A survey in 2005 found support for continuing the television rebroadcasting service within District of Clearwater and Wells Gray Country (Area A). There therefore is no need for another survey until 2012.
That was the decision by Clearwater council during a council meeting held last Tuesday.
The 2005 survey received 117 responses, reported corporate administrator Leslie Groulx. Of those, 89 per cent did not want to see the service discontinued.
Tuesday’s decision was made on the recommendation of the Joint Services Advisory Committee, which provides guidance to town council and the Wells Gray Country services committee on services, such as television rebroadcasting, that both jurisdictions share.
The recommendation not to hold another survey until 2012 also went to the services committee for ratification.
The rebroadcasting service has four repeater stations and transmits three channels.
District hires new accountants
Councilors approved a recommendation from director of finance Scott Coulson that the contract for auditor services be awarded to BDO for a five-year term. Cost of the contract would be $17,500 per year plus disbursements and a factor for inflation.
Coulson said that the request for proposals had been advertised both in the local and a Kamloops newspaper, plus on the web. Four applications had been received, which were then short-listed to two. He, corporate administrator Leslie Groulx and councilor Ken Kjenstad (in his role as chair of the finance committee) interviewed the two finalists and unanimously chose BDO.
Kjenstad said the new auditors are a smaller company than the ones the District had previously. He also noted that the quote for the new company was considerably under what might otherwise be paid.
Help for virtual tour project
Council approved providing in-kind assistance to help the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission to develop a virtual tour that will allow information to be embedded in virtual reality views.
“It will provide the film commission with a means to more effectively respond to location requests and market the region,” wrote Vicci Weller, executive director of film with the commission.
The in-kind contribution would consist of identifying locations for filming and, where necessary, assistance in obtaining access to venues such as community halls and arenas.
“There is a huge economic possibility for films and commercials in this area,” said councilor Stephanie Teare, who also is a member of the film commission. “It’s often the hidden gems they’re looking for.”
Teare said the drop in filmmaking activity in the regional district over the past year was the result of the strong Canadian dollar and technological advances that are making outdoor sets less necessary.
