From the Aug. 22 Council meeting.
Roll Call: Mayor Andy Anderson and councillors Alice Durksen, Jerry Fiddick, Helen Kormendy and Colin Williams.
TRU Geography
TRU instructor Crystal Huscraft attended to let councillors know that she is planning to bring 15 3rd year geography majors and five faculty members to Ashcroft Sept. 19-24 to conduct research and planning.
She said the size of the community was perfect for field study and there is a TRU office in town to work out of. “It’s a great l iving laboratory for the students,” she said.
The field work introduces the students to basic field skills and is part of a project-based course that allows students to develop skills and understand many aspects of a community.
Huscraft said that learning was enhanced when the students worked on an actual project. “We’d like to help Ashcroft become more pedestrian and bike friendly by coming up with a proposal for walkable and bikable community,” she said.
Students will be expected to interview the public to find out what’s available and what they need.
Council was pleased with proposal and offered several suggestions on how to proceed.
2nd Time Around
Val Martin of Ashcroft’s 2nd Time Around store attended to let Council know that the second hand store has “done exceptionally well” in its year and a half of business, and that they have a surplus of money at the moment.
The volunteer-run store gives the money it raises through sales to local groups and clubs.
Martin said they have up to $5,000 to spend on Ashcroft.
“For sure we’d like to (purchase) three benches, something to brighten up Railway Ave.,” she said, and asked Council for other suggestions for spending the money.
Council will consider the request and respond to her.
Rutted roads
Council received a letter from Minister of Transportation Blair Lekstrom, who was replying to questions Council had raised about the state of Hwy 97C.
“I appreciated reviewing your concerns regarding the impact of copper concentrate hauling on pavement conditions,” he wrote. “I have asked our pavement experts to carry out a field review of the section of highway between the HVC mine near Logan Lake and the area west of Ashcroft. Ministry staff will undertake a surface condition assessment to determine any factors that may have lead to accelerated rutting to help us establish the most suitable rehabilitation strategy and prioritize this work within our multi-year rehabilitation program…”
Coun. Helen Kormendy was happy to hear the news but wanted to see a timeline.
“Winter is coming,” she said.
Staff was asked to contact the local highways manager for an indication of when the field review will be done.
MAG
Council was not happy with the provincial governments proposed Municipal Auditor General.
“I think appointing an auditor general s a waste of money and a bit of an insult,” said Mayor Andy Anderson.
Minister of Community Ida Chong sent out questionnaires to all municipalities.
“The survey is asking questions as though it was already implemented,” said Anderson, and answering the survey made it sound as though they were agreeing with it.
“We have a whole lot of checks and balances already in place, from Community Charter to the public,” he said.
Scout pack
Council asked Alex Ekering to attend the next Council meeting to answer questions regarding his proposal to start a new scout group in Ashcroft.
In a letter to Council, Ekering said he had been approached by parents who wanted scouting offered in Ashcroft and felt he had enough interest to run a 5-7 year old Beaver colony and an 8-10 year old Wolf Cubs pack.
He was looking for Council support and help in raising $1,500.
Next Meeting
Sept. 12 at 4:30 pm in the Village Office.
