The Chase Village Council has been busy lately doing what they can to help the community move forward.
Council voted to allocate $500 from the 2013 Grant In Aid fund to the Working Together Pow-wow Society. This is a start to what council hopes to be an ongoing process of reconnecting with the local bands.
Coun. Steve Scott says he sees the allocation as the first step to creating a better friendship with their neighbours, and an attempt to work together.
Mayfest
The village council granted use of a parking lot across from the community hall as part of the Mayfest activities. This will not impact the Chase Farmer’s Market as the event will be taking place the week prior.
School board invitation
Council has voted to accept School District #73 chairperson Denise Harper’s invitation to meet with the board to discuss matters of mutual interest. The meeting will take place Monday, April 8 at 4 p.m. in the Chase fire hall.
Some of the topics they hope to cover are the empty Haldane Annex, as well as the new tennis courts
Literacy
Council voted to send a letter to the Ministry of Education regarding budget cuts to 55 Community Literacy Task Groups including the Chase literacy program.
Plea for social services
Chase voted to make a resolution of support regarding community social services. It involves highlighting the current challenges faced by the sector, as well as the unique value that community social services contribute to the municipality.
The resolution was to be shared with the premier as well as the minister of social development as an expression of the urgent need for the provincial government to reinvest in B.C.’s community social services sector.
Burn to redirect sheep
Council voted to support the Chase and District Fish & Game Club in their application for a controlled burn.
This controlled burn will be conducted in an attempt to prevent the bighorn sheep from coming lower on the mountain to feed. It would also give highway traffic a clearer view in case that the animals do make their way down.
The club is also planning to renew the supplementary salt supply higher up on the mountain as another attempt to keep the bighorn sheep off the highways and lower side of the mountain.
TNRD has already acknowledged their support of their project, and the burn would be conducted under the direction of the Minstry of Forests.
Funds denied
Council received notice that the village was denied Community Infrastructure Improvement Funds (CIIF) which were applied for back in August. These funds were intended to go into supporting the upgrades to the tennis and basketball court between Haldane Elementary and Chase Secondary.
Council meeting as planned
The Chase council meeting will proceed as planned on May 14, despite the provincial election taking place on the same day. Those who wish to attend may do so at the regularly scheduled time.
