At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Creston town council voted to give the Creston Refugee Committee a $250 grant as a show of support for the project.
The committee has brought 79 individuals to Canada since its inception in 1979, and is currently hoping to sponsor Syrian refugees.
“Right now, we haven’t had any luck getting any Syrian refugees,” said chair Linda Price, speaking for the delegation.
“We have a house, we have money, we have a committee — we just don’t have a family,” said committee member Pat Smith.
The refugee committee asked council for a $1,000 grant, but with it never having received discretionary funds and with only a limited amount available, Coun. Karen Unruh said she was reluctant to give the full amount.
The $250 donation was approved by Couns. Unruh, Jim Elford, Kevin Boehmer and Joe Snopek, and it was suggested that the committee apply for Community initiatives grants.
Coun. Jen Comer chaired the meeting in Mayor Ron Toyota’s absence, and Coun. Joanna Wilson, a member of the committee, declared a conflict and excused herself from funding discussions.
Council Briefs
•Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area head of operation Marc-André Beaucher provided an update on the use of the town’s annual $10,900 grant, which was put toward the CVWMA’s 2015 guide, trail maintenance, interpretation and access signs, and program supplies.
•Council asked staff to look into attaching Creston Valley Blossom Festival signage to the three “Welcome to Creston” signs from February to May, per a request from the festival committee.
The sign, measuring eight inches by eight feet, was designed to be hung below the larger ones, said Coun. Joe Snopek, who serves on the committee.
•The town intends to enter its float in the June 18 Sam Steele Day parade in Cranbrook, provided the float can be upgraded in time. Town staff, Blossom Festival and Creston Valley Spirit Committee members will assess it soon.
•Council approved the donation of a Town of Creston duffle bag to the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club for its annual game dinner. Coun. Kevin Boehmer’s “friendly amendment” to add a second duffle bag and/or a jacket to the donation wasn’t seconded.
“I don’t like to be stingy,” he said.
•Bylaw No. 1837 received three readings. It covers the design of drainage systems “designed for rainfall intensities which are expected to return on the average once every five years (return period — five years). … Industrial, commercial, institutional and high-density residential systems shall be designed for a return period of 10 years.”
•With no grants obtained for the “market park” concept, the $163,000 project will be deferred from the town’s upcoming budget discussions.
