http://www.flickr.com/groups/hopeforkyoto/
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Cranbrook Connected and the CLC
Some of the issues mentioned included;
-the arts
-natural beauty
-better city planning
-let Cranbrook be a leader, not a follower
-sustainability needs to be more than a talking point
-adhere to a solid plan
-increase diversity
To learn more about Cranbrook Connected go to: http://www.cranbrookconnected.ca/
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
City Council Meeting Notes
Norm Walters - At last night's city council meeting we heard of the sudden death of Norm Walters, Area E Director from the Regional District of East Kootenay. We were all shocked to hear the news and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Norm loved representing Area E and was always available for a bit of straight shooting advice on a particular issue.
Memorial Arena -While every attempt will still be made to open the Memorial Arena on time (Dec 18) there may be a delay as there is a problem with some of the poured concrete. While the contractor feels it will be fine the city is asking for absolute assurances that we will not face any issues in the future. Considering the amount of monies being spent we certainly support the cities approach on this issue.
Correspondence - Mayor Manjak addressed Mr. David Humphrey's concerns by stating that he would be investigating further and would report back in January.
Downtown Gas Leak -The council discussed the gas leak which effected many residences and businesses on Saturday. City crews and Terasen worked around the clock to resolve the problem safely. The leak occurred when contractors for our high speed broadband system hit the gas line which was supposed to be inactive.
Slaterville- discussion occurred around the correspondence received by the citizens of Slaterville. The city will be holding a community neighbourhood meeting on April 30, 2011. Many of the councillors expressed their support for the area and how it was a unique historical area in Cranbrook.
911 Call Forwarding -An interesting revenue stream for the City of Cranbrook is our ongoing contracts with various communities in BC including Castelgar and the Regional District of East Kootenay to supply them with a 911 call forwarding service and fire services which produce a revenue of $700,000 a year. This is a significant amount of monies added to our budget and it is something which many citizens of Cranbrook are not aware of.
Increased fees for water and sewer -Due to the ongoing improvements to our Spray Irrigation site and a shortfall in funds rates for sewer and water will be increasing. This will enable the city to not borrow further monies for this ongoing project.
The next city council meeting will be January 11, 2011. See you there!
Memorial Arena -While every attempt will still be made to open the Memorial Arena on time (Dec 18) there may be a delay as there is a problem with some of the poured concrete. While the contractor feels it will be fine the city is asking for absolute assurances that we will not face any issues in the future. Considering the amount of monies being spent we certainly support the cities approach on this issue.
Correspondence - Mayor Manjak addressed Mr. David Humphrey's concerns by stating that he would be investigating further and would report back in January.
Downtown Gas Leak -The council discussed the gas leak which effected many residences and businesses on Saturday. City crews and Terasen worked around the clock to resolve the problem safely. The leak occurred when contractors for our high speed broadband system hit the gas line which was supposed to be inactive.
Slaterville- discussion occurred around the correspondence received by the citizens of Slaterville. The city will be holding a community neighbourhood meeting on April 30, 2011. Many of the councillors expressed their support for the area and how it was a unique historical area in Cranbrook.
911 Call Forwarding -An interesting revenue stream for the City of Cranbrook is our ongoing contracts with various communities in BC including Castelgar and the Regional District of East Kootenay to supply them with a 911 call forwarding service and fire services which produce a revenue of $700,000 a year. This is a significant amount of monies added to our budget and it is something which many citizens of Cranbrook are not aware of.
Increased fees for water and sewer -Due to the ongoing improvements to our Spray Irrigation site and a shortfall in funds rates for sewer and water will be increasing. This will enable the city to not borrow further monies for this ongoing project.
The next city council meeting will be January 11, 2011. See you there!
Rockyview OCP For the record:
In reference to the article by Gerry Warner in yesterday’s Townsman
Wilks defends fellow RDEK director over hearing handling
Mr. Wilks was not present at the hearing to which he refers. Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook are very well aware of public hearing protocol.
The comments that Mr Wilks strangely characterised as 'an attack' were made by Mr Cross as a member of the Cranbrook Community Forest Society and in response to a very late change requested by the City of Cranbrook. Not only was the change made late in the Rockyview OCP process but no consultation with Cranbrook Community Forest Society occurred with regard to this change. CCF is the holder of the Community Forest Management Agreement and is therefore a major stakeholder. We appreciate Mr Gay’s candid comment “that he wished he’d handled the presence of former Mayor Priest differently” His honesty is refreshing. It is our opinion that it was unfortunate more questions about the hearing were not asked by RDEK directors before the Rockyview OCP was adopted.
The Cranbrook Guardian's original accounting of these events can be read on the posts of October 27th 2010 'Priest and others Speak Out'
http://livablecranbrook.blogspot.com/2010/10/priest-and-others-speak-out.htmland
and November 6th 2010, 'RDEK Ignores Public Concerns'
http://livablecranbrook.blogspot.com/2010/11/rdek-ignores-public-concerns.html
Wilks defends fellow RDEK director over hearing handling
Mr. Wilks was not present at the hearing to which he refers. Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook are very well aware of public hearing protocol.
The comments that Mr Wilks strangely characterised as 'an attack' were made by Mr Cross as a member of the Cranbrook Community Forest Society and in response to a very late change requested by the City of Cranbrook. Not only was the change made late in the Rockyview OCP process but no consultation with Cranbrook Community Forest Society occurred with regard to this change. CCF is the holder of the Community Forest Management Agreement and is therefore a major stakeholder. We appreciate Mr Gay’s candid comment “that he wished he’d handled the presence of former Mayor Priest differently” His honesty is refreshing. It is our opinion that it was unfortunate more questions about the hearing were not asked by RDEK directors before the Rockyview OCP was adopted.
The Cranbrook Guardian's original accounting of these events can be read on the posts of October 27th 2010 'Priest and others Speak Out'
http://livablecranbrook.blogspot.com/2010/10/priest-and-others-speak-out.htmland
and November 6th 2010, 'RDEK Ignores Public Concerns'
http://livablecranbrook.blogspot.com/2010/11/rdek-ignores-public-concerns.html
Monday, December 6, 2010
Advance City Council Meeting Notes
City Council Meeting tonight at 6pm at city hall. You can also watch on the local Shaw Channel
Here are some of the hi-lites from tonight's Council Agenda/Package
Administration Updates for December 6th, 2010
- Municipal Fibre-optic Broadband Network
This $2.25 million project is moving ahead with Prestige Telecom Inc. in association with Consulting Gateway Corp. The fibre optic network is being built entirely underground using directional drilling technology. Construction commenced the week of Nov 15 with scheduled completion date of March 31, 2011.
- Memorial Arena should re-open Saturday Dec 18, 2010. While all the upgrades are not complete the ice will be available to the public. Remaining items include exterior work, painting, mechanical room upgrades and fire control upgrades
-Library Services. During the month of December people can pay off their fines by donating a non-perishable food item. All food to be donated to the Cranbrook Food Bank
Correspondence
There were 6 letters submitted to the City including;
-Correspondence from the Regional District of East Kootenay stating its November highlights
-Correspondence from the from Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon regarding a new health promotion initiative
- Correspondence from the Mayor of Trail re: Excise Tax Act Amendment
- Correspondence from Gerald Jolliffe regarding the donation of the pedestrian bridge over Joseph Creek to the city.
-The 2 most significant pieces of correspondence included a letter from David Humphrey regarding the Spray Irrigation Site and the ability of cattle on that site to drink run off containing effluent. The contents of pond G1 tests above government guidelines for cattle watering. While the city has repeated that there are no problems at the site, Mr. Humphrey's diligent investigative work has discovered just the opposite. Is it not about time that the City respond in an adequate way to the obvious issues of non-compliance.
The second letter comes to us from the community of Slaterville and some of the ongoing issues it faces regarding lack of public transportation, no curbs, no gutters, no storm sewers, no side walks among many other issues. Now is the time for Slaterville to get some of the attention it deserves and ensure its ongoing success as a neighbourhood here in Cranbrook. The city has arranged to have a community meeting on April 30, 2011
New Business
- Rails to Trails Maintenance. That the council commit to $10,000 for future maintenance of the Rails to Trails as per an operating agreement between the City of Kimberley and the City of Cranbrook in anticipation of a Society being formed over the next 2 years
- recommendation re: Audio/Visual System replacement If you have been watching on Shaw you know there are ongoing issues with the sound quality making it very difficult to listen to the meetings.
- From Corporate Services comes a recommendation to take the St Mary River Crown land out of the Agricultural Land Reserve to create a city park adjacent to the Shadow Mountain Development. Concerns have been raised over public access to this park and we will continue to follow this story with great interest.
By-Law
By-law 3710 and 3715 are increases to the rates for the water and sewer billing. Water rates would increase by $1.00 per month while sewer billing would increase by $2.00 per month.
By-law 3716 would support a "wood first" policy when it comes to building. The city would encourage the use of wood in all building projects and that the procurement procedures would reflect this new requirement.
To read the entire package please go here http://cranbrook.ihostez.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=1214
Here are some of the hi-lites from tonight's Council Agenda/Package
Administration Updates for December 6th, 2010
- Municipal Fibre-optic Broadband Network
This $2.25 million project is moving ahead with Prestige Telecom Inc. in association with Consulting Gateway Corp. The fibre optic network is being built entirely underground using directional drilling technology. Construction commenced the week of Nov 15 with scheduled completion date of March 31, 2011.
- Memorial Arena should re-open Saturday Dec 18, 2010. While all the upgrades are not complete the ice will be available to the public. Remaining items include exterior work, painting, mechanical room upgrades and fire control upgrades
-Library Services. During the month of December people can pay off their fines by donating a non-perishable food item. All food to be donated to the Cranbrook Food Bank
Correspondence
There were 6 letters submitted to the City including;
-Correspondence from the Regional District of East Kootenay stating its November highlights
-Correspondence from the from Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon regarding a new health promotion initiative
- Correspondence from the Mayor of Trail re: Excise Tax Act Amendment
- Correspondence from Gerald Jolliffe regarding the donation of the pedestrian bridge over Joseph Creek to the city.
-The 2 most significant pieces of correspondence included a letter from David Humphrey regarding the Spray Irrigation Site and the ability of cattle on that site to drink run off containing effluent. The contents of pond G1 tests above government guidelines for cattle watering. While the city has repeated that there are no problems at the site, Mr. Humphrey's diligent investigative work has discovered just the opposite. Is it not about time that the City respond in an adequate way to the obvious issues of non-compliance.
The second letter comes to us from the community of Slaterville and some of the ongoing issues it faces regarding lack of public transportation, no curbs, no gutters, no storm sewers, no side walks among many other issues. Now is the time for Slaterville to get some of the attention it deserves and ensure its ongoing success as a neighbourhood here in Cranbrook. The city has arranged to have a community meeting on April 30, 2011
New Business
- Rails to Trails Maintenance. That the council commit to $10,000 for future maintenance of the Rails to Trails as per an operating agreement between the City of Kimberley and the City of Cranbrook in anticipation of a Society being formed over the next 2 years
- recommendation re: Audio/Visual System replacement If you have been watching on Shaw you know there are ongoing issues with the sound quality making it very difficult to listen to the meetings.
- From Corporate Services comes a recommendation to take the St Mary River Crown land out of the Agricultural Land Reserve to create a city park adjacent to the Shadow Mountain Development. Concerns have been raised over public access to this park and we will continue to follow this story with great interest.
By-Law
By-law 3710 and 3715 are increases to the rates for the water and sewer billing. Water rates would increase by $1.00 per month while sewer billing would increase by $2.00 per month.
By-law 3716 would support a "wood first" policy when it comes to building. The city would encourage the use of wood in all building projects and that the procurement procedures would reflect this new requirement.
To read the entire package please go here http://cranbrook.ihostez.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=1214
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Cranbrook Community Forest Announce New Website
http://www.cranbrookcommunityforest.com/
How about a Cranbrook Community Forest membership for a Christmas gift? Membership money supports ongoing efforts to preserve and maintain one of our most valued assets. Information is on the website.
How about a Cranbrook Community Forest membership for a Christmas gift? Membership money supports ongoing efforts to preserve and maintain one of our most valued assets. Information is on the website.
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| Snowshoers head off out of the parking lot |
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| Happy Dog Walks |
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| A True Winter Wonderland |
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| Well Marked Trails |
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Santa’s Workshop at The Green Home
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| Mr. Paul Knipe demonstrates how the gadget will go together and work |
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| David Bernier showing the finished kit |
Friday, December 3, 2010
Sustainability and Growth. Is it possible to have both?
Jeremy Sturgess, well known Canadian architect and urban designer while in Cranbrook, gave a very informative lecture about building for sustainability. When asked how to reconcile sustainability and growth together he said , “ I think sustainability is about growth.”
On the one hand it would seem impossible to put these two concepts together especially if one is considering growth in the traditional sense of the word – getting more, getting bigger. To get more or to get bigger, resources are required. We know all about the most important resource required for human growth and survival –food! If there is no food we starve and die. Food sustains and prolongs life. To grow, live and die is the normal cycle of nature. However economies require food of a different kind and the main protein for our current economy is petroleum. Our economy is dependent upon oil. Over the last one hundred years our economy has grown and lived. However we need to face that when we have to drill deep within the ocean and use a complex process to extract oil from tar sands it is a sign that the supply is depleting. Economies are showing signs of stress and decay. Current economies as we know them are in their senior years so it would seem the result is inevitable.
On the other hand maybe growth and sustainability is about a slightly different concept. I have a pond in my garden. It does not grow bigger. However it is a living habitat that only needs replenishing with water once in a while. Water is essential to all life. Year after year the plants within it grow and bloom. The fish are provided with enough food generated by algae and the small water organisms. The pond is rich in varied plant and animal life. The pond needs some maintenance work but it is self-sustaining. It is a wonderful example of what our own larger environment must become. Within that pond is growth, carefully managed growth, self-sustaining growth full of symbiotic relationships and yet it does not get bigger and take over my entire garden.
Sustainability to me is about prolonging a healthy state of life or economy in a managed way. With a healthy, balanced and horizontal economy, growth, life and death of the individual elements will occur but the footprint will remain the same.
The Cranbrook Connected Committee is working hard to clarify this dilemma for Cranbrook. How do we prolong the healthy life of a community and be part of a self-sustaining world. We must look beyond the boundaries of Canada to assess the resources. Canada may have plenty still but the rest of the world does not and in our modern world of trade agreements we share.
Please give thought to the future and complete your Cranbrook Connected Questionnaire with what a sustainable Cranbrook looks like to you.
On the one hand it would seem impossible to put these two concepts together especially if one is considering growth in the traditional sense of the word – getting more, getting bigger. To get more or to get bigger, resources are required. We know all about the most important resource required for human growth and survival –food! If there is no food we starve and die. Food sustains and prolongs life. To grow, live and die is the normal cycle of nature. However economies require food of a different kind and the main protein for our current economy is petroleum. Our economy is dependent upon oil. Over the last one hundred years our economy has grown and lived. However we need to face that when we have to drill deep within the ocean and use a complex process to extract oil from tar sands it is a sign that the supply is depleting. Economies are showing signs of stress and decay. Current economies as we know them are in their senior years so it would seem the result is inevitable.
On the other hand maybe growth and sustainability is about a slightly different concept. I have a pond in my garden. It does not grow bigger. However it is a living habitat that only needs replenishing with water once in a while. Water is essential to all life. Year after year the plants within it grow and bloom. The fish are provided with enough food generated by algae and the small water organisms. The pond is rich in varied plant and animal life. The pond needs some maintenance work but it is self-sustaining. It is a wonderful example of what our own larger environment must become. Within that pond is growth, carefully managed growth, self-sustaining growth full of symbiotic relationships and yet it does not get bigger and take over my entire garden.
Sustainability to me is about prolonging a healthy state of life or economy in a managed way. With a healthy, balanced and horizontal economy, growth, life and death of the individual elements will occur but the footprint will remain the same.
The Cranbrook Connected Committee is working hard to clarify this dilemma for Cranbrook. How do we prolong the healthy life of a community and be part of a self-sustaining world. We must look beyond the boundaries of Canada to assess the resources. Canada may have plenty still but the rest of the world does not and in our modern world of trade agreements we share.
Please give thought to the future and complete your Cranbrook Connected Questionnaire with what a sustainable Cranbrook looks like to you.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
What’s Happening
December 2-4 and 8-11
It’s a Wonderful Life
Live Radio Play
Directed by Terry Miller
Studio Stage Door, Cranbrook
8:00pm
Tickets at Lotus Books $15
December 2nd
Meet and Greet for singles
Finnegan’s Wake
356 Van Horne St
Friday December 3rd
Art at the Fort Comes to Town
Key City Theatre
Artists Reception
5-8:00 pm
Friday December 3rd
A Classic Christmas
Cranbrook Public Library
7-10:00 pm
Music, Refreshments
Tickets $7 Lotus Books and Library
Art Fair
Artrageous Gallery
10:00am – 3:00 pm
250-426-4223
Saturday December 4
Author Readings
Cranbrook Public Library
Manual Training Building
12:30 – 5:00 pm
December 4 and 5
Christmas in the Kootenays
Symphony of the Kootenays
Saturday 7:30 pm
Sunday2:00 pm
Key City Theatre
Tickets at Key City Theatre
symphonyofthekootenays@shaw.ca
Sunday December 5th
Fort Steele Heritage Town
Sunday Sleigh Rides
11:00 am
Rides $2.25 per person
Photos with Father Christmas
Pets welcome
Photos$10 per photo
Lambi House
December 6th
TM Roberts School Concert
Key City Theatre
Tuesday December 7th
Arts Camp
Steeples School
10: -11:00 am
Children up to 5 years accompanied by an adult
December 7th
Highlands School Concert
Key City Theatre
December 8
Mass Elementary School Choir
7:30 pm
College of the Rockies
Teen Books needed for Christmas Hampers
Can be dropped off at Key City Theatre, Lotus Books
Falkins, Investor’s Ashley Furniture, COR,
Christ Church Anglican
It’s a Wonderful Life
Live Radio Play
Directed by Terry Miller
Studio Stage Door, Cranbrook
8:00pm
Tickets at Lotus Books $15
December 2nd
Meet and Greet for singles
Finnegan’s Wake
356 Van Horne St
Friday December 3rd
Art at the Fort Comes to Town
Key City Theatre
Artists Reception
5-8:00 pm
Friday December 3rd
A Classic Christmas
Cranbrook Public Library
7-10:00 pm
Music, Refreshments
Tickets $7 Lotus Books and Library
Art Fair
Artrageous Gallery
10:00am – 3:00 pm
250-426-4223
Saturday December 4
Author Readings
Cranbrook Public Library
Manual Training Building
12:30 – 5:00 pm
December 4 and 5
Christmas in the Kootenays
Symphony of the Kootenays
Saturday 7:30 pm
Sunday2:00 pm
Key City Theatre
Tickets at Key City Theatre
symphonyofthekootenays@shaw.ca
Sunday December 5th
Fort Steele Heritage Town
Sunday Sleigh Rides
11:00 am
Rides $2.25 per person
Photos with Father Christmas
Pets welcome
Photos$10 per photo
Lambi House
December 6th
TM Roberts School Concert
Key City Theatre
Tuesday December 7th
Arts Camp
Steeples School
10: -11:00 am
Children up to 5 years accompanied by an adult
December 7th
Highlands School Concert
Key City Theatre
December 8
Mass Elementary School Choir
7:30 pm
College of the Rockies
Teen Books needed for Christmas Hampers
Can be dropped off at Key City Theatre, Lotus Books
Falkins, Investor’s Ashley Furniture, COR,
Christ Church Anglican
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Around Town and Looking Good!
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| Downtown Cranbrook |
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| Candy Cane Lane |
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| The Clocktower - Downtown |
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