Looking back, it has been one year since I decided to run for membership on town council. I worked hard to get your support and I hope I have proven myself to be a good choice for representing you.
As new council members, we had to learn about each other, how to work effectively with each other and how to get our input heard. Not knowing any of the council (except Mayor Toyota), I continue to listen carefully to what each member has to say and how they say it. As individual members of council we do not always agree on items, but with discussion and compromise we have, in my opinion, made great decisions for the community. We are also committed to working with the regional directors for the betterment of the entire valley. Each councillor also participates in a number of committees, and we keep each other well informed with reports of these meetings. In other words, communication is key!
I am aware that not all of the decisions we make please everyone. Decisions are based on the best information available and we are charged with making the decisions that better the larger community as a whole, not just a single party or stakeholder. I often read the letters to the editor and I am sometimes amused at suggestions that are made. Often constraints on great ideas aren’t recognized, such as costs, capacity, authority, etc. Individuals who would like to discuss their idea with council are encouraged to contact the town office and request to appear as a delegation — we would love to hear from you in a forum in which we can respond and have a discussion.
In our new term, there have been several zoning changes; some you are well aware of, others may go unnoticed. It is important that the public understand, that the approval or denial of applications rests with council. Public input and professional recommendations by staff factor into this decision-making process. Timelines for approval processes vary, but it’s important to recognize that the decisions council makes today will remain on the landscape beyond my lifetime. It’s a huge responsibility.
Bylaws are continuously reviewed and amended as required. The cemetery bylaw is presently being given final reading and adoption. The new revitalization tax exemption bylaw is designed to provide incentive to improve new and existing commercial businesses. Phone town hall for more information on this exciting program. Lively discussion has already begun on the animal control bylaw. The changes to this regulatory tool are significant and I am committed to keeping an open mind throughout this process, listening to all opinions and working towards a bylaw that can be appreciated by the majority of citizens.
Our fire department was busy this past year with the work experience program, the first responders program and a hectic fire season. New equipment, including a fire truck with 100-foot ladder, was purchased from reserve funds. Additionally, two rescue trucks were sold and replaced with a single unit better suited to the conditions of our community. Regional fire service agreements continue to provide the valley with an exemplary service. A huge thank you to all those emergency responders who do so much for our community!
The public works department had a busy year with infrastructure work in town. The most noticeable is the 3.2 kilometres of chip sealing that was completed on our streets. Our engineer gave us an “Asset Management 101” training, which outlines the costs of our roads, water, sanitary and storm drainage requirements. Throughout this, we prioritize the short- and long-terms needs of the community and will budget annually for the required work. The Pine Street intersection is such a plus when coming through town. It looks great and the Ministry of Transportation and town staff need to be commended for a job well done. It was completed on time and on budget!
During the summer we kept busy. We had a Business Walk with follow-up meetings. On the whole, positive comments were received from employers about the generally positive state of business. See our website for a summary report on the outcomes. We also had tours of the Arrow Creek water plant, the waste water treatment plant and the airport. A meeting was held with the School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) board, and we also had meetings (open public and regional district) regarding the recreation facility and the skateboard park. Summer gave us a little slower pace, but we are quickly moving into our second year, and anticipate that it will be action packed.
The council as a whole attended the UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) in Vancouver the week of Sept. 21-25. UBCM advocates on behalf of B.C. local governments for the development and implementation of legislation, regulation, policies and programs. It is important for council to attend this event as there are many resolutions discussed and voted on that have far reaching impacts. We met with several B.C. government ministers and/or staff.
This convention is a time that we as councillors can make a difference by ensuring our voices are heard and our vote is counted. Networking is also important to find out what works or does not work in other communities. These meetings re-energize us and we come back with ideas to share and make changes locally.
As you are reading this column, we are completing a two-day strategic planning session. We reviewed our annual report, age friendly action plan, asset management information, Business Walk report, Creston Fire Rescue strategy plan, citizen satisfaction survey, Cultivating Creston action plan, five-year financial plan, Official Community Plan, visitor/tourism assessment, youth engagement report and the previous strategic plan. I will leave the outcome of our sessions to another council report, but I do not anticipate big changes from the previous plan, which included economic development, Highway 3 realignment, First Nations partnership, health/physician recruitment, youth program support, green initiatives and waste reduction.
If your priority is not listed, it does not mean we don’t have it on our radar. If you have any suggestions, ideas or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email is karen.unruh@creston.ca or call me 250-428-4148.
Karen Unruh is a first-term councillor for the Town of Creston.