Sunday and Wednesday Socials were a huge success again this year thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and volunteers who organized these weekly events. Thanks also go to the Mountain Market as that is a great addition to summer Sundays.

Volunteering is considered a noble activity where an individual or group provides services for no monetary gain. Volunteers are love in motion, without individuals giving so selflessly of themselves we certainly wouldn’t enjoy the many events that occur here year round or some of the facilities.

For instance how many are aware that the Aquatic Center, Community Center, Miners Walk, Arena Art, Skateboard Park, Dirt Jump Bike Park, Banners, Trails, Museum, Library, Arts Station, Seniors Center, Ghostrider Club, and so much more were initiated, fundraised and worked on by volunteers. Many of these people have never been acknowledged or even want recognition as they work to better the town they love. They don’t complain they just make things happen, they are instruments of change. I want to thank them personally and although that’s difficult to do the next best thing is to host an event where the City can express thanks publically.

So with a grant from Columbia Power on Friday, November 27 from noon till two pm at the Senior’s Center, the City of Fernie and Columbia Power will host a luncheon to say thank you to all of the volunteers in this town. Please attend and let us say thank you in this small way. The invitation is extended to all volunteers in this community, those that work with churches, with all sports, with organizations, service clubs, committees, whatever you do in a volunteer capacity, we invite you and say Thank you for all you do for our community.

Along with City Council meetings all councilors attend committee meetings as liaisons. So I can tell you that on Friday, November 13, the Arts Station is holding a 25th anniversary celebration to recognize that milestone. Congratulations to the Station Board and especially to the initiators who had the vision to take an old train station and turn it into a thriving Art hub and thanks to those that continue the dream.

The Elk Valley Community Directed Funds have come to an end, the monies have been distributed with the largest amount dedicated to the Trails Alliance for work on trails, over $400,000 is to be matched by the Trans Canada Trails organization, thank you to members of the Trails Alliance for taking this work on. Members of the committee have agreed to remain as this community group is reconfigured by CBT.

Council attended the UBCM convention in Vancouver in September, always a blur of meetings beginning from seven am and going on till late but always a learning experience. It was worthwhile to attend just to have opportunity to speak with Minister of Transportation Todd Stone regarding the lack of safety of the Lizard Creek Bridge. We were told that a bridge replacement isn’t in the plan in the next five years however when asked if we could have a pedestrian and bike lane next to the bridge he said that could be doable. As this was a meeting I attended with the RDEK and Mike Sosnowski, we also asked for a traffic study to be done on the highway in regards to bringing West Fernie into our boundary and also for additional passing lanes to the Alberta border as well as supporting Sparwood’s request for a re-do of the highway 3 and 43 intersection. Shoulders for cyclist were also touched on but no solutions offered.

The conference is always very interesting with many topics including housing affordability, policing and mental health, and a session on Marijuana regulation. Tony Wilson of Boughton Law Corporation said that (and I quote) “the possession and sale of marijuana remains prohibited in Canada and only the federal government can amend the Criminal Code to change this. Only lawful medical marijuana may be obtained, only with a doctor’s prescription from a licensed provider and only if delivered by mail through Canada Post.” He also said the (quote) “proliferation of marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver and elsewhere are like Mahatma Ghandi’s Salt Tax protest in the 1930’s, a brilliant campaign of civil disobedience and spin doctoring”. A highlight of the week was keynote speaker Dr. Roberta Bondar, first Canadian female astronaut.

The annual meeting of elected officials from southern Alberta and BC was held in Sparwood, each mayor gives an update of what is going on in their respective community, it’s a good way to keep friendly ties to our neighbours. I attended a meeting with RDEK chair Rob Gay, mayor Cal McDougal and with the Mayors of the Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek to discuss Highway 3 and its designation of being “an electric highway” as this highway extends to Medicine Hat. It was discussed that laws are different from one province to another in regards to treatment of bears. They have a lot of bears but they are euthanized and relocated, although unfortunately the majority return. The Pass has a $250 fine for first offense of having bear attractants on property with a $500 fine for a second offense.

A presentation was made to Council by Riley Wilcox and Jody Jacobs from the Cranbrook Community Foundation. These two have been working to bring a community foundation to Fernie that is now becoming a reality, seemingly the Elk Valley is the only area that doesn’t have this service.

While at UBCM CAO Jim Hendricks and I and attended three meetings in regards to the RMI funding. At one point there was stress that this program wouldn’t continue however Minister Bond has reassured that it’s secure for the next two years and also that the funding for tourist information that was previously threatened is safe for now as well.

Telus has placed important fibre throughout town and we thank Telus for this service that was done without cost to the City.

An enjoyable part of this job is hosting visitors to City Hall, especially children, this year saw 13 students from Germany and visitors from Holland and other areas as well as children that came for a tour of the facility and to meet the Mayor. I enjoy providing a little town history, showing them around the building and letting them sit in the Mayor’s chair and bang the gavel.

I had the opportunity to co-host the Go Program on Shaw TV, it’s always great to have a chance to say good things about this town and also to present the Citizen of the Year award to Rick Ganter, truly a great volunteer as is the Volunteer of the Year Kevin McIsaac, Sincere congratulation to them both and to winners of the other categories as well as all the nominees.