Santa Parade

Cranbrook's Capital Projects for 2013

To learn more about the City's Capital projects go to:

http://cranbrook.ca/news/article/2013-capital-projects-presentation

What's Happening............

Friday November 29th

Cranbrook Winter Farmer's Market
Doors open. 5:00pm
Old Supervalu Building
Baker St.

Santa Claus Parade Cranbrook
7:00pm
Downtown Cranbrook

Saturday November 30th

Cranbrook Winter Market
10:00am -3:00pm
Old Supervalu Building
baker St.

Annual Minkha Sweater Sale
Anglican Church Hall
10:00am - 5:00pm

Cranbrook Community Theatre
"Visiting Mr. Green"
Begins Nov. 29 and 30th
Runs through Dec. 4-7 11 -14
Tickets at Lotus Books

Sunday December 1st

Fort Steele
Visit Father Christmas at Lambi House
for photos. Pets Welcome.
Sleigh Rides and Skating every Sunday in December.

Saturday December 7th

Cranbrook and District Arts Council
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Everything provided, $15
Only a few places left
135 Tenth Av S.
Helen 250-426-4223

Blast from the Past - Cranbrook Time Will Not Be Changed

Cranbrook Courier September 27th 1945

Agricultural Land: Let’s choose to speak

Agricultural Land:  Let’s choose to speak

November 22, 2013                                                                                                                                         

A letter from Corky Evans

Imagine that you might, someday, want to farm for a living. Or imagine your kids might want to farm, or your grandkids. All over the world such dreams become harder and harder to achieve as land capable of supporting crops is paved over for roads or built into shopping centers or houses or is used for industry.

In B.C. during the 1960’s and early 70’s, we lost 6,000 acres of farmland every year to subdivisions and other non-farm activities. In 1972 there was a provincial election and farmers came together to ask all of the Parties to do something about the preservation of farmland before it was all gone. Every Party responded to those concerns by talking about various solutions they might enact should they win the election.

In 1973 the new Government created the Agricultural Land Reserve to protect land capable of producing food. The new law was tough, and owners of land who wanted the right to sell it for subdivision or some other use were surprised and angry. Surprised because such zoning laws are rare in the whole world, and angry because if they ever decided to stop farming, they would only be able to sell their land as farmland (not to developers from whom they could make much more money).

But the people of B.C. liked the idea of protecting farmland and, surprisingly, the law has remained on the books and functioning for four decades. Thus, if you or your kids or your grandkids want to farm someday, or if you want to be able to buy food from people who live and farm near you, B.C. is a good place to live to make those dreams come true.

The outfit responsible for supervising the Agricultural Land Reserve is called the Agricultural Land Commission and it is a group of people appointed by whoever is the Government of the day. They have the very hard job of receiving applications from owners of farmland for various uses and deciding what is good for the protection of farming and what is not.

Back in the late 1990’s I was honoured to be the Minister of Agriculture. My friend John van Dongen was the Opposition Critic of Agriculture for the Liberal Party.

One day John rose in the Legislature and accused me of Conflict of Interest in a case being considered by the Agricultural Land Commission. Conflict is a serious charge. A Minister can, and should, lose their job if they are guilty of Conflict. Even just the accusation of Conflict implies the possibility of a serious breach.

I could tell from John’s expression as he raised the issue that he didn’t believe his claim to be true. And I knew it wasn’t true and, later, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner would research the charge and find it was wasn’t true.

While I was not, legally, guilty of wrongdoing or Conflict, John’s accusation was, nevertheless, justified. My point is that the relationship between any Government of British Columbia and the Agricultural Land Commission is always fraught with difficulty. Provincial Ministers charged with representing the interests of the Crown are, under any administration, frequently skating on the edge of real Conflict in their dealings with the Commission.

But it cannot be otherwise. The Agricultural Land Commission is charged with doing the work of the Angels in protecting land capable of producing food from development. Conversely, the Government of the Province is charged with doing the work of the Devil in trying to make development happen in order to sustain an economy and employ people and get themselves re-elected. The interests of the two are at odds with each other even in times when the Government of the day is supportive of the Agricultural Land Reserve in principle.

I live and produce food on land that I purchased prior to the creation of the ALR and still own. I love the Agricultural Land Reserve and hugely admire the politicians who had the guts and the foresight to put it into law so many decades ago.

When I had the honour to serve as Minister of Agriculture of B.C. I received separate visits from farmers from Ontario, Alberta, Tennessee and New Mexico who traveled all the way to our Province to ask our advice. They all wanted to know how they might develop a similar law to protect their livelihood, threatened as it was by various forms of encroachment into farmland by other interests.

In every case I had to tell them that I did not know how they could enact such legislation in the face of modern pressures that would oppose them.

I also told them that if they could achieve sufficient political will to consider such legislation we would, of course, assist them in any way we could to write or to debate such legislation. But, I said, sufficient political will in this day and age was hard to imagine. If we hadn’t seen fit to pass the law protecting farmland in 1973 there is no way we could manage to do so now.

Such is the debt that we, British Columbians, owe to those who made the ALR in the 1970's. It was possible then to consider such a vision, policy and law. It is almost unfathomable today to imagine a government, anywhere, achieving a similar objective.

A few years ago, a B.C. organization that speaks for corporatist values, the Fraser Institute, commissioned a report calling for an end to the Agricultural Land Reserve. The report disparages both Canadian farmers and consumers of food who desire to purchase food produced locally. The report is online and it is worth reading to understand that your dreams or your values may run counter to those of some people with a great deal of power in our society.

(That report, called “The BC Agricultural Land Reserve: A Critical Assessment” can be downloaded here:  http://www.fraserinstitute.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=4004)

Following the publication of that 2009 report, we had an election in B.C. While the issue of the future of the Agricultural Land Reserve was not an issue in the election, the Government that won the election appears to have decided to support the ideas of the Fraser Institute.    

(for more information see these recent articles in the Tyee http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/10/04/BC-Farmland-Protector-Cuts/ and the Globe and Mail http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/sacrosanct-agricultural-land-commission-eyed-for-breakup/article15306864/).

That is why it is time for all of the people in the Province who produce or eat food to rise up and defend the Agricultural Land Reserve. If we weaken it now, it will die.

Although the Land Reserve may have been visionary and, therefore, hard for some people to accept way back in 1973, I think it’s time may have finally come. Everywhere I go people are beginning to talk about food and the quality of food and where it comes from and how it is produced. Young people, for pretty much the first time in my 65 years, are talking about wanting to learn to farm for a living. Village, town and city people are often even more interested in food issues than my neighbours in the rural area.

This might be the moment when both urban and rural people could build a coalition of consumers and producers to defend farmland and support farmers that would define public policy in B.C. for decades to come.

At this moment in history, when everyone from the Fraser Institute to the Provincial Government seems to want to do away with the ALR, or manipulate it to serve their interest, the situation reminds me of that line we hear at weddings, the one that says “Speak now or forever hold your peace."

This is not a partisan issue. New Democrats wrote the law in 1973. It was sustained by Socreds for a quarter century. When John van Dongen rose to defend the Commission in the 90’s he was a Liberal. I know lots of farmers and discerning consumers who vote Green. One of the strongest voices in defence of the ALR in the Legislature, Vicki Huntington, is an Independent. This issue isn’t about your politics, it is about your values. Either your values, or those of the Fraser Institute.

Let’s choose to speak. Loud and from everywhere, with no urban/rural difference, in support of the Agricultural Land Reserve and in support of the producers who work that land.

And if you are moved to speak I have thoughts about how you might go about it. First, send this or some writing of your own to everyone you know who eats, gardens or farms to let them know what’s happening.

Second, take an old-fashioned pen and some paper and write your thoughts in a letter to the Premier of British Columbia. Your own thoughts. Do not bother with the Ministers whose names have been attached to this issue. Ministers are supposed to try “trial balloons” to see if they are accepted by the public. They will not be the ones who decide whether or not to mess with the Land Reserve. The Premier will make that call. Do not bother sending her an e-mail. E-mails do not make a stack on anybody’s desk. E-mails are not given the weight of a letter that you write yourself. A big stack of letters will not go unnoticed.

This issue will be resolved, one way or another, by the spring.  Now is the time to choose to speak.

Post Notes for the Council Meeting of November 25th 2013

Delegation

Special presentation of a NATO medal to Major Leah Byrne for service in Libya.

• RCMP 3rd Quarter Report  It was reported that the RCMP is using Social Services more in appropriate situations. More tickets are being issued for distracted driving.
• Interior Health Update.  The use of nurse practitioners and  problems associated with an aging population were two of the topics presented.  The presentation can be viewed at: https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3470

7.1 Administration Update
Can be read at:
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3471

No Plans for a Federal penitentiary

Capital projects presentation

Bikes for needy children event

Building permits for 3rd Quarter

Year to date construction summary

Correspondence 

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3472

Beginning:

9.1 RDEK Highlights
9.3 Letter from Lisa Coburn Core Review and Agricultural Land Cmmission and Land Reserve
https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3474
This topic resulted in considerable discussion and it was agreed to gather more information before any action with regard to correspondence is made.

9.7 Arts Council interest in Firehall
9.8 Request for $1000 to support 2nd Annual Grand Fondo was granted.  This amount was justified as it is an economic generator for Cranbrook.
9.10  De Boer Letter about expenditure on City projects.  Mayor Stetski presented the facts about funding and explained that funding for these projects is a partnership with the Federal Government.  Infrastructure funding which comes back to the community from the government must be spent on such projects and augments what the City has already budgeted.
9.11 Christmas Light Up

9.12 Community Heritage Register
Referred to Wellness and heritage Committee.

9.14 Mule Deer Request for cull  As discussion are ongoing with the Provincial Government this decision is deferred until direction is provided.

through to 9.16

Proclamations

Adoption Awareness Week

National Volunteer Week
Both proclaimed

11.1 Committee Recommendation Urban Deer Strategy

11.2 Committee Recommendation Highway 3/95 Request to release letter

12.1 New Business Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch report

12.2 Councillor Warner, Urban Deer

New Business

12.3  Report Recommendation from the Corporate Services Department re: Development Variance Permit Parking Variance East Kootenay Regional Hospital ICU Expansion will be considered at the December 9, 2013 Regular Meeting
Deferred

12.4 Development Variance 

To consider approval of an application for a Development Variance Permit for the relaxation of Section 7.15 (.4) Siting (a)(iv) of the "C-2 - Highway Commercial Zone" of the City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw to decrease the minimum required exterior side yard setback to enable development of a property located at 300 Van Horne Street S. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the application for a Development Variance Permit for the relaxation of Section 7.15 (.4) Siting (a)(iv) of the "C-2 - Highway Commercial Zone" of the "City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3737, 2012" to decrease the minimum required building setback from 6.0 m to 4.5 m for the exterior side yard located on the western boundary of the property which is legally described as Lot 1, District Lot 30, Kootenay District, Plan 9321 Except Part Included in SRW Plan 18141 (PIO 011-740-329), consistent with the application and plans submitted. 

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3493
Variance for Car Wash approved.

12.5

To consider approval of an application for a Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit to enable construction of a commercial building and related site development for property located at 300 Van Horne Street S and zoned C-2 - Highway Commercial Zone.
Approved

12.6

PURPOSE: 

To consider approval of a Development Variance Permit to vary Section 7.0S.S(b)(i) of the R-1, Single 

Family Extended Residential Zone which states "No person shall locate an accessory building or structure in the R-1 Zone: In the front yard". The applicant is requesting permission to site a detached garage in a front yard with a minimum setback of 44.3 m on property located at 1624 Mount Royal Peak road. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the application for a Development Variance Permit to vary Section 7.0S.S(b)(i) of  the R-1 , Single Family Extended Residential Zone of the "City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3737,  2012" to permit the siting of a detached garage in a front yard with a minimum setback of 44.3 m  located on Lot 2, District Lot 2872 Kootenay District Plan NEP87676.
Approved.

12.7

 To consider approval of an application for an Industrial Development Permit to enable construction of an accessory building on property located at 110 Slater Rd, zoned M-1 - Clean Industrial Zone, and  located within an Industrial Development Permit area. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the application for an Industrial Development Permit to enable construction of an accessory building on property legally described as Lot A, Plan 12968, District Lot 29, Kootenay District (PID 011-394-617), consistent with the application and plans submitted.
Approved

12.8

To renew the appointment of BOO Canada LLP as the City's independent external auditor for an additional year. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council appoint BOO Canada LLP as the City's independent external auditor under section 169 of the Community Charter for 2013 and that the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Finance and Computer Services be authorized to sign the Engagement Letter.
Approved.

12.9

To seek Council's approval for the City of Cranbrook to provide E-9-1-1 telephone service to St. Mary's Indian Band. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the renewal of an E-9-1-1 Telephone Services Agreement with st. Mary's Indian Band. The term of the contract shall extend for the period of five (5) years from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018, and further, that the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute the documents on behalf of the City
Approved

Bylaws

13.1  3782 To increase monthly Water User Rates for 2014 from $19.00 to $20.00 per month. 

13.2  3783 To increase monthly Sewer User Rates for 2014 from $17.00 to $18.00 per month

13.3 3784 To decrease monthly Landfill User Rates for 2014 from $12.00 to $11.00 per month. 
All adopted.

Advance Notes for the Council meeting of November 25th, 2013

Delegations

• RCMP 3rd Quarter Report
• Interior Health Update

7.1 Administration Update

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3471

No Plans for a Federal penitentiary

Capital projects presentation

Bikes for needy children event

Building permits for 3rd Quarter

Year to date construction summary

Correspondence 

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3472

Beginning:

9.1 RDEK Highlights

9.7 Arts Council interest in Firehall

9.11 Christmas Light Up

9.12 Community Heritage Register

9.14 Mule Deer Request for cull

through to 9.16

Proclamations

Adoption Awareness Week

National Volunteer Week

11.1 Committee Recommendation Urban Deer Strategy

11.2 Committee Recommendation Highway 3/95 Request to release letter

12.1 New Business Mayor's Brown Bag Lunch report

12.2 Councillor Warner, Urban Deer

New Business

12.3  Report Recommendation from the Corporate Services Department re: Development Variance Permit Parking Variance East Kootenay Regional Hospital ICU Expansion will be considered at the December 9, 2013 Regular Meeting 

12.4 Development Variance 

To consider approval of an application for a Development Variance Permit for the relaxation of Section 7.15 (.4) Siting (a)(iv) of the "C-2 - Highway Commercial Zone" of the City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw to decrease the minimum required exterior side yard setback to enable development of a property located at 300 Van Horne Street S. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the application for a Development Variance Permit for the relaxation of Section 7.15 (.4) Siting (a)(iv) of the "C-2 - Highway Commercial Zone" of the "City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3737, 2012" to decrease the minimum required building setback from 6.0 m to 4.5 m for the exterior side yard located on the western boundary of the property which is legally described as Lot 1, District Lot 30, Kootenay District, Plan 9321 Except Part Included in SRW Plan 18141 (PIO 011-740-329), consistent with the application and plans submitted. 

https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=3493

12.5

To consider approval of an application for a Highway Corridor Commercial Development Permit to enable construction of a commercial building and related site development for property located at 300 Van Horne Street S and zoned C-2 - Highway Commercial Zone. 

12.6

PURPOSE: 

To consider approval of a Development Variance Permit to vary Section 7.0S.S(b)(i) of the R-1, Single 

Family Extended Residential Zone which states "No person shall locate an accessory building or structure in the R-1 Zone: In the front yard". The applicant is requesting permission to site a detached garage in a front yard with a minimum setback of 44.3 m on property located at 1624 Mount Royal Peak road. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the application for a Development Variance Permit to vary Section 7.0S.S(b)(i) of  the R-1 , Single Family Extended Residential Zone of the "City of Cranbrook Zoning Bylaw No. 3737,  2012" to permit the siting of a detached garage in a front yard with a minimum setback of 44.3 m  located on Lot 2, District Lot 2872 Kootenay District Plan NEP87676. 

12.7

 To consider approval of an application for an Industrial Development Permit to enable construction of an accessory building on property located at 110 Slater Rd, zoned M-1 - Clean Industrial Zone, and  located within an Industrial Development Permit area. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the application for an Industrial Development Permit to enable construction of an accessory building on property legally described as Lot A, Plan 12968, District Lot 29, Kootenay District (PID 011-394-617), consistent with the application and plans submitted. 

12.8

To renew the appointment of BOO Canada LLP as the City's independent external auditor for an additional year. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council appoint BOO Canada LLP as the City's independent external auditor under section 169 of the Community Charter for 2013 and that the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Finance and Computer Services be authorized to sign the Engagement Letter. 

12.9

To seek Council's approval for the City of Cranbrook to provide E-9-1-1 telephone service to St. Mary's Indian Band. 

RECOMMENDATION BY: Staff 

That Council approve the renewal of an E-9-1-1 Telephone Services Agreement with st. Mary's Indian Band. The term of the contract shall extend for the period of five (5) years from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018, and further, that the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to execute the documents on behalf of the City

Bylaws

13.1  3782 To increase monthly Water User Rates for 2014 from $19.00 to $20.00 per month. 

13.2  3783 To increase monthly Sewer User Rates for 2014 from $17.00 to $18.00 per month

13.3 3784 To decrease monthly Landfill User Rates for 2014 from $12.00 to $11.00 per month. 

Over 130 Communities Unite to Challenge Harper’s Climate Inaction

by Lars Sander-Green 

Over 130 communities across Canada came together to show a united wall of opposition to pipelines, reckless tar sands expansion, and runaway climate change.

Cranbrook – On Nov 16^th, Kimberley and Cranbrook residents joined communities across Canada in a national Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Communities day of action to show growing opposition to the risks posed by pipelines and oil sands expansion to our climate and communities.

The action comes as federal and provincial governments are pushing for pipelines across the country.

The action took place at MP David Wilks’ office downtown Cranbrook. Local volunteers organized the event with national support and facilitation by Leadnow.ca and dozens of environmental, indigenous, and community groups. Forty locals of all ages joined the rally to show their opposition.

“We’re so proud to have Cranbrook showing their support for this national initiative” said local event organizer Skye McDougall, “and excited to be joining so many communities across the country to demand climate action now.”

The day of action comes as a recent poll designed by the University of Montreal shows an overwhelming majority of Canadians want the federal government to take stronger action on climate change.

“On Saturday, we saw communities opposed to reckless oil pipeline expansion in the west with communities on the east and the north to defend our climate and communities,” said Maggie Knight of Leadnow.ca. “We are seeing growing impacts of more extreme weather across the world, and the people who stood up today want Canada to be a part of the solution.”

“We’re very pleased to see the momentum and building awareness locally for this global concern,” said Dean Chatterson, President of Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook, “and the will to take positive action.”

For more information on the Defend our Climate, Defend our Communities Day of Action, please go to the website: http://defendourclimate.ca

Photos, credit Bob Benvenuti:

Searching for Zen on Two Wheels by Paul Willis

For a complete change of pace, inspiration, amusement and serious insight we are proud to present this piece by Paul Willis

You might see Paul coasting around town, on and off the bicycle trails on various two and three wheeled modes of transportation, powered only by Paul and his imagination.

click to enlarge

Photos: Wikipedia: Going to the Sun Road/ Logan pass

Photo: Wikipedia: Weeping Wall

A quick search on 'cycling' in the search box on this blog will bring up other articles by Paul Willis.

Icy Glow

photos Stewart Wilson

A Bald Eagle sits and watches as Winter's grip takes hold of Elizabeth Lake.

Michael's Musings

Fifty Plus Booms Online as Digital Presence Increases

By Michael J Morris

Older folks, in the United States go online daily, according to McAfee, as reported by emarketer.com this past week. The report is titled Fifty Plus Booms Online and was published in October 2013.

In fact, the report suggests that 97% of adults, ages 50 to 75, have some kind of regular digital presence in their lives. I was surprised  and wonder if a Canadian study would reveal the same results. 

Upon reflection, however, after my initial surprise, my hunch is the results would be similar. The study included Baby Boomers and Seniors with me in the latter group as I was born during World War II.

McAfee discovered that most use the internet primarily to make online purchases, access bank accounts, pay bills, and take care of other personal and business related tasks. 

Increasingly, we are being urged to use the internet for all those things as in some respects we are moving towards a paperless society. I don't know about you, but I no longer receive bills or bank statements in the mail which undoubtedly begs the question about the future of Canada Post.

The report notes that 80% are active on social networks as well, with over 66% logging on to social networking sites daily. That's me. I am on Facebook and Twitter daily, and have to admit they have become an integral part of my life as a communications tool. 

Flying to and from Florida recently from Calgary primarily through the United States, I was able to report my progress to friends using Facebook. At the moment, Internet use on Canadian based airlines is still prohibited. However, the main reason I flew on United and American airlines was the vast difference in taxes associated with my flight -- over $100 lower on them than Canadian carriers. Little wonder, Canadians fly on US carriers when possible but that is a story for another day.

Facebook is the most popular social network among the 50 to 75 demographic with 75% using this site compared to 35% and 22% using Google and Twitter respectively. I would have thought Google use would have been higher, but basically agree with Twitter number as I am often asked about it.

Interestingly, the report shows that more women than men in the demographic use Facebook -- 77% and 72% respectively.

I basically use Twitter as a news feed, but recently have been commenting, replying and retweeting more as my total disgust with the Harper Scandal grows, but I promised myself I would invoke my 24 hour rule, in this case extended to at least seven days before making comments.

However, I must share a comment tweeted by Andrew Coyne, one of Canada's most distinguished journalists who writes for the National Post and appears regularly on CBC At Issue program. I received it from a person in Cranbrook by email. Thanks so much.

It read: "Andrew Coyne (@acoyne) 2013-11-20 9:32 PM. Basically virtually everything Bob Fife reported in the spring has been confirmed".

High praise from a fellow journalist. As some readers know, and in the interests of full disclosure, Robert 'Bob' Fife, the Ottawa Bureau Chief of CTV News and host of CTV Question Period, is a friend and former student of mine, and his family and mine have been friends for more years than I can recall. I am so proud of Bob who has not wavered in his pursuit of the truth in this sorry mess of coverup, deceit and lies at the highest levels of our federal  government.

Back to the McAfee report. It notes that more than three in four internet users ages 45 and up worry about their online security, especially fraud or identity theft, and feel that having a social network account puts them at increased risk. Social networking sites like Facebook are their major concern

However,  two out of three readily share contact information. but there is a large discrepancy between the likelihood of sharing something like an email address (55%) and a more traceable detail like a cellphone number (33%) or home address (25%). 

Still, according to McAfee,  "a third of respondents feel comfortable sharing information ranging from personal photos to intimate or personal details including information about significant others. Moreover, half have used internet dating sites, which entails filling out a detailed personal profile to receive a compatible algorithmic match, or know someone who has."

And in conclusion the report says, "A startling quarter of social network users in this age range have even taken to sexting, indicating that older definitely does not mean wiser when it comes to oversharing online."  

Your comments, as always, welcome. 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.

Jumbo Wild Takes Top Spot in National Competition

Wildsight’s Jumbo Wild campaign received another boost this week, in the form of a $5000 award for first place in the fourth-annual Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Wild Bucks competition. 

Wildsight’s Jumbo Wild project beat out such high-profile competition as Ontario Nature, Clean  Nova Scotia, and Alberta’s Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition, taking 40% of the overall votes in this national online voting competition.

“At MEC, we’re inspired by wild places –  places like the upper Jumbo Valley,” explains MEC’s Community Program Manager Andrew Stegemann. 

“MEC Wild Bucks support our commitment to conserve ecologically and recreationally important places by giving our members the means to register their support for groups like Wildsight that are working to raise awareness of what’s at stake in Jumbo and other threatened places.”

“We are really pleased to accept this award, and very pleased to have received more votes than some really high profile, and important campaigns,” says Robyn Duncan, Wildsight’s Purcells Program Manager.

“This really shows how important the Purcell Mountains, and the Jumbo Valley in particular, are to people across the country. People really get it: now more than ever Canadians want to protect the wilderness we have, rather than developing remote valleys like Jumbo for more real estate profits, and trying to mitigate the impacts after the fact.”

Funding will go towards continuing the successful two-decade-long effort to protect critical cultural, recreational, and wildlife values in the Central Purcells from permanent real estate development.

MEC Wild Bucks was first inspired four years ago by a partnership between MEC and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. To date, the project has awarded $30,000 in bonus funding to MEC grant recipients. 

Democracy is for Those Who Participate by Councillor Sharon Cross

Click to enlarge

What's Happening ..........

Thursday November 21st

Art21 Documentary Screening
Cranbrook and District Arts Council
135, 10th Avenue South
7:00pm
Free entry, popcorn included

Friday November 22nd

GoGo Grannies
"Celebrating African Grandmother Heroes of the Continent"
Exhibit
10:00am - 4:00pm
Anglican Church Hall

Black Friday Events including

Sale of Twice Loved Art, used art books,
cards and calendars
135 10th Av, S

Spirit of Qat'muk/Jumbo
with Pat and Baiba Morrow, performances and presentations
Key City Theatre
Entry by donation

Saturday November 23rd

Christmas Craft Fair
10:00am -4:00pm
Mt Baker School
Fundraiser for Senior Boys Basketball Team

Moyie Tea Bake and Craft Sale
Community Hall, Moyie
1:00pm

Girl Guides Spaghetti Dinner
Eagles Hall
4:30 -6:30pm
Tickets
250-489-3155

Universal Children's Day, November 20th

Mr Wilson's class from Gordon Terrace School recently visited City Hall as part of their historical walk in Cranbrook's downtown.  During this pre-planned visit the class learned something about the running of our City, had an audience with Mayor Stetski and enjoyed a visit to the old jail cells within the depths of the building.

use of the gavel, a lesson in keeping order

Qat'muk Jumbo November 22nd

A Burning Issue

From the Tyee:
By Ian Gill, 16 Nov 2013, TheTyee.ca

"A devastatingly clear and important new book, The Burning Question, makes the case that we already have vastly more oil, gas and coal in the world than we can safely burn. In Copenhagen in 2009, when very little else was agreed upon, world leaders grudgingly conceded that a temperature rise of more than two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels was a line over which we cannot step."
Read the entire article at:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/11/16/Gambling-BC-Climate-Future/

and then this from the Ottawa Citizen:

Canada ranks worst on climate policy among industrialized countries: report

 

 

BY BRUCE CHEADLE, THE CANADIAN PRESS NOVEMBER 18, 2013

OTTAWA - Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq arrived at a climate change conference in Warsaw late Monday amid exceedingly low expectations.

A European report released to coincide with the United Nations conference ranks Canada 55th of 58 countries in terms of tackling greenhouse gas emissions, ahead of only Iran, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

A Washington-based group, the Center for Global Development, issued a separate report Monday that ranked Canada 27th on the environment out of the world's wealthiest 27 countries.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Canada+ranks+worst+developed+world+climate+policy+European/9180025/story.html

Some of us just don't mind being cold and wet

photos Stewart Wilson

Surrey sends important message to those who tether dogs for long periods

http://www.surreyleader.com/news/231774841.html

by  Kevin Diakiw - Surrey North Delta Leader

Surrey has passed a bylaw outlawing the tethering of dogs for long periods of time.

On Tuesday, Surrey council gave early approval to the bylaw, which prohibits the tying of dogs for more than four hours in total on any given day.

While it's unclear how city bylaw officers are going to clock how long a dog has been tethered, Coun. Barinder Rasode said the important part of the bylaw is the message it will send to people who might mistreat their animals.

"What I think is really important here, is us moving forward with this bylaw is a real indication that treating dogs humanely  is a priority for the City of Surrey," Rasode said. "Enforcement will be a bit of a challenge… the challenge will be how do you determine whether that was four hours."

South Surrey animal rights activist Janet Olson said the city's coming up short on the legislation.

"This unenforceable legislation seems perfectly designed to try to appease frustrated animal lovers while at the same time doing nothing to alienate chained dog owners. It is all appearance without any substance." Olson said.

Michael's Musings

Apologies to readers of Michael's column for being a couple of days late - 'technical difficulties' as they say.

Moving Toward a Sustainable Future with Envision 2040

By Michael J Morris

Buddy Dyer, the visionary mayor of Orlando, Florida, challenged his community to develop a plan that would transform Orlando, within a generation, into one of the most environmentally-friendly, economically and socially vibrant communities in the nation. It now ranks 39th on the list of most livable cities in the United States.

I have just returned from one of my regular visits to Orlando, and am once again impressed by the efforts led by Mayor Dyer to move the city beyond its fame from the home of Disney World and related tourist activities -- even though on this trip my friends took me to Gatorland, and I was totally impressed with the experience.

The Green Works Orlando Community Action Plan will include energy, green economy, livability, local food, solid waste, transportation and water goals, centred around the results from Envision 2040, an ideas competition which aims to illustrate what the city will look like in the future.

To get it all underway, a 20 member task force was appointed to make recommendations, and the action plan evolved out of input from round table meetings with subject matter experts, public comments, and, this one I really like, to ensure public participation -- an interactive online forum.

Envision 2040, the ideas competition is a first step and architects, planners, landscape architects, design professionals, artists, citizens, and students over 18 who are creative and advocates for a sustainable future of the City of Orlando were all encouraged to participate. The ideas competition is seeking input from interested persons locally,. nationally and internationally, not just Orlando.

After hearing about this community action plan. I visited the Green Works Orlando web site to get more information on Envision 2040 and discovered that those who responded to the challenge were encouraged to think creatively in their approach.

"The competition intentionally allows for many different approaches to fulfill the submittal requirements. Feel free to design at the site, corridor, neighbourhood, or the city-wide scale...or a little of each....or in any other manner that you can dream up," the submission guidelines said. Registration has now closed.

Orlando, like some other forward thinking communities, realizes that the future is now, and it is time to move beyond today to plan for environmentally-friendly, economically and socially vibrant places to live, work and play tomorrow.

If Orlando, Florida, can do it, why not Cranbrook, British Columbia?  My email ismj.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.

Tricky Removal

A job not for the faint of heart.  One threatening tree was removed this last week from a property bordering Rotary Park.

FlyKly

New generation of electric bicycle.

What's Happening.....

Saturday November 15th and 16th

Magic of Christmas Artisan Market
Bootleg Gap
3:00pm to 8:00pm Friday
10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday

Saturday November 16th
Locals Coffee House
Studio Side Door
7:30pm
Tickets Lotus Books and at the Door

Cranbrook United Church
Fall tea and Bake sale
2:00-4:00pm

Tea and Bake Sale
Cranbrook Mt Zion Lutheran Church
11th Av and 11th St
11:am - 2:00pm

November 15th,16th, 17th

Eagles Hall
Cranbrook GoGo Grannies
Annual Craft Show
15th 5:00pm-9:00pm
16th 9:00am-4:00pm
17th 11:00am -3:00pm

Sunday November 17th

Lily String Quartet and pianist Sue Gould
Knox Presbyterian Church
2:00pm
$20 adults Seniors and Children under 12 free.

Draft Proposal for the Water Sustainability Act

Reform of BC's Anitquated Water Act Gets Cautious "Thumbs Up" from Environmental Group 

November 5, 2013

Kimberley, BC – Wildsight is applauding the BC government’s commitment to reforming the antiquated Water Act, but cautions that the protection of water must guarantee environmental flows for fish, wildlife and sustainable communities.

“Our current 104-year old Water Act fails to protect water for healthy communities, fish, and wildlife”, says Ryan van der Marel, Program Coordinator with Wildsight. “Around the world, water is under under immense pressure due to increased demand and impacts from climate change. In BC, we now have the opportunity to create a strong Water Sustainability Act that is resilient and will protect the health of our water for future British Columbians”. 

The Draft Legislative Proposal for the Water Sustainability Act, will help to modernize our Water Act and make it more relevant to deal with the greatest water management challenges posed in the 21st Century. Wildsight encourages citizens to participate by commenting on the draft legislative proposal before the deadline of November 15th. 

“We encourage all British Columbians to call for a strong Water Sustainability Act that will protect water for fish, sustainable communities, wildlife, and future generations”. 

"This is a critical time in our history, as residents of the Columbia Basin, and we have the opportunity to play a key role in creating the future we want”, explains van der Marel. “Here in the Columbia Basin, we’re fortunate to enjoy some of the cleanest, healthiest water in the world. It’s a privilege, and a responsibility." 

Ryan van der Marel, Program Coordinator

Email: Ryan@Wildsight.ca Phone: 250.505.7666

View details of the Draft Proposal for the Water Sustainability Act: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/watersustainabilityact/