overall voter participation for the City of Williams Lake election was 50.7% so hitting an overall voter participation rate for the 2014 City election of 60% is not unreasonable, given yesterday's Advanced Vote number

The 2nd Advanced Vote for the City of Williams Lake takes place on Wednesday, November 12th from 8am - 8pm at the Wiliams Lake City Hall Foyer

THANK YOU Williams Lake for taking a big interest in your next local government

~SF

Quesnel Mayoral Debate on CBC

This morning on CBC Daybreak North - both incumbent Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and challenger Bob Simpson debate the issues in this year's civic election.  Topics raised include:

* Forestry
* North Cariboo Arena project
* Quesnel Highway Bypass project
* West Quesnel Land Stability project

Listen to both parts of the debate below

Part 1:

listen to ‘Quesnel Mayor's Debate 2014 Part One’ on audioBoom

Part 2:

listen to ‘Quesnel Mayor's Debate 2014 Part Two’ on audioBoom

100 Mile Mayor/Councillor Candidate Debate

In today's 100 Mile Free Press - they report on the Nov 4th debate for 100 Mile House Mayoral (2) and Councillor (7) Candidates.  Topics raised included:

a) Volunteerism
b) Economic Development
c) Skills Training
d) Infrastructure Renewal
e) Proposed Pool
f) Social issues
g) Fees/Charges

View the article here

All Candidates Forum Video - WL Mayor/Councillor

Update -- Cariboo News/Events has now posted their online forum for the participating candidates running for WL Mayor/City Councillor, CRD Electoral Area Director or School Trustee.  View the forum here

Got News Network has being taping the three All Candidates Forums -- 1 WL City Councillor + 2 WL Mayoral.  If you didn't vote yesterday and need to learn about the 16 Candidates for WL Council (4 for Mayor + 12 for Councillor) prior to voting next week -- you can watch all of the videos from previous All Candidates Forums here

As of this writing -- there are no scheduled All Candidates Forums for those seeking the office of Cariboo RD Director for Electoral Areas D + E & School District #27 Trustee for Zones 4 and 5

Future Voting Opportunities in Central Cariboo include:

Monday, Nov 10th from 8 am - 8pm -- Cariboo RD Electoral Areas D, E and K + Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum for those qualified to vote in CRD Areas D + E at the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue) Advanced Voting Day #2

Wednesday, Nov 12th from 8am - 8pm -- City of Williams Lake Mayor/Councillor, School District Zone 5 only + Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum for City of WL Electors (WL City Hall + School District #27 Board Office) Advanced Voting Day #2

Saturday Nov 15th from 8am - 8pm -- General Voting Day

~SF

Shari Green seeks Federal Conservative nomination

Yesterday in Prince George -- Outgoing Prince George Mayor Shari Green announced her intention to enter the race to become the next Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) nominee for the Federal Electoral District of Cariboo-Prince George for the 2015 Election

She now joins a crowded race which includes T. J Grewal, Nick Fedorkiw, Todd Doherty - all of Prince George + Vanderhoof resident Gerald Caron.

No further nominees are expected to come forward to join the race to replace outgoing Conservative MP for Cariboo-Prince George, Dick Harris

The next scheduled Federal Election takes place in October of 2015

Watch the video from CKPG-TV below:

Brice O'Neill is elected for SD27 - Zone 6 Trustee

Earlier today - the City of Williams Lake & School District #27 Chief Election Officers' co-signed an official notice advising the electors for the City of Williams Lake that an election in Zone 6 - School District #27 is not necessary as Jana Ross withdrew her nomination as per Section 80(2) of the Local Government Act

My personal congrats to Brice O'Neill as the new Zone 6 Trustee for School District #27

View the official notice from Kevin Futchner and Cindy Bouchard here

~SF

Extreme Weather spaces in Quesnel

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

The B.C. government will fund 10 extreme weather shelter spaces in Quesnel this winter to help those whose health and safety may be threatened by cold, wet weather.

The temporary spaces, located at Quesnel Shelter and Support Society (Seasons House), 146 Carson Avenue, will be available from now until March 31, 2015 as communities issue extreme weather alerts for their area.

“Extreme weather shelter beds aim to support homeless people that might be turned away due to a lack of bed space”, said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. “The extreme weather shelter beds are made possible by funding from the provincial government working with community partners on how and when these beds are best utilized. With the minus temperatures we receive in Quesnel it is an important addition to the services provided at Seasons House through the winter months.”

Each community decides what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need.

Throughout the province, the B.C. government will provide up to $1.6 million this winter to make more than 1,100 temporary emergency shelter spaces serving more than 90 communities.

The B.C. government also funds outreach teams to help connect people with a range of services such as housing, health care and community supports. Last year, more than 6,700 people in B.C. were connected to these supports by provincially funded homeless outreach and shelter workers.

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, nearly 100,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

Extereme Weather spaces in 100 Mile House

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

The B.C. government will fund 10 extreme weather shelter spaces in 100 Mile House this winter to help those whose health and safety may be threatened by cold, wet weather.

The temporary spaces, located at the 99 Mile Motel and operated by CMHA South Cariboo, will be available from now until March 31, 2015 as communities issue extreme weather alerts for their area.

“Shelter is such an important and urgent need for those who are without a home during the cold and wet months of winter,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett. “Our government provides the funding and the community provides the warm, safe place to stay, for anyone who needs it to begin a journey out of homelessness.”

Each community decides what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need.

Throughout the province, the B.C. government will provide up to $1.6 million this winter to make more than 1,100 temporary emergency shelter spaces serving more than 90 communities.

The B.C. government also funds outreach teams in to help connect people with a range of services such as housing, health care and community supports. Last year, more than 6,700 people in B.C. were connected to these supports by provincially funded homeless outreach and shelter workers.

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, nearly 100,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

MP Dick Harris on Quesnel Mayoral Race

In today's Quesnel Cariboo Observer - outgoing Federal Cariboo-PG MP Dick Harris writes to back up incumbent Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom after challenger Bob Simpson criticized Sjostrom on no delivery of funds for the former Quesnel Multicentre proposal, despite good federal government relations

Read the letter from MP Harris here

~SF

Advanced Voting starts today!!

Today is the first opportunity to vote for new elected officials in Wells (vote for 4 District Councillors only), Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, SD27 (Zones 4, 5, 6), SD 28 and Cariboo Regional District Director in Areas A, B, D, E, I and K in addition to referendums in CRD Areas A, B, C and I for North Cariboo HandyDART and CRD Areas D, E, F/City of WL for the Sam Ketchum Pool Referendum...

I personally will be exercising my vote at 8am today at Williams Lake City Hall

If you can't vote today, you can vote on Monday Nov 10th (CRD only), Wednesday Nov 12th before General Voting Day occuring on Saturday, November 15th

For Advanced Voting locations (Day 1 of 2) -- click here

Wherever you are in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, I strongly encourage you to get out and vote! Those elected will be there for 4 years, so select wisely!

Meanwhile, watch a video of WL City Councillor candidate Tovi Pare requesting you to vote in the City of Williams Lake election, starting tomorrow at WL City Hall from 8am - 8pm.  Video is here

~SF

WL Council Highlights - Nov 4th mtg

Present: Mayor Cook and Councillors Bonnell, Bourdon (via phone), Hughes, Rathor, and Walters

Staff:

Darrell Garceau - City Manager
Cindy Bouchard - Mgr of Legislative Services
Nigel Whitehead - Planner
Gary Muraca - Director of Municipal Services
Margaret Stewart - Director of Finance
Tom Chung - IT Mgr
Ken MacInnis - Communications Coordinator

Meeting called to order at 6pm
Meeting Agenda approved/Oct 21st WL City Council meeting minutes approved

Business

1) Council received the accounts payable cheque runs for the period of October 23 and 30, 2014

2) Council adopted the following Resolution concerning the Steelworkers' "Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law" campaign:

WHEREAS the Westray amendments to the Criminal Code were brought forward to address incidents of workplace death or injury that were determined to be caused by negligence or a failure to take reasonable steps to ensure safety;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City of Williams Lake Council urge the federal and provincial governments, specifically the Attorney General and the Minister of Labour, to ensure that:

• Crown attorneys are educated, trained and directed to apply the Westray amendments;
• Dedicated prosecutors are given the responsibility for health and safety fatalities;
• Police are educated, trained and directed to apply the Westray amendments; and
• There is a greater coordination among regulators, police and Crown attorneys so that health and safety regulators are trained to reach out to police when there is a possibility that Westray amendment charges are warranted.

3) After receiving no public input, Council approved Development Permit #4/2014 (Buildworks Construction Inc. - Tour Bus Storage Facility - 1070 Murray Drive)

4) Council received and endorsed the Terms of Reference for the Williams Lake Transit System Service Review

5) Council gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading to Street Naming Bylaw No. 2223 - "Stevenson Place"

Approved by the following vote:

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

6) Council ratified a Central Cariboo Joint Committee recommendation as follows:

a) That pursuant to Central Cariboo / City of Williams Lake Joint Committee Report #22-2014, the agenda item summary of Darren Campbell, Manager of Community Services, Cariboo Regional District dated October 9, 2014 regarding the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex Pool Renovations and Upgrade Project - Communications Working Group Meeting Notes of October 9, 2014 be received for information.

7) Council received a letter from Mary Forbes regarding accessibility and safety concerns on the Highway 97 Corridor in Williams Lake and directed Planning Staff to inform Ms. Forbes of the City's current transportation and accessibility priorities

8) Council ratified 6 Committee of the Whole recommendations as follows:

a) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #36-2014, the report of the Chief Administrative Officer dated October 22, 2014 regarding installation of portable speed humps on 2nd and 3rd Avenue within the Marie Sharpe school zone be received and Staff be directed to investigate options for signage changes for both 2nd and 3rd Avenue within the Marie Sharpe school zone to include speed restrictions for the playground, in addition to school zones, and that options for increased signage visibility, including LED lights, be investigated.

b) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #37-2014, the Chief Administrative Officer be requested to coordinate with the RCMP to address excessive speeding in all zones throughout the City.

c) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #38-2014 and the report of the Planner dated October 22, 2014, Council direct Staff to proceed with closure of vehicular lake access at Dutch Point Road; and further, that Staff proceed with development of the "Right-Angle Parking Option" as discussed in this report through the 2015 regular budget process.

Approved by the following vote:

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

d) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #39-2014, Staff investigate improvements at Scout Island beach, boat launch area and access to Scout Island and report back to the 2015 budget discussions.

e) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #40-2014, Council authorize the Mayor to write a letter on behalf of Council outlining the concerns raised during the meeting with Mount Polley Mine Manager Dale Reimer and the letter be sent to the Premier, appropriate Ministers, our MLA's for Cariboo North and South, First Nations and the Cariboo Regional District.

f) That pursuant to Committee of Whole Council Report #41-2014, the letter from Al Richmond, CRD Chair, dated October 24, 2014 regarding Canada Winter Games be received and the request contained within the letter be endorsed

9) Council approved the annual "Memory Tree" Celebration on Sunday, December 7, 2014 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at City Hall

10) Council received the Ministry of Advanced Education news release dated October 24, 2014 titled 'Premier Clark announces new skills training programs in the Cariboo for BC jobs'

11) Council received a letter from Minister Coralee Oakes re: Update to Provincial Commitments Made at UBCM Convention and asked Staff to bring forward a report to apply for projects under the "Small Community Fund"

12) Council approved the Santa Parade and Winter Lights Christmas Magic Light Up on Saturday, November 29th

13) Council received/endorsed the Oct 22nd Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting minutes

14) Council authorized the raising of the national Metis flag in honour of Louis Riel on November 16, 2014 on the City's flag pole

15) Council received the 'Council Information Package' as of Nov 4th as follows:

• October 10, 2014 - Corporation of Delta re Proposed Agreement with BC Emergency Health Services;
• October 12, 2014 - Premier Clark re Thank You for Meetings at UBCM Convention;
• October 20, 2014 - Minister of Justice re UBCM Meeting and Crime Reduction;
• October 23, 2014 - Township of Spallumcheen re Concerns Regarding Smart Meters;
• October 24, 2014 - CRD Board Highlights;
• October 29, 2014 - NDIT October 2014 Building a Stronger North Newsletter;
• October 30, 2014 - UNBC Free Public Lecture by James Gorman re Keeping the BC Interior Forest Industry Strong.

Meeting adjourned at 7:03pm

Quesnel Council Highlights - Nov 3rd mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

City applies to the Business Facade Improvement Program for 2015

Council approved applying for and administering the 2015 Northern Development Initiative Trust Business Façade Improvement Program and amending the process for distributing the funds to ensure funds are utilized.

Annual funding of up to $20,000 is available to municipalities to enhance economic development by encouraging private sector investments in business façade improvements. Grants would be up to $5,000 in the way of matching project funds. Eligible projects would be façade improvements that increase compliance with Development Permit Guidelines in South Quesnel, West Quesnel, Highway Frontage and Downtown Development Permit Areas. Staff are recommending making some changes to the process of approving projects and distributing funds to improve the uptake of the program.

Support for Northern Strike Paintball

Council supported the application from the Northern Strike Paintball Association for a grant in the amount of $20,000 for the development of a speedball field. As well, the City contributed $5,000 toward the project, with funds to come from the Airport Capital Reserve using money generated by the logging operation on airport lands.

Council indemnities at CPI

In accordance with Council Policy IWC-8, the Consumer Price Index for BC (CPI) September adjustment is used to determine indemnity rates for Mayor and Councillors for the following calendar year. The CPI rate for September 2014 was 1.2% and Council therefore approved an increase in indemnities. The Mayor will receive $43,177.68 annually and Councillors will receive $14,814.12 annually. The increase in the total budget for indemnities is approximately $1,570.

Transition Funding Projects

Council approved the following projects and authorized the transfer of up to $65,000 to Quesnel Community and Economic Development Corporation to undertake these projects:
1. $30,000 for an airport business plan update/marketing materials;
2. $15,000 for an updated City marketing plan/materials; and
3. $20,000 for an economic analysis of opening up the Nechako Basin.

Spray park to see upgrades in 2015

Council approved submitting/accepting a grant from the Tire
Stewardship BC 2014 Community Grant Program in the amount of $14,316 and increasing the capital budget for resurfacing the spray park by $6,112. Recycled rubber tire materials are shredded and create a thick, cushioned non-slip finish that is ideal for spray parks.

Other News:

· Council resolved to write a letter to the provincial government in support of Cottonwood House and the importance of it remaining open to the public as a heritage site.
· Council provided an exemption from strict adherence to the City’s Floodplain Bylaw for a proposed building at 3431 Gook Road subject to registration of an amended covenant setting out the development conditions per the correspondence provided by a professional engineer.
· Council gave approval to the West Quesnel Business Association to string clear lights throughout the trees in Baker Creek Park for their Winter Solstice Event on December 21.
· Council approved the disposal of four surplus vehicles through a sealed bid process.
· Council gave final adoption to Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw 1749.
· The Province of British Columbia is developing a new 10-year provincial transportation plan called B.C. on the Move and are asking for the public to engage in the discussion to help identify the transportation opportunities and priorities ahead. Council is urging the community to complete the survey which is available online at www.quesnel.ca or http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/. The deadline for submissions is December 12, 2014.


Proclamations

Nov 2014 - Accessible Parking Awareness Month
Nov 2014 - Adoption Awareness Month
Nov 2014 - Diabetes Month
Nov 14th - World Diabetes Day in Quesnel

Important dates

Nov 11 - Remembrance Day
Jan 17 - 2015 Canada Winter Games Torch Light Celebration

NEXT MEETING:
Monday Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
Final Regular Council Meeting for the 2011-2014 Term

Monday Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Inaugural Council Meeting of 2014-2018

Cariboo-PG Nomination Mtg set

A few days - I was advised of the fact that the Conservative Party of Canada has set the nomination meeting date to select a nominee for the Cariboo-PG Riding for the Oct 2015 Federal Election at Monday, December 15th with the deadline to have memberships in as Thursday, November 13th

More details here

Meanwhile -- Opinion250.com reports that TJ Grewal's candidacy may be moot as he missed a deadline to being a Conservative Party of Canada member prior to the nomination vote and will need to apply for a waiver.  Read more here.  Many media outlets continue to widely speculate that outgoing Prince George Mayor Shari Green will indeed seek the Conservative Party of Canada nomination -- will she or won't she... we simply will have to wait...

Finally - I hope for fairness sake that there will be nomination votes in Vanderhoof, Quesnel and Williams Lake in addition to Prince George.  Anyone who knows this region knows that roads can be difficult to travel on in December, let alone Jan - March... if not, that may skew the numbers and thus possibly alienating Conservative supporters in long distance places from PG like Vanderhoof and Williams Lake...

~SF

NC HandyDART Open House - Nov 4th from 5-7pm

2nd WL Mayoral Forum

Candidates present - Kerry Cook (incumbent) , Walt Cobb, Surinderpal Rathor and John Bjornstrom

Others: CRD Area D Director candidates Steve Forseth/Pennie Daffurn, WL City Councillor candidates Craig Smith, Scott Nelson,Sue Lachance, Jason Ryll, Bobbie-Jo Macnair, Wayne Lucier, Laurie Walters and SD Zone 5 Trustee Sheila Boehm

Public: Roughly 175

Forum started at 6:30pm

Intro by Moderator Dale Taylor

Question Period:

1) Future of local Museum? - Cook
2) 17% property tax increase on time? - Cook
3) Long Term Debt level - Cook and Rathor
4) Level of historical Property Tax hikes - Rathor
5) Pool Referendum (2) - Rathor
6) Small Business -Cobb
7) Cariboo Lodge -Rathor
8) mt Polley - Cook
9) "Republic of Life" spending - Bjornstrom
10) Mt Polley & First Nations - Cobb
11) Legal costs - Cook
12) Celebrate Life rally - Rathor
13) Cariboo Lodge/Deni House history - Cobb
14) Revitalize Downtown core - Rathor
15) Support for Cultural Arts Centre - Cobb
16) CRD Relationship - Rathor vs Cook
17) MSP Premiums - Cook and Rathor
18) Ec Dev - Bjornstrom
19) Business Friendly City Hall - Cobb
20) Pool Referendum opinion - Cook
21) TRU WL Campus & Technology - Cobb

Forum recessed at 7:30pm
Forum resumed at 7:43pm

22) Long term plan for roads - Cook
23) Respondingg to residents inquiries - Rathor
24) CCBAC Leadership by WL Mayor - Cobb
25) Crime/Safety - Cook
26) CITA Agreement - Cobb
27) Fiscal Accountability - Rathor
28) Art Walk & Ec Dev - Cook
29) WL Community Forest - Cook
30) Road Potholes - Cook
31) Lake Access - Rathor
32) Council Relationship & Relationship between City Hall/residents - Cobb
33) Co-Gen Water Agreement with City of WL - Cook
34) Downtown core, how to improve? -Cobb
35) Support for Agriculture sector? - Cobb
36) Transportation Links to WL? - Cobb
37) Hire company to fill empty stores? - Cook
38) Tax breaks for industry? - Bjornstrom
39) Derelict buildings - Cook vs Rathor
40) BIA Relationship? - Cobb
41) First Nations relationship - Bjornstrom
42) Boitanio Mall major tenant - Cook
43) First Nation reconciliation - all candidates

Closing Comments (4 mins) - Bjornstrom, Rathor, Cobb, and Cook

Wrap up comments (voting locations, etc) by the Moderator

Forum concluded at 8:56pm

Editor's Notes:

1) Kudos for Dale Taylor for doing a yeoman's job as Moderator at the forum.  Bravo, Dale!!!

2) Interesting that after asking my question to Surinderpal Rathor about the Cariboo RD relationship, that Kerry Cook asked to rebut in reference to the Rural Fringe Fire Protection agreement question.  According to Cook, we now know it was her and Laurie Walters opposed to Council's actions...

3) Kerry Cook did not, in my view, do herself any favours by arguing with the moderator about a question on First Nations Reconciliation.  Moderators generally calls all the shots on forum proceedings... but I don't expect that it will have any negative impact on her re-election chances...

Finally - Walt Cobb speaks on tonight's forum from his perspective here while Rathor speaks his mind on the forum here

4 New School Buses for SD27

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Through its annual fleet renewal program, the provincial government is providing School District #27 with $452,016 of funding for the purchase of four new school buses, which will be delivered next spring.

Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin says –

“As a resident of rural British Columbia and knowing the distances our buses with students travel, safety is a necessity for students and drivers. Parents need to know when their children ride on the school bus that they are safe.”

The Ministry of Education has worked with the Association of School Transportation Services of B.C. to procure the school buses using the Standing Offer Pricing model. Contractors, Independent schools and First Nations schools are also able to take advantage of this pricing which has resulted in savings of 10 to 15 per cent and saves districts significant administrative and staff time. 

Over 1,000 buses are owned and operated by school districts with student transportation services costing more than $90 million annually. This year, the provincial government is providing $9 million to 22 school districts to purchase 76 buses. Districts will receive the new buses in spring 2015.

Advanced Voting starts Wednesday

With only 12 days remaining until General Voting Day, for the 5 Local Governments and the two Boards of Education, on Saturday, November 15th - you can beat the rush and vote early starting on Wednesday, November 5th from 8am - 8pm as follows:

District of Wells: Details here

City of Quesnel: Details here

City of Williams Lake: Details here

District of 100 Mile House: Details here

Cariboo Regional District (Electoral Areas A, B, D, E, I and K only): Details are here

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin): Details here

School District #28 (Quesnel): Details here

The standard two requirements to vote are:

A)

i) are a Canadian citizen
ii) are 18 years or older on voting day
iii) have lived in BC for six (6) months before voting day;
iv) have lived in the local government or Board of Education Trustee Electoral Zone  for at least thirty (30) days on the day of voting and is not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other Act or by law from voting

B) Two Pieces of ID that shows signature and a residential address.  Examples include:

i) Provincial Voters Card
ii) Driver's License or BC Identification Card
iii) Government ID Cards
iv) Passport
v) Car Insurance Documents
vi) Health Card
vii) Credit Card
viii) Social Insurance Card
ix) Utility Bills

BREAKING: Shawna Siemens withdraws from Quesnel election

This evening in the Facebook group Quesnel Beefs and Bouquets, Quesnel City Councillor candidate Shawna Siemens posts the following:

Please be advised that due to unforeseen circumstances I will be withdrawing from the Quesnel local elections. I have advised the QUESNEL observer and it will be in the local paper. We are asking quesnel citizens to please not vote for me. Thank you.

With her withdrawal, the remaining individuals running for the six Quesnel City Councillor seats are:

1) Ed Coleman (incumbent)
2) Laurey-Anne Roodenburg (incumbent)
3) Scott Elliot (incumbent)
4) Sushil Thapar incumbent)
5) John Brisco (incumbent)
6) Ron Paull
7) Kyle Jones
8) Ernest Gamache

Ms. Siemens will be required to write directly to Gina Albers (Quesnel Chief Election Officer) and advise in writing of her intention to withdraw from the election.  This requires approval from the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (Hon. Coralee Oakes) as per Section 80 of the Local Government Act as follows:

Withdrawal, death or incapacity of candidate

80  (1) At any time up until 4 p.m. on the 29th day before general voting day (October 14th, 2014), a person who has been nominated may withdraw from being a candidate in the election by delivering a signed withdrawal to the chief election officer, which must be accepted if the chief election officer is satisfied as to its authenticity.

(2) After the time referred to in subsection (1), a candidate may only withdraw by delivering a signed request to withdraw to the chief election officer and receiving the approval of the minister.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the chief election officer must notify the minister of a request to withdraw as soon as practicable after receiving it.

(4) The chief election officer must notify the minister if, between the declaration of an election by voting under section 76 (2) and general voting day for the election,

(a) a candidate dies, or

(b) in the opinion of the chief election officer, a candidate is incapacitated to an extent that will prevent the candidate from holding office.

(5) On approving a withdrawal under subsection (2) or being notified under subsection (4), the minister may order

(a) that the election is to proceed, subject to any conditions specified by the minister, or

(b) that the original election is to be cancelled and that a new election is to be held in accordance with the directions of the minister.

Area 'B' "Meet and Greet" Today

Today at 2pm at the Bouchie Lake Community Hall - you will get an opportunity to meet the two people seeking the position of Electoral Area 'B' Director of the Cariboo Regional District -- incumbent Heloise Dixon-Warren & challenger Jerry Bruce

One issue that they both agree on is the matter of the North Cariboo Rec and Parks Function

Listen to both of them here

Meanwhile (as I know this is being searched on my site) -- the Area 'A' All Candidates Forum between incumbent Ted Armstrong and challengers Cory Delves & Susan MacNeill will be held on Thursday, Nov 13th at the Kersley Community Hall.

Also -- as I've been asked, there are no scheduled all candidate forums for CRD Areas D and E races nor School District #27 for Zones 4 through 6 races plus another All Candidates forum for WL City Councillor candidates.

There is an 2nd All Candidates Forum for the Williams Lake Mayor candidates which occurs on Monday, Nov 3rd from 6:30-9:30pm in the Gibraltar Room while there is an All Candidates Forum for 100 Mile Mayor/Councillor candidates on Tuesday, Nov 4th at 7pm at the Lodge Conference Centre.

There are no further All Candidates Forum scheduled after Tues Nov 4th until Thursday, November 13th that I am aware of

~SF

Quesnel All Candidate Forum Coverage

Both the Quesnel Cariboo Observer and Quesnel Cariboo Sentinel cover the Oct 28th All Candidates Forum held at the Quesnel Legion for Quesnel Councillor and Mayoral Candidates

Read below:

a) Quesnel Cariboo Observer -- here
b) Quesnel Cariboo Sentinel - here

As of this writing, I am not aware of any further All Candidate Forums scheduled prior to the Nov 15th General Voting Session and those Advanced Voting Sessions which starts on Wednesday...

Finally - Daniella Ginta, columnist with the Armchair Mayor News (online news blog based in Kamloops) writes in her weekly column entitled "If you believe in making good things happen, you need to vote!.  Read Ms. Ginta's column here

~SF