By Birgit Stutz
The regularly scheduled meeting for the Village of McBride was held July 24 with Mayor Mike Frazier, Councillors Irene Rejman, Rick Thompson, Lori Kimpton and Raj Basran, Economic Development Officer Margaret Graine and Deputy Administrator/Treasurer Danielle Smith in attendance. Chief Administrative Officer Eliana Clements was absent. One member of the general public was present as well.
Reports
Mayor, councillors, and EDO provided verbal reports on activities.
Support for Canadian Energy Strategy
Councillor Thompson made a motion that the council of the Village of McBride adopts the statement of support in regards to a Canadian Energy Strategy, an effective tool to accelerate Canada’s transitions to an efficient low-carbon energy economy. The motion was seconded by Mayor Frazier and carried.
For more information, see “Towards a new energy accord: how and why a Canadian Energy Strategy can accelerate the nation’s transitions to a low-carbon economy” at tidescanada.org/energy/.
Support for Success by 6 program
Council received a letter from Kim Thorn, Success by 6 Outreach Co-ordinator for the Robson and Canoe Valleys inviting council to join the Robson and Canoe Valleys Success by 6 advisory committee. The committee meets three times a year in person, five to six times a year by tele-conference, and several times a year through email. Success by 6 supports young children and their families in the two valleys. Success by 6 has again made $10,000 available to this area for 2012/13 for projects that help children under six years of age have a greater chance of success in life.
Mayor Frazier made a motion that the Village of McBride supports Robson and Canoe Valleys’ Success by 6 program. The advisory committee is well represented. Council will decline representation at this time, but would like to request copies of the meeting minutes for council’s record. The motion was seconded by Councillor Thompson and carried.
Council opposes privatization of BC Liquor Distribution Branch
Council received a letter from Darryl Walker, president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union regarding the provincial government’s recent announcement of its intentions to privatize the province’s public liquor distribution system and sell off its warehouses. In his letter, Walker asked council to consider adopting a motion opposing the government’s intentions.
Mayor Frazier left the council chambers due to a conflict of interest. Acting Mayor Rejman resumed the chair at that time.
Councillor Thompson made the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Kimpton and carried.
That the Village of McBride Council opposes the Government’s plan to privatize the BC Liquor Distribution Branch warehouse by adopting the following moratorium:
Moratorium to privatize liquor distribution Village of McBride:
Whereas the provincial government, without consultation or business case, has announced plans to privatize the Liquor Distribution Branch distribution system and sell off its warehouses, which is the first step in the full privatization of our public liquor system including the liquor stores; and Whereas the sale of this profitable, socially responsible and proven public asset that generates almost a billion dollars a year in net income for health, education and other public services will lead to reduced revenues, higher consumer prices, less selection, and a host of social problems associated with liquor privatization that may fall on local governments to deal with:
Therefore be it resolved that council urge the provincial government to put a moratorium on the privatization of the Liquor Distribution Branch and to provide a formal vehicle, perhaps through appointment of a commissioner, a committee of MLAs, or similar means, for public discussion and community input into these issues.
After the resolution was passed, Mayor Frazier returned to the council chambers.
Emergency Program Bylaw
Mayor Frazier made a motion that the Village of McBride Emergency Program Bylaw No. 724 be given second and third reading. The motion was seconded by Councillor Rejman and carried.
Accounts payable report approved
Councillor Rejman made a motion that the June 2012 accounts payable report be received. The motion was seconded Councillor Basran and carried.
McBride public library
Council received a letter from Naomi Balla-Boudreau, library director of the McBride and District Public Library, asking council for support and informing council that the library’s current space can no longer provide adequately for the informational, technological and recreational needs of the community’s residents. In her letter, Boudreau wrote that “the Annex building is not viable as a long-term solution due to its condition, and to accommodate programs of more than five attendees we are required to move furniture and block our bookshelves. We are therefore beginning to explore what options may be available to expand the library facilities in order to better meet the community of McBride’s needs. As we seek outside resources for our expansion, our fundraising efforts would greatly benefit from a letter of support from the Village of McBride.”
Council instructed administration to schedule a meeting with the McBride Library board.
Council meetings open to the public
The next council meeting is scheduled for August 14. The public is reminded that the Village of McBride council meetings as well as the Village of McBride budget meetings are open to the public.
Dates for council meetings, agendas and minutes, as well as information on how to address council and provide input at a council meeting can be found on the Village of McBride website at www.mcbride.ca. For more information, contact the Village of McBride at (250) 569 2229. Additional information on village happenings can also be found on Councillor Thompson’s blog at www.rickthompson.webs.com. Both Councillor Thompson and Mayor Frazier also maintain a Facebook page with public information.
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