Former mayor throws his hat in the ring for councillor - October 5th edition

* Note, this story ran un-edited in last weeks paper, here is the correct version and apologies to Mr. Bonnell.

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

As a long-time resident of the community, Ivan Bonnell is concerned about a number of issues in the community including taxation and economic status, and has decided to run for a city councillor seat in the upcoming municipal election.

“There is a whole mess of matters,” said Bonnell, a former city mayor. “I am willing to offer my experience for the next three years.”

Bonnell has City Council has 14 years of council experience. Her served on City Council from 1988 to1999 and served as Mayor from 1999 to 2001.

Bonnell said he feels it is important for residents to know who is running and what they’re all about, so they can then make an educated decision after they have scrutinized

and checked the candidates out.

He also encourages individuals like himself to stick their name on the ballots as well, and he definitely encourages people to get out and vote.

“If people don’t participate, then we don’t have much of a democracy,” said Bonnell.

It is a big commitment, but he is comfortable of the level of involvement of councilor, and no intentions of running for mayor.

“I am willing to serve as a collective with the whole of council,” said Bonnell.

Some things he would like to work towards on council would to be continuing towards lowering crime, strengthening the economy, and he believes the community and council need to work together.

“There is strength in the community, we need to unite and work towards common goals,”said Bonnell.

Bonnell said as an outsider looking in there are still problems facing the community, mainly making the community at large feel safe which he doesn’t feel has happened yet, though he does say the City has made progress.

“There is still room for improvement,” said Bonnell. “We need to find ways to work corporately with the community to resolve social issues and the sense of insecurity.”

COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Tuesday, October 4, 201

Delegations

Karen Brunoro, Interior Health - Deni House Update

Karen Brunoro, 100 Mile House Residential Nurse Manager, gave council an update on the renovation of Deni House. Opening is expected Nov. 28, and Deni House is expected to be at capacity on December 15.

Regular Agenda

Application to the RCMP Contract Management Committee - Chief Administrative Officer

Council supported an application to Union of British Columbia Municipalities for the CAO to be appointed to the BC/Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee. The City of Williams Lake shares a common interest with other similar sized communities in having an accountable, cost effective municipal policing agreement and having a seat on the Committee would provide an opportunity to influence the success of the new RCMP contract.

Contact: Brian Carruthers at 250-392-1763

Permissive Tax Exemptions

Council gave first three readings to bylaws to approve 2012 permissive tax exemptions, including those for land surrounding a building for public worship and for land surrounding buildings of private schools. Staff recommends that the permissive tax exemptions (that do not involve public worship or school properties) apply only for a one-year period, thus becoming effective for 2012 only. Based on 2011 assessed values and taxation rates, the estimated total amount of taxes that would be imposed on the proposed properties if they were not tax exempt is approximately $176,069, an increase of $5,128 over the actual 2011 tax exemptions.

Contact: Pat Higgins at 250-392-1762

BC Transit - 2010/2011 Annual Performance Summary

Council received the 2010-2011 Annual Performance Summary for the Williams Lake Transit Service for information. Following years of consistent growth in ridership, in 2010/11 Williams Lake saw an overall decrease in ridership and revenues as well as a decrease in costs from the previous year. In spite of the decreases in ridership and revenues, the Williams Lake transit system, operating costs per ride and hour are within the average range of the comparable Tier 3 (Paratransit) in BC. It is expected that with the addition of two new low-floor buses with improved access and seating, transit ridership will increase in the future. Staff will be meeting with the BC Transit Regional Transit Manager to review the performance report in more detail and to identify strategies to improve performance and reduce costs.

Contact: Brian Carruthers at 250-392-1763

Revitalization Tax Exemption Application - Gecko Tree - 54 Mackenzie Avenue Council approved the Revitalization Tax Exemption application from Crystalee Baba for interior and exterior upgrades at 54 Mackenzie Avenue North; and authorized entering into a Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreement with Crystalee Baba. The Revitalization Tax Exemption program is available to individuals or companies who own property in the City’s Revitalization Tax Exemption Area who have carried out physical improvements to their property valued at $20,000 or more. The exemption would be equal to the amount of municipal property tax payable on the incremental increase (not total property taxes) in assessed value attributable to the improvement for a period of three years, and successful applicants may apply for a further three-year exemption.

Contact: Pat Higgins at 250-392-1762

Development Variance Permit #08-2011 - Signal Point Road

Council accepted the application for the Development Variance Permit from Brian & Rita Sowden, Risto & Susan Kurkiniemi and Rudolf & Cathie Durfeld requesting to reduce the exterior lot line setback from 3.0 m (9.84 ft) to 2.67 m (8.76 ft) for the existing cabin only in order to facilitate the registration of a lake access pursuant to section 75 of the Land Title Act as a condition of a proposed subdivision of the subject property. Council agreed to issue Development Variance Permit #08-2011 upon the adoption of Williams Lake Zoning Amendment No. 2099, 2009; and directed staff to issue notice of the application to property owners and tenants within 100 metres of the subject property advising of the time and date when the matter will be considered by Council. Council also forwarded the application to the Advisory Planning Commission for review and recommendation.

Contact: Geoff Goodall at 250-392-1766

Application to Homelessness Partnering Strategy

Council endorsed an application to the Government of Canada through the Homelessness Partnering Initiative for an amount up to $75,000. Staff are in the process of preparing an application to the Homelessness Partnering Initiative for the Knowledge Development Fund on Rural and Remote Homelessness. The proposed project will research the movement of homeless and homeless at risk from rural to urban communities and the information gathered for this project will assist in developing our Affordable Housing Strategy.

Contact: Anne Burrill at 250-392-8480

Financial Impact of Pool Closure

Council received a report from Director of Community Services Geoff Paynton regarding the financial impact of the closure of Sam Ketcham Pool this summer. When all impacts of the recent six week pool shutdown at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) to repair water leaks are accounted for, the negative impact to the CMRC budget will be approximately $98,500. The pool closed on June 30th and extensive work began to locate and repair the leak.

Work was completed and the pool re-opened on August 15th, six weeks later. During this time the fitness centre was kept open however the rest of the pool, and pool area, had to remain closed. This significantly impacted the drop-in customers who frequent the CMRC due to the variety of services they are usually able to partake in. Three complete swimming lesson sets were lost due to this closure and the fourth set was significantly depleted due to the inability to predict an exact opening date and the short time that was available to register for the lessons once the opening was known.

Contact: Geoff Paynton at 250-392-1786

Sam Ketcham Pool & Recreation Facilities Priorities

Council approved recommendations from Director of Community Services Geoff Paynton maintain the Sam Ketcham Pool as is, and to direct staff to begin planning work on a new option to replace the pool. This item has yet to be considered by the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors.

Contact: Geoff Paynton at 250-392-1786

Central Cariboo Arts & Culture 2012 Business and Financial Plans

Council endorsed the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture 2012 Business and Financial plans, and agreed to the addition of a business goal to include the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society's input into planning Canada Day Celebrations and Performances in the Park. The plans as presented recommend that the 2011 tax requisition for arts and culture remain the same as the 2010 requisition. This item has yet to be considered by the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors.

Contact: Geoff Paynton at 250-392-1786

Housing Need and Demand Study Funding

Council agreed to enter into a contribution agreement with Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the sum of $10,000 for the purposes of completing a Housing Need and Demand Study. The City applied the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for a Seed Grant to assist with a Regional Housing Need and Demand study that will inform the planning process for the redevelopment of Cariboo Lodge. The funds have been approved and this agreement is the formal contract for use of the funds.

Contact: Anne Burrill at 250-392-8480

Union of BC Municipalities Convention Report

Council received a report from the Chief Administrative Officer on the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention attended by Council in late September. Highlights include:

Meetings with Premier Christy Clark:

Mayor and Council had a private meeting with the Premier where the Mayor advised the Premier of the major issues facing the City and discussed the need for the sharing of resource development revenues with local governments that serve those developments. Additionally, the Mayor met with the Premier on 3 other occasions with the Cariboo Regional District and the three Beetle Action Committees to discuss Barkerville and to update the Premier on progress with BAC funding and continued collaboration between the BACs.

Meeting with Solicitor General and Acting Attorney General Shirley Bond:

Council discussed the recent successes in crime reduction and made a specific request for more flexible deployment of First Nations Policing resources within the City and the need for a Crime analyst for the Williams Lake RCMP detachment. Council also requested the Minister to consider a more equitable funding formula for Police-based Victim Services, reflecting crime and judicial case loads.

Meeting with Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ida Chong:

Council expressed their desire to see the Towns for Tomorrow funding program and more specifically the need for funding to address the Station House Gallery. Council also expressed the need for the sharing of resource development revenues with local governments that serve those developments.

RCMP ‘E’ Division:

Council met with Rob Morrison and Wayne Rideout of the RCMP to discuss the need for a Crime analyst for the Williams Lake RCMP detachment and more flexible deployment of First Nations Policing resources within the City.

Interior Health Authority:

Councillors Bourdon, Zacharias and Walters and CAO Carruthers joined a delegation from the CRD in a meeting with Dr. Embry and Dr. Halpenny of the IHA to discuss the need for funding to complete costing

estimates for the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Master Plan and to ensure implementation was prioritized in the IHA capital program.

UBCM Resolutions:

Council attended the Resolutions sessions which included consideration of two resolutions put forward by the City of Williams Lake. The Resolution to harmonize the Federal and Provincial Environmental Assessment processes was not endorsed due to a recent legal decision that doesn’t allow the Federal Government to divest its obligations under the EA Act. The Victim Services Funding resolution was passed. The resolution to eliminate MSP premiums for seniors was also passed.

Contact: Brian Carruthers at 250-392-1763

Proclamations

Foster Family Month – October 2011

Fire Prevention Week – October 9-15, 2011

Small Business Week – October 16-22, 2011

Next council meeting: October 18, 2011 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Educating parents on cyber safety

By Angie Mindus

Cariboo Advisor

The District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) is hosting a cyberspace safety presentation later this month to help protect children from the risks involved in using social networking and the Internet by educating their parents.

DPAC Parent Education Coordinator Shelley Wiggins, who is organizing the event, says social networking and the Internet in general is often voiced as a topic of concern by local parents.

“We are trying to giving the parents some tools they can use so they are better-equip to deal with the risks associated with these new and ever-changing technologies.”

Technologies speaker Steve Dotto will be giving an informative presentation called Cyber Safe which will outline the risks of social networking and Web 2.0 for youth and the tools parents need to come to terms with both the dangers and their role in protecting their children.

“Without fail the response of our audience is shock, concern and determination to take on the responsibility of our generation, namely protecting our youth in cyberspace,” Dotto says of his presentation.

If this event is well attended, Wiggins says DPAC is hoping to bring in more speakers on a number of topics suggested by parents. Parents wishing to request a future topic may write on the DPAC’s website at sd27dpac@hotmail.com or to www.sd27dpac.com. 

Tickets for Cyber Safe with Steve are $3 in advance available at Cariboo Memorial Complex, or $5 at the door. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. on October 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gibraltar Room. 

Parents are urged to leave their children at home due to the adult content of the program.

Man stabbed while breaking up fight

A victim and a suspect were both taken to hospital by police Sunday morning following a disturbance and stabbing at about 8:25 a.m. that morning on Midnight Drive.

According to police, a male and female were having an argument which lead to a physical altercation when another male allegedly stepped in to break up the incident and was stabbed through the upper thigh and hit with a broken rake handle.

Sgt. Rick Lebeuf said the suspect fled the scene on foot following the stabbing but was located by police and arrested. 

During the altercation the suspect had suffered a scalp laceration and was taken to hospital for treated, as was the victim.

“At the time of the incident the suspect failed to comply with conditions of his recognizance which he previously entered into on a Prince George investigation,” Lebeuf said.

Police are recommending two charges of assault with a weapon and one of failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking.

Stampeders split on the road despite advertsity

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The Williams Lake Stampeders split their two away games this past weekend with a very short bench. The Stamps had 14 players on Saturday for their game in Smithers and only 13 players for their Sunday match in Hazelton.

The Stamps put forth a great effort but lost to the hometown Steelheads with a score of 6-4 on Saturday night. On Sunday, with just 13 players, the Stamps offence pounced on the Hazelton Wolverines and notched eight goals, winning with a score of 8-3.

STAMPEDERS HOME GAME

The now 2-1 Stamps will be back at home this weekend for a single home weekend game Saturday evening against the visiting Hazelton Wolverines.  

The Stampeders and Quesnel Kangaroos will then renew their long-time rivalry the following weekend, as Quesnel will make the journey south to play Williams Lake October 22.

Curling: Chess on Ice

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

Some people may look at curling and see a sport that can come across as somewhat boring, but when you take a closer look what you find might surprise you.

The Williams Lake Curling Club held an open house last Saturday encouraging lakecity residents to come out and try the sport for themselves to see what it’s all about.

Laura Ball has been curling for the past 15 years and was recently brought on as a coordinator, a position she says she is excited about.

“I love to curl and any opportunity to expand the club is great,” said Ball.

For Ball, the sport has become a family affair with her two daughters Jessica and Michelle curling for the past six or so years at the club with her.

The girls say they love the challenge of the sport, and though it may look easy not everybody can pick it up.

“I like that (curling) is laid back, but that there is a challenge to it,” says Michelle.

Their mom compares the game to chess and says it’s a sport for kids who like a challenge.

“It’s a strategic game of trying to (oust) your opposition,” said Ball.

For newcomers to the sport it can be a little intimidating with all the experienced players seeming to talk in another language between getting into the ‘hack,’ calling for a ‘chip,’ and all the yelling of ‘hard’ or ‘hurry.’ But the Ball girls reassure everyone that once they get the hang of it, curling is a lot more fun than it looks on television.

For long time curler John Shepard, it’s all about the comradery of the game that he loves the most.

“It doesn’t look like a whole lot of fun, but when you get on the ice it is a lot of fun with the social aspect added in,” says Shepard.

Shepard has been curling for 40 years, sponsoring ice for the last six years plus she currently curls with three different leagues.

She said the open house was about showing off the sport to newcomers, and Bert Cons had the pleasure of doing just that. He showed 13-year-old Devon Hill the basics.

“We got some curlers out today, and if we can keep them interested like they are today, then they’ll do pretty good,” says Cons.

Cons says curling is a great winter sport for all ages.

Ball says in Williams Lake more kids play hockey, but she’s hoping she can convert some to at least come try curling.

“I love curling and I think everyone should at least try it,” says Ball. “You wont know if you like until you get out and try.”

Boitanio Park transformed for District Cross-Counrty Run - October 12 Edition

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

It may not sound like far, but 1.5 kilometre is a pretty good distance to run -- just ask all the elementary students who ran in this year’s District Cross Country Run held at Boitanio Park last week.

The park was turned into a racecourse with loud, cheering spectators Tuesday and Thursday afternoon as children aged eight-to-ten-years-old and 11 and 12-year-olds raced for top spots.

Both afternoons were gorgeous blue-sky days with the sun shining down and both days had great parent turnout to come cheer on the children.

This year there were students from across the district, with runners from as far away as Alexis Creek.

“I think it’s the best event the School District holds for school spirit,” said Kelly Feldinger, a parent.

“It’s good for them to see kids from other schools.”

Grade 6 student Faith Meyers said she wanted to give the run a try even though she doesn’t love running because her friend Emma Feldinger who does like to run convinced her to participate.

The girls said they trained for a week for the run at school and were looking forward to the race.

First place finishers for Thursday’s races were Kassidy Herrick from Nesika for the 11-year-old girls, Dillion Derose from Kwaleen Traditional for the 11-year-old boys, Faith Outhouse from Cataline for the 12-year-old girls, and Connley Pinette from Sacred Heart for the 12-year-old boys.

First place finishers from Tuesday’s races were Tanner Dyck from Kwaleen Traditional for the 10-year-old boys, Elizabeth Cassler from Mountview for the 10-year-old girls, Jack Henderson from 150 Mile for the nine-year-old boys, Paige Outhouse from Cataline for the nine-year-old girls, Finnely Enns from Mountview for the eight-year-old boys and Claire Brown from 150 Mile for the eight-year-old girls. 

Runners who placed from first to twentieth received ribbons, while the rest of the runners received ‘I survived’ ribbons.

Older students called ‘rabbits’ ran ahead in each race to lead the way for the younger runners. In the 11-year-old girls’ race the ‘rabbit’ had a hard time staying in front with Kassidy Herrick overtaking her near the end. Grant Gustafson, Nesika Elementary principal, thinks she may have even broken a school record with her time.

Another ‘rabbit’ that had a hard time keeping ahead was the one running with the 12-year-old boys. Pinette managed to overtake his ‘rabbit’ as well near the end of the race.

Over all it was a great couple of days according to Gustafson and he said that was in part to a great turnout of spectators and the great weather they received.