by Susan Swan
Highlights from the June 8 meeting.
In attendance: Mayor Roland Stanke and councillors Daniella Dyck, Margaret James and Bonnie Stanke. Missing was Coun. Marian Nelson.
Health Status update
Philip Snyman and Bryan Redford from Interior Health provided a Health Status update. They showed how the burgeoning numbers of aging ‘baby boomers’ will affect the health care in this province. As people age their health needs increase and this will put a strain on the system. IH is planning now to be ready for the increase in health care needs.
Redford showed how chronic disease patients represent 34 per cent of the population but use 83 per cent of MSP, PharmaCare and acute care budgets. The Ministry’s strategy to meet this problem head on is to shift from Reactive to proactive care. They want to focus on helping people remain healthy in their own homes as long as possible. This approach will reduce the need for hospital and residential care services and reduce overall taxpayer dollars directed towards health care. Currently 50 per cent of tax dollars in the province goes to health care.
The Ministry will strengthen primary care, which accounts for 80 per cent of frontline medical care. They want to create multi-disciplinary integrated health teams that are effectively linked with general practitioners. Interior Health is working to provide GPs with a ‘one call’ system whereby they can make one call to get referrals, etc. for their patients. This will reduce wait times for patients.
Work is being done on chronic disease management (such as diabetes) stressing prevention, education, support and integrated care management teams linked with GP offices to provide services 24/7. Mental health and substance abuse are also benefiting from new IH-wide resources.
Redford stated that the Clinton Health and Wellness Centre is right in line with the planning for the South Cariboo. “Clinton is a community that is very forward-thinking” he commented as he closed their presentation.
Flooding in Clinton
Residents of Bell Street reported flooding of their properties on May 21. CAO Frank activated a level one Emergency Operations Centre for flooding of Cut Off Valley Creek. Craig Beeson, section head of the government water stewardship toured the area with the CAO, but by the time he arrived the water level had receded somewhat. He advised that the house at 205 Cariboo Ave. did not appear to be in danger of washing into the creek even though water was running directly underneath it. He then proceeded towards Leighwood Lake and believed a broken beaver dam was causing the flooding.
The water level is still much higher than normal and some residents have sandbags at the ready just in case the water rises further.
Cutting in Clinton Watershed
The Village of Clinton received a referral from BC Timber Sales for a cut block that overlaps approximately 15 hectares within the Clinton Watershed. The cut is for Mountain Pine Beetle salvage.
Council will ask BC Timber Sales to have toilets on site and to comply with the draft Watershed Plan.
Appointment of Election Officers
Deputy Finance Officer Dina Connan was appointed as the Chief Election Officer for the 2011 Local Government Elections and CAO Heidi Frank was appointed as Deputy Chief Election Officer for the Village of Clinton.
BC Food Systems Network
Councillor Nelson (in absentia) reported that the BC Food Systems Network is hosting a special public forum and reception entitled Land Redistribution and Reform: Securing Food for Present and Future Generations. The event takes place in 100 Mile House on July 8. Council authorized Coun. Nelson to attend with regular costs being covered by the Village of Clinton.
Old bylaws
Bylaw No. 487, 2011, a bylaw to repeal in their entirety the following bylaws was adopted by council: Highways and Sidewalks Bylaw No. 9. 1963; Sunday Sports and Entertainment Bylaw No. 72, 1969; Curfew Bylaw No. 74, 1969; Pool Room Regulation Bylaw No. 83, 1971 and Holiday Shopping Act Bylaw No. 180, 1981.
Next meeting
The next council meeting is June 22 at 7 pm in the Village office.
