The weather was perfect last Thursday for the final Performances in the Park and Kids Running For Kids barbecue, and it was a fantastic event!
I enjoyed listening to the incredible local musicians, meeting the kids, and helping out at the barbecue. Councillors also had a great time serving up more than 500 hot dogs. An estimated $1,000 was raised for the B.C. Children’s Hospital that night, which will be matched by CN. That’s on top of the roughly $90,000 Kids Running For Kids have already raised. Thank to all who participated and donated.
After a recent scare with my granddaughter (she is OK now), I am even more thankful for our local hospital and the services we have. By raising money for the Children’s Hospital, Kids Running For Kids recognize how health care, especially for children, affects us all.
The Special Committee on Timber Supply has issued its report, and it appears the city’s messages were heard loud and clear. The city supports the committee’s recommendations, and I’m especially pleased to see the continued support for the three Beetle Action Coalitions, and that forest areas will be reviewed on a site-by-site basis rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The forest industry has been and will continue to be important in our community. The province recognizes the need to work with communities, industry, and First Nations moving forward.
We currently have three fire protection agreements for the fringe areas around the city. The city has just received notice that the largest agreement, with the province, will be expiring in December. That means the city and the Cariboo Regional District will have to get together and agree on how we are going to provide fire protection services after December.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the city appointed councillors Geoff Bourdon, Laurie Walters, and Sue Zacharias to a negotiating committee, to work with the CRD to ensure we address the issue. The city is committed to finding a positive outcome.
Kerry Cook is the mayor of Williams Lake.