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October Mayor’s Message
By Mayor Ute Juras,
Village of Canal Flats
Here we are and it is already well into October. I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather and fall colours.
September was quite busy. Councillor Dean Midyette and I attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) annual conference in Whistler. We learned a lot, made some important contacts and enjoyed being able to compare notes with our colleagues from around the province. Our detailed reports were presented to council during the October 14 meeting and are available on the website.
Council has received a letter from Columbia Basin Trust informing us that they are embarking on a yearlong, Basin-wide engagement process called “Our Trust, Our Future.” This engagement will focus on receiving input from Basin residents on how the Trust’s staff, programs and processes can best support communities and residents into the future. It is a chance for CBT to connect with residents, reflect and celebrate our collective accomplishments over the past 20 years and seek input to renew their Strategic Priorities. For more information on this engagement in our annual Report to Residents on pages 14-17 (click on link to view). Stay tuned to the newsletter for ongoing updates.
At the October 14 meeting, council received the final report on the Tilley Memorial Park usage prepared by Sandra Butler. The report stated that $16,318 in revenues was collected for the 2014 season. Ms. Butler also pointed out the outstanding job done by the student employees. Way to go, Monika, West and Matthew!
A letter was also received from Minister Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, advising council that our application to exclude Thunderhill Park from our municipal boundary was granted. Since incorporation, council has been trying to get ownership of the park from the province, but was denied because the area is an important ungulate crossing. However, we have been responsible for the road leading up to the Findlay Forest Service Road. This has cost the taxpayer around $10,000 annually just on maintenance alone without getting any benefit from it.
Continuing with the agenda of the Oct. 14 meeting, council had a long discussion about the future of the golf course. One of the options discussed was the purchase of the land by the village. The opinions were very diverse; therefor, council decided to defer the issue to our next Planning and Priorities Session. This will give staff some time to research numbers and present a business plan on what it would entail to purchase the golf course and on options to operate it.
Council also awarded the contract for the firehall addition to Roy Bailey Construction in the amount of $149,625. The cost will partially be covered by the Gas Tax Funding and taxation.
Last but certainly not least; this will be my last Mayor’s Message prior to the upcoming election.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the candidates for stepping forward to let their name stand in the election. It takes a lot of courage to put yourselves out there and make this kind of commitment. I wish you all the best of luck. For the voters, stay tuned to the newsletter for the date of an upcoming All Candidates’ Forum.
In addition mark the following dates on your calendar: November 5 and 13 for advance polls and November 15 for General Election Day.
Be sure to exercise your right to vote!
