Acting Mayors Monthly Editorial, May 2026

By Amy Cardozo

As I wrap up my first month serving as Acting Mayor, I can say it’s been a busy and rewarding start. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to attend the Mine Rescue Competition and banquet, participate in the carp flag raising alongside daycare children and kindergarten students, attend Regional District of East Kootenay meetings, and continue with our regular council meetings.

It’s been wonderful connecting with residents, community groups, and district staff as we head into another busy season in the District of Sparwood.

With June just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to Coal Miner Days during the second week of June. It’s always one of the highlights of the year and a great reminder of the strong community spirit we have in Sparwood.

One topic that continues to be top of mind for many residents is bears and household garbage. Since the introduction of curbside recycling, garbage pickup has moved to biweekly collection, and I know many residents are frustrated with the change. I’ve asked staff to bring a report back to council so we can review, discuss and evaluate concerns.

In the meantime, I also want to remind residents that bear bins are bear resistant, not bear proof. They should still be stored inside a shed or garage whenever possible or secured to something that prevents bears from dragging them away. Small actions can make a big difference in helping reduce wildlife conflicts in our community.

I’d also encourage residents to make use of the Service Request Form available on the District of Sparwood website. Whether it’s reporting an issue with roads, parks, utilities, bylaw concerns, or other municipal matters, the form is a helpful way to ensure concerns are directed to the appropriate department and addressed as efficiently as possible.

Council has recently approved the new Fitness Class Pricing For Active Living Pass Holders Policy 2017-01. This Policy establishes a blended pricing model for the registration for fitness classes for Active Living Pass holders. Adult, Student, and Senior Active Living Pass holders are now able to attend fitness classes with blended fee approach where the cost of a class will be subtracted by the applicable drop-in rate for the pass holder type.

For more information, program schedules or to register for fitness classes visit sparwood.recdesk.com.

Finally, May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. With the recent motorcycle accidents near Sparwood, including the tragic loss of a rider, this message feels especially important right now. As more motorcycles return to our roads, I’d like to remind everyone to take a second look before turning or changing lanes. Motorcyclists are smaller and sometimes harder to see, especially at intersections.

To riders, please continue to ride safely, wear proper gear, and stay visible. A little extra awareness from all road users goes a long way in helping everyone get home safely.

As always, thank you for continuing to stay engaged, ask questions, and be part of what makes Sparwood such a strong community.

e-KNOW file photo

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