This being my first opportunity to write a column for the Creston Valley Advance, I would like to thank the residents of Creston for supporting me in the election. My task now is to listen to you and do what I can to bring your comments forward. I have had many phone calls and I take most issues forward to staff or council for discussion or clarification.
Before we took our oath of office, we had a two-day orientation/training period with Dr. Gordon McIntosh, president of the Local Government Leadership Institute. The “What is Black and White, and Grey All Over”? sessions provided us with the basic roles and responsibilities we have as a town council. Simply put, we make policy, set direction and represent the public interest. We need adequate information and good debate to move forward.
After the inaugural meeting, we jumped right into budget discussions. We have preapproved some budget items for work to begin and we continue to have discussions at meetings that are open to the public. The budget must be finalized by mid-May. Staff is continuing to work on their budgets for our approval and apply for grant funding to offset the costs of infrastructure projects.
Councillors have been appointed to several boards. My appointments include director on the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District board, alternate director on the Creston Valley Forest Corporation, a liaison to the School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) board of school trustees, and representative on the Creston and District Library Board and the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce. It is important that we attend the meetings and report to our colleagues on a regular basis.
We have reviewed several bylaws and will continue to review others. As bylaws are amended, they go through a public hearing process for your input. This is your opportunity to have your say (for or against). Watch for the notices and keep yourself informed.
We encourage delegations to attend our meetings to keep us informed on what is happening around us. Mary Jayne Blackmore provided us with an excellent overview of the Trails for Creston Valley Society. If you have something to share with us, please bring it forward.
Creston was fortunate to host the BC School Sports provincial curling championships from Feb. 19-21. Our recreation centre is a source of pride in our community and we need opportunities like this to show off. While these young people were competing, we (council) were at our local government elected officials seminar in Kimberley. Luckily, we got back in time to watch some fantastic curling.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a key item this year for council. In this document we must address residential development, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, recreational and public utility lands; location of sand and gravel deposits; restrictive or land subject to hazardous conditions or that is environmentally sensitive; roads, water and sewer systems; public facilities, schools, parks waste treatment and disposal sites; affordable housing, rental housing, special housing policies; and targets, policies and actions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We will be asking for community representation on an advisory committee. Watch for this in the upcoming months, and if you are interested please put your name forward to be part of this committee or as an interested community member take part in the public meetings that will be hosted throughout the process.
There are many things happening in Creston. We have had an excellent overview of the Creston Valley fire departments and how they impact residents, not only in their service, but in insurance costs as well. At the present time we are beginning work on the cemeteries master plan. Again, we will be looking for community members to take part on this committee.
As we move forward serving you, I look forward to meeting as many individuals as possible and please, if you have a concern, do not get caught up in rumours — come to a meeting, ask questions or call any of us.
Karen Unruh is in her first term on Creston town council.
