Council has set its priorities for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in late September, where local government leaders meet to discuss common issues and lobby provincial ministers on matters important to each community.
Our council wants to discuss resource revenue sharing, infrastructure funding, RCMP resources, and a number of other issues. We will be providing updates to the public each day of the convention in Victoria. Earlier this summer, the city produced the second quarter Economic Indicators Report, and there are some good numbers to share: the number of business licenses is up, as are the number of new homes built.
Congratulations to Diane Wright, superintendent of schools for School District 27, and Alison Ruault, health services administrator at Interior Health on your retirements.
I have been grateful to know you and work with you over the past few years, and I’m grateful for all you have done for Williams Lake and the region. I wish you the very best in retirement! And congratulations also to Mark Thiessen (school district) and Deborah Runge (Interior Health) on your appointments to replace Diane and Alison. I’ve enjoyed working with you in the past, and I look forward to working with you in your new roles.
A reminder to everyone that members of council and I will be cooking hot dogs tonight at Boitanio Park in between the two Performances in the Park sets. Sam Tudor, Marin Patenaude, and Drum and Bell Tower perform at 5 and 7 p.m. We will be serving hot dogs and recognizing the incredible Kids Running For Kids group at 6 p.m.
This is the final Performance in the Park concert of the year, so if you haven’t been, this is a chance to come enjoy the music, have a hot dog, and celebrate some of the amazing young people we are fortunate to have in Williams Lake. Kids Running For Kids are still collecting donations for B.C. Children’s Hospital, which CN will match until Aug. 26.
Kerry Cook is the mayor of Williams Lake.