Out and About with Stewart

Spring has sprung on this glorious Easter weekend.

Happy Easter

Ready to burst

One of the First Mourning Cloak Butterflies

Sagebrush Buttercup

Pussy Willow

Would you like a energy efficiency upgrade - for free?

Wildsight is looking for a couple good old houses that need an energy efficiency upgrade. We want to help you seal those air leaks, insulate those little gaps, replace those old lights, and do all those other projects that can add up to save you a lot of money and energy (and we'll look at drain water heat recovery, more efficient appliances, a woodstove exchange rebate, low flow toilet rebates, etc). So if you have an older house and want to show it a little love, get in touch.

We'll cover the cost of a professional energy assessment with a blower door test for air leakage and help you figure out the right upgrades to make, plus an experienced contractor for a weekend, and we'll bring our volunteer work crew. You cover materials and cookies for those hard-working volunteers.

And if you want to join our volunteer work parties, we'll show you the ropes and give you tips you can use on your own house.

Our work weekend will be April 6-7 in Cranbrook, so get in touch with Lars Sander-Green (lars@wildsight.ca) now if you or your house want to take part.

More at: www.wildsight.ca/homeenergyreno

Easter Magic

Auditor General Report on Carbon Offsets

Michael's Musings

Rediscovering Downtown Cranbrook may bring Community Together

by Michael J Morris

When I first arrived in Cranbrook during the Spring Break of 1988 to look around, it was with mixed feelings that I decided to travel through five provinces to spend it here, a place I had never visited despite having made previous  trips to British Columbia.

After one of the harshest Northern Ontario winters in many years, the sunny skies of Florida had more appeal. However, as I had often contemplated relocating to somewhere in B.C., the decision was made to travel 3,040 kilometres by car from Chapleau to Cranbrook, and of course return.

Checking in to a motel on 'The Strip' at three a.m. I was still up early and out for a walk, and my first view was of the white-capped mountains before me, a totally awesome sight on any given day: since I moved here just over a year later, they are likely among the main reasons I have stayed in Cranbrook. 

For a short time I thought The Strip must be Cranbrook's main street which being a downtown kind of person, it was one of the places I wanted to explore. I soon discovered the real downtown area which has been the subject of revitalization for at least a quarter century.

Although, today as one who walks everywhere 25 years later, I know how  to get downtown by various routes but  my anecdotal research reveals that it is one of the major questions asked me by motorists, "Excuse me, how do I get downtown?"

Depending where I happen to be, that is not the easiest question to answer, given the rather strange configuration of Cranbrook's street network. I do give credit though to those who worked to improve the entrance to downtown and raised the funds for the arches.

At the risk of using a bad metaphor, the Cranbrook street pattern and not just to the downtown, in some ways reflects the community itself -- confused about what it wants to be, which has led to much division among the citizens.  For example, for the longest time, it was referred to as the "Key City" and by many it still is. Then as a result of a rebranding exercise, it became the "heart and soul of the Canadian Rockies" which didn't last long.

Most recently, "Mountains of Opportunity" was coined, but generally has been reduced to the soaring eagle.

Despite it all, and most sadly, Cranbrook remains a divided place, when there is really no need for it. 

The greatest asset any community has is its people, with talents and abilities that can be used doing those things which bring a community together rather than divide it. But as one person reminded me recently, there appears to be about a 50-50 split among the populace on major issues: to wit -- the referendum on the recreation complex and on the East Hill boundary expansion.

However, hope springs eternal and perhaps Money Sense magazine's ranking of Cranbrook as the 26th best small city in Canada, out of 135 measured in 2012, can be the spark needed to unite the community in a common purpose -- to make Cranbrook the best small city in Canada in which to live. When I first saw a Money Sense rating for Cranbrook a couple of years ago or so, it placed over 100th best small city. You can get all the details at http://moneysense.ca

The evaluation included rankings on walk/bike to work, pubic transit, weather, population growth, unemployment, housing, household income, new cars, taxes, crime rate, medical doctors, other health care professionals, amenities (college, airport etc.), arts, culture, recreation, sports. To come up with your own ranking, list these on a piece of paper and rank them on a scale of one to five.

As an aside, St. Albert, Alta., near Edmonton, ranked first.

Let's go back downtown. Historically, downtown has been the central place for all great cities. When I taught urban and cultural geography and sociology courses, we always began downtown. It was so when I taught geography when I first came here, but if I was teaching it today I don't think so. The Strip, the place I thought was downtown when I first arrived has replaced it with the arrival of the big box stores and other nearby businesses adding to the mix that was already there.

It's too late to reverse those decisions but it's not too late to revitalize the real downtown. Indeed, the process is underway with the arrival of the farmers' market and making it the main venue for Sam Steele Days. The major parades have followed a downtown route forever.

Why bother? Why not just let downtown stay as it is? Quite simply, because we can't be a vibrant community without it. Brendan Behan, the great Irish writer (all Irish writers are great by the way), in his book Brendan Behan's New York wrote that New York City "is my Lourdes, where I go for spiritual nourishment..." I know what he meant. My favourite places in NYC are Rockefeller Center and Central Park. 

My favourite place in Cranbrook is Rotary Park, which I discovered 25 years ago and still visit regularly. Perhaps, we need a "downtown conversation" informal at first, just to chat and listen to ideas .. to "blue sky" if you will the possibilities. Now that the warmer weather is hopefully arriving I plan to wander about the downtown more and rest in Rotary Park. Please feel free to stop me and chat.

Maybe, we will rediscover the key that makes Cranbrook the heart and soul of the Canadian Rockies and will open mountains of possibilities. I just could not resist mangling metaphors.
My email is mjmorris@live.ca

What's Happening.......

Friday March 29th

Interdenominational CrossWalk
Downtown Cranbrook

Sunday March 31st

The Annual Fort Steele Easter Egg Hunt
Tickets on sale at Safeway, SaveOn and the Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday April 3rd

Travelogue
Gorilla Trek, Rwanda with
Allister and Denise Pedersen
7:00pm, COR Lecture Theatre
The GoGo Grannies

Thursday April 4th

Communnity Forest Society AGM
7:00pm
College of the Rockies
Ministry of Forests speakers will be present
If you use the Community Forest,
this is your chance to talk about any beefs or bouquets

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
April 4th, 5th,6th
Rockies Film Fest
Columbia Theatre
Tickets Lotus Books
http://www.rockiesfilmfest.com/Film_Festival_2013.pdf

Saturday April 6th

NDP Fundraiser
The Studio
featuring the Bickertons from Fernie,
Storytelling with Corky Evans and Ann Edwards
Limited tickets at Lotus Books

Good Friday Cross Walk

submitted by Pastor Yme Woensdregt and Gerry Sobie

This Friday – Good Friday – at 10 am citizens will come together in Cranbrook for the ninth annual CrossWalk.  It is a spiritual pilgrimage through the streets of downtown Cranbrook.  We come together to pray for our city and people as we stop at significant markers in the downtown remembering various interest groups and segments of our population. 

            The CrossWalk begins at the Clock Tower under the Spirit Tree at 10 o’clock in the morning where prayers will be offered for our city, our people and businesses.  From there, we walk down Tenth Avenue to City Hall where we remember our governments and aboriginal justice.  Continuing on to Rotary Park, we pause at the War Memorial to ponder the need for peace and wholeness in our city, nation and world.  From there, we stand at the Spirit Square nearby to remember the arts, culture and all that enriches our common life.  Crossing 11^th Avenue, we gather at the Court House to reflect on justice, righteousness and restorative justice.  Collectively walking down First Street South, we come to the Canadian Mental Health Association building at the corner of 13^th Avenue.  There we will lift up intentions for our health caregivers, food banks and the hungry in our city.  Across the street, we come to Community Connections and pray for victims of abuse, homeless people, families, youth and children.  Finally, we gather at the labyrinth beside Christ Church Anglican to ponder the needs of our churches, temples and all faith groups. 

            Why do we do this?  We do it as a faithful witness to the grace and compassion of God.  We hold up our city in prayer so that the Almighty’s love might surround and embrace us with healing grace.  We journey together thinking about God’s vision for a world that is a community of compassion and companionship; where power resides in service and self-giving love, not in might or coercion.  It’s a vision of healing and restoration so that all people may live together in peace with justice.  You are invited to join us.

Wildsight Invites Cranbrook to the Clean Bin Challenge

Wildsight is launching the Clean Bin Project in Cranbrook, kicking off in April. The challenge for Cranbrook residents is to reduce their waste as much as possible for the month of May. Local Skye McDougall is the brand new Sustainability Coordinator for Wildsight in Cranbrook and her first job will be to help Cranbrook meet that challenge.
“The goal of the Clean Bin Project is to tackle the serious issue of waste reduction,” said McDougall. “We can do this by raising awareness and demonstrating how reducing waste can be do-able and easy.”

The Clean Bin Project, which will run through the month of May, is a one month challenge where participants strive to reduce their garbage production. When the challenge ran in Kimberley, some Clean Binners managed to fit all their garbage for an entire month in a single bread bag! “I’d like to challenge Cranbrook to do better than Kimberley” said McDougall, “and I’m ready to help!”

The Clean Bin project started out in Vancouver, when a young couple challenged themselves to live consumer and waste-free for a year. They stopped buying “stuff”, and committed to reduce packaging whenever they could. Their motto: less stuff coming in (the house) means less stuff going out. The couple did what they set out to do, had a lot of fun, and then made a film about it, The Clean Bin Project. Wildsight will be showing the film on April 11 at 7:30pm in the COTR lecture theatre to kick of the project.

McDougall is hoping to inspire some healthy community competition and fun by encouraging viewers to join the Cranbrook month-long challenge taking place in May. Elementary students will already be paving the way at week-long challenges in Cranbrook elementary schools in April.  Participants will be able to share their experiences on Facebook: Cranbrook Clean Bin Project, and anyone can follow the challenge and learn strategies to become waste-free at the same time! McDougall will stay in contact with participants and help answer those difficult waste questions, like where you can recycle your aluminum foil or bottle caps, and what you can and can’t compost.

Blast from the Past - Cranbrook and Fernie Population

Courier  1933 Mar 16

Can't help but wonder who the 'other' British were - Welsh or Geordie?  Also surprised at the use of the word Scotch which is after all a favoured alcoholic drink originating in Scotland and not a person.  

MLA Bennett and The Guide Outfitting Business

From the Vancouver Sun:
Bill Bennett is still trying to put his past behind him
Unpaid $65,000 loan continues to link Kootenay East MLA to guide-outfitting operation  BY LARRY PYNN, VANCOUVER SUN MARCH 24, 2013 6:07 PM

Shortly before Bill Bennett first ran for the B.C. Liberals in 2001, he sought to sever ties with a guide-outfitting company operating within a provincial wilderness park in the Rocky Mountains.Problem is, when Bennett sold his shares, the company didn’t have the money to pay him out.Today, that “loan receivable” remains on his official disclosure statement in Victoria, a link to a curious business past that the ever-controversial Kootenay East MLA can’t completely shake.“I’ve been waiting for this call for 12 years,” he told The Vancouver Sun.“I knew some day somebody would say, ‘This guy has a conflict, he’s got an interest in a guide-outfitting territory.’ So I sold my shares before I got into politics. It’s all documented and clean as a whistle.”Bennett, who is also minister of community, sport and cultural development, said he never planned to invest in trophy hunting when he moved to Cranbrook in 1994, two years after earning his law degree, at age 42, from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont..........
Maarten Hart, a veterinarian who ran the local gun club in Fernie, accused Bennett in a 2007 email of favouring big-game outfitters over resident hunters and said the Liberal government “bows to the almighty dollar and faces east three time each day (not to Mecca, but to Wall Street.)”

Bennett furiously fired off an email from his hotel room, calling Hart “dumb” for not knowing who his friends are, and labelling him an “American spy.” He said: “Let me be very direct with you, as you were with me. It is my understanding that you are an American, so I don’t give a shit what your opinion is on Canada.”

Read the whole story:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Bill+Bennett+still+trying+past+behind/8145688/story.html

Lynx in Banff National Park

These Lynx have become quite well known in recent weeks.

A Jumbo Election Issue

From the Tyee:

A Jumbo Summer Ahead? Opposition continues to dog the resort town with no residents, while the coming BC election raises stakes.
By Bill Metcalfe, 21 Mar 2013, TheTyee.ca

A provincially appointed mayor in a town with no residents, two court challenges, plans for glacier ski tours above Jumbo Valley this summer, and an upcoming provincial election that could change everything -- that's the reality for an East Kootenay real estate and ski resort development proposal as it enters its 23rd year of controversy.

In 2009 Jumbo Glacier Resorts Ltd. was expected to apply to the Regional District of East Kootenay, or RDEK, to rezone the Jumbo area for the development. That would have involved public hearings. (There has never been a public hearing of any kind in the 20-plus years of the Jumbo saga.)

In the meantime, a provincial election looms. MLA Macdonald says that in the event of an NDP win, the government would repeal the legislation that allowed the formation of the resort municipality.

But the new B.C. government would still be a party to the development agreement with Jumbo Glacier Resorts Ltd. Getting out of it could be complex and expensive.

"We'd get legal advice on that," says Macdonald. "Our goal would be to terminate the agreement in a way that is fair." 

http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/03/21/Jumbo-Glacier-Resort/

Out and About with Stewart - continued

Bald Eagles, various local locations

Earth Hour

OOPS - we forgot to mention Earth Hour - if you read this between now and 8:30pm, and had not remembered, this is your reminder.  8:30pm - 9:30pm turn all lights off.  Of course, any time is a good time to turn lights off to save energy! This however is a way to gauge how much energy we might save if we did this all the time.  Vancouver is leading the way this year.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/03/23/bc-earth-hour-canada.html

Out and About with Stewart

Observing Herons in the Heronry,  St Mary Valley

Sound of story most dominant in brightest and darkest moments

From the editor:  Today we are pleased to introduce the first of Mike's Musings.  Many of you have enjoyed our guest journalist, Gerry Warner's Friday column and Gerry's column can still be found on eKnow.  Thank you Gerry for all your stimulating columns.  For a change of pace and to enjoy another retired journalist's writing here is Michael Morris.

I am one of those most blessed people who have never really worked one day because I have been able to spend it living, in the words of Reynolds Price, the American writer, with the sound of story as the dominant sound in my life.

Since I was a child growing up in the small community of Chapleau in northern Ontario, story has been central to me whether I was playing in the living room or creating my own plays for the Junior Red Cross Society performances in Grade 4 at Chapleau Public School.

Thanks to my mother, Muriel E (Hunt) Morris, who instilled a love of reading in me before I could hardly walk, and gave me the freedom to explore all the great children's literature of my time, story has been the place where I have lived.

Little did I realize that my experience as the Chapleau High School reporter for the long gone Mid North News, and a television program on CHAP TV in 1958  would lead to a lifetime spent telling stories and talking about the stories of others in classrooms in Ontario and British Columbia. And people even hired me to write stories about people and events for daily newspapers, television, magazines and the internet.

I recently calculated that I have been doing and teaching communications, journalism, media and  creative writing for 55 years. It seems like only a moment has passed.

With this column, I begin another chapter, by accepting the kind invitation of Jenny Humphrey to become a contributor to the Cranbrook Guardian.

I worked as a reporter and/or editor at several daily newspapers including the Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon), Kingston Whig-Standard, Timmins Daily Press, Chatham Daily News, Brampton Times, Calgary Albertan  and was northern Ontario correspondent for the Toronto Star.

And yes, as any of my students would  tell you, I loved to tell stories. Not all were necessarily appreciated of course and I was once criticized in student evaluations when I was at College of the Rockies for talking too much about my beloved cat Buckwheat. A student wrote that he/she got nothing from my course because "All he ever did was tell stories about his cat Buckwheat." Even I could not spend 15 entire weeks of a semester talking only about my cat. On second thought ....

At College of the Rockies I was so privileged to have been part of the founding of a New Media Communications Program which would seem pretty old fashioned today but in 1995 was on the leading edge of the biggest revolution in communications since Gutenberg's printing press. Since retiring I have continued to indulge my passion for communications -- for storytelling, both mine and others.

For example I  listen to the voices of so many former students who are taking time to share part of their stories with me on Facebook, and telling stories about me too. For the past five years I have been a blogger and I also write a column for the weekly newspaper in my home town of Chapleau. Yes, for old times sake I still write for a print publication.

I agree with Reynolds Price, the writer, that to "tell and hear stories is essential" -- and he argues it comes second after nourishment and before love and shelter. "Millions survive without love or home, almost none in silence; the opposite of silence leads quickly to narrative, and the sound of story is the dominant sound of our lives, from the small accounts of our day's events to the vast incommunicable constructs of psychopaths."

In my life for sure, in the brightest and darkest moments, the sound of story is the dominant sound. Think about it. Now I am off for a walk to hear more of the sound of the Cranbrook story. If we meet, please feel free to say hello. Also, my email is mj.morris@live.ca

Full disclosure: I am not now and never have been a member of the Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook Society; however, I did conduct a workshop for its members for which I was paid.

What's Happening......

As families reassemble after Spring break, it appears to be a fairly quiet weekend in Cranbrook.

Kimberley however is featuring the first of three Jazz Nights on:
Thursday March 21st

The Tyler Hornby Trio
at Centre 64
for more information
www.kimberleyarts.com or www.eventbrite.ca

2 more concerts on March 26th and April 10th

Wednesday March 27th

A special General Meeting of the Friends of Fort Steele Society
to update the Society's by-laws. 
7:00pm  International Hotel Fort Steele.

The proposed changes are available at 

the Visitor Reception Centre or may be downloaded here:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35978265/Proposed%20By%20Law%20Changes.pdf

Art Discussion

The Last Supper 

as seen through the Eyes of Artists

7:00pm

Christ Church Anglican

250-426-5452

Don't forget to get your tickets for:

The Annual Fort Steele Easter Egg Hunt March 31st
at Safeway, SaveOn or the Chamber office

The Rockies Film Festival
http://www.rockiesfilmfest.com/
at Lotus Books

For more info call Darryl at 250-426-6618.

Blast form the Past - Curfew

 Courier June 8 1933

Paper is Not Dead

All iPad owners will appreciate this.  If this video does not load click on this link:  http://vimeo.com/61275290

Le papier ne sera jamais mort / Paper is not dead on influencia.net ! from INfluencia on Vimeo.

City Budget Discussions Wrap Up

Most of yesterday, March 18^th's final budget meeting was spent discussing how to use the surplus funds.  As to be expected, there were far more project possibilities than there were funds.  The surplus funds originally available amounted to $1.2 million.  Since the original figure was announced at previous budget meetings, adjustments and decisions to spend funds have been made as follows:

• Fibre optic distribution network design - $9,500
• Wildlife education $15000
• RCMP Building (wheelchair access and requested upgrades
• Fire Services Equipment $21000
• Joseph Creek Bank Stabilisation $50,000
• New Studio Building roof $20,000
• General computer training $20,000
• City Hall Vehicle$30,000
• City Works Program $75,000
• Clock Tower Square Upgrades $150,000
• Portable generator $140,000
• West Entrance Elizabeth Lake project $59,000
• Replace in ground hoist $11,0000
• Public Works Overhead Crane $40,000
• SCADA waste water site $100,000
• Funding for City appointed committees $50,000
• Tourist Park Campground Upgrades $40,000

 It was decided to use the remaining funds for storm sewer upgrades as follows:

·          7^th St NW storm sewer upgrade $75,000

·         1617 Baker St back alley storm sewer upgrade $75,000

·         11st S and Innes Avenue outlet pipe extension and locking manhole cover $68,000

Any remaining funds will be carried over into accumulated surplus for the following year.

All projects were reviewed at this meeting before the final draft goes for final readings at the regular Council Meeting of April 8^th.  There were two feedback letters concerning the City Budget and these were also discussed at this meeting.  Some of the concerns raised included:

-          the line item for an Arts Facility 2014

-          the purchase of a hybrid vehicle

-          replacement of fire trucks

Based on that feedback, a motion was made to retain the $500,000 line item for future Arts Centre funding.  The motion carried with Councillors Pallesen and Scott opposed.  The rationale given for this item is that the economic feedback and gain far outweighs initial capital costs.  In Cranbrook in 2002 an economic impact study revealed that the arts and culture sector accounted for a $24 million dollar GDP impact.  Further information can be found at:

http://docs.cranbrook.ca/downloads/leisure/Cranbrook-Cultural-Plan-for-Arts-and-Heritage.pdf

When compared to other communities in this area and all of BC, Cranbrook has in the past, considerably under funded its arts sector. It is also interesting to note that Western Financial Place runs at an annual $3 million dollar deficit and a one time capital expense of $500,000 for an arts facility is relatively small in comparison.

The question of fire truck upgrade expenses was discussed.  Insurance and liability issues require the City to upgrade its vehicles regularly.

The expense of a hybrid vehicle was also discussed at length but it was pointed out the City will have considerable fuel cost savings and the City’s carbon footprint will be less. Councillor Pallesen also expressed her concern about this expense when she felt a vehicle could be purchased for less.  Councillor Pallesen also questioned whether this purchase was a necessity for staff.   CAO Staudt pointed out that, frequent short trips are made especially by IT staff. 

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of March 18th 2013

Delegations
5.1 Regional District of the East Kootenay, David Struthers and Karen Macleod , East Kootenay Agricultural Plan
David Struthers explained the purpose of the East Kootenay Agricultural Plan is to look for practical solutions to strengthen the farming industry.  The process has been guided by a steering committee and has been underway for several years. An inventory of farmland in current use was completed in 2011.  The next step is to develop a background report of issues.  Significant input has been gained from producers, interested public, consumers and the retail services.  Eight public meetings have been held with a total of approximately 170 people in attendance.  The agricultural plan steering committee has developed three separate surveys (consumer, producer, food retailer/supplier) as a means of gathering additional information. On-line and printable versions of the surveys are available on the East Kootenay Ag Plan website,
www.ekag.ca .  They will be available until the end of March.
The Power point presentation can be viewed at: https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2869

5.2 BC Hydro, Energy Efficiency
Lisa Coltart from BC Hydro congratulated the City for hiring an Energy Manager as she went on to explain the considerable savings potential with this resource.  She  gave examples of considerable savings achieved by large companies through energy efficiency measures.  60 Cranbrook businesses have taken advantage of the Power Smart programs with Bridge Interiors being a prime example.  Within BC, Canfor was the 2012 winner having saved $500000.00 through efficiency measures.  The ability of Smart Metres to allow homeowners to monitor their own energy use is imminent with the soft ware roll-out ready to go. 

The Power point presentation can be viewed at
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2870

Council Enquiries
There had been enquiries about Mayoral expenses which CAO Staudt stated would be released in May or June.  Councillor Cross passed on an enquiry about the state of the roads in Mt Royal Estates.  Engineer Hodge stated securities for Phase one have been released to take care of some of the issues but given the extent of repairs required complete resurfacing will be required after infrastructure problems are solved.  No time line was given.

7.1 Administration Updates
A lengthy report this week containing:
Flag protocol
Coffee with the Mayor follow -up
Engineer Hodge stated that shaping of the lane way is not enough to take care of storm run-off issues behind Birch Drive.  Other mitigating methods will have to be used.
The Spray irrigation catch basin and effluent drainage issue comes under Ministry of the Environment jurisdiction.
Economic Development
Kevin Weaver, Economic Development Officer gave an update on progress with the Barriers to Business discussions which are going well.  A delegation to Wonju, sister city Korea is being set up.
After the joint Kimberley/Cranbrook Council meeting talks have begun on a joint marketing profile for the area.  A Doing Business Guide for Cranbrook is being put together.
Finance and Computer Services, 2012 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) reporting
Leisure Services
The full report can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2871

Correspondence
All correspondence can be read beginning at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2872
9.1 Cat Licensing
This was not discussed although some Councillors could not resist commenting on the issues this might bring forth.
9.2 Primary and Community Care Investments
The potential for coordinating  air quality and breathing diseases was discussed.  It was moved and carried to refer his to Family and Community Services.
9.3 Volunteer Appreciation Gala
It was agreed to purchase tickets for one table, $250.00
9.4 Social Health Issues
A new Nurse Practitioner has now been hired.  This will help considerably with those under privileged and without a family doctor.
9.5 Traffic Fine Revenue
Funds have been reimbursed to the City for a total of about $75000
9.6 Shelter and Transitional Housing Update
A letter will be sent to BC Housing to determine the status of funding for this project.
9.7 Building Officials of BC Request for monetary support for AGM
$500 approved.
9.8 Children's Festival
Saturday May 11th. All requests for assistance with such things as picnic tables granted.
9.9 Community Social Services Awareness
Social Services Month proclaimed for March.
9.10 Proclamation - Day of the Honey Bee
Proclaimed for May 29th.  
Several Councillors discussed the importance of the bee population.  A short discussion followed around the keeping of bees within a municipality.  Councillor Cross a bee keeper herself, pointed out that in Victoria hives are located within the Empress of Victoria Grounds.  
Comment
It is heartening to hear this issue being taken seriously and it is being documented that some of the healthiest bee populations are now in cities.  This is likely due to the greater length of foraging season with mixed plantings and potentially less intensive use of pesticides and herbicides.  Cranbrook currently does not allow bee keeping within its limits.

11.4 Committee Recommendations from Wellness and Heritage regarding:
Brick Electrical Building Demolition
This building will be demolished due to its deteriorated state.  The Cranbrook made bricks will be kept for a future project.
National Health Day
June 1st.  A motion to waive fees for the pool that day carried.
Dog use of Moir Park
Bag dispensers will be installed by a private business.  The issue of dog use of the park will be referred back to Wellness and Heritage for discussion.
Healthy Communities Initiative
Moved to work with Interior health on this initiative. Carried.

New Business
12.1 Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch
12.2 Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit , Smart Centres
Smart Centres has offered $5000.00 towards a traffic study for the area and will undertake to examine the traffic issues.
Permit approved enabling the construction of Sport Check and the Dollar Tree to go ahead.
12.3  Downtown Commercial Development Permit - Exterior Renovations 101 - 9th Avenue South
Taylor Adams refit of the building above.  Approved.
12.4 To consider approval of an application for a Baker Hill Development Permit to enable construction of
an addition for an existing single-family dwelling located at 216 - 10th Avenue South, zoned R-1 -
Single Family Extended Residential Zone, and located within the Baker Hill Development Permit
area.
Approved.
12.5 To provide information and guidelines for residents of the City of Cranbrook to participate in the 2013 low flow toilet rebate initiative.
Approved.  This program has been very successful and will be continued.  Rain barrels are also being looked at.

Advance Notes for the Council Meeting of March 18 2103, 6:00pm

Prior to this regular meeting, the last budget meeting is open to the public in the Council Chambers from 2:30pm - 4:30pm.

Delegations

5.1 Regional District of the East Kootenay, David Struthers and Karen Macleod , East Kootenay Agricultural Plan

5.2 BC Hydro, Kelly Parks,  Energy Efficiency

7.1 Administration Updates
A lengthy report this week containing:
Flag protocol
Coffee with the Mayor follow -up
Economic Development
Finance and Computer Services, 2012 Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) reporting
Leisure Services

Correspondence
9.1 Cat Licensing
9.2 Primary and Community Care investments
9.3 Volunteer Appreciation Gala
9.4 Social health Issues
9.5 Traffic Fine Revenue
9.6 Shelter and Transitional Housing Update
9.7 Building Officials of BC Request for monetary support for AGM
9.8 Children's Festival
9.9 Community Social Services Awareness
9.10 Proclamation - Day of the Honey Bee

11.4 Committee Recommendations from Wellness and Heritage regarding:
Brick Electrical Building Demolition
National Health Day
Dog use of Moir Park
Healthy Communities Initiative

New Business

12.1 Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch

12.2 Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit , Smart Centres

12.3  Downtown Commercial Development Permit - Exterior Renovations 101 - 9th Avenue South

12.4 To consider approval of an application for a Baker Hilt Development Permit to enable construction of
an addition for an existing single-family dwelling located at 216 - 10th Avenue South, zoned R-1 -
Single Family Extended Residential Zone, and located within the Baker Hill Development Permit
area.

12.5 To provide information and guidelines for residents of the City of Cranbrook to participate in the 2013 low flow toilet rebate initiative.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Chris Hadfield

Blast from the Past - It's Just That Time of Year

March 30th 1933

Out and About with Stewart

On the Muzzling of Scientists

The following are excerpts from Elizabeth May posting on her blog:
http://elizabethmaymp.ca/news/publications/island-tides/2013/02/28/tightening-the-grip-muzzling-of-scientists-ramps-up/

New developments in the repression of Canadian science are more urgent. ‘Chilling’ is the word that has been used in media reports, and ‘chilling’ it is.

Back in October 2011, I wrote in Island Tides about the muzzling of DFO scientists. The scientist in question, Dr Kristi Miller, had achieved levels of scientific respect as her work on viruses linked to salmon aquaculture operations had been published in the internationally prestigious journal Science. When Science attempted to arrange media interviews with Dr Miller, the Privy Council Office ordered her to refuse.

The elimination of whole branches of scientific work within the federal government, the slashing of governmental funds for science, and now a departmental veto on applying for research grants or submitting results to peer reviewed journals fits in the larger systemic dismantling of any aspect of governmental activities that could throw doubt on the wisdom of pressing for rapid expansion of fossil fuel exploitation.

‘Chilling’ is one word, but it does not seem adequate to this development. This is the 21st Century equivalent of the Dark Ages. This is book burning and superstition run rampant. This is the administration of a steady, slow drip of poison to a weakening democracy.

Minister of Cultural Development, MLA Bennett on the NDP

This is our current representative for Kootenay East and Cultural Development  ...............

from The Huffington Post:
 B.C. Liberal minister Bill Bennett's Internet use is raising eyebrows again. This time, he took to Twitter to call the Opposition NDP "turds."

Bennett, a longtime politician who has been kicked out of cabinet before, tweeted from the B.C. Liberal caucus meeting on Tuesday: "I am with the BCL Caucus tonight. Strange everyone seems to be getting along. Ok. Come on ndp turds. Bring it."

@KootenayBill 
Bill Bennett

I am with the BCL Caucus tonight. Strange everyone seems to be getting along. Ok. Come on ndp turds. Bring it. # bcpoli

March 13, 2013 5:03 am via Twitter for BlackBerry® Reply Retweet Favorite

"Stay classy," replied Peter Kelly while user Unionwill said: "Why bother with leaked memos anymore. Just sit back and let this guy open his yap."

Bennett, who is the minister of community, sport and cultural development, apologized for the name-calling in the B.C. legislature on Wednesday, saying he respects what the B.C. NDP does, according to CBC legislative reporter Stephen Smart.

When asked about it earlier in the day, the outspoken East Kootenay MLA admitted it's not a term he would use "in ordinary discourse."

According to The Globe and Mail, Bennett told reporters: "It was said in jest. It was said tongue in cheek. I don’t know. Has everybody lost their sense of humour or what?"

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bennet-shrugs-off-tweet-calling-ndp-rivals-turds/article9728780/

City Budget - Last Chance for Input

2013 –2017 Five year Financial Plan – Special Meeting

Monday March 18^th 2:30pm – 4:00pm

City Council invites participation regarding the 2013 – 2017 Financial Plan before it is adopted.

Copies of the pan are available at:    http://docs.cranbrook.ca/downloads/finance/2013-2017-Five-Year-Financial-Plan-Highlights-Package-WEB.pdf

Written submissions are invited from the public and will be considered by Council at this special meeting of Council.

Written submissions must  received at City Hall by 4:00pm on Friday March 15^th 2013

Council Chambers City Hall

What's Happening....

Saturday March 16th

St Patrick's Tea and Bake Sale
1:00 -3:00pm
Senior's Hall
125, 17th Av. S.
Cranbrook 250-426-2436

Social Dance
7 -11:00pm
Cranbrook Senior's Hall
Don Davies Quartet
Admission $10

Crazy Quilting
Fort Steele
11:00am - 4:00pm
$55.00
250-427-2343

Monday March 18th

Fort Steele Spring Break
Kids Camp
March 18th - March 22nd
$155
250-417-6000

City Council Meeting
6:00pm Council Chambers


Cranbrook Garden Club meets
Anglican Church Hall
778-517-1222

City Seeks Sustainable Community Builders

click to enlarge

for more information please contact:
Chris Zettel, Corporate Communications Officer City of Cranbrook Phone: 250-489-0238
Cell: 250-420-1686

Blast from the Past - a Little Fisher Peak History

Fisher Peak Climbing weather is still several months away but this interesting piece from the Cranbrook Courier July 21st 1932, puts a date of 1865 for when the original cairn was placed by A. Holds.  Many have signed their names in the cairn since then - it would be equally interesting to see a complete list if it still exists.

Adapting to Climate Change

Columbia Basin Trust recently hosted an Adapting to Climate Change public lecture at The College of the Rockies.  A full day workshop was also held with the same experts,  Dr. Hans Schreier and Dr. Mel Reasoner presenting to municipal officials and representatives from other organisations.  The information is becoming repetitive but is no less damming.  Small adaptations are beginning but we have a long way to go in getting serious about the changes required to both cope with and slow what is now inevitable.

These slides are self explanatory - click to enlarge.  They concern our Columbia Valley.

                               

The full report is available at:  http://www.cbt.org/uploads/pdf/DialoguetoAction_Final_lo-res.pdf