The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the Sept. 2 regular meeting of District of Sparwood council.

Lilac Terrace

Mr. Robert Burritt and Mr. Ernie Cook, representing the Elk Valley Seniors Housing Society attended the meeting to update council on the Lilac Terrace Expansion Project. To date the organization has raised $130,000 of their $400,000 goal. Tenders for the project close on September 9.

Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society

In 2013 the Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society (SOAPS) applied for and received a $25,000 Federal Grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to purchase and install outdoor fitness equipment at the Seniors Drop-In Centre. A request for additional financial support for the project was received by the district. Council approved a grant for pad installation, to be completed by a contractor of SOAPS choosing, up to a maximum amount of $4,328.

Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw

Bylaw 1156 cited as “Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 1156, 2014” was introduced and given first, second, and third reading. Under the Community Charter, Council may provide exemptions for certain properties for up to 10 years.

BC Climate Action Charter

The District of Sparwood received a letter of congratulations from the Green Communities Committee for successful efforts to measure and reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions for the 2013 reporting year.

A number of actions have been taken towards meeting the Charter commitments such as retrofitting energy intensive facilities, toilet rebate program, Water Smart Ambassador program, LED street light conversion, solar lighting on some trails, and water metering program.

The District of Sparwood has been awarded Level 2 recognition –‘Measurement’. In recognition of these achievements the district has received Green Communities branding for use on our website, letterhead, and public buildings and window decals.

East Kootenay Energy Diet

The East Kootenay Energy Diet (EKED) has been officially launched for another year!

District of Sparwood residents are invited to participate in the EKED and start seeing some energy and coast savings!

If you participated in the Energy Diet last year, but did not complete your retrofit, you are invited to access a FREE energy coaching session with a certified energy advisor to discuss your home evaluation report, and determine the best ‘next steps’ for you.

If you are ready to do some retrofits, there are two ways you can start saving:

1. Access rebates for simple home retrofits (one or two actions), or

2. Qualify for a $750 bonus incentive by completing three eligible actions.

If you would like to qualify for the $750 bonus incentive a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide home evaluation is required. District of Sparwood Council has decided to provide an incentive to reduce the cost of EnerGuide home evaluations through the East Kootenay Energy Diet.

For more information about the East Kootenay Energy Diet please contact Trish Dehnel at [email protected], toll free at 1-855-598-4134, or www.eked.ca.

This resource is made possible with funding support from the Regional District of East Kootenay, Columbia Basin Trust, and BC Hydro.

Be Bear Smart!

It is that time of year again when bears are bulking up for hibernation and eating as much food as possible. Bears have a very keen sense of smell and garbage or other food sources can easily attract bears to your property.

– Keep garbage in a secured shed or garage until pick up day. Never leave fish or meat remains outside or in your compost. Instead, put them in your freezer or a cold place until garbage day;

– Cooking oil, grease, dairy products or fruit should never be left outside or put in your compost.

– Try using lime to cut odour from your compost

– If you have fruit trees, pick the fruit as it ripens and clean up windfalls immediately. Remove any unwanted fruit trees.

– A fed bear is a dead bear – by ensuring that there are no attractants in our community the bears do not become habituated to human food sources.

2014 General Local Election Notice of Nomination

Public Notice is hereby given to the electors of the District of Sparwood that nominations will be received for each of the following offices:

District of Sparwood

Mayor one (1)

Councillors(s) six (6)

School District No. 5

School Trustee one (1)

Nominations for qualified candidates will be received by appointment with the Deputy Chief Election Officer (Karen Miles, 250-425-1252) during the following period at the District of Sparwood Municipal Office

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 30;

8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday, October to Thursday, October 9;

and 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, October 10.

NO NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 4 PM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10.

Qualifications for Office:

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of Council or the School Board if they:

1) Are a Canadian Citizen;

2) 18 years of age or older;

3) Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and

4) Are not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding the office.

Interested persons can obtain nomination packages from the District of Sparwood Municipal Office, 136 Spruce Avenue, during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

For information on the requirements and procedure for making a nomination, please call Sarann Press, Chief Election Officer at 1-844-807-2137.

Make sure you are on the District of Sparwood voters list

The District of Sparwood will be using the Provincial Voters List for the upcoming local government elections. To confirm that you are on the list, you may call or visit the District of Sparwood Municipal Office at 136 Spruce Avenue, 250-425-6271. Every person who meets the following requirements and is not listed on the current voters list may register as an elector of the District of Sparwood at the Municipal Office during regular office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday until September 23.

Resident Elector

a) Is a Canadian citizen; and

b) Is, OR will be on November 15, 2014, age 18 or older; and

c) Has been a resident of BC for the past six months; and

d) Has been a resident of the District of Sparwood for the past 30 days;

e) Is not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

Property Elector

a) Is not entitled to register as a resident elector of the District of Sparwood; and

b) Is a Canadian citizen;

c) Is, OR will be on November 15, 2014, age 18 or older; and

d) Has been a resident of BC for the past six months; and

e) has been a registered owner of real property in the District of Sparwood for the past 30 days (you will be required to show proof of ownership);

f) Has received the written consent of a majority of the registered owners of the property designating you as the one who may vote (only one person may vote on the property qualification no matter how many owners there may be);

g) Is not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

Upcoming meetings (In council chambers)

– Monday, September 15 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, September 29 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, October 6 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

---

Article Share

---