After a denied request from the Kwaleen Elementary School Parent Advisory Council, in Williams Lake, to extend public consultations on the 'Initials Options' report by the Local Board of Education (School District #27) - Kwaleen PAC President Katie Dyck and the Russet Bluff Community Association President Kirk Dressler have filed a formal complaint against School District #27 with BC's Ombudsperson who has the jurisdiction to investigate a complaint(s) against a public body which includes local government and boards' of education
In filing their complaint - both Ms. Dyck and Mr. Dressler say:
a) Public Consultation on the 'Initial Options' report is neither procedurally or administratively fair
b) School Planning Councils' have not been consulted, a requirement of the School Act
In fact, Mr. Dressler goes on to say:
In fact, as we understand it, the Board hasn’t even complied with its statutory obligation to create Student Planning Councils. By failing to create these Councils and consult with them as required by the School Act, the Board is breaking the law.”
Ms. Dyck concludes:
Kwaleen is one of Williams Lake’s best schools, and closing it accomplishes nothing. The figures don’t even indicate that there will be any significant cost saving realized by closing Kwaleen. By filing this complaint, we will trigger an investigation that will hopefully result in meaningful changes to the consultation process. If the Board charges ahead and closes Kwaleen, we can pursue a judicial review. We’ll do whatever we have to protect our school, our kids and our community. The law is on our side and we will not give up.”
Read the full article from Welcome to Williams Lake here
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Hennig letter pulled from WL COW Mtg
This past Sunday - I noted that WL Council, in tonight's Committee of the Whole meeting, was set to consider a letter from local Realtor Joy Hennig, in her capacity as a Director of the Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust, with a reply from the City's Director of Community Services, Geoff Paynton in regards to the Trust's rental of the Gibraltar Room for their Gala Dinner held this past November 24th
However, late yesterday (Mon Dec 10th), the City pulled the item off of tonight's Committee of the Whole agenda (information via the City's "CivicWeb" agenda hosting website)
Reasons for this could include:
a) At request of City Staff or Mayor Cook
b) At request of Ms. Hennig
The meeting Agenda for tonight's Committee of the Whole meeting will be:
a) Adoption of Minutes
b) Adoption of Agenda
c) Consideration of request from Maureen LeBourdais (Fraser Basin Council) - permission to paint diversity mural at Jubilee House, as per requirement of City's Graffiti Bylaw (painting of murals)
The meeting Agenda for tonight's Committee of the Whole meeting will be:
a) Adoption of Minutes
b) Adoption of Agenda
c) Consideration of request from Maureen LeBourdais (Fraser Basin Council) - permission to paint diversity mural at Jubilee House, as per requirement of City's Graffiti Bylaw (painting of murals)
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Local Hospital Trust asks for refund...
At Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting - Williams Lake Council will receive a letter from Joy Hennig a Director of the Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust who expresses several concerns about their rental of the Gibraltar Room on November 24th, 2012 and requests Council to refund the rental fee of the Gibraltar Room of $912.01.
Meanwhile - the City's Geoff Paynton (Director of Community Services) fires back, in an email to the City's Acting CAO Geoff Goodall, City Manager of Legislative Services Cindy Bouchard and the Cariboo Regional District's Manager of Community Services Darron Campbell, by categorically denying all of the concerns raised by Ms. Henning and suggests that individuals, on behalf of the Trust who set up the event on Nov 24th, were rude/disrespectful towards City Staff at the Recreation Complex in renting of and setting up of the Gibraltar Room.
While not in the information package - there is no formal suggestion that Ms. Hennig was informed that this item was going to Tuesday's meeting, although previously, any letters addressed to the City of Williams Lake, the usual practice of the City is to inform the writer where their letter was being forwarded to and which City Staff person or City Department to contact if they wished to follow up on their letter
Given Mr. Paynton will make a compelling argument to Williams Lake City Council on this subject, I would suggest it is more likely than not that Committee of the Whole will recommend WL Council deny the refund request of $912.01 from the Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust
Read the 'potentially explosive' item here
Also - Committee of the Whole at its' meeting Tuesday will consider a request from the Fraser Basin Council in painting a 'Celebrating Diversity' mural at Jubilee House (former Jamboree Hotel). View the request here. This request should easily pass Committee of the Whole and become official at the Dec 18th WL City Council meeting
Meanwhile - the City's Geoff Paynton (Director of Community Services) fires back, in an email to the City's Acting CAO Geoff Goodall, City Manager of Legislative Services Cindy Bouchard and the Cariboo Regional District's Manager of Community Services Darron Campbell, by categorically denying all of the concerns raised by Ms. Henning and suggests that individuals, on behalf of the Trust who set up the event on Nov 24th, were rude/disrespectful towards City Staff at the Recreation Complex in renting of and setting up of the Gibraltar Room.
While not in the information package - there is no formal suggestion that Ms. Hennig was informed that this item was going to Tuesday's meeting, although previously, any letters addressed to the City of Williams Lake, the usual practice of the City is to inform the writer where their letter was being forwarded to and which City Staff person or City Department to contact if they wished to follow up on their letter
Given Mr. Paynton will make a compelling argument to Williams Lake City Council on this subject, I would suggest it is more likely than not that Committee of the Whole will recommend WL Council deny the refund request of $912.01 from the Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust
Read the 'potentially explosive' item here
Also - Committee of the Whole at its' meeting Tuesday will consider a request from the Fraser Basin Council in painting a 'Celebrating Diversity' mural at Jubilee House (former Jamboree Hotel). View the request here. This request should easily pass Committee of the Whole and become official at the Dec 18th WL City Council meeting
Cariboo RD Business - Dec 14th
a) Election of Chair -- it is my expectation that Al Richmond (Area 'G' Director) will be re-acclaimed for another year as CRD Chair which would see him serve his 5th consecutive term at the head of the Cariboo Regional District. In order to break the record of present CRD Vice-Chair (and Area 'A' Director) Ted Armstrong's 8 year run as CRD Chair - Al Richmond would need to run again for Area 'G' Director in 2014 and remain Chair until 2018 which is entirely possible as I don't see any evidence, to date, that would lead me to believe Al Richmond is looking at getting out of politics
b) Cariboo RD CAO Janis Bell to bring forward a 'Recruitment and Retention' Policy report to maintain funding at $120,000 level until 2015 at which time a review is to take place whether or not to continue the policy beyond 2015 - view here
c) More upgrades at Deni House - view here
d) Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff raises a concern about consistency of flags at Cariboo RD owned buildings. View here
e) Competing requests for letters of support in regards to the WL Community Forest near Big Lake. Interesting that WL Indian Band Councillor Heather McKenzie says Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley may be in a 'moral' conflict of interest regarding a request from the Big Lake community which asks for a mediation-type process in regards to the WL Community Forest. If so - I think Director Sorley should say then "Guilty as charged" and then continue to advocate for Big Lake at the Board. There is no 'conflict' in my mind as Sorley doesn't stand to benefit personally or financially and doesn't own property (as far as I know) in the proposed WL Community Forest area. View the request from Sugarcane here and from the Big Lake community here. My own view is that the Board should simply stay 'out of the fray' and endorse no request for a 'letter of support' - either from Big Lake or Sugarcane. This will allow the Board to publicly avoid taking sides on this matter and would send a message to both sides of:
This is a dispute clearly between the Big Lake/Miocene communities & WL Indian Band/City of Williams Lake and these parties need to solve the issue of the WL Community Forest amongst themselves and leave the Regional Board out of it
Personally - the Big Lake/Miocene communities makes a more compelling argument on the WL Community Forest issue than Sugarcane/Williams Lake does... a Community Forest was supposed to and is intended to 'bring communities together' and not split communities apart. Hence, why the Xat'sull and Likely Community Forest has worked out very well for a significant period of time
f) As a result of the Nov 24th referendum to approve - the Board will be adopting the new WL Rural Contracted Fire Protection Service Bylaw. In the meantime - negotiations (if they haven't started already) will commence to set a contracted price between the City of WL/Cariboo RD for fire services for residents' in parts of CRD Areas D, E, F covered by this new fire protection service.
View the entire Cariboo RD Board Agenda for Friday here
b) Cariboo RD CAO Janis Bell to bring forward a 'Recruitment and Retention' Policy report to maintain funding at $120,000 level until 2015 at which time a review is to take place whether or not to continue the policy beyond 2015 - view here
c) More upgrades at Deni House - view here
d) Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff raises a concern about consistency of flags at Cariboo RD owned buildings. View here
e) Competing requests for letters of support in regards to the WL Community Forest near Big Lake. Interesting that WL Indian Band Councillor Heather McKenzie says Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley may be in a 'moral' conflict of interest regarding a request from the Big Lake community which asks for a mediation-type process in regards to the WL Community Forest. If so - I think Director Sorley should say then "Guilty as charged" and then continue to advocate for Big Lake at the Board. There is no 'conflict' in my mind as Sorley doesn't stand to benefit personally or financially and doesn't own property (as far as I know) in the proposed WL Community Forest area. View the request from Sugarcane here and from the Big Lake community here. My own view is that the Board should simply stay 'out of the fray' and endorse no request for a 'letter of support' - either from Big Lake or Sugarcane. This will allow the Board to publicly avoid taking sides on this matter and would send a message to both sides of:
This is a dispute clearly between the Big Lake/Miocene communities & WL Indian Band/City of Williams Lake and these parties need to solve the issue of the WL Community Forest amongst themselves and leave the Regional Board out of it
Personally - the Big Lake/Miocene communities makes a more compelling argument on the WL Community Forest issue than Sugarcane/Williams Lake does... a Community Forest was supposed to and is intended to 'bring communities together' and not split communities apart. Hence, why the Xat'sull and Likely Community Forest has worked out very well for a significant period of time
f) As a result of the Nov 24th referendum to approve - the Board will be adopting the new WL Rural Contracted Fire Protection Service Bylaw. In the meantime - negotiations (if they haven't started already) will commence to set a contracted price between the City of WL/Cariboo RD for fire services for residents' in parts of CRD Areas D, E, F covered by this new fire protection service.
View the entire Cariboo RD Board Agenda for Friday here
Quesnel Council Business - Dec 10th
For those in Quesnel -- your Quesnel Council will be meeting to consider the following:
a) Public Hearing for 1346 Abbott Dr
b) Ind Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson to present QE II Diamond Jubilee awards
c) Quesnel Crafters Society to present concerns to Quesnel Council re: rental of old Hudson Bay building on 102 Carson
d) Taseko Mines presents 'New Prosperity' to Quesnel Council
e) QCEDC presents 2013 Budget and 2013-15 Strategic Plan to Quesnel Council
View all of these items here
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of Dec 10-14
A number of local governments are meeting next week as follows:
Wells - Next meeting on Dec 18th at 7pm
Quesnel - Public Hearing on Bylaws 1712/1713 (1346 Abbott Dr) followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting with all starting at 7pm on Monday, Dec 10th in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Flr - 410 Kinchant St). View the entire meeting Agenda here. Note - the Public Hearing will be chaired by Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and the Committee of the Whole meeting chaired by Acting Mayor (Councillor) Scott Elliot
School District #28 - Regular Meeting at 7pm on Wed Dec 12th in the SD #28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd in Quesnel). View the Agenda here
School District #27 - Regular Meeting at 6:30pm on Tuesday, Dec 11th in the SD #27 Boardroom (350 2nd Ave North in Williams Lake). View the Agenda here
Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tues, Dec 11th at 6:00pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (450 Mart St). View the Agenda here
Cariboo Regional District - Meetings as follows:
a) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - Special Meeting on Wed Dec 12th at 5:00pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom to receive the final 'Pool Task Force' report. No official agenda is available as of this writing
b) Regular CRD Board of Directors meeting at 9:30am, starting with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital Board meeting - Agenda here and then at 9:45am - the regular Cariboo Regional District Board meeting will start - Agenda here
Wells - Next meeting on Dec 18th at 7pm
Quesnel - Public Hearing on Bylaws 1712/1713 (1346 Abbott Dr) followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting with all starting at 7pm on Monday, Dec 10th in Quesnel Council Chambers (2nd Flr - 410 Kinchant St). View the entire meeting Agenda here. Note - the Public Hearing will be chaired by Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom and the Committee of the Whole meeting chaired by Acting Mayor (Councillor) Scott Elliot
School District #28 - Regular Meeting at 7pm on Wed Dec 12th in the SD #28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd in Quesnel). View the Agenda here
School District #27 - Regular Meeting at 6:30pm on Tuesday, Dec 11th in the SD #27 Boardroom (350 2nd Ave North in Williams Lake). View the Agenda here
Williams Lake - Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tues, Dec 11th at 6:00pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (450 Mart St). View the Agenda here
Cariboo Regional District - Meetings as follows:
a) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - Special Meeting on Wed Dec 12th at 5:00pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom to receive the final 'Pool Task Force' report. No official agenda is available as of this writing
b) Regular CRD Board of Directors meeting at 9:30am, starting with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital Board meeting - Agenda here and then at 9:45am - the regular Cariboo Regional District Board meeting will start - Agenda here
Friday, December 7, 2012
WL Council continues its' quest to tackle crime...
Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:
As part of its commitment to addressing crime, Council brought forward this week a number of items passed during an in-camera session to address crime and safety in the city.
The resolutions are:
• The Executive Committee and staff will work with the RCMP in a working committee to develop a harm
reduction strategy for weapons of choice used in crimes, such as machetes and bear spray, and the working committee will bring a report back to Council.
• Council directed staff to limit vehicular access to the Dairy Fields
• Council will request to hold meetings with provincial and Crown Counsels to discuss their concerns with the prolific offender program.
• Council will encourage Community Policing to reinstate the Court Watch program.
• Council will request meetings with provincial Minister of Justice Shirley Bond and federal Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson, with Mayor Kerry Cook and Inspector Warren Brown to bring attention to the community’s concerns around crime and prolific offenders.
“We hear from the community that crime is a top priority, and Council agrees,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “These resolutions represent practical, real steps forward in reducing crime and bringing some attention to the issue in Williams Lake. Council will continue its focus on reducing crime and increasing safety.
As part of its commitment to addressing crime, Council brought forward this week a number of items passed during an in-camera session to address crime and safety in the city.
The resolutions are:
• The Executive Committee and staff will work with the RCMP in a working committee to develop a harm
reduction strategy for weapons of choice used in crimes, such as machetes and bear spray, and the working committee will bring a report back to Council.
• Council directed staff to limit vehicular access to the Dairy Fields
• Council will request to hold meetings with provincial and Crown Counsels to discuss their concerns with the prolific offender program.
• Council will encourage Community Policing to reinstate the Court Watch program.
• Council will request meetings with provincial Minister of Justice Shirley Bond and federal Minister of Justice Rob Nicholson, with Mayor Kerry Cook and Inspector Warren Brown to bring attention to the community’s concerns around crime and prolific offenders.
“We hear from the community that crime is a top priority, and Council agrees,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “These resolutions represent practical, real steps forward in reducing crime and bringing some attention to the issue in Williams Lake. Council will continue its focus on reducing crime and increasing safety.
WL to lose $3.5 million in assessment from Creekside property
Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:
After the recent announcement that Tolko Industries would be closing the Creekside mill, the City wishes to clarify the implications to the City budget.
As a result of an application for a closure allowance for the Creekside operation by Tolko to the BC Assessment Authority, the City’s industrial assessment base will be affected in 2013. The City estimates a loss of $3.5 million in assessment.
It is important to note that this is not an automatic loss of taxation revenue to the City, but a loss in assessment value, which may need to be collected among the remaining assessment classes, or from an increase in the mill rate to the major industrial class. Council will consider tax rates and other items when it deliberates the 2013 budget and five-year financial plan beginning in January.
“Council wants to acknowledge that this closure has been a serious blow to Tolko, its workers, and the community,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We lost more than 100 positions when the Creekside operation closed three years ago, and another 22 people lost their jobs when Tolko decided not to re-open.
“It is also important to remember the positive news we’ve had this year – re-investment and West Fraser’s announcement of a new multimillion dollar planer mill.
City Council is committed to working with Tolko, West Fraser, and other forest products companies, as well as the provincial government, to ensure that Williams Lake and the Cariboo region sustain a thriving and beneficial forest industry.
After the recent announcement that Tolko Industries would be closing the Creekside mill, the City wishes to clarify the implications to the City budget.
As a result of an application for a closure allowance for the Creekside operation by Tolko to the BC Assessment Authority, the City’s industrial assessment base will be affected in 2013. The City estimates a loss of $3.5 million in assessment.
It is important to note that this is not an automatic loss of taxation revenue to the City, but a loss in assessment value, which may need to be collected among the remaining assessment classes, or from an increase in the mill rate to the major industrial class. Council will consider tax rates and other items when it deliberates the 2013 budget and five-year financial plan beginning in January.
“Council wants to acknowledge that this closure has been a serious blow to Tolko, its workers, and the community,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We lost more than 100 positions when the Creekside operation closed three years ago, and another 22 people lost their jobs when Tolko decided not to re-open.
“It is also important to remember the positive news we’ve had this year – re-investment and West Fraser’s announcement of a new multimillion dollar planer mill.
City Council is committed to working with Tolko, West Fraser, and other forest products companies, as well as the provincial government, to ensure that Williams Lake and the Cariboo region sustain a thriving and beneficial forest industry.
WL Council receives TNG Delegation
Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:
At its December 5th regular Council meeting, Council was honoured to receive a delegation of more than 200 people attending to express their concern over the New Prosperity proposal, the largest delegation in Council Chambers in many years.
Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Ann Louie gave a welcome. Xeni Gwet’in Chief Marilyn Baptiste, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Tl'etinqox Chief Joe Alphonse all addressed Council and voiced their opposition to the mine and to Council’s resolution supporting the mine. Council was also asked not to present to the public hearings that will eventually be scheduled by the federal panel reviewing the mine proposal.
Council’s resolution, passed Sept. 18, 2012, reads: That pursuant to the report of the Chief Administrative Officer dated August 10, 2012, Council confirm support for the New Prosperity mine development, provided that Provincial and Federal environmental standards are met and affected First Nations are adequately consulted; and further, that the Province of BC be requested to ensure all necessary Provincial approvals for the project are granted in a timely manner and the Cariboo Regional District & member municipalities be invited to make the same request of the Province and our MLAs and MP be so advised.
Following the presentation, Mayor Kerry Cook thanked the speakers and the entire delegation, and stated that developing strong, respectful working relationships with First Nations is a top priority of this Council.
“Council and the TNG will have to respectfully agree to disagree when it comes to New Prosperity,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “Council stands by its resolution. We want a project that can provide much needed economic stimulus and jobs, and that meets environmental standards. We also want First nations and all potentially affected people to have their say and to be consulted.”
“We are grateful to have had such a passionate and engaged delegation Tuesday night, and to have had a respectful conversation during a dinner meeting in mid-November. We believe in open dialogue and in working together. Council will continue to develop strong relationships and partnerships with our First Nations neighbours and will always be open to discussion and debate on issues that affect us all", states Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook
At its December 5th regular Council meeting, Council was honoured to receive a delegation of more than 200 people attending to express their concern over the New Prosperity proposal, the largest delegation in Council Chambers in many years.
Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Ann Louie gave a welcome. Xeni Gwet’in Chief Marilyn Baptiste, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Tl'etinqox Chief Joe Alphonse all addressed Council and voiced their opposition to the mine and to Council’s resolution supporting the mine. Council was also asked not to present to the public hearings that will eventually be scheduled by the federal panel reviewing the mine proposal.
Council’s resolution, passed Sept. 18, 2012, reads: That pursuant to the report of the Chief Administrative Officer dated August 10, 2012, Council confirm support for the New Prosperity mine development, provided that Provincial and Federal environmental standards are met and affected First Nations are adequately consulted; and further, that the Province of BC be requested to ensure all necessary Provincial approvals for the project are granted in a timely manner and the Cariboo Regional District & member municipalities be invited to make the same request of the Province and our MLAs and MP be so advised.
Following the presentation, Mayor Kerry Cook thanked the speakers and the entire delegation, and stated that developing strong, respectful working relationships with First Nations is a top priority of this Council.
“Council and the TNG will have to respectfully agree to disagree when it comes to New Prosperity,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “Council stands by its resolution. We want a project that can provide much needed economic stimulus and jobs, and that meets environmental standards. We also want First nations and all potentially affected people to have their say and to be consulted.”
“We are grateful to have had such a passionate and engaged delegation Tuesday night, and to have had a respectful conversation during a dinner meeting in mid-November. We believe in open dialogue and in working together. Council will continue to develop strong relationships and partnerships with our First Nations neighbours and will always be open to discussion and debate on issues that affect us all", states Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook
NDP colludes with BC Fed of Labour to write their 2013 Platform
In his column today -- political columnist Mike Smyth of the Vancouver Province writes on the provincial NDP actively engaging the BC Fed of Labour on what should be in their 2013 Election Platform.
Read more here
Meanwhile - find below the 'Open Discussion' document from the BC Fed of Labour:
B.C. Federation of Labour open discussion summary
Also - Alan Forseth, Kamloops Regional Director of the BC Conservatives' gives his own take on this development which you can read here
Finally - the BC Liberals' have this article on their website "Searching for Dix's Hidden Plan" which you can view here
Unlike the BC Fed of Labour - the BC Liberals' election platform was written by its' own members' which includes BC'ers from many walks of life including business people, ranchers, teachers, etc so we have no need to be holden to one major group like the BC NDP apparently are in the BC Fed of Labour...
SBF
Read more here
Meanwhile - find below the 'Open Discussion' document from the BC Fed of Labour:
B.C. Federation of Labour open discussion summary
Also - Alan Forseth, Kamloops Regional Director of the BC Conservatives' gives his own take on this development which you can read here
Finally - the BC Liberals' have this article on their website "Searching for Dix's Hidden Plan" which you can view here
Unlike the BC Fed of Labour - the BC Liberals' election platform was written by its' own members' which includes BC'ers from many walks of life including business people, ranchers, teachers, etc so we have no need to be holden to one major group like the BC NDP apparently are in the BC Fed of Labour...
SBF
Should local politicians respond to negative news stories?
Yesterday - Prince George Mayor Shari Green responding to an upcoming MacLeans' article which says Prince George is #1 for being the 'Dangerous City in Canada' when StatsCan information says otherwise
Watch a video from CKPG-TV below, read a story from CBC-BC here and one from the Prince George Free Press here and the Prince George Citizen here:
For myself - unless media stories clearly do not have their fact straight, then I don't think locally elected officials should respond to media stories which may put their municipality or electoral area in a bad light.
By doing so - they very well may end up giving the story more credibility and thus more people buy the newspaper/magazine then if the elected official(s) hadn't bother to respond in the first place
SBF
Watch a video from CKPG-TV below, read a story from CBC-BC here and one from the Prince George Free Press here and the Prince George Citizen here:
For myself - unless media stories clearly do not have their fact straight, then I don't think locally elected officials should respond to media stories which may put their municipality or electoral area in a bad light.
By doing so - they very well may end up giving the story more credibility and thus more people buy the newspaper/magazine then if the elected official(s) hadn't bother to respond in the first place
SBF
Time for 'Adult' conversation on Taxes?
In today's The Nelson Daily - columnist Murray Dobbin asks:
Isn't it time to have an 'adult' conversation on taxes?
In his column, he talks about a recent CCPA (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) study on taxation and how having a progressive tax regime and quality of life can go hand-in-hand
Read the thought-provoking article here
Isn't it time to have an 'adult' conversation on taxes?
In his column, he talks about a recent CCPA (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) study on taxation and how having a progressive tax regime and quality of life can go hand-in-hand
Read the thought-provoking article here
Total Tax Burden on Homeowners' - Cariboo-Chilcotin (2012)
At the Local Government Department - Ministry of Community Services, they keep information on tax rates and other relevant information on municipalities throughout BC
Just recently, they have published information regarding total taxes/charges burden for an average homeowner in all municipalities in BC for 2012 (latest tax year information available)
Read my blog post on the same information in 2011 here
In the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region - 2012 Tax Year:
Wells
House Value - $71,079
School Taxes - $271.00
General Municipal Taxes - $211.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $116.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $45.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $36.00
Parcel Taxes - $474.00
User Fees - $326.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in Wells - $1,477
Quesnel
House Value - $162,142
School Taxes - $618.00
General Municipal Taxes - $658.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $300.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $102.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $10.00
Parcel Taxes - $169.00
User Fees - $423.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in Quesnel - $2,280
Williams Lake:
House Value - $196,544
School Taxes - $598.00
General Municipal Taxes - $1,081.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $292.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $121.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $54.00
Parcel Taxes - $124.00
User Fees - $499.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in Williams Lake - $2,769
100 Mile House
House Value - $170,106
School Taxes - $517.00
General Municipal Taxes - $778.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $247.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $106.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $74.00
Parcel Taxes - $119.00
User Fees - $445.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in 100 Mile House - $2,286
Just recently, they have published information regarding total taxes/charges burden for an average homeowner in all municipalities in BC for 2012 (latest tax year information available)
Read my blog post on the same information in 2011 here
In the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region - 2012 Tax Year:
Wells
House Value - $71,079
School Taxes - $271.00
General Municipal Taxes - $211.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $116.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $45.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $36.00
Parcel Taxes - $474.00
User Fees - $326.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in Wells - $1,477
Quesnel
House Value - $162,142
School Taxes - $618.00
General Municipal Taxes - $658.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $300.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $102.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $10.00
Parcel Taxes - $169.00
User Fees - $423.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in Quesnel - $2,280
Williams Lake:
House Value - $196,544
School Taxes - $598.00
General Municipal Taxes - $1,081.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $292.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $121.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $54.00
Parcel Taxes - $124.00
User Fees - $499.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in Williams Lake - $2,769
100 Mile House
House Value - $170,106
School Taxes - $517.00
General Municipal Taxes - $778.00
Cariboo Regional District Taxes - $247.00
Local Regional Hospital District Taxes - $106.00
BC Assessment, Municipal Finance Authority and Other Taxes - $74.00
Parcel Taxes - $119.00
User Fees - $445.00
Total Taxes/Charges burden on average homeowner in 100 Mile House - $2,286
Junior 'B' Hockey comes to 100 Mile House
Late yesterday - the 100 Mile House Wranglers' announced this on their Facebook page:
we;'re in! a vote of 15 to 2, we are the newest member of the KIJHL. Thank you everyone!. More soon
Meanwhile - Tom Bachynski of the Wranglers' said, prior to the KIJHL Board of Governors' vote:
“We’ve got all the right components; we’ve got a great backing by business…by the people of 100 Mile House like when they showed last year when we thought we had a team with Revelstoke. We’re just very enthusiastic about it and wanted to share with all the Governors just how enthusiastic we are. We’re ready to go.”
Read more here
Congrats to the Wranglers' for passing a big hurdle. Junior 'B' hockey will be, in my view, a big hit for 100 Mile residents' and outlying residents' and hopefully the South Cariboo will be successful in this new venture for the area
we;'re in! a vote of 15 to 2, we are the newest member of the KIJHL. Thank you everyone!. More soon
Meanwhile - Tom Bachynski of the Wranglers' said, prior to the KIJHL Board of Governors' vote:
“We’ve got all the right components; we’ve got a great backing by business…by the people of 100 Mile House like when they showed last year when we thought we had a team with Revelstoke. We’re just very enthusiastic about it and wanted to share with all the Governors just how enthusiastic we are. We’re ready to go.”
Read more here
Congrats to the Wranglers' for passing a big hurdle. Junior 'B' hockey will be, in my view, a big hit for 100 Mile residents' and outlying residents' and hopefully the South Cariboo will be successful in this new venture for the area
NC Multi-centre denied $$$ by Ottawa
Yesterday - Cariboo-PG Conservative MP Dick Harris reported that a recent application from Quesnel for funds for the $30 million North Cariboo Multi-Centre from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund was denied as it was for upgrades and repairs to existing facilities and not for new facilities
Harris also re-iterated what he has said many times in the past that he will be first in line when there finally is a funding envelope that fits the project. View more on this story here
With roughly a year before local elected officials must decide whether or not to re-submit an application to local taxpayers' for authority to borrow up to $15 million (or more) for the North Cariboo Multi-Centre - time is running short to secure the other $15 million (Victoria/Ottawa) in order to start the building of the North Cariboo Multi-Centre. Given MP Harris' comments yesterday - even I now doubt if Ottawa will come through with the funds necessary before the 5 year anniversary (Nov 13th, 2013) for the referendum to borrow up to $15 million for the Multi-Centre comes due
Options that Quesnel City Council and Cariboo RD Directors for Areas A (Armstrong), B (Dixon-Warren), C (Massier) and I (Glassford) could consider in advance of Nov 13th, 2013 to get building the Multi-Centre may include:
a) Increase borrowing authority to $20-$25 million and fund rest via donations/provincial funding
b) Divide Multi-Centre in various stages
c) Walkaway from the project (entire Multi-Centre) come Nov 13th, 2013 and look at replacement of the Twin Ice Arena that needs immediate work
SBF
Harris also re-iterated what he has said many times in the past that he will be first in line when there finally is a funding envelope that fits the project. View more on this story here
With roughly a year before local elected officials must decide whether or not to re-submit an application to local taxpayers' for authority to borrow up to $15 million (or more) for the North Cariboo Multi-Centre - time is running short to secure the other $15 million (Victoria/Ottawa) in order to start the building of the North Cariboo Multi-Centre. Given MP Harris' comments yesterday - even I now doubt if Ottawa will come through with the funds necessary before the 5 year anniversary (Nov 13th, 2013) for the referendum to borrow up to $15 million for the Multi-Centre comes due
Options that Quesnel City Council and Cariboo RD Directors for Areas A (Armstrong), B (Dixon-Warren), C (Massier) and I (Glassford) could consider in advance of Nov 13th, 2013 to get building the Multi-Centre may include:
a) Increase borrowing authority to $20-$25 million and fund rest via donations/provincial funding
b) Divide Multi-Centre in various stages
c) Walkaway from the project (entire Multi-Centre) come Nov 13th, 2013 and look at replacement of the Twin Ice Arena that needs immediate work
SBF
Thursday, December 6, 2012
WL Council's support for 'New Prosperity'
As local media reported from Tuesday's Williams Lake City Council meeting - Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Chief Marilyn Baptiste, as part of 3 Speakers from the TNG, called upon WL Council to not present at the upcoming federal public hearing on 'New Prosperity' when it happens
Allow me to explain why Mayor Cook will be, for practical reasons, unable to do that
In September of this year, after Brian Battison of Taseko Mines made a video presentation on 'New Prosperity', Williams Lake Council resolved the following at its' September 18th, 2012 meeting:
That pursuant to the report of the Chief Administrative Officer dated August 10, 2012, Council confirm support for the New Prosperity mine development, provided that Provincial and Federal environmental standards are met and affected First Nations are adequately consulted; and further, that the Province of BC be requested to ensure all necessary Provincial approvals for the project are granted in a timely manner and the Cariboo Regional District & member municipalities be invited to make the same request of the Province and our MLAs and MP be so advised.
So - at this stage, Section 116(2)(g) of the Community Charter says, insofar as Mayor Kerry Cook's role as far as the above WL Council resolution (motion) goes:
(2) In addition to the mayor's responsibilities as a member of council, the mayor has the following responsibilities:
(g) to reflect the will of council...
With all due respect to Chief Baptiste - there is a difference between consulting First Nations over a motion to be dealt with at a local city council meeting and deciding on a land use item that clearly has impacts on First Nations interests. There is no 'case law' or other regulations/laws requiring a municipal council to consult with First Nations over any resolution(s) that a municipal council may decide to pass. On the other hand, there is plenty of 'case law' where a municipal council should/must consult with an adjacent First Nation band, if the local government is going to approve a rezoning, OCP change or approve a DVP or DP (Development Variance Permit/Development Permit) that does affect the land interests/right of the affected First Nation band
In the meantime - as laid out by Section 116(2)(g) of the Community Charter, it is my expectation that Mayor Cook will present at next year's Federal Public Hearing on 'New Prosperity'.
Should Williams Lake Council have done what Marilyn Baptiste requested (no presentation at the Federal Review Panel) - you could almost guarantee that members of the public who support 'New Prosperity' (including WL and District Chamber of Commerce members) would start phoning members of WL Council and asking them to have the 'courage of their convictions' to stand by their previous resolutions on 'Prosperity' and 'New Prosperity'. Failure to do so, by WL City Council, would cause those same individuals to tell members of Williams Lake Council (in my opinion) 'we're going shopping for new members of Williams Lake City Council in 2014', keeping in mind that the next election of Williams Lake City Council is roughly over a year and a half away (Oct 19th, 2014)
At this point - I am expecting that Mayor Cook, on behalf of WL City Council, will continue to support 'New Prosperity' as reflected by the Sept 18th, 2012 WL Council Resolution on 'New Prosperity' and her recent support comments about Taseko Mines being directed by the Federal Review Panel to do a cumulative environmental effects study
Finally - Len Doucette of the 'Say Yes to the Taseko Prosperity Mine Project' Facebook page recently wrote to Taseko Mines' Brian Battison over last week's letters' between Taseko Mines and the Federal Review Panel and Mr. Battison replied as follows:
Last week the federal review panel conducting the environmental assessment of New Prosperity issued an Information Request (IR) to Taseko and advised that further IR’s will be forthcoming.
Regrettably, project opponents were quick to misrepresent the Panel’s request for information suggesting the project was unsound and/or that the project itself had been halted. This false notion was also reflected in some media coverage of the matter.
When “news” of the IR was first reported, many people were deeply concerned that this was somehow the end of the project. I want to assure you this is not the case.
Information requests are a routine and expected part of any panel process. Often panels seek additional information from project proponents on an array of matters. In fact, it is not uncommon for many IR’s to be issued over the course of a panel process.
It will be Taseko’s responsibility to respond to any IR’s issued by the Panel and we will do so.
While we are preparing our response(s) the “clock” which tracks the government time remaining in the 12 month review period is stopped, however, work on the review continues and the clock will be restarted once the panel is satisfied Taseko has provided an adequate response to the IR(s) issued. Again, this is a routine feature of any review panel.
It is important to remember the Panel is reviewing thousands of pages of scientific evidence which has been prepared by Taseko and its consultants – over 13,000 pages relating to the first project design and some 6,100 pages relating to “New Prosperity.” With such large volumes of material to consider and digest it is reasonable to anticipate the Panel will have questions or points of clarification they wish to raise with Taseko.
Our company is acutely aware of the very strong community support that exists for this project in the Cariboo and we will continue to help keep you and others informed as the process moves forward.
Allow me to explain why Mayor Cook will be, for practical reasons, unable to do that
In September of this year, after Brian Battison of Taseko Mines made a video presentation on 'New Prosperity', Williams Lake Council resolved the following at its' September 18th, 2012 meeting:
That pursuant to the report of the Chief Administrative Officer dated August 10, 2012, Council confirm support for the New Prosperity mine development, provided that Provincial and Federal environmental standards are met and affected First Nations are adequately consulted; and further, that the Province of BC be requested to ensure all necessary Provincial approvals for the project are granted in a timely manner and the Cariboo Regional District & member municipalities be invited to make the same request of the Province and our MLAs and MP be so advised.
So - at this stage, Section 116(2)(g) of the Community Charter says, insofar as Mayor Kerry Cook's role as far as the above WL Council resolution (motion) goes:
(2) In addition to the mayor's responsibilities as a member of council, the mayor has the following responsibilities:
(g) to reflect the will of council...
With all due respect to Chief Baptiste - there is a difference between consulting First Nations over a motion to be dealt with at a local city council meeting and deciding on a land use item that clearly has impacts on First Nations interests. There is no 'case law' or other regulations/laws requiring a municipal council to consult with First Nations over any resolution(s) that a municipal council may decide to pass. On the other hand, there is plenty of 'case law' where a municipal council should/must consult with an adjacent First Nation band, if the local government is going to approve a rezoning, OCP change or approve a DVP or DP (Development Variance Permit/Development Permit) that does affect the land interests/right of the affected First Nation band
In the meantime - as laid out by Section 116(2)(g) of the Community Charter, it is my expectation that Mayor Cook will present at next year's Federal Public Hearing on 'New Prosperity'.
Should Williams Lake Council have done what Marilyn Baptiste requested (no presentation at the Federal Review Panel) - you could almost guarantee that members of the public who support 'New Prosperity' (including WL and District Chamber of Commerce members) would start phoning members of WL Council and asking them to have the 'courage of their convictions' to stand by their previous resolutions on 'Prosperity' and 'New Prosperity'. Failure to do so, by WL City Council, would cause those same individuals to tell members of Williams Lake Council (in my opinion) 'we're going shopping for new members of Williams Lake City Council in 2014', keeping in mind that the next election of Williams Lake City Council is roughly over a year and a half away (Oct 19th, 2014)
At this point - I am expecting that Mayor Cook, on behalf of WL City Council, will continue to support 'New Prosperity' as reflected by the Sept 18th, 2012 WL Council Resolution on 'New Prosperity' and her recent support comments about Taseko Mines being directed by the Federal Review Panel to do a cumulative environmental effects study
Finally - Len Doucette of the 'Say Yes to the Taseko Prosperity Mine Project' Facebook page recently wrote to Taseko Mines' Brian Battison over last week's letters' between Taseko Mines and the Federal Review Panel and Mr. Battison replied as follows:
Last week the federal review panel conducting the environmental assessment of New Prosperity issued an Information Request (IR) to Taseko and advised that further IR’s will be forthcoming.
Regrettably, project opponents were quick to misrepresent the Panel’s request for information suggesting the project was unsound and/or that the project itself had been halted. This false notion was also reflected in some media coverage of the matter.
When “news” of the IR was first reported, many people were deeply concerned that this was somehow the end of the project. I want to assure you this is not the case.
Information requests are a routine and expected part of any panel process. Often panels seek additional information from project proponents on an array of matters. In fact, it is not uncommon for many IR’s to be issued over the course of a panel process.
It will be Taseko’s responsibility to respond to any IR’s issued by the Panel and we will do so.
While we are preparing our response(s) the “clock” which tracks the government time remaining in the 12 month review period is stopped, however, work on the review continues and the clock will be restarted once the panel is satisfied Taseko has provided an adequate response to the IR(s) issued. Again, this is a routine feature of any review panel.
It is important to remember the Panel is reviewing thousands of pages of scientific evidence which has been prepared by Taseko and its consultants – over 13,000 pages relating to the first project design and some 6,100 pages relating to “New Prosperity.” With such large volumes of material to consider and digest it is reasonable to anticipate the Panel will have questions or points of clarification they wish to raise with Taseko.
Our company is acutely aware of the very strong community support that exists for this project in the Cariboo and we will continue to help keep you and others informed as the process moves forward.
False Water Testing calls in Quesnel
Courtesy of the City of Quesnel website:
Some City residents may have received calls from someone wanting to "test your water."
Residents should note these calls are not being made by the City. They may be coming from a business that offers water filtering products or other services.
The City regularly tests the drinking water it provides our residents. There is no need to go to individual homes to do that testing. To learn more about the City's water testing, click here.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
CFIB 2012 Muni Spending Report
In their 5th Annual "Muncipal Spending Report" - the Canadian Federation of Independent Business or CFIB reports that muncipal spending is getting better but still is a concern for the CFIB
Press Release from the CFIB:
For the first time in ten years, there are signs that some B.C. municipalities are recognizing the need to get spending under control. Nonetheless, municipal spending continues to outpace the responsible benchmark of population growth plus inflation. The latest report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) analyzes data from 2000 up to 2010.
“It’s a bit like driving off a cliff, but slowly,” said Laura Jones, executive vice-president, CFIB. “It’s certainly a good idea to apply the brakes, but we’re still getting closer to the edge. We like to give credit where it’s due, however, there’s a limit to our optimism.”
Had spending simply kept pace with population and inflation from 2000-2010, British Columbians would have saved $4.26 billion, or $4,251 for a family of four. Instead, B.C.’s real municipal operating spending increased by 49%, nearly four times the growth in population. When adjusted for inflation, spending increased by just one per cent from 2009 to 2010, down from seven per cent between 2008 and 2009
“One year of relatively good behaviour is a promising sign, but it’s much like the early days of a diet – it really could go either way and only time will tell,” said Jones.
B.C.’s Lower Mainland turned in a mixed performance between 2009 and 2010, with several of the larger municipalities demonstrating an improved commitment to fiscal discipline. Chilliwack, Burnaby and Surrey topped the “Most Improved” category when rated according to per capita spending over that period. By contrast, communities further east and north – such as Abbotsford, Pemberton, and the two Langley jurisdictions – turned in the most disappointing performances. Abbotsford per capita spending increased by close to 30 per cent.
To finance the spending increases from 2000-2010, municipal taxes increased 69%, government transfers increased 273% and revenues from sales of services like parking and licenses increased 135%.
CFIB’s B.C. Municipal Spending Watch report is in its fifth year. Small business owners have a particular interest in municipal spending as studies show that they bear a disproportionate share of the municipal tax burden. This year’s report excludes the cost of policing, which is paid by municipalities, but is largely out of the control of municipal decision-makers.
Meanwhile - CFIB reports that in the Kootenay/Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast region - Williams Lake was the 3rd worst municipal spending being ranked #40 of 153 municipalities surveyed with only New Denver and Slocan ahead of Williams Lake and New Denver/Slocan do have smaller populations/tax base than Williams Lake
For all municipalities within the Cariboo-Chilcotin:
The CFIB has recommended the following:
1. Municipal operating spending increases be limited to the rate of population growth and inflation.
2. In all cases, core services must be identified and core service reviews conducted to ensure effective fiscal management.
3. Public sector compensation should be aligned with the private sector. British Columbia currently has a gap between these sectors of 35.1%, combining wages and benefits.
4. All municipalities support the mandate and abide by the recommendations of BC’s new Municipal Auditor General. CFIB is encouraged that the provincial government has followed through on its commitment to create an independent office of Municipal Auditor General, as recommended in previous iterations of this report. However, the success and effect of this new office will rely on the cooperation and recognition of municipal governments. Therefore, we urge municipalities to commit to working constructively with the Municipal Auditor General to reverse the unsustainable spending trends demonstrated in this report
Williams Lake City Council is on record supporting the Municipal Auditor-General. I'll be looking to see how Williams Lake City Council and their Staff respond to this latest report by the CFIB
Source Documents:
1) Kootenay-Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast - view here
2) CFIB Municipal Spending website here
3) CFIB Muncipal Spending technical background here
Press Release from the CFIB:
For the first time in ten years, there are signs that some B.C. municipalities are recognizing the need to get spending under control. Nonetheless, municipal spending continues to outpace the responsible benchmark of population growth plus inflation. The latest report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) analyzes data from 2000 up to 2010.
“It’s a bit like driving off a cliff, but slowly,” said Laura Jones, executive vice-president, CFIB. “It’s certainly a good idea to apply the brakes, but we’re still getting closer to the edge. We like to give credit where it’s due, however, there’s a limit to our optimism.”
Had spending simply kept pace with population and inflation from 2000-2010, British Columbians would have saved $4.26 billion, or $4,251 for a family of four. Instead, B.C.’s real municipal operating spending increased by 49%, nearly four times the growth in population. When adjusted for inflation, spending increased by just one per cent from 2009 to 2010, down from seven per cent between 2008 and 2009
“One year of relatively good behaviour is a promising sign, but it’s much like the early days of a diet – it really could go either way and only time will tell,” said Jones.
B.C.’s Lower Mainland turned in a mixed performance between 2009 and 2010, with several of the larger municipalities demonstrating an improved commitment to fiscal discipline. Chilliwack, Burnaby and Surrey topped the “Most Improved” category when rated according to per capita spending over that period. By contrast, communities further east and north – such as Abbotsford, Pemberton, and the two Langley jurisdictions – turned in the most disappointing performances. Abbotsford per capita spending increased by close to 30 per cent.
To finance the spending increases from 2000-2010, municipal taxes increased 69%, government transfers increased 273% and revenues from sales of services like parking and licenses increased 135%.
CFIB’s B.C. Municipal Spending Watch report is in its fifth year. Small business owners have a particular interest in municipal spending as studies show that they bear a disproportionate share of the municipal tax burden. This year’s report excludes the cost of policing, which is paid by municipalities, but is largely out of the control of municipal decision-makers.
Meanwhile - CFIB reports that in the Kootenay/Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast region - Williams Lake was the 3rd worst municipal spending being ranked #40 of 153 municipalities surveyed with only New Denver and Slocan ahead of Williams Lake and New Denver/Slocan do have smaller populations/tax base than Williams Lake
For all municipalities within the Cariboo-Chilcotin:
Municipality
|
Real Operating Spending Growth between 2000-2010 (%)
|
Pop. Growth between 2000-2010 (%)
|
Real Operating Spending Growth, per capita (%)
|
Overall Provincial Rank (#1 as Worst with #153 as Best)
|
Wells
|
34
|
16
|
15
|
47
|
Quesnel
|
10
|
-5
|
15
|
111
|
Williams Lake
|
42
|
-6
|
51
|
40
|
100 Mile House
|
15
|
5
|
10
|
72
|
The CFIB has recommended the following:
1. Municipal operating spending increases be limited to the rate of population growth and inflation.
2. In all cases, core services must be identified and core service reviews conducted to ensure effective fiscal management.
3. Public sector compensation should be aligned with the private sector. British Columbia currently has a gap between these sectors of 35.1%, combining wages and benefits.
4. All municipalities support the mandate and abide by the recommendations of BC’s new Municipal Auditor General. CFIB is encouraged that the provincial government has followed through on its commitment to create an independent office of Municipal Auditor General, as recommended in previous iterations of this report. However, the success and effect of this new office will rely on the cooperation and recognition of municipal governments. Therefore, we urge municipalities to commit to working constructively with the Municipal Auditor General to reverse the unsustainable spending trends demonstrated in this report
Williams Lake City Council is on record supporting the Municipal Auditor-General. I'll be looking to see how Williams Lake City Council and their Staff respond to this latest report by the CFIB
Source Documents:
1) Kootenay-Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast - view here
2) CFIB Municipal Spending website here
3) CFIB Muncipal Spending technical background here
Local School News....
Yesterday, a 16 year old girl was struck in the crosswalk by Marie Sharpe Elementary. Inspector Warren Brown with the local RCMP that the accident was not speed-related. View more here
Meanwhile - Sydney Goward from Columneetza Senior Secondary told Welcome to Williams Lake that students', like herself, was disappointed to learn that only Mark Thiessen (SD #27 Superintendent) was present at a "Student Voices" meeting at 150 Mile Elementary. She reports that none of the six elected School Trustees were present at this meeting. Read more here
With a wrap on the public consultation meetings into the 'Initial Options' report -- the Board of Education for SD #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) will receive a synopsis of the public submissions received to date on Dec 11th, 2012 with the intention to make final decision on January 22nd, 2013 in Williams Lake and according to Zone 4 Trustee Jackie Austin, a separate Board meeting is hoped for in 100 Mile House to make decisions around 'Initial Options' and possible school closures in the 100 Mile area
My own view is that the Board will vote to close the 5 schools identified in the 'Initial Options' report with Glendale, Kwaleen and Wildwood Elementary in Williams Lake being determined for closure & Buffalo Creek and 100 Mile Jr Secondary being determined for closure in 100 Mile House
Meanwhile - Sydney Goward from Columneetza Senior Secondary told Welcome to Williams Lake that students', like herself, was disappointed to learn that only Mark Thiessen (SD #27 Superintendent) was present at a "Student Voices" meeting at 150 Mile Elementary. She reports that none of the six elected School Trustees were present at this meeting. Read more here
With a wrap on the public consultation meetings into the 'Initial Options' report -- the Board of Education for SD #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) will receive a synopsis of the public submissions received to date on Dec 11th, 2012 with the intention to make final decision on January 22nd, 2013 in Williams Lake and according to Zone 4 Trustee Jackie Austin, a separate Board meeting is hoped for in 100 Mile House to make decisions around 'Initial Options' and possible school closures in the 100 Mile area
My own view is that the Board will vote to close the 5 schools identified in the 'Initial Options' report with Glendale, Kwaleen and Wildwood Elementary in Williams Lake being determined for closure & Buffalo Creek and 100 Mile Jr Secondary being determined for closure in 100 Mile House
South Lakeside Dr upgrade unwarranted
Recently - Peter Epp Sr of Williams Lake sent the following "Letter to the Editor" to various media outlets concerning a plan by the City to upgrade South Lakeside Drive in 2013. I agree with Mr. Epp, Sr that upgrading South Lakeside Dr would only serve to make an already bad situation into a worse one on a road that was never designed for municipal-level traffic counts, given South Lakeside Dr was built to a standard consisting with roads in the Cariboo RD (note - South Lakeside Drive area was annexed into the City in 1996). I'd like to see the City do the upgrade that Mr. Epp, Sr has suggested
Mr. Epp, Sr.'s letter below:
The traffic flow from South Lakeside Drive to Highway 20, before the fire hall was built and the changes to the road were made, was at a maximum for safety.
This was before the traffic light and road changes were made at the South Lakeside intersection. It worked like a four-way stop before the traffic light was installed.
From the light on South Lakeside Drive and Hodgson Road, for the next tenth of a kilometre there are eight possible left-hand turns into businesses; only one has a left turn signal light. All B-Trains, chip trucks, high-boys, flat deck trucks must stop on the roadway to wait for traffic to clear to make a left hand turn, piling up traffic behind them. The more traffic into Walmart will mean a longer wait time to turn left. This is unworkable.
Trucks delivering steel to Bea-Mac must stop traffic in both directions to allow the trucks to enter and leave. Traffic coming off of Highway 20 from the west to Canadian Tire or Super Store turn-off must cross three lanes of traffic, cutting all other drivers off from right to left.
Fuel tankers, hi-boys, low-buoys, etc., also cut off all traffic on three lanes from right to left going into the Super Store or Canadian Tire. When snow covers all the painted lines because there is no proper alignment of road lanes, this is a major traffic accident waiting to happen.
South Lakeside Drive was never designed to handle traffic from Pioneer Development. All traffic in and out of the Walmart site was designed to go in and out at the four-way stop and the curb and gutter is already in place to exit in and out below the Pioneer Office complex.
Building a road where it was originally designed to go into the Walmart site and exit the Walmart site would give two ways into and out of South Lakeside, a major safety factor. As well, it would remove all traffic from South Lakeside Drive back to its original flow before Walmart was open. When the Pioneer site is fully developed there will be three times more commercial traffic, plus 250 to 350 residential properties, plus there is more undeveloped land – all inside City limits. There is no way you can move that much more traffic through South Lakeside Drive, no matter how much money you spend, aside from a road out of Walmart to Highway 20. If, in the future, an upgrade was needed to South Lakeside Drive, traffic could be detoured to allow more efficient construction at less cost.
I met with Councillors' (Surinderpal) Rathor and (Ivan) Bonnell several times this summer to discuss and observe obvious problems at the intersection lights, observing and discussing traffic flows and safety issues in the event of an accident. I also met with Mayor Cook at City Hall several times, and also Geoff Goodall - Acting CAO/GM of Planning and Operations. Mr. Goodall informed me I was the only person in Williams Lake that was unhappy with the upgrade. Mr. Goodall said he had no intention of even considering the original plan out of the Walmart site.
All the changes and money already spent on South Lakeside Drive have not made the road safer or faster. Money would have been better spent on the exit in the original design. Also, the City has a new plan to spend more money on a road that cannot possibly handle more traffic than that that is using the road each day now.
I do not believe I am the only person using Highway 20 and South Lakeside Drive that is unhappy with this intersection. Now is the time to voice your opinion. If this situation is not remedied soon, Lakeside residents will be facing traffic jams morning and evening, 365 days a year. Please fax, email or phone City Hall at 250 392-2311 and let them know your opinion.
Mr. Epp, Sr.'s letter below:
The traffic flow from South Lakeside Drive to Highway 20, before the fire hall was built and the changes to the road were made, was at a maximum for safety.
This was before the traffic light and road changes were made at the South Lakeside intersection. It worked like a four-way stop before the traffic light was installed.
From the light on South Lakeside Drive and Hodgson Road, for the next tenth of a kilometre there are eight possible left-hand turns into businesses; only one has a left turn signal light. All B-Trains, chip trucks, high-boys, flat deck trucks must stop on the roadway to wait for traffic to clear to make a left hand turn, piling up traffic behind them. The more traffic into Walmart will mean a longer wait time to turn left. This is unworkable.
Trucks delivering steel to Bea-Mac must stop traffic in both directions to allow the trucks to enter and leave. Traffic coming off of Highway 20 from the west to Canadian Tire or Super Store turn-off must cross three lanes of traffic, cutting all other drivers off from right to left.
Fuel tankers, hi-boys, low-buoys, etc., also cut off all traffic on three lanes from right to left going into the Super Store or Canadian Tire. When snow covers all the painted lines because there is no proper alignment of road lanes, this is a major traffic accident waiting to happen.
South Lakeside Drive was never designed to handle traffic from Pioneer Development. All traffic in and out of the Walmart site was designed to go in and out at the four-way stop and the curb and gutter is already in place to exit in and out below the Pioneer Office complex.
Building a road where it was originally designed to go into the Walmart site and exit the Walmart site would give two ways into and out of South Lakeside, a major safety factor. As well, it would remove all traffic from South Lakeside Drive back to its original flow before Walmart was open. When the Pioneer site is fully developed there will be three times more commercial traffic, plus 250 to 350 residential properties, plus there is more undeveloped land – all inside City limits. There is no way you can move that much more traffic through South Lakeside Drive, no matter how much money you spend, aside from a road out of Walmart to Highway 20. If, in the future, an upgrade was needed to South Lakeside Drive, traffic could be detoured to allow more efficient construction at less cost.
I met with Councillors' (Surinderpal) Rathor and (Ivan) Bonnell several times this summer to discuss and observe obvious problems at the intersection lights, observing and discussing traffic flows and safety issues in the event of an accident. I also met with Mayor Cook at City Hall several times, and also Geoff Goodall - Acting CAO/GM of Planning and Operations. Mr. Goodall informed me I was the only person in Williams Lake that was unhappy with the upgrade. Mr. Goodall said he had no intention of even considering the original plan out of the Walmart site.
All the changes and money already spent on South Lakeside Drive have not made the road safer or faster. Money would have been better spent on the exit in the original design. Also, the City has a new plan to spend more money on a road that cannot possibly handle more traffic than that that is using the road each day now.
I do not believe I am the only person using Highway 20 and South Lakeside Drive that is unhappy with this intersection. Now is the time to voice your opinion. If this situation is not remedied soon, Lakeside residents will be facing traffic jams morning and evening, 365 days a year. Please fax, email or phone City Hall at 250 392-2311 and let them know your opinion.
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