I spent last Monday in Victoria as the Rural BC Project Steering Committee met with Donna Barnett, our MLA and Parliamentary Secretariat to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for Rural Development.
The committee gave an update on the work we’ve done since meeting with the premier and other ministers at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention last September.
We had a productive discussion on the challenges and opportunities in rural communities, including relationships with First Nations communities.
A joint Beetle Action Coalition/government staff working group, consisting of staff from the three provincial coalitions and four government ministries, is working to provide additional information to support the ongoing dialogue between the provincial government and the Rural BC Project Steering Committee and to develop a set of recommended actions that would further rural development in the province.
These recommendations will be brought forward to MLA Barnett this spring.
The steering committee is committed to continuing to work with the Province on identifying concrete actions that can be undertaken to address these recommendations to improve Rural BC.
Congratulations to Lynnette Cobb, who was one of 34 British Columbians recognized with a B.C. Community Achievement Award.
Lynnette has volunteered almost 50,000 hours for Canadian Mental Health Association Crisis and Counselling Centre and 3,000 hours for RCMP Victim Services.
That is equivalent to nearly six years of time spent volunteering! On top of that, Lynnette was actively involved in the construction of Baker Manor, a supportive housing facility for people with disabilities.
Thank you Lynnette, for all you have given to Williams Lake. You are a true pioneer and pillar of the community.
Good news on the development front, as council has approved the new Aviator Hotel on South Broadway and a 14-lot subdivision on Centennial Drive.
We also expect more development on the Prosperity Ridge site.
I addressed the Chamber of Commerce last week about the New Prosperity Mines “No” decision.
The city respects the decision of the proponent to proceed with its judicial review — in the meantime, we must move ahead and continue to work together for the betterment of our community.
We have a lot of exciting things happening in Williams Lake, and I’m looking forward to more great things in the future!
Kerry Cook is the Mayor of Williams Lake.