Wayne Stetski to Run for Mayor

Wayne Stetski

Congratulations to Wayne Stetski on his announcement that he will be running for the position of Mayor of Cranbrook in this November's Municipal Election.  He was only 204 votes shy of winning in 2008.  

The citizens of Cranbrook threw strong support behind Stetski then, and he is looking for a strong voter mandate this fall to support his vision and growth platform for the city.

“Over 46% of voters said they wanted my kind of leadership in 2008. I believe strongly that we simply need to get the word out to more people this time,” said Stetski, a longtime resident of Cranbrook and former Regional Manager of the BC Ministry of Environment.

He says that Cranbrook needs to change its approach to governance in order to really tap into its potential. And collaboration is key to implementing change and capitalizing on opportunities.

“My approach to governance is pretty straight forward,” Stetski explains. “Always represent our citizen’s interests first, and if an idea makes good sense, find a way to get it done and make it happen. We haven’t always had that in the past.  As mayor, I’ll make sure that happens.”

“By working together we can achieve a beautiful city, a new stronger economy, and an empowered community” Stetski said.

Wayne is a proven leader with the vision and heart for Cranbrook. He welcomes, respects and learns from diverse opinions and he believes that this open and cooperative approach is critical to bringing Cranbrook together and to building a better future for this world-class location.

“We live in the sunniest city in British Columbia and are surrounded by an incredible environment,” Wayne said. “When you combine that with a progressive college, a regional hospital and airport, our rich First Nations and European history, and the passion that our citizens have for our city, all of the ingredients are there to build a 21^st century economy and a healthy community.

“But we’ve got to bring all this together in new and better ways. We need everyone at the table being heard. And then we’ve got go forward with more clarity and intent,” he asserts.

“There are a number of challenges we need to work on including encouraging business that will pay a Livable Wage to keep our kids in Cranbrook; improving our entrances to Cranbrook and making the Hwy 3 strip at least more interesting.

“We have to provide greater incentives for businesses to invest downtown; determine the most appropriate approach to building an underpass or an overpass across the railway tracks; continue improving our roads and infrastructure.

“I believe the best way to do this is to keep general tax increases reasonably low and to let the citizens of Cranbrook decide on what else should be done, and what more they are willing to pay, via referendum. The people have to be heard more clearly.”

Stetski has always believed in giving back to Cranbrook in leadership roles. He has chaired the United Way of Cranbrook and Kimberley, the College of the Rockies University Studies Math and Science Programs Advisory Committee. He was a member of the City’s Advisory Planning Commission, Vice President of the Citizens For A Livable Cranbrook, a Judge for the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He has also been a Scout’s Canada Beaver leader and a volunteer with the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Program and with his church.

Wayne and his wife Audrey have lived in Cranbrook for 21 years. During that time he has served the people and the environment of the Kootenays as Regional Manager responsible for Provincial Parks, Fish and Wildlife and Ecosystems and has managed multi-million dollar annual budgets.  He was Co-chair of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program for the Columbia Basin, and sat as the Provincial Authority Member for Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. He has experience working in the non-profit sector as Manager of the East Kootenay Conservation Program.  In 2004 Mr. Stetski was recognized provincially for his ability to bring people together when he and his staff received a Premier’s Award for Promoting Innovation and Excellence in Partnerships.

Wayne believes in healthy kids and a healthy community. He has served as a Manager and Coach with Cranbrook Minor Hockey and Minor Ball and has been a Manager and player on several Slo-pitch ball teams. He also loves to hike, mountain bike, camp, curl and cross-country ski, and has been a Kootenay Ice Season Ticket holder for eight years.

“We need to do all we can to encourage healthy activities and to move further on becoming a safe cycling and walking community. That means linking Cranbrook together with sidewalks and trails and expanding the network linking North Star Rails to Trails to the Rotary Trail and to the Trans Canada Trail System. It would also be great to have a Bike Skills Park in Cranbrook,” Stetski says.

Fewer than 4500 votes were cast in the election for Mayor in 2008. Wayne would really like to see a much higher voter turnout this election.

 “It is really important to Cranbrook’s future that citizens get out and vote via mail-in ballot (new this year), at the Advance Polls on October 27, November 9 and 16, or during the general election on November 19. The best way to see a new vision in place for Cranbrook and its future is for voters, including new voters, to head to the polls and vote for a leader with the vision and heart who is truly connected to the people of Cranbrook!”

If you would like to learn more about Mr. Stetski’s background, qualifications and platform, go to his website www.stetski.com, look for him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, email him at wayne@stetski.com or phone him at 250.919.1834.

                                                   

For further information:

Wayne Stetski

250. 919.1834

wayne@stetski.com

www.stetski.com        

       

Municipal Auditor General - Coming Soon to a Community Near You?

The Liberal Government has informed municipalities that they are planning to put into place a Municipal Auditor General (MAG) to oversee local government spending. Needless to say this decision has not been warmly met by most municipal governments  including our own City Council. Concerns include who will pay for it, increased bureaucracy, duplication of auditing which is already required, why is the province creating a solution when there might not be a problem and the removal of decision making from our democratically elected officials.

Our City does have an open budgeting process and Council Meetings are open to the public. The provincial government believes that the MAG will provide taxpayers with increased assurance that their tax dollars are being well spent.  Many business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce are supportive of the idea of a MAG. The Chamber feels that a MAG would support their policy that the traditional tax model of most municipalities ,which charge businesses more than residential homeowners, is wrong.  Many homeowners who feel they are already heavily taxed might disagree.

This will become a real hot button issue and and we should all be paying attention to it.  In the upcoming municipal elections, Nov 19, we should be asking the candidates what their stand is on the MAG. What do you think? Do you think that our City Council needs some oversight by the province on their spending?

Should Motorized Vehicles Have Use of Rails to Trails?

Rails to Trails or Rail Trails exist on most continents. They are incredibly popular which is why this blog receives almost as many hits on The North Star Trail as our post on the Passivhaus another favorite world-wide topic.

With the demise of railways as a method for people transportation, many railways throughout the globe have been decommissioned and turned over to community groups and city authorities for repurposing. Our local trail is not unique. The favorite new purpose is to convert these old rail beds into routes for non-vehicular and non-polluting transportation. Many choose to use them for recreation as we have witnessed on our own North Star Trail but many people in different parts of the world including Canada and Cranbrook use them to commute.

There is a growing awareness of the necessity to refamiliarise ourselves with the use of non-polluting, non oil-consuming methods of transportation. Those who use the trails appreciate the quiet, the sounds and sights of a more natural environment, the safety and cleaner air. They are also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable future and these are the reasons they are popular.

There are loud rumblings however from a movement of ATV associations to gain use of the trails. The Trans Canada Trail Committee issued a news release, http://www.trailsbc.ca/download/TrailsBC_News_Release_Aug08.pdf on August 12 stating their concern over this issue. It included the information that degradation and vandalizing by deliberate removal of signs indicating ‘NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES’ has been occurring in some areas particularly on the Kettle Valley Trail.
More background information at  http://www.trailsbc.ca/download/TrailsBC_BackGrounder_Aug08.pdf

It should be noted in some parts of Canada snowmobile use of trails has been permitted. This has not been the case in BC.

If you believe that this is an issue of concern to you, the future of our trails and environment, we urge you to write an e-mail or better yet a letter to the minister responsible for trails in the province, the Honorable Steve Thomson and to your local MLA’s. It could be worthwhile to also send to the premier, and even some of the government MLA’s of the southern Interior.

Political Contacts

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations- Hon. Steve Thomson

MLA- Kelowna Mission

FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca


P.O. Box 9049

Stn Prov Govt

VICTORIA BC V8W 9E2

Premier Christy Clark

premier@gov.bc.ca

Okanagan Westside MLA Ben Stewart ben.stewart.mla@leg.bc.ca

Kelowna Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick norm.letnick.mla@leg.bc.ca

East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett bill.bennett.mla@leg.bc.ca
(just appointed to the government land use and environment committee)


For more information

Contact:

Trails BC - Responsible for establishing the Trans Canada Trail in BC

Léon Lebrun, Vice-President or Al Skucas, President, Trails BC, trailsbc@trailsbc.ca

Phone: 604-737-3188

Trans Canada Trail National

Deborah Apps, President and CEO, Trans Canada, info@tctrail.ca
1-800-465-3636

For more background information on Rails to Trails
http://www.railstotrails.org/index.html
http://www.railtrail.com/ca/

Western Canada Sheep Herding Championships

Some trophies, 

some very healthy sheep from a Hutterite Colony and

 incredible weather in a stunning environment all set the scene for a great show of sheep herding skills.

Ray Van Steinberg welcomes the finalists to his Pine Butte Ranch and the competition.

Riders carry flags representing participants home locations.

Finalists

Struan Robertson commentating

Lance Cuthill with sister-in-law Jean who had come from Dawson Creek



Jenny works with Hemp to separate the marked from the unmarked sheep


 

 Giving Commands






After all that work there's nothing like a quick jump in the pool!

Or a ride home!

Many Thanks to all those who organised this fabulous event and allowed the public to be part of it.



Hot Dogs



Cranbrook's Annual Dog Show is always held on this last weekend of August but there is no predicting the weather from year to year.  Last year it was wet, very wet and chilly.

This year dogs almost needed to be wet to be comfortable but  this is Joe and he's cool!

Joe



 



Amadeus



Tessa who was fairly new at this stuff .

Shroeder on the other hand was newly retired and certainly received the respect (a few extra treats)owed to retirees.  Marmaduke looks on a little disgruntled.

Every bit a gorgeous 'Ava'

Indi, a foxy looking Shiba Inu

Storm -  Newfoundland Landseer

In the wing

and in the ring.

The show continues today, Sunday and Moir Park is a great venue so there is still time to see some of the action.

Gussied Up

Doggy Doo Composter

It is possible to compost dog doo and this works very successfully if the pit is located next to a tree and shrub border. The hardest part of this project is digging the hole.


1. Take and old garbage can, (plastic is easier to work with) and drill some holes in the side.

2. Cut out the bottom

3. Dig a hole in the ground, deep enough for the garbage can.

4. Place some rocks or gravel in the hole for drainage and position the garbage can so it's a little higher than the soil level.

5. Place the clearly marked lid on top.

6. Add the poop and sprinkle in some septic tank starter. Adding a little water helps get the decomposition going.

7. Dog doo can be added daily along with a little water if necessary. If it looks as though decomposition is slowing down add a little more starter.

8. As the waste breaks down it leaches into the soil and helps to feed the trees and shrubs in the area.

9. Do not remove this type of compost for general garden use.

Dealing with Dog Doo

Letters to the Townsman especially in the spring often complain about the doggy doo situation on our pathways.  Responsible dog owners clean up after their dogs but it is not unusual to see a dog owner gazing around with their little baggy and wondering what to do with it.  Cranbrook has few, if any city dog doo disposal stations.   There must be a way to improve this situation - a dollar or two extra on the license maybe or is Victoria and Nanaimo's idea worth pursuing?

Nainamo seems to have scooped up a great opportunity to reduce the cost of their existing system.

Dog doo Advertising Cuts Cost of Disposable Baggies

Enviro-Smart Biodegradable Products Takes Over City Contract for Five Years
Derek Spalding, The Daily News, Nanaimo
Published: Thursday, July 14, 2011

Bagging dog doo-doo just got tremendously cheaper in Nanaimo thanks to an opportunity to advertise on disposable dog-waste bags.

The city partnered with a private company in a deal that will nearly triple the number of dog-waste bag dispensers in dog-friendly parks. The agreement will outright eliminate the annual $25,000 bill for buying disposable bags.

Enviro-Smart Biodegradable Products will sell the city 60 new bag dispensers at a cost of about $6,000, but the company will take on the annual costs of supplying the bags. In return, Enviro-Smart can generate money by selling advertising space on the dispensers and bags. Such space could be ideal for dog daycare centres and pet supply stores.

Nanaimo's parks commission had considered raising dog licence fees to help pay for such services, but the public opposed this tactic simply because not everyone uses the service. Coun. Fred Pattje did not agree with selling advertising on doo-doo bags, but eventually he came to agree with his fellow parks commission members.

"We see this arrangement as a win all around as it allows us to redirect some maintenance funds to other worthwhile projects," said Coun. Fred Pattje. "It will increase the level of service for dog owners, help reduce the risk to the public by increasing the availability of options for proper disposal of pet waste, and organizations that purchase sponsorship space get a chance to sponsor an important community service."

The new dispensers hold more bags than the current ones, which will require less maintenance from city staff.

Nanaimo has 35 bag dispensers and purchases about 500,000 bags a year. An increased number of bags will better service approximately 10,000 dogs that live in the city.

Advertising on the biodegradable bags used to collect dog feces is not a new practice. The city borrowed the idea from Victoria, which has already moved ahead with its own cost-cutting measures. Victoria uses about 1.5 million bags per year.

Saving Nanaimo taxpayers $25,000 a year was incentive enough for Pattje to agree with this project.

"This was just one of those good ideas that works for everyone involved," he explained on Wednesday.

We’re Going to the Dogs

None can deny the importance of man’s best friend in our in our lives. They keep us company, relieve our stress, get us out, are always happy to see us and sometimes they still work for us. Events such as the Bootleg Dog Sled Races, Canadian Sheep Herding Championships and this weekend’s Cranbrook and District’s Kennel Club Annual Dog Show celebrate the important part dogs play in our lives. Good news dog stories frequently provide light relief on daily news programs but sometimes those stories equally point out cruel human qualities. Poor dog behaviour is nearly always a result of the dog owner’s treatment or lack of.

There are two opportunities to see the very best in dog and human interaction and behaviour this weekend – The Cranbrook and District Kennel Club Dog Show going on all weekend at Moir Park and the Sheep Herding Championships at Pine Butte Ranch.

Pine Butte Ranch is well signed off the highway on the way to Kimberley.

Clifford the Big Red Dog, a favorite series of stories for children illustrates the BIG presence dogs have in our lives.

What's Happening...

Friday, August 26, Saturday August 27, and; Sunday August 28

Canadian Sheep Herding Championships
Pine Butte Ranch on Pighin Rd. off Hwy 95 at Wycliffe
For more information please call Penny at 250-427-5262

Weekend of August 26th to August 28th
Cranbrook & District Kennel Club 37th Annual Dog Show
Moir Park

Friday, August 26

Mirja Wahala at Fisher Peak Art Gallery
Mirja Wahal, Castlegar artist will demonstrate how a painting can be built.
10am-2pm at Fisher Peak Art Gallery

Saturday, August 27

Mower Nationals in Cranbrook
Missionview  Moving and Storage on Godderis Rd.
Races start at 4pm. Admission is Free. Live Music
To register for the race or more information please call 250-489-8772

Saturday, August 27

East Kootenay Outdoor Club Hike
Moyie River from Lumberton
Call Lorne at 250-426-8864

Saturday, August 27

Back to School Fundraiser
Staples hold its annual Back to School Supply Drive and Bake Sale
All proceeds to Amy Woodland and Pinewood students

Sunday, August 28

East Kootenay Outdoor Club Hike
Bootleg Mountain Ridge
Call Wayne at 250-432-0083

Tuesday, August 30

Fossil Treasure Hunt
Crack open rocks to discover trilobite fossils at Fort Steele
Tuesdays through Sundays from 10am to 5pm

Wednesday, August 31

Dancing in the Park
This is the last instalment of Dancing in the Park.
Rotary Park starting at 7pm.
For more information please call Randy Tapp at 250-426-1142

Key City Theatre's 20th  Anniversary Season
on Sale August 2011
Key City Theatre is getting ready for their 20th Anniversary Season.
Season packages on sale in August  2011.

From Stockholm to Cranbrook

Much about water is being discussed in Stockholm this week. It is all to easy to take our water supply for granted and so to help put us into a bigger context.....

Global leaders convening August 22nd at the opening session of the 2011 World Water Week in Stockholm called for increased investments in disaster-resilient infrastructure and smarter water management to avoid droughts, floods and pollution from further threatening the food, energy, and water security in a rapidly urbanising world.


An excerpt from the Opening speech, World Water Week August 22nd 2011, Stockholm

By Mr. Anders Berntell, Executive Director, SIWI.


The Water, Food and Energy nexus is something that needs more attention, given the obvious interlinkages, but also the huge potential for using the resources more efficiently, finding the synergies. Securing water, energy and food is central to alleviating poverty and creating a robust and climate resilient, green economy. Population growth and rapidly increasing economic activity are expected to increase the demand for energy and food and creating unsustainable pressure on water resources. By 2030 in a business as usual scenario, humanity’s demand for water is predicted to outstrip supply by as much as 40 per cent, which would place water, energy and food security at risk, hamper economic development, lead to social and geopolitical tensions and cause irreparable environmental damage in mature and developing economies alike.


The political leadership at local, national, regional and global level must take concerted action to manage water, energy and food more efficiently, otherwise water shortages will choke emerging economies and inhibit growth in developing economies, keeping billions of people trapped in poverty and destroy ecosystems.


The whole speech can be listened to and viewed here:

Cranbrook Bike Skills Park

Upon hearing from the Cranbrook Bike Skills Society and their plans to build a bike park (beside the Skate Park) I began to look at other communities and their bike parks. The frequent refrain in Cranbrook from young people is "there is nothing to do."  Providing our youth a safe and local outlet for some of their passions is always a good thing. Quesnel is working on their bike park as we speak and most of the work is being done by keen volunteers. Communities such as Whistler, Kimberley, and Fernie all have bike parks that are used by locals but also by tourists. Our City Council seemed supportive of the idea of a bike park but encouraged the Society to garner support from the local neighbourhood around the proposed park. I hope we will be able to overcome any concerns about the park and build a wonderful facility that will be used by many people here in Cranbrook.

Do the Math

Ask yourself what growth rate you think would be ideal for Cranbrook.  Then watch this video - hang in there.  If the figures get a bit much don't worry, you'll get it.  This is the first of 8 - just click on 'up next' to keep going.



If this doesn't play right away double click on the YouTube icon at the bottom.

Jack Layton's Last Letter

Jack Layton Letter To Canadians: NDP Leader's Last Words For The Public

Jack Layton's family released a letter he wrote to all Canadians in the event of his death. He died Monday..

Here's the letter Layton left behind:

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don't be discouraged that my own journey hasn't gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we've done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let's continue to move forward. Let's demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada's Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one - a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world's environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don't let them tell you it can't be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic.

And we'll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

Jack Layton

Our Condolences go out to the family

and admirers of

Jack Layton

No matter a person's political affiliation Jack Layton was widely admired for his dedication, optimism and ability to connect with people. He will be greatly missed.



Cranbrook Rodeo

The Cranbrook Rodeo was held over the weekend at the Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds. On a spectacular Saturday evening the Grand Stand and beer gardens were packed with people watching a great display of traditional rodeo events including bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, and calf roping.

The in riders displayed their skills at roping runaway horses and bulls.

Front row seats made it  very exciting as the speed and size of the animals as well as the skills of the cowboys were on full display. The evening also included a display of trick riding which thoroughly impressed the crowd.


Bronc Riding



Deer, Dogs, and Humans

Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook has a monthly column in the Daily Townsman. This month Norma Blissett wrote an eye opening piece on our ongoing issues with the deer in and around Cranbrook.

Yesterday morning I took my two dogs for their daily walk through the Community Forest. We walk in the Community Forest regularly for a number of reasons, the first being that one of my dogs is a car chaser. Walking on the roads is difficult, as she wants to hunt down every car that passes by. The second is that both dogs are border collie /shepherd and only God knows what else mixes, and need to run to help calm them down. The third is that one of my dogs has, shall we say, dominance issues. He believes he is the top dog in Cranbrook, if not the East Kootenay, and feels the need to notify every other dog of this fact. As you can imagine, not every other dog’s owner wants to be informed so as a result we tend to walk at less common dog-walking times and off in the bush so that we meet as few people and dogs as possible. (Both of my dogs are rescue dogs, which means they love me dearly and follow direction most of the time as they have a healthy fear of abandonment. However, it is clear to anyone watching that I am not the dog whisperer.) I give this preamble to set the stage for my story.


Yesterday as we entered the field, which leads to the Community Forest, where I normally release my hounds, I saw three young, spotted fawns. The fawns were under the shelter of the trees and Mom was in the open field adjacent to the path I was about to follow. Luckily I saw the deer before releasing my dogs. My dogs will chase deer, squirrels, birds flying over-head and basically anything that moves. If this mother deer had any survival sense she should be fearful and therefore possibly aggressive towards us. These descendants of wolves given the chance would go after her offspring. Anyways, mother deer saw us and moved to be closer to her fawns. We continued walking down the path and NOTHING happened. Once we passed I released the dogs they ran around and found a squirrel to chase up a tree and all was good. As previously mentioned, we walk in the forest daily and have never experienced any deer aggression.

Later that day, I was driving up 27TH Avenue, a busy thoroughfare to our neighborhood, and saw a female deer walking along the side of the street down near the golf course. I slowed down so as not to hit her if she ventured on to the road. As I continued I saw her fawn further up the street and a woman walking down the street towards the fawn. The fawn being separated from its mother was just standing on a lawn waiting for Mom. The woman then began behaving aggressively toward the fawn. She yelled, shook her hat and then chased the fawn across the lawn. If that fawn had been my baby, I think I would have gone after the woman; but fortunately the mother deer wasn’t close enough to witness this human aggression towards her fawn and so the woman walked off unscathed and I trust that mother deer was able to reunite with her traumatized baby.

My point in telling this story is that yes there are some aggressive deer in town, but there are also some aggressive people. There was no reason for this woman to chase the fawn. She could have just kept on walking and enjoying the beautiful day, but instead she chose to, basically, attack a baby deer!!

I enjoy living in close proximity to the woods; it is one of the benefits of living in Cranbrook. I like seeing wildlife and I don’t mind sharing some of my garden with them. If we look at what is actually a threat to our safety, aggressive car drivers and aggressive dogs are statistically more likely to hurt us than deer. For the most part if we take a more “live and let live” attitude, use some common sense and keep control of our pets and dare I say our own aggression then everyone will be better off.

Norma Blissett for Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook.

More Flower Power and Looking Great

Attracting Business with Beauty

Thank You!

Lazy Bear Lodge

More Flower Power to Downtown

Around Town and Looking Good - Cranbrook Child Development Centre

Many will have noticed the gutted building (adjacent to the downtown Bus Station) that once housed Shannon's Fabric's.  In order to meet code the structure needed to be taken down to bare bones before being recreated.  The painted steel beams and concrete basement are all that remain of the old building.  New steel beams have been installed and soon the building will be ready for interior refinishing. Fundraising continues for what will be a huge asset and much needed facility for our community.
For more information, upcoming events and how to donate:
http://kootenaycdc.ca/

The future home of Cranbrook's Child Development Centre

 

Columbia Basin Trust Environmental Initiative Funding Announcements

Just announced are some of the local projects awarded funding from the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) through its Environmental Initiatives Program (EIP)

To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit http://www.cbt.org/  or call 1.800.505.8998.

Columbia Basin Trust recognizes that a healthy environment is the foundation for all social and economic activities in the Columbia River Basin. CBT's Environment Program is helping to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being by working towards a long-term vision for the future of the Basin and supporting residents' efforts to ensure:

· A healthy environment which will create a foundation for well-being; and

· Commitment to long-term and enduring stewardship of the Basin's natural biodiversity, and sufficient knowledge and ability to take action to meet environmental challenges.

Receiving funding in our local area are:

The Nature Trust of BC - O'Grady Conservation Property Invasive Plant Management ($5,000) - The Nature Trust of BC (TNT) received funding to do ecosystem stewardship and conservation work on the O’Grady Conservation Property, located near Bull River in the East Kootenay, as per the established Management Plan.

Tobacco Plains Indian Band - Bringing Water to the Painted Turtle ($5,000) - The Tobacco Plains Indian Ban received funding to work with a consultant to determine if a plan to divert water to a lake near Grasmere, on Band land, is viable, and will help address an issue faced by the local Western Painted Turtle, a blue-listed species in the Rocky Mountain portion of the Columbia Basin.

The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council - Private Land Invasive Plant Assistance Program ($6,000) – The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee received funding to pilot a program on dealing with invasive plants on private property. It is anticipated this program will help to create a more effective and efficient invasive plant program throughout the region.

Penny Ohanjanian Consulting Biologists - Northern Leopard Frogs ($7,400) - Penny Ohanjanian Consulting Biologists will determine if the Northern Leopard frogs (a red-listed species) that have been reintroduced into their historic range near the Fort Steele/Bummers Flats area north of Cranbrook, have dispersed into nearby marshes and begun the process of re-establishing themselves into the ecosystem.

Clear Sky Meditation and Study Center - Grasslands Reclamation Education Initiative ($9,080) - The Clear Sky Meditation and Study Center received funding to develop a grassland reclamation demonstration area near Bull River, east of Cranbrook. The intent is to provide an area where private landowners can learn about improving local stewardship of native grasslands and build capacity for grassland reclamation in the region.

Jim Smith Lake Community Association – Jim Smith Lake Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping ($12,450) - The Jim Smith Lake Community Association received funding for a Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping project on Jim Smith Lake, west of Cranbrook. This is phase two of a project that will result in Foreshore Management Guidelines for the lake.

St. Mary Valley Rural Residents Association - St. Mary Lake Management Plan - Part 1 ($13,320) – The St. Mary Valley Rural Residents Association received funding to achieve the first stage of the St. Mary Lake Management Plan by completing a Foreshore Inventory Mapping Project.

Mainstreams Environmental Society - Water Education Where it Counts ($13,898) - The Mainstreams Environmental Society received funding for a water education program in the East Kootenay. This three-part program consists of an interactive stream trailer, field-based creek science and a stewardship report on the outcomes of the 2005 Kinsmen Park Restoration. This program will serve as a reference for other water education programs.

Hawkins Creek Stewardship Committee - Hawkins/Moyie Fish Inventory ($14,780) - The Hawkins Creek Stewardship Committee received funding to expand on its work of investigating the distribution and rate of hybridization between native Westslope Cutthroat Trout and non-native introduced rainbow trout in the greater Moyie River Watershed. The investigation will also be expanded to include bull trout as well as non-salmonids, to reflect a whole-ecosystem approach to restoration.

Wildsight-Elk Valley Branch - Elk River Alliance (ERA) ($15,000) - The Elk River Alliance (ERA) will develop recommendations that intend to coordinate access to information about the Elk River watershed, restore and enhance aquatic ecosystems, increase community water literacy, promote participation in sustainable water planning and development and promote the principles of water smart conservation strategies in communities. Laing Farms - Laing Farms Sand Creek Restoration ($17,550) - Laing Farms received funding to build in-stream structures along Sand Creek, near Jaffray, which will assist in protecting the stream banks from erosion, increase channel sediment conveyance and restore fish habitat for the indigenous fish of Sand Creek (particularly for the provincial Blue Listed, Westslope Cutthroat trout and Bull trout).

Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook - Water and Plant Wise Communities ($18,000) - Wildsight received funding to deliver a water education project that will raise awareness of ways communities can conserve and restore aquatic and riparian ecosystem functioning through wise water use, adaptations to lawn and garden practices and the management of invasive plants. The intent is to focus on reducing the amount of herbicides in ecosystems.

Tobacco Plains Indian Band - Koocanusa Reservoir Winter Creel Survey ($18,600) - The Tobacco Plains Indian Band received funding to conduct a Koocanusa Reservoir Winter Creel Survey. This project will collect, collate fishery so that it is sustainable. The survey will also include recording of other fish species caught.

 

What's Happening...

Friday, August 19 Saturday, August 20 & Sunday August 21

Cranbrook Pro Rodeo
Wycliffe Exhibition Grounds
Adults $17.00 Seniors and Youth $15.00
You can purchase tickets in advance at Top Crop, Alpine Toyota, or Hill Billy Hard Wear
Saturday Night, Dance to the Bookends.
For more information call 250-426-5792

Friday, August 19

ANKORS Car Wash Fundraiser
1pm -6pm
Aaron's Sales and Lease  (accross from the Brick)
ANKORS supports people living with AIDS and HIV in the East Kootnays
Call 250-426-3383 for more information.

Saturday August 20

East Kootenay Outdoor Club Hike to Cliff Lake
Call Tom at 250-426-3543

Saturday August 20

Back to School Fundraiser
Staples is holding its School Supply Drive Fundraiser in the Staples parking lot
11am - 3pm. BBQ, PT the Clown, cookie decorating
Proceeds will go to Amy Woodland and Pinewood Elementary Schools

Saturday August 20

Idlewild Musicfest
Ridley Bent will headline the 6th Annual Festival
Gates open at 2:30 and the music will start about 3:30
Tickets are $20 and are available at Lotus Books, Pages, and the Cranbrook Library
Procees go to the Cranbrook Public Library and the Cranbrook Home Run Society
For more information call 250-426-4063

Saturday August 20 & Sunday August 21

Gold Panning Days at Fort Steele
9am - 4pm
Pancake Breakfast 9am - 11am
Panning competitions, panning lessons, metal detecting.
http://www.fortsteele.ca/

Tuesday, August 23

Meditation Classes lead by teachers from Clear Sky Centre.
Location is Exhale Yoga Studio, #201, 14A, 13th Avenue S.
Please arrive a few minutes early.
For more information call 250-429-3929
http://www.clearskycenter.org/

Wed. August 24

Cranbrook Farmers Market - Night Market
Starts at 5 pm - 8:30pm. Rotary Park
Over 40 local vendors, artists, musicians, fresh fruit and vegetables,
baked goods, honey, jewellery, gifts and so much more.
See you there

Food Security - Why Worry?

Our City this summer in conjunction with the Townsman produced several articles, which concern our water supply.  A few years ago many will remember the Cranbrook water crisis when wells were dug to tap into our own aquifer. They were dug that summer because of a real water shortage.  At this time the wells are for emergency use and it is hard for some to imagine Cranbrook running out of water. However climate change and Mother Nature have proven to us already that it is indeed very possible.

The growth in the number of Community Gardens, the Hundred Mile Diet, Farmer’s Markets are all partly a result of the growing awareness of our need to be assured of a safe and secure food supply. That food supply is dependant on an accessible supply of water.

The topic of water has become huge.  National Geographic ran a whole magazine special last year and we see articles constantly.  Most of us are aware that the water available in Canada is in demand from those south of the border.

You might like to calculate your water footprint at:
http://www.waterfootprintkemira.com/meter

This column of Gwynne Dyer’s appeared in the Townsman on August 9th and puts the water issue into context.

The Food Bubble

By Gwynne Dyer August 7, 2011



There are all kinds of bubbles. We had the financial bubble that burst in 2008, causing economic devastation that we are still paying for. There is the Chinese real estate bubble, the biggest in history, which may take the whole world economy down with it when it bursts. But nothing compares with the food bubble.

Back in 2008, the OECD (Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development) published a report on world food supply predicting that the price surge of that year would quickly revert to normal: “Barring any underlying climate change or water constraints that could lead to permanent reductions in yield, normal higher output can be expected in the very short term.” And barring age, disease and accidents, we will all live forever.

Between April, 2010 and April, 2011 the average world price of grain soared by 71 percent: not a very big deal for people in rich countries who spend less than 10 percent of their incomes on food, but a catastrophe for poor people who already spend more than half their money just to keep their families fed. And that is before “climate change and water constraints” get really serious. But they will.

Let’s ignore the effects of climate change, because it’s too early in the game to be certain that any given drought, flood or heat-wave has been caused by rising temperatures. Besides, there are a few countries (notably the United States) where climate change is still seen as controversial by a significant number of people. So let’s just talk about what happens to the world food supply when the irrigation water runs out.

The first great food price crisis was in the early 1970s, when consumption was outrunning production due to rapid population growth: the world’s population almost doubled between 1945 and 1975. Grain prices were even higher in real terms than they are now, and there was near-starvation in some areas. But the problem was quickly solved by the famous “Green Revolution”, which hugely increased yields of rice, wheat and maize (corn).

The only drawback was that the Green Revolution wasn’t really all that green. Higher-yielding strains of familiar crops played a part in the solution, certainly, but so did a vastly increased use of fertilizer: global fertilizer use tripled between 1960 and 1975. And above all, there was an enormous expansion of the world’s irrigated area. It has more than tripled since 1950.

Only 10 percent of the world’s cropland is irrigated even now, but that irrigated land provides about 40 percent of the world’s food, so it is absolutely vital. Yet they didn’t discover any new rivers after 1950. Almost all of the new irrigated land – two-thirds of the total – uses water that is pumped up from deep underground aquifers.

Obviously, the aquifers won’t all go dry at once. Some are bigger than others, and some have been pumped much longer or more heavily than others. But most of them are going to go dry at some point or other in the next thirty years.

The irrigated area in the United States has probably passed its peak already. In key agricultural states, it is already long past: 1978 in Texas, 1997 in California. In China and India irrigation may be at its peak right now. A World Bank study reported in 2005 that the grain supply for 175 million Indians is produced by over-pumping water, and some 130 million Chinese similarly depend in a dwindling supply of underground water for their grain.

It gets worse. In the Middle East, Israel banned all irrigation of wheat in 2000 in order to conserve the remaining underground water for people. It now imports 98 percent of its grain. More recently Saudi Arabia, which was self-sufficient in wheat production only five years ago, decided to shut grain-growing down completely before the major aquifer under the country runs dry. Next year, it will import 100 percent of its grain.

Saudi Arabia will be able to go on importing grain even when the price is twice what it is now, and so will Israel. But there are a great many countries that will lose their ability to feed their own people once the irrigation bubble bursts – and will not be able to afford to import food at the vastly inflated prices that ensue.

Never mind what climate change will eventually do to the world food supply (although we will mind very much when it finally hits). The crisis is coming sooner than that, and it is quite unavoidable. We are living way beyond our means.

Post Council Notes

5.1 The RCMP made their Quarterly Report to the Mayor. There appears to have been an increase in such areas such as criminal code offenses, drug offenses, property offenses, and impaired charges. The RCMP are pleased with the False Alarm Bylaw which has been successful in reducing the number of call outs. The Bar-Walk initiative has 17 local businesses participating and progress is being made on creating a Bar Walk Association and protocols.

5.2 - Newly elected MP David Wilks spoke about several initiatives he has been dealing with in Ottawa since he was elected this Spring including:
-the designation of the Rail Museum to National Historical Status. This should allow access to funding for the Museum.
- Telus will be providing cell service on the highway to Castle Junction as well as between Cranbrook and Creston.
- The hotel in Radium across from the Hot Springs has been closed and will be destroyed. Parks Canada will attempt to revert this area back to natural habitat
- The mayors of Revelstoke and Golden are asking for a significant amount of funding from the federal government for upgrade to the TransCanada Highway. The highway around these communities was closed over 20 days last year and upgrades must be made to make the area safer and to insure that closure days are limited.
- working on obtaining some funding for the Creston Wetlands area.


5.3 - Bonnie Hays, Board of Directors of the Cranbrook Bike Skills Park Society
Many communities such as Fernie, Kimberley, Whistler all have Bike Parks and the Society is proposing a park near the skate board park. Total cost is estimated at $50,000 and the Society will be relying on some in-kind services. Councillor Schatschneider suggested that another location such as Moir Park would be more appropriate but this was rejected by the Society as many people cannot access Moir Park unless they are driven to the location. This is an ongoing problem with Moir Park. Its location makes it inaccessible to persons unless they drive. The location near the Rec Plex is much more central and more people will be able to access it ensuring its usage and success. Many young people, supporters of the park were present in the Council Chambers to support the presentation.
The City encouraged the Society to start liaising with the neighbourhood directly above the proposed Park as many were strongly opposed to the Skate Park. Winning the support of this neighbourhood would be key to obtaining City approval.

5.4 - Darelyn Hutchinson from ANKORS invited the Citizens of Cranbrook and Council to the Aids Walk being held on September 18 starting at 12:30. Pledge sheets are available at the Ankors office.

Correspondence

9.2 A letter from BC Hydro informing the City of monies which are available for municipal beautification projects - Councillor Denise Pallesen informed council that the Arches Committee would be interested in working with the City in obtaining some funding.

9.3 Cranbrook Food Bank Society is requesting that Development Cost Charges (DCC) rates be waived on a new warehouse that the Society is considering building. Unfortunately the present DCC bylaw does not allow the City to waive DCC fees. This is most disappointing and will hopefully be looked at when the City begins a review of its DCC rates.

Business Arising

10.1 Notice of Motion from Councillor Wavrecan that $800,000 from Accumulated Surplus be reallocated to the Roads Program.

There was a significant amount of discussion around Councillor Wavrecan's request regarding which road projects this money should be spent on. City Engineer Jamie Hodge suggested the monies should be spent on 14th Av. due to the ongoing storm water management problems in this area. However this would only partially cover the total cost. Mayor Manjak expressed surprise at the cost of the project and then suggested  that some of the roadway down from the South Hill development would be appropriate for the use of DCC monies. City Engineer Jamie Hodge will investigate if the use of DCC's are allowed and provide an answer to Council.
The monies were approved for use in the Roads Program as even after using the $800,000 there will still be $3.4 million left in the Surplus fund.

Administration Updates

- Animal Control Bylaw does not provide for the management of wildlife such as skunks. Citizens will have to hire their own private extermination company to resolves these problems.
- Slaterville Neighbourhood Plan, 2 workshops were held on June 16 and June 21. The information provided by local residents will be used in ongoing development in this neighbourhood. The report will be prepared this fall and the City Planner is hoping to have more consultation with the citizens of Slaterville. Bus service to Slaterville also starts in Sept. which will be a welcome City service to this part of the City.
- Economic Development -The downtown ring of fibre optic network is almost complete and work on extending the network to the Public Work Yards will start shortly. The City has issued a Request for Bid to secure a service provider.
- Engineering - 2011 Annual Capital Road Programs are underway. Attempts are being made to complete the work during low traffic usage and to provide good signage.
- Library Services. The Idlewild Music Festival is being held on August 20, starting at 3:30. Tickets are $20 and all monies raised will go to the library.

New Business

12.1 DCC Bylaw. That Council proceed with a Development Cost Charge Update bylaw based on DCC Best Practice Guide, Current Edition. Councillor Whetham expressed his support for the process as our DCC rates need to increased and this was one of the recommendations in the Growth Management Study.


12.2 Council advise the Ministry of Community, Sports, and Culture of its concerns regarding the creation of the Office of the Municipal Auditor General. Councillors expressed strong concern about this requirement and supported the correspondence prepared by City Administration in a response to the Ministry. Councillors felt it was an extra financial burden on municipalities and were unclear why such a position was necessary.

12.3 Recommendation that transit shelters be designated "non-smoking". Approved unanimously

12.4 In response to the developers of Wildstone regarding the renaming of McPhee Road and the serving of alcohol before noon on Sundays. Councillors expressed support of the administration recommendation that the bylaw regarding alcohol service before noon on Sunday not be changed.
Regarding the changing of the name of McPhee Rd. both Councillors Bob Whetham and Jim Wavrecan  strongly supported that the recommendation for consultation with businesses regarding renaming McPhee road be rejected. The name of McPhee Rd.should be maintained due to the strong historical significance of the name.This motion was strongly supported and unanimously passed.

12.5 Recommendation that Council rescind appointment of Gary Mott as the Approving Official and immediately appoint Jamie Hodge. Passed unanimously.


12.6 Recommendation that Council approve $70,000 from Capital Projects Reserve be used for the Fibre Optic Switching Equipment.
 Passed unanimously.

Bylaws

13.1 Consider adoption of a bylaw to establish an Athletic Commission to oversee regulated sports events - Passed
13.2 Official Community Plan Amendment to expand boundary to encompass 2 newly incorporated properties. Passed
13.3 To designate, those same properties, with a Parks and Recreation Land Use designation
Passed
13.4 Proposed Bylaw to amend the zoning to allow a Computer and Electronics service within a zoned C3 neighbourhood community. Passed