Whats Happening...

With the beautiful weather we've been having why not join one of the following hikes this weekend;

East Kootenay Outdoor Club - on Saturday October 2, Booth Creek Hills, wander the hills in the New Lake area west of Cranbrook. The larches should be in full colour.  Call Lorne at 250-426-8864

East Kootenay Outdoor Club - on Sunday October 3, Lois Creek Trails, Enjoy the fall colours while exploring the trails around Lois Creek, north of Kimberley. Call Linda at 250-427-1784

Finally for all you for all you book lovers The Friends of the Library and the Sunrise Rotary Club Annual Fall Book Sale is here.  The sale will be at the Tembec gym, opposite the Library on Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1 and 2nd. The first day of the sale (Wed. Sept. 29th) is for members only however a $10 membership to the Friends can be purchased at the door. You will also receive a 10% discount all days of the sale. Doors open daily at 9:30 AM and will close at 6:00 PM on Wed., Fri., and Saturday. The sale is open for late night shopping on Thurs. Sept. 30th until 9:00 PM.

RE: East Hill Boundary Expansion or Not?

For those of you who have asked us - we stand behind our letter to the editors of the Townsman and Advertiser and the article posted on the Cranbrook Guardian 100%.
We feel the quotes ( which are on record) speak for themselves.
If Mayor Manjak wishes to clarfiy that the East Hill Boundary expansion will NOT be revisited as part of the 2011 municipal election we will offer him a sincere and heartfelt apology.

Smart Growth and Why its important for Cranbrook.

Many communities are starting to recognize the advantages of Smart Growth. In tough economic times Smart Growth makes more sense than ever. A compact growth plan can save considerable money. The savings come from simple things like reducing the miles people have to drive and reducing the roads that need to be paved or patrolled.

With urban sprawl cities need to maintain roads, provide fire services, policing protection. Who has to pay to maintain the roads, provide fire and policing protection, basic services etc.?  Can cities financially sustain these type of developments? Is this a fiscally responsible way to plan our city? This does not mean "no development" as our critics often claim but rather a different type of development. According to the Growth Management Study which was finally released to the citizens of Cranbrook in September we will have a population which is older that average in British Columbia.  What sort of advantages could this bring to our community?  What style of homes will these people want to live in?  Where do they want to live in Cranbrook? We know other communities are seeing success in developing their downtown cores.  This seems to be the place many baby boomers want to live.  Let Cranbrook be an example to the rest of the province that compact and sustainable growth can build a vibrant, healthier and more fiscally responsible city. 
Several key steps to help communities grow smartly are:
- Develop and revitalize downtown areas

-create in-town residential development
- Build traditional, walk-able, compact neighborhoods
- Use conservation easements to protect the landscape and working ranches
- Avoid building developments in danger zones such as fire-prone wilderness areas or flood-prone riparian areas
- Avoid creating subdivisions that create burdens on other citizens

Huckleberries

A Masters Degree in huckleberries is unique but Andra Forney is a woman blazing her own path in the field of ethnobotany. So where does one go to research huckleberries? Right here in Cranbrook.

Andra Forney is a M.SC. candidate at the University of Victoria and she has spent the summer here in Cranbrook and in the surrounding area doing reseach about huckleberries She has spoken widely to the First Nations communities for whom the huckleberry was a very important food source. Efforts to preserve the berry included drying them over fires or in the sun and varied depending on local practice. Many other local people shared their stories of picking berries which were not only a food source but also provided many family memories. While peoples were forthcoming with stories about days spent picking huckleberries and huckleberry recipes they were not specific about their picking locations. Locations are a tightly guarded secret often only shared between family members.

While here Andra has been working with Michael Keefer of Keefer Ecological Services who has been doing ongoing research into Huckleberries as well. Michael has been looking at the effects of timber harvesting on huckelberries and why some huckleberry bushes produce in abundance. This will provide some insight into possible commercial production. There have been ongoing attempt to produce a huckleberry which would be able to be commercially harvested. Huckleberries like blueberries are very high in antioxidants and would be highly valued as a nutritional superfood. Perhaps this inability to purchase commercially grown Huckleberries has made them all the more special.

We hope you’ve enjoyed your summer with us Andra and good luck at University of Victoria this fall.

Around Town and Looking Good

Gerricks Sports



Sweet Gestures, Chocolate......and fresh coffee.



Cranbrook Community Forest Work Bee

Bush Saw Worker

Time for some for a well deserved rest

Another awesome volunteer!

Scouts having fun



Young and old working together



Working Hard



A Great Day for a BBQ

 On Saturday over 60 people took part in the Cranbrook Community Forest Work Bee Eco-Restoration Project.  A wide cross section of our community came out and participated including the Scouts and Girl  Guides.  Historically the forest has been much less heavily forested than it is presently. To keep the larger trees healthy some of the smaller trees must be removed.  With the help of bush saws over 1 hectare of land was worked.  Once the trees were cut down they had to be moved to the roadside so that they could be chipped.  The chips were then spread onto pathways.  There is still more chipping work to be done and this will be completed in October.  The project was very successful and will be part of an ongoing effort to keep the Cranbrook Community Forest healthy for future users.  Thanks to all the volunteers and organizers including the Cranbrook Community Forest Society, the Ministry of Forests and the Rocky Mountain Trench Society.

The Kootenay Grain Community Supported Agriculture Project

The Kootenay Grain Community Supported Agriculture project is a group of farmers and consumers in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, working together to reestablish support for farmers for the critical role they play in our lives, and to reconnect people with those who put food on their tables


A year ago I joined the Kootenay Grain Community Supported Agriculture project. I could not be happier with the outcome. I purchased a grain mill, mill my own flour and with the help of my trusty breadmaker enjoy healthy bread warm from the oven several days a week. I’ve learned to incorporate fresh, milled whole-grain flour into most of my baking and it never tasted better.  Believe it or not it does not involve as much work as you may think. With the modern machines on the market no water or horse power is necessary and the satisfaction of producing bread truly made from scratch has even involved seeing my husband eat more whole grain bread.

Part of the crop, Creston

This year has been great for grain yield and quality. Farmers estimate at least twice the yield to the past two years and they expect the harvest, cleaning and bagging to be finished by the first week of October. As a result more shares are available, so if interested, anyone can place an order now by going to the website

http://www.kootenaygraincsa.ca/.

Then go to Sign Up at the bottom of the page (make sure you scroll down to the bottom) and choose one or both of the farmers at click here. Both farmers can be reached by phone only or your order can be placed by e-mail to  kootenaygraincsa@gmail.com.  The Lawrences' phone number is (250) 428-7556 and the Huscrofts' is (250) 428-3349.

With this year’s abundant harvest purchasers will be receiving their grain almost immediately. There is no risk in wondering what your share of the harvest will be. This is a great year to try the system.

This year is also exciting, as the Lawrences' have passed their T3 organic certification level. In one more year they will be certified organic by PACS (Pacific Agricultural Certification Society)

You will be notified by email about pick up dates and places.

School District Pesticide Policy

If you have children in SD5 schools or are concerned about pesticide/herbicide use on our local school grounds you may wish to attend the following meeting:


Monday, September 27th at 10 am, a Draft Pesticide Policy will be presented at the Policy Committee Meeting of School District 5. The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. at the Board Office in Cranbrook in the Main Meeting Room. This is a public meeting and parents and interested stakeholders can attend.

What's Your Beef?

Harvest season is upon us and that includes for some, putting away a store of meat for the winter.   Hunters are out looking for their winter supply and knowing that those wild creatures have eaten wild grasses and berries without the addition of chemicals and hormones must be reassuring.  Have you considered buying some of your meat locally from a known source?  When meat is ordered locally you can ask what the animals are fed and where they graze. Seeing their living conditions can also be telling about the quality of the meat.  Several local producers have been present over the summer at the Saturday Market and smaller quantities are available from a number of farmers. 

The following information may give rise to extra thought about some of the protein in your diet.

Hormone-treated beef exports and CETA

http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=4298

Monday, July 26, 2010

One of the Harper government's main objectives in the Canada-European Union

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement negotiations appears to be ending

European Union restrictions on the import of hormone-treated beef from

Canada.

HEALTH RISKS

There has been strong opposition in Europe to hormone-treated beef due to

its associated health risks. Studies indicate that for women it can make

them more susceptible to breast cancer and other cancers, for pregnant women

it can affect the development of male fetuses, and for men it can lead to an

increased risk of prostate cancer. More on that in this London Daily Mail

news article from 2006,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-393666/Alarm-beef-link-breast-cancer.html.


More on the health impacts can also be read on the Beyond Factory Farming

website at http://beyondfactoryfarming.org/get-informed/health/hormones.


.

What’s Happening

Community Forest Workbee

What: Eco-system Restoration

When: Sept.25th –9 AM to 3 PM

Where: By Sylvan Lake Picnic site and south of that area
There will be a BBQ at noon to feed all of the hungry workers.
Contact Tara – 426- 0140 if you can help
We do need your help to continue the eco system restoration we started this spring. We are working in conjunction with the Ministry of Forests and the Rocky Mountain Trench Society to improve the health of the forest as well as fire proofing that area.
If you can donate even an hour or two we would appreciate your time.
Various jobs are available such as sapling pulling, brush saw work, swamping as well as moving chips. Come out and have some fun and meet new people as well as helping us out.

Brush saws require prior training. If you can participate in the training or on a work crew – contact Tara 426-0140  There will be a training session before work begins Saturday a.m.

Dress for the weather …bring gloves, hats, water bottles and good footwear -water will be available on site.

Parking is limited. We suggest you carpool, hike or bike to the site which is by the Sylvan Lake picnic site . When you see the red tent that is where we are. The work site can also be accessed by the forestry road from the north gate( Sandor Rentals and the fire suppression center).



Kootenay Outdoor Club

EKOC Saturday September 25 - Tokay Hills and Ha Ha Creek: Wander the hills and valleys and the high ridge looking down to Ha Ha Creek near Wardner. 1/1/2 Call Lorne 426-8864

EKOC Sunday September 26 - Mause Creek Tarns to Tanglefoot Lake: Hike past the old Victor Mine to the beautiful tarns, then over Tanglefoot Pass to the lake. From there, the optional climb up to Windy Pass. Fabulous views and probably alpine larch in their fall splendour. 2/3/3 Call Brian 417-5245


Studio Stage Door Centennial

Cocktails, Banquet and entertainment. Tickets at Lotus Books

Kimberley Fall Fair
Marysville Arena
Saturday September 25th 10 -6
Sunday September 26th 11-5

80’s Night at the Edge 
Saturday September 25th
The Edge Pub is hosting an evening of 80’s music. Dress in 80’s style

Jam Session at the Byng starting at 4:00pm
Saturday September 25th

Around Town and Looking Good

Equinox at The Community Garden

The visible signs of fall came in on cue - old sheets and remay covering the pumpkins, tomatoes and other frost sensitive produce, snow on the Steeples and those smiling sunflowers that might just not make it to seed but cheer us anyway. 

Helping Ronald McDonald House

Gord McArthur on one of his many climbs up the climbing wall in Rotary Park Saturday September18th
(Thanks to Nick Way for taking this photo!)

A special event was held next to the final Farmer’s Market of the season on Saturday September 18^th.  Climbers, friends and members of the First Baptist Church sponsored a fund raising event to support Ronald McDonald House. These young people know several local people who had need to use Ronald McDonald House in recent months and they thought this would be a fun way to support this much valued facility.  In the 24 hour period chosen, the three climbers, Gord McArthur, Travis Norrie and Jesse Cuthill climbed more than the height of Everest from sea level to the peak.  The climbing wall parts of which some come from their own back yards and were built by these three local climbers put together made this impressive wall. Donations enabled many people to enter the draw for many great items donated by local businesses such as High Country Sportwear.
Gratitude and applause to all the people involved in this great event.

and the winners are.....!

Cranbrook Community Forest and the East Hill

At the Council Meeting of Monday September 13th during a discussion about the proposed Rockyview Official Community Plan for this same area to the east currently outside of city limits, Manjak said, “As we have heard many times in conversation when the community forest was created, it is an interpretive forest, one that had specific uses in the plan (Community Forest Management Plan) and as we have heard from previous councillors, the city of Cranbrook was always assured that that piece of crown land was never intended to interfere with any long term growth needs of the city”.

Councillor Wavrecan went on to comment by saying, “A lot of controversy around the community forest has resulted from people who think that just because they walk in it and this is the only purpose they use it for, this is the only purpose the park is there for.”

At the Brown Bag Lunch of Tuesday September 14th Mayor Manjak assured the audience that Council valued the Community Forest Land. He went on to say in reference to the Community Forest, “ It stands between us and the only place for us to grow over the long term. I think quite frankly it’s what Sheldon (Isaman) says, that the parties should get together and put a new plan in place, put some new understandings in place, accept it and we just move on.”

Is the integrity of the Community Forest at stake?


What value do Cranbrook residents put on the Community Forest in 2010?

East Hill Boundary Expansion Over …… or Not

Mayor Manjak in reference to the defeat of the East Hill Boundary Referendum Monday November 16th 2009, Daily Townsman
“The Community has made their decision and we’ll honour and respect that. We will not be proceeding with the inclusion of the East Hill Lands as part of our community. It’s over”

“I respect the decision of the community. I’m not disappointed in the decision of the people because when we go to vote I respect what the decision is.”

Ten months later - on Wednesday, September 15th 2010 at the Chamber Luncheon, Mayor Manjak indicated that the East Hill expansion would become an election issue as, in his opinion, it is the only direction for the city to expand.

Putting the East Hill expansion issue on the table now without even waiting for his own staff’s analysis of the long awaited half million-dollar Growth Management Study is shocking.  City staff has had this document since May but the public has been advised that a complete analysis would take another 6 to 12 months. The study has only been available to the public since the September 13^th meeting of Council when it was posted on the City’s website.

Among other conclusions, the Growth Management Study clearly states Cranbrook has enough residential land for the next 57 years if development continues at the projected rate. The study also indicates that Cranbrook will soon be in need of commercial land. However this type of land is best suited to locations in close proximity to major transportation corridors none of which traverse the East Hill area. There is potential land within the city that was not considered in the study.

At the Chamber luncheon Mayor Manjak also made the statement that he was not going “to lie down to the voices of negativity and doubt”. No specifics were provided but his remark was clearly directed at anyone who questioned the East Hill Boundary expansion and sought an opportunity for informed public input and transparent decision making.

Ever since the East Hill Boundary expansion proposal was first brought forward, members of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society have advocated for an open public discussion on a vision for the City and options for growth. It appears that the opportunity for constructive public discussion on the future of our City has once more been denied and the matter has been reduced to a campaign issue with a win or lose outcome.

Members of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook take pride in their considerable research and factual information. We continue to stand behind the facts as we find them and welcome the opportunity for comment and discussion on issues affecting our City.

Do Mayor Manjak’s statements of last week mean he assigns no value to the Growth Management Study taxpayers of Cranbrook paid half a million dollars for?


Do Mayor Manjak’s statements of last week demonstrate respect for the democratic process?

Rails to Trails Officially Open

On Saturday September 18^th The Rails to Trails received its official Opening and ribbon cutting.  A sampling of cyclists, walkers and dogs were there to watch the event.  Mayor Jim Ogilvy thanked the many people involved in the construction of this project.  He especially thanked Al Skukas and Cranbrook City Councillor Bob Whetham. He recalled the day when they both approached him with their vision for the decommissioned  railbed.  He went on to thank municipal staff from Kimberley and Cranbrook for their work and especially CP Rail for without their donation of land this project would not have happened.  Rob Macintyre introduced the joint Rails to Trails Committee consisting of himself, chair, Jen Beswick, Cindy Welch, Dianne Butz, Al Skukas, JohnMandryk, Chris Belanger, and Peter McConnachie.  Al Skukas introduced  two special guests from the Trans Canada Trail organization, Deborah Apps from Calgary, CEO, of the National Trans Canada Trail and Jim Bishop from Vancouver, Director, soon to become chair on the National Board of Directors.  Al commented they look forward to this trail becoming part of the Trans Canada Trail.  The different levels of government were thanked for their major financial contributions to the final $1.8 million budget and the ribbon was cut.

John (Rails to Trails Committee) and Debbie Mandyk waiting for the action.

Key people instrumental in making Rails to Trails happen including (from left)Councillor Bob Whetham and Al Skukas who both had the original vision , Harold Sellars, Trans Canada Trail Project Facilitator BC,  Jim Bishop, Trans Canada Trail Board Member and incoming chair of the National Trans Canada Trail organisation , Deborah Apps CEO of the National Trans Canada Trail and Dave Savage, Trails BC.

If you have not been on or are unable to get on the trail this link provides some lovely photos;
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=635037

Cranbrook Community Forest Work Bee - Sept 25

Pictures of the Work Bee held in June

Bush Saw Worker



Feeding the hungry volunteers

 The Cranbrook Community Forest Society and the Rocky Mountain Trench Society are holding an Eco-restoration and fire suppression work bee in the Cranbrook Community Forest on Saturday, Sept 25 between 9am and 3pm.  We will be working near Sylvan Lake just off the forestry road.  Various jobs are available and any amount of effort will be greatly appreciated.  Come prepared to work and have fun. A BBQ will be held at noon to feed all the hungry volunteers.  Please come out to help show your support and love of the community forest. If you require and further information please contact Tara at 250-426-0140.

How Safe is Safe?

I took the food Safe Course a few days ago.. We learned how to watch those all important temperatures and time periods to keep your food safe from pathogens distributed or propagated by people - viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa and parasites. The mass food production methods, many handlers and processes our food passes through contribute to the need for us having to cook and clean like never before. I remember the time when we would pull a carrot from the ground and eat it, make a milk shake with raw egg because it was good for you, keep food in a pantry with the window open and cover products with a net. That was good enough. Now I know we have to take the precautions we do, but it is sad isn’t it that our food is so removed from the source and because it passes through so many processes and handlers it may become a danger to us? In my long distant youth we knew the green grocer and likely the farmer down the road who grew the produce. We knew the butcher who knew the farmers who supplied him meat and often we would buy our meat at the farm source.

Most foods are now produced commercially in such enormous quantities, (sometimes thousands of kilometres away) that when one item becomes infected with a pathogen, the likelihood is that many items are contaminated. It is sad that we have no idea what the animals were fed, what type of fertilizer was applied to our veggies and what pesticides were sprayed to keep our fruit perfect or even where our food was grown. Our hamburger meat could be a mixture from several animals, several farms or feedlots. The sign ‘Canada or USA’ gives rather broad options and the product could have been on the road for days. Worse is when the sign says nothing at all about origin. I worry that despite all the precautions about these pathogens we have knowledge of, we don’t give thought to all the other elements such as hormones, surface contaminants, pharmaceuticals or the feed/fertilizer that can affect or make their way into our food. The pathogens we now know about could be the tip of the iceberg in terms of what other parts of our food supply may harm us, or our offspring. I wonder when meat is stamped Government Inspected for example, just what it is inspected for. The information is not easy to find. For me this is another reason to buy locally, to know my food source and the people who produce it whenever possible, to visit the farms, and to be familiar with local food production.

Bear Alert Today

Thursday morning, September 16th. A bear has been reported near the entrance to the Cranbrook Community Forest and 2nd Street South. Please be on alert and do not enter the woods with your earplugs in and music turned up full volume. This is important for your safety. Be aware and be safe
.

Whats Happening

Saturday September 18th

The last Farmer’s Market for the Season

10th Avenue adjacent to Rotary Park


East Kootenay Outdoor Club weekend hikes

EKOC Saturday September 18 - Mayo Lake: Walk up an old logging road and through some open forest to a small shallow tarn at the base of Mt. McKay. This is up Meachem Creek near Whiteboar Lake. 3/2/3 Call Lorne 426-8864
EKOC Sunday September 19 - Kootenay River Conservancy: Take a pleasant walk out onto the river flats (below the LD ranch road) and hopefully see some wildlife. 1/1/1 Call Steve 427-7848

Rails to Trails official Opening September 18th

1:15p.m.in Kimberley and 2:00pm at the trail head on Collinson Road Cranbrook. Follow the signs at the North end of town off Highway 95A

CLC Society, Supporting Our Community

Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society Directors Wayne Stetski, Sharon Cross, and Tara Gillanders presented Louise Selby with monies that were raised from their pancake breakfast at last Saturdays Farmers Market.  Nearly $400 was raised for the Cranbrook and District Arts Council.  Please support the arts as it is vital to maintaining a vibrant and sustainable community. If you would like to make a donation or know more about the work our Arts Council does please go to their web site http://www.theartscouncil.ca/

Who Are We?

On July 2nd 2010 after the regular council meeting of June 28th 2010, it was reported in the Daily Townsman and confirmed from the recorded meeting, that some members of Council believe CLC members don’t want development and don’t want growth. The truth however is that members of Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook do support growth – well-planned, responsible, sustainable growth. This information is public and available for all to read. The myth that we do not support growth and development, one can only believe has been and continues to be used, to serve no other purpose than to deliberately and mischievously discredit our Society.

Members of Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook are a diverse group of people. It is unfortunate that there are people who prefer to put other people into boxes and label them for ease of association. Our members are active in many, many organizations (a partial listing is below). We are representative of the community at large. Our mandate is clearly stated in many locations including our website, blog and facebook page for all to read. We continue to fully research and report (with sources) true facts as we find them.

For those who would like to know more about our work and why we exist, we suggest talking to our members, reading this blog and our webpage http://www.livablecranbrook.org/, chatting on our facebook page and attending our meetings when they start up again in the Fall. We have a film night planned for October and a speaker in November.  We can also be found on occasion at the Cranbrook Farmers Market.

Note Mayor Vents, CLC Responds July 9th on this blog

Who are we?

North Star Ski Racers

Freewheelers

Members of the Arts Council

Chambers of Commerce and Mines



Clubs abound

4H

Lions

Garden

Outdoor and Kinsmen

Maverick Riding

Bigfoot Running

Orienteering

All can be found



That’s not to mention

Royal Canadian Legion

East Kootenay Hunters Association

East Kootenay Program for Conservation

plus these Organisations

Community Theatre

Community Forest

Cranbrook in Bloom

Clean Air

Friends of Fort Steele

Yes, Wildsight

But there are more

Including the Chamber Orchestra



You see

Rocky Mountain Naturalists

Rocky Mountain Trench Society

Joseph Creek Stream Keepers

United Way

And Rotary



That is not all

But enough I hope for you to see

We are as diverse as the Universe.

Please do not put us in a box

Or presume to know when you may not

The sum of our philosophy.

Around Town and Looking Good

Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch Tuesday September 14th

Roy Catherall brought up the subject of last night’s council meeting concerning the Community Forest. There was much discussion around what exactly the Community Forest is, a demonstration forest, an interpretation forest or something else. Mayor Manjak commented he realised this was valued land. Sheldon Isaman commented there is a lot of deadfall, which is a fire hazard within the forest and a discussion followed as to whose responsibility that is. Mayor Manjak commented that should there be a fire within the forest, the residential area adjacent to the land is in real jeopardy. At Mayor Manjak’s suggestion it was agreed he, Mayor Manjak would approach Minister Bennett for a meeting with the Community Forest Society to discuss and finally settle once and for all what exactly the Community Forest is and put in place some sort of new Management Plan to replace the old one put in place in the 1990's.

Selected Notes from the Council Meeting of September 13th 2010

This was a very full meeting of contrasting items.

1. The Needs Assessment Update on the Homeless Shelter presented by Captain Kirk Green, Conner Stewart and Al Campbell was most informative and positive. Good progress is being made in achieving the goal of a Shelter and Centre for the homeless people of Cranbrook. The focus of this presentation was the completion of a Needs Assessment. With an 85% urban population in BC and with Cranbrook being the regional centre for this part of BC, it is apparent Cranbrook has a responsibility and need to fill. It is estimated that in Cranbrook there are several hundred resident homeless. 112 men and 145 women have been identified. An even more shocking statistic of 50 to 70 children being impacted by difficult financial circumstance and inadequate living conditions was presented. This hard working coalition of different agencies including the City of Cranbrook, The Salvation Army, Community Foundation and BC Housing continues to work towards bringing this housing facility/centre to reality. It was pointed out that an investment of this kind would help reverse the downward spiral of desperation that comes with poverty. The health and well-being of those who work in the Social Services will also benefit by the possibility of actually being able to offer tangible help and hope. The committee sees the Shelter as an investment in the social fabric of Cranbrook.



2. Initial Discussion of The Growth Management Study showed up several items of concern.

· That the city faces an infrastructure deficit over the next few years of approximately 70 million dollars.

· Availability of Commercial Lands was a focus item for several councillors. However from Volume 1 page 22 of the Growth Management Study comes the statement,

Based on the foregoing assumptions, it is surmised that the current City boundary has

the capacity to house a population of approximately 36,000 or approximately double the

current population. At an average annual growth rate of 1.2%, it would take 57 years for

the City to reach a population of 36,000.

This information along with the potential for more commercial lands, not yet recognised needs to be reconciled.

· The Complexity of the document will require a 6 to 12 month assessment by staff.  Does this mean the public will not have the opportunity for comment before this time lapse?



3. Of interest to many was a report recommendation made by the city to the RDEK in reference to Area C’s (Rockyview) Official Community Plan.

Bylaw No. 2255, RDEK Referral Proposed Rockyview (Area C) Official Community Plan gave rise to some serious discussion. A clause that advised against the building of roads though the Community Forest has apparently been removed at the City’s request. In its place the request has been made to the RDEK by the city that the OCP (the official Planning Document for the area adjacent to city boundaries) be in compliance with the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan. One of the elements this high level plan deals with is, roads. Mayor Manjak’s comment in reference to the Community Forest Lands that “This piece of land was never intended to block any long term growth of the city” naturally gives rise to speculation. When questioned, Mayor Manjak said there was no hidden agenda in the request for reference to the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan. However it is common knowledge that the Community Forest is very highly valued by many residents of this community. No matter the original intent of this piece of Crown Land, as a Demonstration Forest or otherwise, the fact that it has become an integral part of the vitality, well-being and health of our community makes communication and assurance about its intended future of prime importance to many citizens. Mayor Manjak also commented that in the interests of long term needs for this community he felt the proposed recommendation for inclusion of the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan was important and made sense. He also went on to say “The only logical lands for growth are the East Hill Lands”. This statement would seem premature when earlier in this meeting it was stated that staff would need to take 6 to 12 months to analyse the Growth Management Study which contains the projected infrastructure costs should growth occur in any one direction.

Developers and or agent who were originally interested in the developments of the East Hill were present at this meeting of Council. It would be interesting to hear their thoughts on this issue.

Fabulous Fall Fair at Fort Steele

The weather may have been cool but the dispositions of those who attended were not. Despite the unseasonal skies, the turnout at yesterday’s fair was terrific and cars were eventually parked along the highway corridor after the fields reached capacity. The day provided a feast for the senses as one took in the produce displays, craft exhibits, photographs, music, food stands and demonstrations. Thank you to all those who provided this perfect opportunity for whole families including the family dogs to mix and mingle at their leisure while being entertained with good food, interesting exhibits and great background music.

'Ghost' the young Alpaca who was abandoned at birth and bottle fed by a loving human substitute met many admirers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                                                               A Healthy Beast!

Henny penny Bingo was a hit - literally .  If either Henny Penny deposited on your chosen square you earned a coupon to the ice cream parlour.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Riders and horses entertain to the music

A Pretty Bunch

The Blarney Pilgrims

 

Noxious/Invasive Weeds Exhibit

Veggie Critter Creations

Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Pancake Breakfast

Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society held a pancake breakfast at the Farmers Market on Saturday to raise monies for the Cranbrook and District Arts Council. The arts are vital in  helping to create a vibrant community. Unfortunately they have faced severe cutbacks in funding. Our society has been involved in several
local volunteer efforts to contribute to the improvement of Cranbrook and we stongly believe in the arts and how it contributes to a community both culturally and financially.
A lot of fun was had and a lot of people were fed.  Thank you to all our society members who came by and/or volunteered their time and efforts. Thanks also to Erna of the Cranbrook Farmers Market whose assistance was invaluable.
If you would like to help our  Cranbrook & District Arts Council please contact them at 250-426-4223 or at http://www.theartscouncil.ca/

Early Birds

Good Food, Good Company

The Happy Cookers

Underneath the Arches - the New Cranbrook Arches

The new Cranbrook Arches had their official opening yesterday, Saturday September 11th.

Applause and praise went out most deservedly to Fred Hoechsmann for his vision for this project and his tenacity to see it through. Fred, in his speech, thanked the many people who contributed to this idea becoming a reality. The large undertaking would not have been possible without the skills of Engineer Elmer Higgins, the stonemasons, the organizing committee of Gloria Hoechsmann Val Buchanan, Denise Pallesen, Russ Kinghorn and Chris Lindblad as well as the many donors who contributed financially. Fred reminded the audience that there are still finishing touches to be completed including a mural on the large currently blank wall that borders the entrance. It was also pointed out that the Rotary Way Trail is planned to join this intersection. Fundraising is still under way for these projects and the donation at the Opening Ceremony of $6000.00 from the East Kootenay Community Credit Union, will certainly help in their coming to fruition. Cranbrook can be very proud of the very many volunteers and donors who make large projects like this possible for our city. This historical replication will once again invite and welcome people into the core of our city.  To all those involved we thank you for recognising our history and helping to bring some of it back.

Fred Hoechsmann being interviewed for Shaw Cable

The landmark Cranbrook arches once marked the East and West entrances to the city and were one of the projects completed in the 1930’s by some of the many otherwise unemployed men at that time. A token wage, and for some, room and board were provided.

Old postcard of the East Arch showing a 1937 P4 Plymouth beneath

A line-up of vintage cars was parked under the arches for the opening ceremony. One of the cars, a 1937 P4 Plymouth, owned by Ivor Fredrickson was the same model, although not the same car, as seen in this old postcard of the East Arch.

Russ Kinghorn wearing his Grandfather’s

top hat emceed the ceremony in grand style!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

West Arch old postcard