Led by Len Doucette - a 100 Mile House resident, a new Facebook page has been established to give public support for the 'New Prosperity' mine, west of Williams Lake, as been proposed by Taseko Mines
Lots of positive feedback and endorsement of locals on Facebook for this new Facebook page and good debate! on the pros and cons of 'New Prosperity' from an individual point of view
Still no official word yet when 'New Prosperity' will be put to a public hearing in 2013
View the Facebook page here
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
WL Council Business - Dec 18th
Delegations:
1) Cariboo Men's Choir to sing Christmas Songs
2) Ind. Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson to present Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award to local
Business:
1) Council to adopt 2013 Provisional Budget - no document link to provide as of this writing
2) Changes to Junior Council Terms of Reference - view here
3) Pursuit of Free Crown Land Grant at WL Regional Airport - read here
4) WL Stampede Association wants to enlarge fenced area by Grandstands - read here
5) Bill Davidson wants 4 way stop at 2nd Ave and Cameron Street (by Marie Sharpe School and CP Electronics) - read here
And finally - WL Council will receive for public information In-Camera Rpt #15 as follows:
Moved and Seconded
“That Council enter into a 1 year agreement with the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to provide fire protection to those areas of D, E, and F based on the maximum requisition indicated in the Regional District’s Bylaw and further, prior to the expiration of this agreement, the City and CRD enter into discussions for renewal of fire protection services.”
Three things to note:
1) Before Dec 11th when the above In-Camera motion was passed -- Mayor Cook was insisting that WL Council can not change its' negotiating stance as it related to the CRD Rural Contracted Fire Protection Function as the offer the City made during negotiations in September is what the CRD acted on and it had no deadline which is why Acting City CAO Geoff Goodall insisted to Councillor Ivan Bonnell - if he wanted to change the City's offer for rural fringe fire protection, then Council must contact the City lawyer for legal advice and direction
2) I hope WL City Council did contact its' lawyer prior to passing this motion because if it didn't - it may have, in my view, compromised the City's position in court, should the Cariboo Regional District initiate legal proceedings on this matter against the City (note - I did say yesterday the CRD had, in my opinion, a strong legal case to pursue against the City)
3) Comments from Welcome to Williams Lake's Facebook page tell me that if City of WL elected officials show up to the CRD's public meeting on rural fire protection in early Jan 2013, they'll be at the receiving end of some serious public anger from those in the CRD Rural Fringe areas like Esler,North Lakeside Dr, etc:
a) Huh, well I will definitely be at that meeting, the fukers, we have been paying for fire protection services for over 50 fukin years, hell the residences of Chicotin Road, Dog Creek Road, South Lakeside bought a goddamnn fire truck of their own back in 1960 and them turned it over to the town in 62 as Williams Lake needed another one, and this it how the city is today, I'll definitely be at that fukin meeting open house in January, ...
b) City should just say screw you's were going do what ever we ----ing feel like doing anyway-if you dont like it move. AT least then you would know where you stand. Make a point! they make a bylaw to meet there need. I dont mean to be rude but come on Who put them in office and to whom are they working for. Its like town ppl say one thing and city dose the what ever they want .Granted I dont know a lot about this but over the years its getting worse and worse.
c) Wow......what a turncoat! It's not like we aren't paying for the service! And it's not like we have 2 or 3 fires a day! Explain your actions City of Williams Lake!
1) Cariboo Men's Choir to sing Christmas Songs
2) Ind. Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson to present Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award to local
Business:
1) Council to adopt 2013 Provisional Budget - no document link to provide as of this writing
2) Changes to Junior Council Terms of Reference - view here
3) Pursuit of Free Crown Land Grant at WL Regional Airport - read here
4) WL Stampede Association wants to enlarge fenced area by Grandstands - read here
5) Bill Davidson wants 4 way stop at 2nd Ave and Cameron Street (by Marie Sharpe School and CP Electronics) - read here
And finally - WL Council will receive for public information In-Camera Rpt #15 as follows:
Moved and Seconded
“That Council enter into a 1 year agreement with the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to provide fire protection to those areas of D, E, and F based on the maximum requisition indicated in the Regional District’s Bylaw and further, prior to the expiration of this agreement, the City and CRD enter into discussions for renewal of fire protection services.”
Three things to note:
1) Before Dec 11th when the above In-Camera motion was passed -- Mayor Cook was insisting that WL Council can not change its' negotiating stance as it related to the CRD Rural Contracted Fire Protection Function as the offer the City made during negotiations in September is what the CRD acted on and it had no deadline which is why Acting City CAO Geoff Goodall insisted to Councillor Ivan Bonnell - if he wanted to change the City's offer for rural fringe fire protection, then Council must contact the City lawyer for legal advice and direction
2) I hope WL City Council did contact its' lawyer prior to passing this motion because if it didn't - it may have, in my view, compromised the City's position in court, should the Cariboo Regional District initiate legal proceedings on this matter against the City (note - I did say yesterday the CRD had, in my opinion, a strong legal case to pursue against the City)
3) Comments from Welcome to Williams Lake's Facebook page tell me that if City of WL elected officials show up to the CRD's public meeting on rural fire protection in early Jan 2013, they'll be at the receiving end of some serious public anger from those in the CRD Rural Fringe areas like Esler,North Lakeside Dr, etc:
a) Huh, well I will definitely be at that meeting, the fukers, we have been paying for fire protection services for over 50 fukin years, hell the residences of Chicotin Road, Dog Creek Road, South Lakeside bought a goddamnn fire truck of their own back in 1960 and them turned it over to the town in 62 as Williams Lake needed another one, and this it how the city is today, I'll definitely be at that fukin meeting open house in January, ...
b) City should just say screw you's were going do what ever we ----ing feel like doing anyway-if you dont like it move. AT least then you would know where you stand. Make a point! they make a bylaw to meet there need. I dont mean to be rude but come on Who put them in office and to whom are they working for. Its like town ppl say one thing and city dose the what ever they want .Granted I dont know a lot about this but over the years its getting worse and worse.
c) Wow......what a turncoat! It's not like we aren't paying for the service! And it's not like we have 2 or 3 fires a day! Explain your actions City of Williams Lake!
Quesnel Council Business - Dec 17th
For those in Quesnel -- your City Council meets for the final time in 2012 and will consider the following noteworthy business:
a) Introduction of 2013 City of Quesnel Budget - read here with budget timetable here
b) City Manager B. Johnson outlines Staff changes - read here
c) Quesnel non-profits lobbies for more tickets under the 'Transportation Assistance Program' - read here
d) Pursuit of NDIT Grants for 2013 - read here
e) Community Forest Committee to consist of City Manager B. Johnson, CRD Director (Area C) John Massier, Jim Gorsline and Tony Bensted, members of the Quesnel Community
Economic Development Corporation and a member of Quesnel Council- read here
f) South Hills Neighborhood Association tables 3 letters with Quesnel Council, as follows:
i) Intersection of Hydraulic Rd and Highway 97 - read here
ii) Garbage Collection for South Quesnel - read here
iii) Un-Serviced Lots - read here
Next meeting of Quesnel Council -- Jan 7th, 2013 (Delegation Session)
a) Introduction of 2013 City of Quesnel Budget - read here with budget timetable here
b) City Manager B. Johnson outlines Staff changes - read here
c) Quesnel non-profits lobbies for more tickets under the 'Transportation Assistance Program' - read here
d) Pursuit of NDIT Grants for 2013 - read here
e) Community Forest Committee to consist of City Manager B. Johnson, CRD Director (Area C) John Massier, Jim Gorsline and Tony Bensted, members of the Quesnel Community
Economic Development Corporation and a member of Quesnel Council- read here
f) South Hills Neighborhood Association tables 3 letters with Quesnel Council, as follows:
i) Intersection of Hydraulic Rd and Highway 97 - read here
ii) Garbage Collection for South Quesnel - read here
iii) Un-Serviced Lots - read here
Next meeting of Quesnel Council -- Jan 7th, 2013 (Delegation Session)
Friday, December 14, 2012
Local Gov't Mtgs -- Wk of Dec 17-21
A number of local governments will be meeting for the final time in 2012 as follows:
Wells - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 7:00pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Ave)
Quesnel - Regular Meeting on Monday, Dec 17th at 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant St). View the Agenda here
Williams Lake - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 6:00pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St). View the Agenda here
School District #27 - Special Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 6:30pm in the SD #27 Boardroom (350 2nd Ave North - Williams Lake). View the Agenda here
Wells - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 7:00pm in Wells Council Chambers (4243 Sanders Ave)
Quesnel - Regular Meeting on Monday, Dec 17th at 7:00pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Floor - 410 Kinchant St). View the Agenda here
Williams Lake - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 6:00pm in WL Council Chambers (450 Mart St). View the Agenda here
School District #27 - Special Meeting on Tuesday, Dec 18th at 6:30pm in the SD #27 Boardroom (350 2nd Ave North - Williams Lake). View the Agenda here
City of WL reneges on Rural Fire Protection
Editor's Note:
Prior to the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board meeting held earlier today - WL City Council, at a Special In-Camera Meeting on Dec 11th, passed the following Resolution:
“That Council enter into a 1 year agreement with the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to
provide fire protection to those areas of D, E, and F based on the maximum requisition
indicated in the Regional District’s Bylaw and further, prior to the expiration of this
agreement, the City and CRD enter into discussions for renewal of fire protection services.”
As the CRD will explain in their press release - the CRD will look at all of its' options including legal avenues which, in my view, would be unprecedented as I don't (and I've talked with residents about this) recall the Cariboo Regional District ever starting legal proceedings against one of its' own municipal members'
Next steps will likely include a meeting (as early as this Monday) of CRD Directors' J. Sorley, B. Kemp and Area 'D' Alt Director B. Carruthers as to what can be done in light of the City of WL Council motion as far as rural fire protection goes and options from that meeting will then be presented to rural residents in early January 2013. The options really are:
1) New referendum for stand-alone fire department for parts of Areas D, E, F
2) Initiate legal proceedings against the City of WL for "negotiating in bad faith" of which I believe the CRD has a very strong legal case
As they say in poker -- "buckle up, Ladies and Gentlemen"
Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
The Cariboo Regional District has been officially informed by the City of Williams Lake that it has reneged on its most recent offer for fire protection services for Williams Lake fringe area residents. This written offer was the foundation for the recent Williams Lake Fringe Fire Protection Referendum held on November 24, 2012.
The Cariboo Regional District is taking every step to ensure that fire protection services for rural fringe residents do not lapse including, if necessary, legal action. The CRD is now considering alternative options to make sure affected Williams Lake fringe residents receive fire protection services at a reasonable cost, including developing its own fire department to serve the affected areas.
A public information meeting will be scheduled early in Jan. 2013, to provide updated information and seek input from residents.
The proposed agreement, and resulting Bylaw, which was adopted by the Board today, was based upon a five-year term. The City has now provided a new offer for fire protection services at the maximum rate of $147/$100,000 of residential assessment for affected rural residents. Based on 2012 assessments, City residents will continue to pay approximately $74/$100,000.
As updates are received, they will be posted on the CRD website at cariboord.bc.ca and on the CRD’s Facebook page at facebook.com/caribooregion
Prior to the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Board meeting held earlier today - WL City Council, at a Special In-Camera Meeting on Dec 11th, passed the following Resolution:
“That Council enter into a 1 year agreement with the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to
provide fire protection to those areas of D, E, and F based on the maximum requisition
indicated in the Regional District’s Bylaw and further, prior to the expiration of this
agreement, the City and CRD enter into discussions for renewal of fire protection services.”
As the CRD will explain in their press release - the CRD will look at all of its' options including legal avenues which, in my view, would be unprecedented as I don't (and I've talked with residents about this) recall the Cariboo Regional District ever starting legal proceedings against one of its' own municipal members'
Next steps will likely include a meeting (as early as this Monday) of CRD Directors' J. Sorley, B. Kemp and Area 'D' Alt Director B. Carruthers as to what can be done in light of the City of WL Council motion as far as rural fire protection goes and options from that meeting will then be presented to rural residents in early January 2013. The options really are:
1) New referendum for stand-alone fire department for parts of Areas D, E, F
2) Initiate legal proceedings against the City of WL for "negotiating in bad faith" of which I believe the CRD has a very strong legal case
As they say in poker -- "buckle up, Ladies and Gentlemen"
Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
The Cariboo Regional District has been officially informed by the City of Williams Lake that it has reneged on its most recent offer for fire protection services for Williams Lake fringe area residents. This written offer was the foundation for the recent Williams Lake Fringe Fire Protection Referendum held on November 24, 2012.
The Cariboo Regional District is taking every step to ensure that fire protection services for rural fringe residents do not lapse including, if necessary, legal action. The CRD is now considering alternative options to make sure affected Williams Lake fringe residents receive fire protection services at a reasonable cost, including developing its own fire department to serve the affected areas.
A public information meeting will be scheduled early in Jan. 2013, to provide updated information and seek input from residents.
The proposed agreement, and resulting Bylaw, which was adopted by the Board today, was based upon a five-year term. The City has now provided a new offer for fire protection services at the maximum rate of $147/$100,000 of residential assessment for affected rural residents. Based on 2012 assessments, City residents will continue to pay approximately $74/$100,000.
As updates are received, they will be posted on the CRD website at cariboord.bc.ca and on the CRD’s Facebook page at facebook.com/caribooregion
CRD Board Highlights - Dec 14th mtg
Editor's Notes:
1) The CRD Board will be providing no letters of support for the WL Community Forest after it was unable to agree whether or not to give a letter of support to either the residents of Big Lake or the Williams Lake Indian Band. At issue was the City of Williams Lake/WL Indian Band being unable to work with Big Lake residents' to work through, at best, some minor issues prior to approval of the WL Community Forest
2) In no surprise -- Area 'G' Director Al Richmond was easily re-elected as CRD Chair for his 5th term (Dec 2008-Dec 2013) with Area 'A' Director Ted Armstrong continuing as CRD Vice-Chair for 2013. My congrats to both Directors' Richmond/Armstrong on their re-election victories :)
Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
CCRHD Recruitment and Retention Policy
The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District endorsed a resolution to maintain the funding for its Recruitment and Retention program at $120,000 for fiscal 2013 through 2015 to allow contributions of $30,000 annually towards recruitment contracts in the north, south and central Cariboo. An annual contribution of $30,000 to the Northern Medical Programs Trust is also included within this envelope. Both programs will be reviewed in 2015 to consider whether or not to continue these contributions beyond 2015.
In 2009, the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board adopted a Recruitment and Retention policy with the proviso that it be reviewed in three years to determine its effectiveness and appropriateness. Several months later, the Board approved an annual contribution to the Northern Medical Programs Trust, again with the stipulation that the contribution be reviewed in three years.
Provisional Budgets Headed to Consultation Meetings
The Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CRHD), the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) and the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) 2013 provisional Budgets and Business Plans were endorsed by the Board. The provisional budget will then be presented to CRD residents in 2013 through three sub-regional consultation meetings taking place in the south Cariboo (100 Mile House at Creekside Seniors’ Centre) on January 30; north Cariboo (Quesnel at Quesnel Legion Hall) on January 31; and the central Cariboo (Williams Lake at the Pioneer Complex) on February 2.
The CRD’s traditional Town Hall Meetings for 2013 will be held at the beginning of the budgeting process in September and October in each of the electoral areas and municipalities. The budgets are currently listed on the CRD website on the December 14 agendas at cariboord.bc.ca.
Wood Stove Exchange Program
The Cariboo Regional District Board will be supporting the 2013 Wood Stove Exchange program. The program encourages residents to replace their old inefficient wood stoves with cleaner burning models that improve personal health and air quality by providing funding incentives. The Cariboo Regional District will refund wood stove inspection fees to participants of the program after installations are approved by CRD staff. The program is a partnership of the Ministry of Environment and the BC Lung Association, and will be administered in 2013 by the Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable.
Community Works Approved
Up to $10,000 of Community Works Funds were approved for energy efficiency upgrades to the Lone Butte Community Hall. Work will include replacement the current heating system, which is electric infrared heat with gas infrared heaters. The gas infrared heaters will operate at approximately 95 percent efficiency. During the meeting, the CRD Board of Directors also authorized up to $50,000 to perform energy efficiency upgrades to the Central Cariboo Search and Rescue facility in Williams Lake. Projects scheduled for this building include a heating system retrofit, door replacements and ancillary heating upgrades.
CRDL hosts Amnesty for Literacy
The CRD Library will be hosting its annual fines amnesty during "Family Literacy Week", at all branches from January 22 - 26, 2013. Family Literacy Week is a national initiative intended to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. The Library's fines amnesty will apply to participating members returning overdue materials, along with donations of recommended non-perishable foods, to be provided by our library branches to local area food banks. Further information is available online at crdl.bc.ca.
CRD Chair and Vice-Chair Elected
The CRD’s Area G Director Al Richmond, and Area A Director Ted Armstrong were re-elected during today’s meeting as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. This marks the fifth consecutive terms as Chair and Vice-Chair for Richmond and Armstrong. A full list of the 2011-2014 CRD Board of Directors is available online at cariboord.bc.ca
Happy Holidays
The Board of Directors and staff of the Cariboo Regional District wish residents of the Cariboo Chilcotin a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The CRD offices will be closed from December 24 through to January 1, 2013. CRD offices will re-open on January 2, 2013.
Declarations
Pitch-In Canada Week – April 21-27, 2013
Drinking Water Week – May 20-26, 2013
Next CRD Board Meeting
Friday, January 18, 2013
1) The CRD Board will be providing no letters of support for the WL Community Forest after it was unable to agree whether or not to give a letter of support to either the residents of Big Lake or the Williams Lake Indian Band. At issue was the City of Williams Lake/WL Indian Band being unable to work with Big Lake residents' to work through, at best, some minor issues prior to approval of the WL Community Forest
2) In no surprise -- Area 'G' Director Al Richmond was easily re-elected as CRD Chair for his 5th term (Dec 2008-Dec 2013) with Area 'A' Director Ted Armstrong continuing as CRD Vice-Chair for 2013. My congrats to both Directors' Richmond/Armstrong on their re-election victories :)
Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
CCRHD Recruitment and Retention Policy
The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District endorsed a resolution to maintain the funding for its Recruitment and Retention program at $120,000 for fiscal 2013 through 2015 to allow contributions of $30,000 annually towards recruitment contracts in the north, south and central Cariboo. An annual contribution of $30,000 to the Northern Medical Programs Trust is also included within this envelope. Both programs will be reviewed in 2015 to consider whether or not to continue these contributions beyond 2015.
In 2009, the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board adopted a Recruitment and Retention policy with the proviso that it be reviewed in three years to determine its effectiveness and appropriateness. Several months later, the Board approved an annual contribution to the Northern Medical Programs Trust, again with the stipulation that the contribution be reviewed in three years.
Provisional Budgets Headed to Consultation Meetings
The Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CRHD), the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) and the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) 2013 provisional Budgets and Business Plans were endorsed by the Board. The provisional budget will then be presented to CRD residents in 2013 through three sub-regional consultation meetings taking place in the south Cariboo (100 Mile House at Creekside Seniors’ Centre) on January 30; north Cariboo (Quesnel at Quesnel Legion Hall) on January 31; and the central Cariboo (Williams Lake at the Pioneer Complex) on February 2.
The CRD’s traditional Town Hall Meetings for 2013 will be held at the beginning of the budgeting process in September and October in each of the electoral areas and municipalities. The budgets are currently listed on the CRD website on the December 14 agendas at cariboord.bc.ca.
Wood Stove Exchange Program
The Cariboo Regional District Board will be supporting the 2013 Wood Stove Exchange program. The program encourages residents to replace their old inefficient wood stoves with cleaner burning models that improve personal health and air quality by providing funding incentives. The Cariboo Regional District will refund wood stove inspection fees to participants of the program after installations are approved by CRD staff. The program is a partnership of the Ministry of Environment and the BC Lung Association, and will be administered in 2013 by the Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable.
Community Works Approved
Up to $10,000 of Community Works Funds were approved for energy efficiency upgrades to the Lone Butte Community Hall. Work will include replacement the current heating system, which is electric infrared heat with gas infrared heaters. The gas infrared heaters will operate at approximately 95 percent efficiency. During the meeting, the CRD Board of Directors also authorized up to $50,000 to perform energy efficiency upgrades to the Central Cariboo Search and Rescue facility in Williams Lake. Projects scheduled for this building include a heating system retrofit, door replacements and ancillary heating upgrades.
CRDL hosts Amnesty for Literacy
The CRD Library will be hosting its annual fines amnesty during "Family Literacy Week", at all branches from January 22 - 26, 2013. Family Literacy Week is a national initiative intended to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. The Library's fines amnesty will apply to participating members returning overdue materials, along with donations of recommended non-perishable foods, to be provided by our library branches to local area food banks. Further information is available online at crdl.bc.ca.
CRD Chair and Vice-Chair Elected
The CRD’s Area G Director Al Richmond, and Area A Director Ted Armstrong were re-elected during today’s meeting as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. This marks the fifth consecutive terms as Chair and Vice-Chair for Richmond and Armstrong. A full list of the 2011-2014 CRD Board of Directors is available online at cariboord.bc.ca
Happy Holidays
The Board of Directors and staff of the Cariboo Regional District wish residents of the Cariboo Chilcotin a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The CRD offices will be closed from December 24 through to January 1, 2013. CRD offices will re-open on January 2, 2013.
Declarations
Pitch-In Canada Week – April 21-27, 2013
Drinking Water Week – May 20-26, 2013
Next CRD Board Meeting
Friday, January 18, 2013
CRD Chair reports out on 2012
Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
“Members of the Board, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen…today, I have the distinct pleasure of reviewing the Cariboo Regional District’s key accomplishments and successes for 2012. Looking back over the past year, our region can be proud of its achievements. The CRD experienced many successes in 2012.
The year started with our annual Town Hall meetings in January and February throughout the 12 electoral areas and the four member municipalities. During these meetings we presented the proposed 2012 budget to our residents to seek feedback from them, before the budget was adopted at the end of March.
In May of 2012, the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House hosted representatives of the North Central Local Government Association who congregated in 100 Mile House for the association’s annual AGM and Convention. Under the theme of the “Log Home Capital”, delegates and their partners were hosted to some great workshops, business sessions and of course some spectacular entertainment and social events. I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank the many volunteers from South Cariboo who dedicated their time and efforts to make this event successful.
One of the highlights of the NCLGA Convention for our region was when CRD Director and 100 Mile House Mayor, Mitch Campsall was elected as the new NCLGA President. Overall, the NCLGA was an extremely successful event for the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House, and most importantly the region.
In June, the CRD Board of Directors and staff travelled to Barkerville. During the two-days of meetings, the CRD held the first joint meeting with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and signed the Barkerville Accord – a document which commits both local governments to work in collaboration to address issues of mutual concern, and to promote the sustainability and economic vibrancy of the north central interior of BC. The traditional Board on the Road BBQ was put on in support of the Barkerville’s 2012, 150th Anniversary celebration.
Over the summer months the Cariboo Regional District lobbied for our region on two critical issues including a presentation in Prince George to the provincial committee regarding the Timber Supply on July 5. Many of the recommendations coming out of the final report published by the commission included CRD recommendations such as using a science based approach, promoting utilization of marginally economic forest lands, better fibre utilization and more. The second issue was focused on the proposed federal electoral boundaries redistribution. Again, the CRD lobbied with a strong voice at the public consultation meeting held in Prince George on September 17.
On September 13 and 14, we were on the road again with our second of two Board on the Road meetings for 2012 – this time Kersley was our destination. On Thursday, during the community BBQ, we also took the opportunity to celebrate Director Ted Armstrong’s 35th anniversary as the CRD representative for Electoral Area A and Kersley.
In September 2012, the CRD attended the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Conference in Vancouver. During the convention, nine of 10 CRD resolutions saw success on the resolution floor. The CRD, along with the District of 100 Mile House, the City of Quesnel, the District of Wells and the City of Williams Lake and our neighbours from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and the City of Prince George, lobbied provincial ministries. One such meeting was with Premier Christy Clark and the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and the Minister Responsible for Labour, the Honourable Pat Bell. During this session, the CRD discussed its Strong Regions report and the need for increased alternative revenue streams for local governments. The province has committed to working with the CRD to potentially act upon some of the recommendations laid out in the report.
The CRD also met with the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the Honourable Steve Thomson to discuss the Cedar Dam on Nina Lake. Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) Chair, John Massier and staff also had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid to ensure the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Master Plan be given priority.
Our success was not limited to the resolutions or minister meetings either, as three members of the CRD Board of Directors were elected to the UBCM Executive Board including Quesnel Director, Mayor Mary Sjostrom as President; myself, Chair Al Richmond as Third Vice-President. 100 Mile House Director, Mayor Mitch Campsall was also appointed to the UBCM Executive as the NCLGA representative. We will continue to follow up with the issues discussed at UBCM, and will collaborate with our regions’ provincial MLAs and federal MPs to ensure the people of the CRD have a voice in Victoria and Ottawa.
In 2012, the CRD successfully applied to a number of different provincial and federal funding programs such as the Building Canada Fund, the Towns for Tomorrow program, Northern Development Initiative Trust, the Community Tourism Opportunities program and UBCM’s Fuel mitigation fund. For example, our fuel management projects and water and sewer systems received approximately $1.3 million through these programs which went back into our communities throughout the region. In addition to this amount, another $1.7 million was allocated to the CRD under the Community Works Fund which focuses on green initiatives and energy efficiency projects.
So often we forget how far we have come, and the challenges and issues we have overcome, or resolved along the way. Part of the reason for this report is to remind you of our accomplishments, and to compliment you on your successes.
Creating new partnerships, enhancing services, undertaking capital projects, informing the public and responding to residents’ needs is what building this region is all about. Our organization will continue to respond to community and residents’ needs thereby achieving our goal of Building Communities Together.
I would like to thank all the Board members and staff for your dedication and perseverance throughout 2012. Thank you.”
“Members of the Board, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen…today, I have the distinct pleasure of reviewing the Cariboo Regional District’s key accomplishments and successes for 2012. Looking back over the past year, our region can be proud of its achievements. The CRD experienced many successes in 2012.
The year started with our annual Town Hall meetings in January and February throughout the 12 electoral areas and the four member municipalities. During these meetings we presented the proposed 2012 budget to our residents to seek feedback from them, before the budget was adopted at the end of March.
In May of 2012, the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House hosted representatives of the North Central Local Government Association who congregated in 100 Mile House for the association’s annual AGM and Convention. Under the theme of the “Log Home Capital”, delegates and their partners were hosted to some great workshops, business sessions and of course some spectacular entertainment and social events. I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank the many volunteers from South Cariboo who dedicated their time and efforts to make this event successful.
One of the highlights of the NCLGA Convention for our region was when CRD Director and 100 Mile House Mayor, Mitch Campsall was elected as the new NCLGA President. Overall, the NCLGA was an extremely successful event for the CRD and the District of 100 Mile House, and most importantly the region.
In June, the CRD Board of Directors and staff travelled to Barkerville. During the two-days of meetings, the CRD held the first joint meeting with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and signed the Barkerville Accord – a document which commits both local governments to work in collaboration to address issues of mutual concern, and to promote the sustainability and economic vibrancy of the north central interior of BC. The traditional Board on the Road BBQ was put on in support of the Barkerville’s 2012, 150th Anniversary celebration.
Over the summer months the Cariboo Regional District lobbied for our region on two critical issues including a presentation in Prince George to the provincial committee regarding the Timber Supply on July 5. Many of the recommendations coming out of the final report published by the commission included CRD recommendations such as using a science based approach, promoting utilization of marginally economic forest lands, better fibre utilization and more. The second issue was focused on the proposed federal electoral boundaries redistribution. Again, the CRD lobbied with a strong voice at the public consultation meeting held in Prince George on September 17.
On September 13 and 14, we were on the road again with our second of two Board on the Road meetings for 2012 – this time Kersley was our destination. On Thursday, during the community BBQ, we also took the opportunity to celebrate Director Ted Armstrong’s 35th anniversary as the CRD representative for Electoral Area A and Kersley.
In September 2012, the CRD attended the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Conference in Vancouver. During the convention, nine of 10 CRD resolutions saw success on the resolution floor. The CRD, along with the District of 100 Mile House, the City of Quesnel, the District of Wells and the City of Williams Lake and our neighbours from the Regional District of Fraser Fort George and the City of Prince George, lobbied provincial ministries. One such meeting was with Premier Christy Clark and the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and the Minister Responsible for Labour, the Honourable Pat Bell. During this session, the CRD discussed its Strong Regions report and the need for increased alternative revenue streams for local governments. The province has committed to working with the CRD to potentially act upon some of the recommendations laid out in the report.
The CRD also met with the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the Honourable Steve Thomson to discuss the Cedar Dam on Nina Lake. Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) Chair, John Massier and staff also had the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid to ensure the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Master Plan be given priority.
Our success was not limited to the resolutions or minister meetings either, as three members of the CRD Board of Directors were elected to the UBCM Executive Board including Quesnel Director, Mayor Mary Sjostrom as President; myself, Chair Al Richmond as Third Vice-President. 100 Mile House Director, Mayor Mitch Campsall was also appointed to the UBCM Executive as the NCLGA representative. We will continue to follow up with the issues discussed at UBCM, and will collaborate with our regions’ provincial MLAs and federal MPs to ensure the people of the CRD have a voice in Victoria and Ottawa.
In 2012, the CRD successfully applied to a number of different provincial and federal funding programs such as the Building Canada Fund, the Towns for Tomorrow program, Northern Development Initiative Trust, the Community Tourism Opportunities program and UBCM’s Fuel mitigation fund. For example, our fuel management projects and water and sewer systems received approximately $1.3 million through these programs which went back into our communities throughout the region. In addition to this amount, another $1.7 million was allocated to the CRD under the Community Works Fund which focuses on green initiatives and energy efficiency projects.
So often we forget how far we have come, and the challenges and issues we have overcome, or resolved along the way. Part of the reason for this report is to remind you of our accomplishments, and to compliment you on your successes.
Creating new partnerships, enhancing services, undertaking capital projects, informing the public and responding to residents’ needs is what building this region is all about. Our organization will continue to respond to community and residents’ needs thereby achieving our goal of Building Communities Together.
I would like to thank all the Board members and staff for your dedication and perseverance throughout 2012. Thank you.”
Lone Butte VFD to continue operations...
Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
As a result of a successful recruitment campaign, the Cariboo Regional District’s Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) is no longer in danger of closing its doors.
Prior to the campaign, the department had 12 active members. Since October 23, a total of 30 applications have been handed out with 13 completed applications being received by the local Fire Chief Jaret Scott.
Congratulations to the Lone Butte Community Association who played an integral role in this recruitment process by undertaking an intensive telephone campaign on behalf of the Fire Department.
Although this is good news for the Lone Butte VFD, recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges for many departments. If you are interested in becoming a Lone Butte volunteer firefighter, contact Chief Jaret Scott at 250-395-6665. All CRD volunteer fire departments are always looking for new volunteers to join the ranks. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your local volunteer fire department Chief for further details.
As a result of a successful recruitment campaign, the Cariboo Regional District’s Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) is no longer in danger of closing its doors.
Prior to the campaign, the department had 12 active members. Since October 23, a total of 30 applications have been handed out with 13 completed applications being received by the local Fire Chief Jaret Scott.
Congratulations to the Lone Butte Community Association who played an integral role in this recruitment process by undertaking an intensive telephone campaign on behalf of the Fire Department.
Although this is good news for the Lone Butte VFD, recruitment and retention are ongoing challenges for many departments. If you are interested in becoming a Lone Butte volunteer firefighter, contact Chief Jaret Scott at 250-395-6665. All CRD volunteer fire departments are always looking for new volunteers to join the ranks. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your local volunteer fire department Chief for further details.
City of Quesnel asks its residents for help -- Snow Removal
The City is planning a major plow for Friday, Dec 14th. You can help make the job go quicker.
- Allow extra travel time.
- Only travel if necessary during and after major snowfalls.
- Give snow equipment operators plenty of room to work.
- Please don't flag down our operators to explain a point or request a favour. If you have questions, call the Public Works Department at 250-992-6330.
- Don't shovel snow from your driveway or the windrow in your driveway into the street.
- Park your vehicles in your driveway - this allows the snow plow operator to do a neat and thorough job.
To learn more about the City's snowfall operations, click here.
TNG says 'New Prosperity' mine proposal "shoddy"
Over at Welcome to Williams Lake - TNG Tribal Chair Joe Alphonse says Taseko Mines Ltd should do everyone a favour and withdraw their "shoddy" proposal
Xeni Gwet'in First Nations' Chief Marilyn Baptiste joins in and says:
Well, the Panel and the governments have now said there are serious deficiencies in those claims. It seems to us that the company has put its efforts into pushing through a second proposal as fast as it can, without doing the homework to see if it can actually back up its proposal".
Read the article here
Meanwhile - the latest call by the TNG will not, in my view, stop Taseko Mines from pushing ahead to get 'New Prosperity' approved by Ottawa. This also applies to major supporters of 'New Prosperity' including Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook and her City Council and largely the business community in Williams Lake
SBF
Xeni Gwet'in First Nations' Chief Marilyn Baptiste joins in and says:
Well, the Panel and the governments have now said there are serious deficiencies in those claims. It seems to us that the company has put its efforts into pushing through a second proposal as fast as it can, without doing the homework to see if it can actually back up its proposal".
Read the article here
Meanwhile - the latest call by the TNG will not, in my view, stop Taseko Mines from pushing ahead to get 'New Prosperity' approved by Ottawa. This also applies to major supporters of 'New Prosperity' including Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook and her City Council and largely the business community in Williams Lake
SBF
Bob Simpson launches re-election website
Last yesterday - the "Re-Elect Bob Simpson" team launched their website (click here) and launched a Facebook page which you can view here
I was a little surprised that they are launching so early as the run-up to the provincial election is still months away and likely won't start in earnest until March at the earliest, in my view. On the other hand, it could be easily argued that we are already in "campaign mode"
As an observer, what I'll be looking for is to see if MLA Simpson's re-election team will be able to match the other provincial campaigns in Cariboo-North (NDP, BC Liberals) for traditional press ads (radio/newspaper) and if not - how much their team will rely solely on "social media" - website, Twitter and Facebook - to get their message out
SBF
I was a little surprised that they are launching so early as the run-up to the provincial election is still months away and likely won't start in earnest until March at the earliest, in my view. On the other hand, it could be easily argued that we are already in "campaign mode"
As an observer, what I'll be looking for is to see if MLA Simpson's re-election team will be able to match the other provincial campaigns in Cariboo-North (NDP, BC Liberals) for traditional press ads (radio/newspaper) and if not - how much their team will rely solely on "social media" - website, Twitter and Facebook - to get their message out
SBF
2011 Crime Trends - Cariboo-Chilcotin
Just recently - the Police Services Branch of the BC Ministry of Justice released the Crime Trends stats for 2011 (latest year available)
Source document - view here
In the Cariboo-Chilcotin:
Wells (Provincial) -- Population of 408 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 26 in 2009, 28 in 2010 and 27 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 72.2 in 2009, 73.3 in 2010 and 66.2 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 8 in 2009, 4 in 2010 and 6 in 2011
Drug Offences - 1 in 2009, 2 in 2010 and 3 in 2011
Violent offences - 5 in years 2009, 2010 and 2011
Property offences - 13 in 2009, 19 in 2010 and 16 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 1 in years 2009/2010 and 2 in 2011
Quesnel (Provincial) -- Population of 13,607 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 781 in 2009, 628 n 2010 and 606 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 58.1 in 2009, 46.3 in 2010 and 44.5 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 185 in 2009, 128 in 2010 and 151 in 2011
Drug Offences - 44 in 2009, 62 in 2010 and 34 in 2011
Violent offences - 208 in 2009, 197 in 2010 and 171 in 2011
Property offences - 388 in 2009, 303 in 2010 and 284 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 47 in 2009, 40 in 2010 and 24 in 2011
Quesnel (Municipal) -- Population of 9,947 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 2,382 in 2009, 1,994 in 2010 and 2,124 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 245 in 2009, 204.7 in 2009 and 213.5 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 687 in 2009, 693 in 2010 and 823 in 2011
Drug Offences - 89 in 2009, 117 in 2010 and 128 in 2011
Violent offences - 500 in 2009, 421 in 2010 and 457 in 2011
Property offences - 1,195 in 2009, 880 in 2010 and 844 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 101 in 2009, 38 in 2010 and 34 in 2011
Williams Lake (Provincial) -- Population of 13,963 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 569 in 2009, 540 in 2010 and 511 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 41.2 in 2009, 38.8 in 2010 and 36.6 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 130 in 2009, 126 in 2010 and 127 in 2011
Drug Offences - 124 in 2009, 133 in 2010 and 93 in 2011
Violent offences - 179 in 2009, 167 in 2010 and 155 in 2011
Property offences - 260 in 2009, 247 in 2010 and 229 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 29 in 2009, 30 in 2010 and 27 in 2011
Williams Lake (Municipal) -- Population of 11,006 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 2,797 in 2009, 2,860 in 2010 and 2,491 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 251.9 in 2009, 260 in 2010 and 226.3 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 998 in 2009, 1,219 in 2010 and 909 in 2011
Drug Offences - 186 in 2009, 259 in 2010 and 196 in 2011
Violent offences - 567 in 2009, 587 in 2010 and 588 in 2011
Property offences - 1,232 in 2009, 1,054 in 2010 and 994 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 125 in 2009, 84 in 2010 and 37 in 2011
100 Mile House (Provincial) -- Population of 13,835 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 796 in 2009, 740 in 2010 and 757 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 58.3 in 2009, 53.7 in 2010 and 54.7 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 192 in 2009, 151 in 2010 and 156 in 2011
Drug Offences - 128 in 2009, 97 in 2009 and 89 in 2011
Violent offences - 194 in 2009, 158 in 2010 and 165 in 2011
Property offences - 410 in 2009, 431 in 2010 and 436 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 30 in 2009, 22 in 2010 and 23 in 2011
The challenges ahead by community:
Wells - continual improvement in all areas but Wells Council should be proud of numbers in last three years
Quesnel - Numbers trending in right direction but work required on Drug offences as numbers trending upward in this category
Williams Lake - Like Quesnel, numbers overall trending in right direction however Violent Offences needs work as numbers trending upward
100 Mile House - Like Wells, continual improvement will see a safer community for the District of 100 Mile House and its' surrounding 'bedroom' communities
Source document - view here
In the Cariboo-Chilcotin:
Wells (Provincial) -- Population of 408 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 26 in 2009, 28 in 2010 and 27 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 72.2 in 2009, 73.3 in 2010 and 66.2 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 8 in 2009, 4 in 2010 and 6 in 2011
Drug Offences - 1 in 2009, 2 in 2010 and 3 in 2011
Violent offences - 5 in years 2009, 2010 and 2011
Property offences - 13 in 2009, 19 in 2010 and 16 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 1 in years 2009/2010 and 2 in 2011
Quesnel (Provincial) -- Population of 13,607 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 781 in 2009, 628 n 2010 and 606 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 58.1 in 2009, 46.3 in 2010 and 44.5 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 185 in 2009, 128 in 2010 and 151 in 2011
Drug Offences - 44 in 2009, 62 in 2010 and 34 in 2011
Violent offences - 208 in 2009, 197 in 2010 and 171 in 2011
Property offences - 388 in 2009, 303 in 2010 and 284 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 47 in 2009, 40 in 2010 and 24 in 2011
Quesnel (Municipal) -- Population of 9,947 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 2,382 in 2009, 1,994 in 2010 and 2,124 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 245 in 2009, 204.7 in 2009 and 213.5 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 687 in 2009, 693 in 2010 and 823 in 2011
Drug Offences - 89 in 2009, 117 in 2010 and 128 in 2011
Violent offences - 500 in 2009, 421 in 2010 and 457 in 2011
Property offences - 1,195 in 2009, 880 in 2010 and 844 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 101 in 2009, 38 in 2010 and 34 in 2011
Williams Lake (Provincial) -- Population of 13,963 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 569 in 2009, 540 in 2010 and 511 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 41.2 in 2009, 38.8 in 2010 and 36.6 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 130 in 2009, 126 in 2010 and 127 in 2011
Drug Offences - 124 in 2009, 133 in 2010 and 93 in 2011
Violent offences - 179 in 2009, 167 in 2010 and 155 in 2011
Property offences - 260 in 2009, 247 in 2010 and 229 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 29 in 2009, 30 in 2010 and 27 in 2011
Williams Lake (Municipal) -- Population of 11,006 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 2,797 in 2009, 2,860 in 2010 and 2,491 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 251.9 in 2009, 260 in 2010 and 226.3 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 998 in 2009, 1,219 in 2010 and 909 in 2011
Drug Offences - 186 in 2009, 259 in 2010 and 196 in 2011
Violent offences - 567 in 2009, 587 in 2010 and 588 in 2011
Property offences - 1,232 in 2009, 1,054 in 2010 and 994 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 125 in 2009, 84 in 2010 and 37 in 2011
100 Mile House (Provincial) -- Population of 13,835 in 2011
Criminal Code offences - 796 in 2009, 740 in 2010 and 757 in 2011
Criminal Code offences per 1,000 people - 58.3 in 2009, 53.7 in 2010 and 54.7 in 2011
Other Criminal Code offences - 192 in 2009, 151 in 2010 and 156 in 2011
Drug Offences - 128 in 2009, 97 in 2009 and 89 in 2011
Violent offences - 194 in 2009, 158 in 2010 and 165 in 2011
Property offences - 410 in 2009, 431 in 2010 and 436 in 2011
Motor Vehicle Theft offences - 30 in 2009, 22 in 2010 and 23 in 2011
The challenges ahead by community:
Wells - continual improvement in all areas but Wells Council should be proud of numbers in last three years
Quesnel - Numbers trending in right direction but work required on Drug offences as numbers trending upward in this category
Williams Lake - Like Quesnel, numbers overall trending in right direction however Violent Offences needs work as numbers trending upward
100 Mile House - Like Wells, continual improvement will see a safer community for the District of 100 Mile House and its' surrounding 'bedroom' communities
Thursday, December 13, 2012
New Speed Reader signs in Williams Lake
Editor's Note - other than the very small value in research - I'm not sure the $24,000 was justified especially with the speeding and general traffic issues near Marie Sharpe Elementary, I would think more enforcement by way of unmarked police cars during peak school times (before school and end of school day) would solve the issue of speeding plus a speed bump at 3rd Ave & Comer St and 3rd Ave and Cameron St. But another option could be for the Board of Education to sell the Marie Sharpe Elementary property and to build a new elementary school at the former Poplar Glade Elementary site and I would think that this option would enjoy support among parents who faces a school closure at either Kwaleen, Glendale or Wildwood Elementary
From the City of Williams Lake:
The City of Williams Lake and ICBC have partnered to place four speed reader boards on city streets. The boards will be located on South Lakeside Drive, Mackenzie Avenue, Pigeon Avenue between Gibbon Street and Comer Street, and on Foster Way.
Speed reader boards have several benefits. They advise the motoring public of their approaching speed. They can be programmed in various ways that will warn motorists of speed limits and restrictions. The new speed reader board will remind drivers to slow down, which, in turn, reduces crashes and saves lives. The boards operate 24 hours per day 7 days a week and provide data that is beneficial for making decisions on speed reduction, traffic calming, and traffic volumes .
ICBC has purchased two of the boards, which will be placed on South Lakeside Drive and Mackenzie Avenue for one year. The boards provide valuable information that comes from the downloaded data. Data will further indicate how many vehicles are driving by and at what times of the day. The reader boards will also show the driver what speed they are traveling and can be programmed to flash “SLOW DOWN”. After the one-year term, the City may place the boards at other locations.
“This partnership will allow us not only to collect valuable data, but to help keep everyone safe on our roads,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “These speed reader boards are valuable tools to help us make decisions and to increase awareness for us all to slow down and arrive safely.”
“We’re pleased to invest in new speed reader boards for Williams Lake to help keep the community safe,” says Diana Pozer, ICBC’s road safety coordinator for Williams Lake. “Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. and when combined with the poor weather conditions at this time of year, dramatically increases your risk of crashing. Slow down and allow extra travel time so you get home safely.”
From the City of Williams Lake:
The City of Williams Lake and ICBC have partnered to place four speed reader boards on city streets. The boards will be located on South Lakeside Drive, Mackenzie Avenue, Pigeon Avenue between Gibbon Street and Comer Street, and on Foster Way.
Speed reader boards have several benefits. They advise the motoring public of their approaching speed. They can be programmed in various ways that will warn motorists of speed limits and restrictions. The new speed reader board will remind drivers to slow down, which, in turn, reduces crashes and saves lives. The boards operate 24 hours per day 7 days a week and provide data that is beneficial for making decisions on speed reduction, traffic calming, and traffic volumes .
ICBC has purchased two of the boards, which will be placed on South Lakeside Drive and Mackenzie Avenue for one year. The boards provide valuable information that comes from the downloaded data. Data will further indicate how many vehicles are driving by and at what times of the day. The reader boards will also show the driver what speed they are traveling and can be programmed to flash “SLOW DOWN”. After the one-year term, the City may place the boards at other locations.
“This partnership will allow us not only to collect valuable data, but to help keep everyone safe on our roads,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “These speed reader boards are valuable tools to help us make decisions and to increase awareness for us all to slow down and arrive safely.”
“We’re pleased to invest in new speed reader boards for Williams Lake to help keep the community safe,” says Diana Pozer, ICBC’s road safety coordinator for Williams Lake. “Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. and when combined with the poor weather conditions at this time of year, dramatically increases your risk of crashing. Slow down and allow extra travel time so you get home safely.”
'Initial Options' Public Submissions released...
In a document spanning some 268 of the 1,500 pages that Trustees will review prior to making a decision to possibly shut down 3 Elementary Schools in Williams Lake and 1 Elementary and 1 Junior Secondary School in 100 Mile House -- School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) has now released the summary of public submissions on the 'Initial Options' report and also comments given by the public/parents at the schools slated for closure held between Oct - Nov 2012
Themes I found in the documents include:
* Strong support for middle school in Williams Lake (Grade 7-9) or K-8 and 9-12 School systems
* Next to no support for a Grade 7-12 School in Williams Lake
* Concerns about supports for vulnerable or First Nations' students
During meetings at schools targeted for closure, comments included:
* Close Cataline Elementary, sell to TRU and send kids at Cataline to Nesika while kids in Fox Mountain catchment area can go to Glendale Elementary
* Glendale Elementary offers "different' school environment (more student support) and needs to remain open
* Thought Stream process not indicative of true feelings of parents
* Why is the Board so aggressive on keeping Marie Sharpe Elementary over other elementary schools open?
* How come Donna Barnett says 'Funding Protection' is not terminated?
Meanwhile - Bob Simpson who attended the Wildwood Elementary School Closure meeting in late November said to the attendees:
I am here to listen and see what role I can play. Seismic decisions have
nothing to do with these people. Province has large deficit. MLA’s don’t get
fired for deficit. Trustees would get fired if they did this. Constraint put on
school trustees. Anger needs to be directed through my office for
funding/seismic issues. Unfair to claim the trustees aren’t listening. Most of
these people have full time jobs. Many are advocates for education and are
trying to meet the requirements of the law. I believe community schools are
crucial. Two things that concern me: First Nations component and First
Nations retention. You have a retention strategy here that may assist with
retention. Transportation to Cataline is an issue. Partnership to determine how
that might exist. Unfair to push the ideas onto the parents. Staff should be
providing how the school could respond to address the issues. My message to
government is the same. Funding needs to be examined. We are coming up
to an election and people need to get involved. Hold people to account. Make
it an issue and highlight it.
Finally - the document released yesterday includes the 10 Year Planning document and an administrative review which shows administrative staffing is on par with similiar-sized school districts with SD #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)
Future meetings of the Board of Education (SD #27 - Cariboo-Chilcotin) include:
Dec 18th, 2012 - Williams Lake at 6:30pm (350 North 2nd Ave)
Jan 8th, 2013 - Peter Skeene Ogden in 100 Mile House (200 - 7th Ave)
Jan 15th, 2013 - Willams Lake at 6:30pm (350 North 2nd Ave)
Jan 22nd, 2013 - Willams Lake at 6:30pm (350 North 2nd Ave)
View the document below:
Summary of Public Comments for Initial Options report
Themes I found in the documents include:
* Strong support for middle school in Williams Lake (Grade 7-9) or K-8 and 9-12 School systems
* Next to no support for a Grade 7-12 School in Williams Lake
* Concerns about supports for vulnerable or First Nations' students
During meetings at schools targeted for closure, comments included:
* Close Cataline Elementary, sell to TRU and send kids at Cataline to Nesika while kids in Fox Mountain catchment area can go to Glendale Elementary
* Glendale Elementary offers "different' school environment (more student support) and needs to remain open
* Thought Stream process not indicative of true feelings of parents
* Why is the Board so aggressive on keeping Marie Sharpe Elementary over other elementary schools open?
* How come Donna Barnett says 'Funding Protection' is not terminated?
Meanwhile - Bob Simpson who attended the Wildwood Elementary School Closure meeting in late November said to the attendees:
I am here to listen and see what role I can play. Seismic decisions have
nothing to do with these people. Province has large deficit. MLA’s don’t get
fired for deficit. Trustees would get fired if they did this. Constraint put on
school trustees. Anger needs to be directed through my office for
funding/seismic issues. Unfair to claim the trustees aren’t listening. Most of
these people have full time jobs. Many are advocates for education and are
trying to meet the requirements of the law. I believe community schools are
crucial. Two things that concern me: First Nations component and First
Nations retention. You have a retention strategy here that may assist with
retention. Transportation to Cataline is an issue. Partnership to determine how
that might exist. Unfair to push the ideas onto the parents. Staff should be
providing how the school could respond to address the issues. My message to
government is the same. Funding needs to be examined. We are coming up
to an election and people need to get involved. Hold people to account. Make
it an issue and highlight it.
Finally - the document released yesterday includes the 10 Year Planning document and an administrative review which shows administrative staffing is on par with similiar-sized school districts with SD #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)
Future meetings of the Board of Education (SD #27 - Cariboo-Chilcotin) include:
Dec 18th, 2012 - Williams Lake at 6:30pm (350 North 2nd Ave)
Jan 8th, 2013 - Peter Skeene Ogden in 100 Mile House (200 - 7th Ave)
Jan 15th, 2013 - Willams Lake at 6:30pm (350 North 2nd Ave)
Jan 22nd, 2013 - Willams Lake at 6:30pm (350 North 2nd Ave)
View the document below:
Summary of Public Comments for Initial Options report
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Bob Simpson praises BC Public Service...
In his weekly column - Bob Simpson, the Ind. MLA for Cariboo-North praises the BC Public Service in assisting him to do his job and assist those who come into his office for assistance
I know of a few who work in the BC Public Service and agree with Bob that they do the very best they can to serve to the best of their skill and knowledge and in the public interest
Read MLA Simpson's thoughtful post here
I know of a few who work in the BC Public Service and agree with Bob that they do the very best they can to serve to the best of their skill and knowledge and in the public interest
Read MLA Simpson's thoughtful post here
Tonight's Central Cariboo Joint Committee Mtg Cancelled
Earlier today - CRD Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff called me to inform me that the Special Meeting of the Central Cariboo/City of WL Joint Committee scheduled for 5pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom - WL City Hall Basement has been cancelled. The Joint Committee was set to meet tonight to receive the final report of the Pool Task Force
No word if the meeting will be re-scheduled in December or if the Pool Task Force final report will be presented at the next regular meeting of the Joint Committee on Jan 23rd, 2013
SBF
No word if the meeting will be re-scheduled in December or if the Pool Task Force final report will be presented at the next regular meeting of the Joint Committee on Jan 23rd, 2013
SBF
72 hrs Strike Notice served at Gibraltar Mines
Last yesterday - CAW (Canadian Auto Workers), the union representing workers' at Gibraltar Mines at McLeese Lake served 72 hours strike notice on Gibraltar Mines management expressing dissatisfaction with union negotiations. The deadline for a negotiated agreement between CAW and Gibraltar Mines management is Tuesday, Dec 18th at 5:00pm
Read more here
Taseko Mines who owns/operates Gibraltar Mines said:
"The company will also continue its efforts to move forward without a labour interruption and is committed to negotiating a new contract with the C.A.W. and avoiding strike action," Taseko CEO Russell Hallbauer
Personally - I hope that strike action can be avoided as a strike at Gibraltar Mines would not be good for Williams Lake at this time and for the families of those workers' employed at Gibraltar as I know 2 of them personally
Read more here
Taseko Mines who owns/operates Gibraltar Mines said:
"The company will also continue its efforts to move forward without a labour interruption and is committed to negotiating a new contract with the C.A.W. and avoiding strike action," Taseko CEO Russell Hallbauer
Personally - I hope that strike action can be avoided as a strike at Gibraltar Mines would not be good for Williams Lake at this time and for the families of those workers' employed at Gibraltar as I know 2 of them personally
Duncan Barnett wants to be an NDP MLA
In what I believe was a foregone conclusion - former Cariboo RD Area 'F' Director Duncan Barnett (1999-2010) has formally announced that he'll seek the Cariboo-North NDP Nomination. Joining him at a Quesnel local restaurant was former Cariboo-South MLA and former Forests Minister Dave Zirnhelt and former Quesnel Mayor Nate Bello. In addition, current BC NDP Cariboo-Chilcotin candidate Charlie Wyse was at the announcement representing the BC NDP Party
This is a very astute and smart political move on Mr. Barnett's part as both of these individuals (Zirnhelt/Bello) will use their influence and connections to help Mr. Barnett get the NDP nomination in Cariboo-North and eventually help to Mr. Barnett get elected as the MLA for Cariboo-North
It is my view that voters' in Cariboo-North will be formally asked to vote on the following individuals for their provincial MLA for the next term of 2013-2017 next spring:
Duncan Barnett - BC NDP
Coralee Oakes - BC Liberal Party
Bob Simpson - Independent
Mr. Barnett will also give Mr. Simpson a real run for his money and in fact - this is the candidate Bob Simpson didn't need to run for the BC NDP. This is real bad news, in my opinion, for Bob Simpson and his supporters as Barnett is extensively known in the 'southern' part of Cariboo-North (Horsefly, Likely, Miocene, 150 Mile and Williams Lake) and I have no doubt Mr. Bello will use his influence as a former Quesnel Mayor to help Mr. Barnett get known to Quesnel provincial voters'
We know already that a BC Green Party candidate will not run in this riding and I fully expect that the BC Conservatives will take a pass at this riding and Cariboo-Chilcotin
Read the full story from HQ Cariboo here
This is a very astute and smart political move on Mr. Barnett's part as both of these individuals (Zirnhelt/Bello) will use their influence and connections to help Mr. Barnett get the NDP nomination in Cariboo-North and eventually help to Mr. Barnett get elected as the MLA for Cariboo-North
It is my view that voters' in Cariboo-North will be formally asked to vote on the following individuals for their provincial MLA for the next term of 2013-2017 next spring:
Duncan Barnett - BC NDP
Coralee Oakes - BC Liberal Party
Bob Simpson - Independent
Mr. Barnett will also give Mr. Simpson a real run for his money and in fact - this is the candidate Bob Simpson didn't need to run for the BC NDP. This is real bad news, in my opinion, for Bob Simpson and his supporters as Barnett is extensively known in the 'southern' part of Cariboo-North (Horsefly, Likely, Miocene, 150 Mile and Williams Lake) and I have no doubt Mr. Bello will use his influence as a former Quesnel Mayor to help Mr. Barnett get known to Quesnel provincial voters'
We know already that a BC Green Party candidate will not run in this riding and I fully expect that the BC Conservatives will take a pass at this riding and Cariboo-Chilcotin
Read the full story from HQ Cariboo here
SD #27 Board Highlights - Dec 11th mtg
Editor's Notes:
1) Interesting the Board of Education took a very cold attitude towards the Kwaleen Elementary PAC application to BC's Ombudsperson. The Secretary-Treasurer (B. Roller) said the application won't change the deadline for the Board to make decisions in relation to the 'Initial Options' report on Jan 22nd, 2013. Guaranteed that the Kwaleen Elementary closure will end up before a judge. The Board could have shown some profound regret that it regrets the stress the 'Initial Options' report public consultation meetings' have put parents' through - I really wonder if School Trustees really care at this point how parents feel or if they've made up their minds and there are going 'through the motions' to cover their butts...
2) During the meeting - The Board of Education had to consider three motions, of which two were defeated, in order to form a sub-Committee of two School Trustee, a Staff person from SD #27 and reps from the City of Williams Lake and RCMP to consider traffic issues on 3rd Ave at Marie Sharpe Elementary. Their motion-making makes Williams Lake City Council look really good...
Meeting details:
Present: Chair W. Van Osch and Trustees J. Austin, S. Boehm, D. Neufeld, J. Cooper and T. Guenther
Staff:
Mark Thiessen - Superintendent
Bonnie Roller - Secretary-Treasurer
Harj Manhas - Assistant Superintendent
Mark Wintjes - Director of Instruction (Human Resources)
Corinne Newberry - Confidential Secretary
Meeting called to order at 6:44pm
Members of the Public: 8
Press: WL Tribune
Agenda approved
Nov 7th and 27th meeting minutes approved
Receipt of Sept 18/25, Oct 9/16 Closed and Nov 7/27 Special Closed Meetings Report approved
Business:
1) Open Correspondence Report received
2) Capital Replacement Bylaw #126546 (Bus Replacement - 16) was adopted
3) Board received 2011-12 SOFI Report
4) Board received Superintendent Report on Student Achievement
5) Board to permit School of Choice applications (Secondary Schools) to Feb 22nd, 2013 for this school year only
6) The Board of Education received public/stakeholder feedback on the 'Initial Options' report and that the public electronic summaries be released to the public. It was noted by the Secretary-Treasurer that the summaries total some 1,500 pages and that summaries for 'Trustees Eyes Only" will not be released to the public. The Board also agreed to release a 10 year capital plan previously a In-Camera document to the public
7) Secretary-Treasurer reviewed upcoming school board meetings for Dec 2012-Jan 2013
8) Board agreed to form a Ad-hoc Committee of 2 Trustees and Staff, and reps from City of WL and RCMP to review traffic issues around Marie Sharpe Elementary
9) The Superintendent (M. Thiessen) reviewed his attendance at recent meetings
10) Trustee Cooper reported on a recent meeting of First Nations Education Committee while Trustee Guenther reported that the policy committee was still considering a head-lice policy.
11) Trustee Guenther reported on a recent BCSTA Provincial Council meeting while Trustee Boehm reported on a recent BCPSEA meeting
12) The Chair called for public questions for items "not" on the Agenda in which Tom Hoffman asked questions on Marie Sharpe project & formal complaint from Kwaleen PAC to BC's Ombudsperson with the Secretary-Treasurer responding to Mr Hoffman's questions on Marie Sharpe and Ombudsperson complaint.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27pm
1) Interesting the Board of Education took a very cold attitude towards the Kwaleen Elementary PAC application to BC's Ombudsperson. The Secretary-Treasurer (B. Roller) said the application won't change the deadline for the Board to make decisions in relation to the 'Initial Options' report on Jan 22nd, 2013. Guaranteed that the Kwaleen Elementary closure will end up before a judge. The Board could have shown some profound regret that it regrets the stress the 'Initial Options' report public consultation meetings' have put parents' through - I really wonder if School Trustees really care at this point how parents feel or if they've made up their minds and there are going 'through the motions' to cover their butts...
2) During the meeting - The Board of Education had to consider three motions, of which two were defeated, in order to form a sub-Committee of two School Trustee, a Staff person from SD #27 and reps from the City of Williams Lake and RCMP to consider traffic issues on 3rd Ave at Marie Sharpe Elementary. Their motion-making makes Williams Lake City Council look really good...
Meeting details:
Present: Chair W. Van Osch and Trustees J. Austin, S. Boehm, D. Neufeld, J. Cooper and T. Guenther
Staff:
Mark Thiessen - Superintendent
Bonnie Roller - Secretary-Treasurer
Harj Manhas - Assistant Superintendent
Mark Wintjes - Director of Instruction (Human Resources)
Corinne Newberry - Confidential Secretary
Meeting called to order at 6:44pm
Members of the Public: 8
Press: WL Tribune
Agenda approved
Nov 7th and 27th meeting minutes approved
Receipt of Sept 18/25, Oct 9/16 Closed and Nov 7/27 Special Closed Meetings Report approved
Business:
1) Open Correspondence Report received
2) Capital Replacement Bylaw #126546 (Bus Replacement - 16) was adopted
3) Board received 2011-12 SOFI Report
4) Board received Superintendent Report on Student Achievement
5) Board to permit School of Choice applications (Secondary Schools) to Feb 22nd, 2013 for this school year only
6) The Board of Education received public/stakeholder feedback on the 'Initial Options' report and that the public electronic summaries be released to the public. It was noted by the Secretary-Treasurer that the summaries total some 1,500 pages and that summaries for 'Trustees Eyes Only" will not be released to the public. The Board also agreed to release a 10 year capital plan previously a In-Camera document to the public
7) Secretary-Treasurer reviewed upcoming school board meetings for Dec 2012-Jan 2013
8) Board agreed to form a Ad-hoc Committee of 2 Trustees and Staff, and reps from City of WL and RCMP to review traffic issues around Marie Sharpe Elementary
9) The Superintendent (M. Thiessen) reviewed his attendance at recent meetings
10) Trustee Cooper reported on a recent meeting of First Nations Education Committee while Trustee Guenther reported that the policy committee was still considering a head-lice policy.
11) Trustee Guenther reported on a recent BCSTA Provincial Council meeting while Trustee Boehm reported on a recent BCPSEA meeting
12) The Chair called for public questions for items "not" on the Agenda in which Tom Hoffman asked questions on Marie Sharpe project & formal complaint from Kwaleen PAC to BC's Ombudsperson with the Secretary-Treasurer responding to Mr Hoffman's questions on Marie Sharpe and Ombudsperson complaint.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27pm
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Taseko receives 50 Information requests from Fed. Review Panel
In what Taseko Mines calls "routine work" - the Federal Review Panel has issued 50 Information Requests or IR's on its' EIS or Environment Impact Statement. Read the letter from the Panel below:
Letter from Federal Review Panel
Meanwhile - the City of Williams Lake issued its' own press release on the same subject. Not sure what the real reason for this press release was as the City doesn't have any stake in this project except to become a "cheerleader" for the project and see its' approval in 2013 by Ottawa
Read the press release below:
The City of Williams Lake would like to reinforce the message that the New Prosperity federal review process is moving forward, despite an Information Request from the federal panel reviewing the project and recent media coverage.
The federal panel has stopped the “clock” that tracks the 12 months of government review time while Taseko Mines responds to the information request, but it will be restarted once the request is fulfilled. Information Requests are a normal part of the federal review panel process, and do not indicate that the project has been denied or that it will be denied.
“It’s very important to have correct information about this process,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “This latest Information Request from the Review Panel is part of the business of reviewing a project of this size. Thousands and thousands of pages of information have been submitted, and it is not surprising that the panel may need clarification on some items. The clock has stopped, but it will be restarted. This review is moving forward, and we look forward to the next steps in the review process.”
Letter from Federal Review Panel
Meanwhile - the City of Williams Lake issued its' own press release on the same subject. Not sure what the real reason for this press release was as the City doesn't have any stake in this project except to become a "cheerleader" for the project and see its' approval in 2013 by Ottawa
Read the press release below:
The City of Williams Lake would like to reinforce the message that the New Prosperity federal review process is moving forward, despite an Information Request from the federal panel reviewing the project and recent media coverage.
The federal panel has stopped the “clock” that tracks the 12 months of government review time while Taseko Mines responds to the information request, but it will be restarted once the request is fulfilled. Information Requests are a normal part of the federal review panel process, and do not indicate that the project has been denied or that it will be denied.
“It’s very important to have correct information about this process,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “This latest Information Request from the Review Panel is part of the business of reviewing a project of this size. Thousands and thousands of pages of information have been submitted, and it is not surprising that the panel may need clarification on some items. The clock has stopped, but it will be restarted. This review is moving forward, and we look forward to the next steps in the review process.”
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