Public information open houses have been scheduled for affected residents who will be heading to the polls on Saturday, Nov. 24, to vote in the Williams Lake fringe area fire protection services referendum.
Sessions have been scheduled as follows: Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with a presentation at 6 p.m. at the Pioneer Complex and Thursday Nov. 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the 150 Mile House Community Hall.
Cariboo Regional District elected officials and staff who will be on hand at both sessions to provide residents with information about the referendum and answer questions.
Advance voting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and Monday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Cariboo Regional District board room, at 180 North Third Ave., Williams Lake, B.C.
General voting will be held on Nov. 24 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Cariboo Regional District board room.
The referendum question will ask if affected residents throughout the rural area surrounding the City of Williams Lake that currently receive services from the Williams Lake Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) wish to continue to receive fire protection services from the City of Williams Lake VFD for approximately $129/$100,000 (2013 estimate) of residential assessment. If this vote is successful, residents will continue to receive service by the Williams Lake VFD.
If the vote is unsuccessful, effective Jan. 1, 2013, residents will no longer have fire protection services.
In order to vote, affected residents must be 18 years of age or older, a Canadian citizen, a resident of BC for at least the last six months, and a resident of the voting area for at least the last 30 days. Further important information about the eligibility including non-resident property owners in the affected fringe areas, mail ballot voting, and more details about the referendum itself are available online at cariboord.bc.ca.
Referendum details are also available by contacting Alice Johnston, chief election officer; or Rick Hodgson, deputy chief election officer at 250-392-3351 or toll free at 1-800-665-1636.