On the city scene — the week that was.
Long time School District secretary treasurer is leaving.
School superintendent is forming stakeholders’ committee to help with the transition into the new school plans.
City of Williams Lake fired the new CAO before he began work. City and IUOE reach a tentative agreement after a strike that never should have happened. Brian Battison presented Taseko’s proposal for the new Prosperity Mine to the Cariboo Regional District (Question; will anyone be invited to present the three areas of concern over the mine? If not, why not? )
And — tada — this is Cowboy Heritage Week.
Cowboys have played a significant part in the history of this province, especially in the Cariboo Chilcotin where cattle ranching has sustained the economy in a big way since the late 1850s. The provincial government recently recognized the historical role of the cowboy by proclaiming Cowboy Heritage Week. As far as I know the city isn’t noting the occasion. In fact, B.C.’s most famous cowtown, is getting ready to “rebrand.”
Council apparently has decided the best way to get out of the current economic doldrums, and to attract business investment and skilled labour, is to find a new “placebrand.” After spending years seeking public input, the city has had an outside consultant and a local committee working on this for some time. The results will be presented to council later this month. I understand the “visual elements” of the new brand will not focus on the western theme, they won’t include the traditional cowboy hat or russell fence. But will pay homage to our “cowboy roots” reflecting “the honest, get-it-done free rein lifestyle. “
After over 50 years of successive councils pushing the western theme it will be interesting to see how long it takes for a new theme to catch on.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.