Corporal Mike Gallagher, Keremeos RCMP Detachment Commander, addressed council with respect to the second quarter report on policing at the October 9 meeting of council.
Gallagher told council that crime stats were mostly down in the second quarter with nothing major transpiring during that time. A couple of fights over the quarter and a slight increase in vehicle theft drove up assault statistics somewhat, but overall, the crime picture was improved over the same period last year.
Crime Stoppers ps have led to $2,095 worth of property recovered and $50,500 worth of drugs seized in the past 10 months, Gallagher added. A planned bike patrol in the community was delayed due to a uniform shortage.
Council agreed to a request to proclaim November 18 to 25 as “Restorative Justice Week” in addition to prclaiming February of 2013 to be “Heart Month”.
Council also endorsed a recommendation to support an increase to the Persons with Disabilities rate to better reflect the cost of living in B.C. The increase sought would bring the rates in line with the standard for low income seniors that was established by the federal old age security / guaranteed income supplement program.
Finally, council also took the “Hello Pledge” as a step towards strengthening social connectedness in the community.
Greyhound Canada is once again seeking to reduce service levels through the Similkameen, with an application before the province to reduce the minimum route frequency between Rock Creek and Vancouver.Council voted in favour of a motion to have staff write a letter to Greyhound to express concerns over the proposed service reduction.
Mayor and council reports included a summary of Union of BC Municipalities convention activities by Mayor Bauer and Councillor Thielmann, while Councillor Cowling brought council up to date on some equipment breakdowns at the Similkameen Rec Centres’ bowling alley.
Mayor Bauer noted that “Apple Day at the Grist Mill” attendence and entries into the apple pie contest had declined over the previous year.
Staff reports by Chief Administrative Officer Laurie Taylor indicated that the village’s new website should be in operation by mid November. The 2013 budget process is getting underway, and the Official Community Plan draft should be forthcoming this week, with an open house for the public to come. The village is also working with the Keremeos Irrigation District to establish timelines for construction of the proposed reservoir.
Village business ended for the evening with a resolution to support a Federation of Canadian Municipalities recommendation to develop a new long term infrastructure funding plan between federal, provincial and municipal governments.
