This past Thursday Rocky Mountain Village held its annual barbecue for residents and family members. A hot summer day with just enough breeze to make sitting outside a comfortable experience for everyone and a pirate theme for table decorations and residents made for a fun afternoon of family, friends, music and food. Lindsey Mucha, RMV recreation director extended thanks to several organizations for donating the use of tents and chairs as well as providing other items to make the event a success.

As mayor I was asked to provide a short update on Fernie happenings but I also touched on how residents have raised families, worked and contributed to Fernie and other places they called home. These residents were great providers and important members of communities at one time and still contribute by reaching out to newcomers to the home and by staying as healthy as possible both socially and physically so as to enjoy as good a quality of life as possible.

It is so easy to put the accomplishments of our seniors out of our minds when they are no longer visible in the community but I believe that we must always remember that the many amenities that we enjoy here like the Library, Arts Station, Museum, Aquatic Centre, Seniors Centre, all and more were achieved due to the volunteer initiatives of many of the people that are now of senior age and that most if fortunate enough to reach into the eighth decade or further need to call Rocky Mountain Village home.

I was also privileged to deliver Congratulations to the Fernie Secondary School grads on behalf of Council. I noted that they have communication tools that I couldn’t even have imagined when I was that age and that famous activist Nelson Mandela said “Education is the most powerful weapon to the world”.

I suggested that they should find what ignites their passion and throw themselves into it, express gratitude to everyone who helped bring them this far and not to be afraid to say when they are wrong, or ask for help when in need. I also presented the Youth Achievement award to Cera Atherton who has an impressive list of accomplishments, 80 skating medals, volunteer coach for sports both in elementary and high school, organizer of Trash Bash, volunteer with Lions for ten years, Salvation Army for five years just to mention a few and truly a shining example of the great youth we have in Fernie.

Judith Johannsson was awarded the volunteer of the year award for Area A from the Regional District. Judith has businesses downtown and certainly deserves this honor for the many organizations she volunteers for and contributes to in Fernie. Congratulations Judith.

Long Service awards were presented to several City employees 20 years went to Dave Froese, Doug Mitchell and Kim Sedrovic, 15 to Barb Carrick, Sharon Switzer, Gino Guzzi and Allison Uphill and 10 to Randi Goertzen and Garret Sowchuck. A special presentation was made to retiring Fire Chief Shawn Ivany. Congratulations everyone.

June 15 saw the annual Veterans ‘Dinner held at the Legion Branch #36. A delicious dinner of roast beef and all the trimmings was cooked up by the Legion Auxiliary Ladies. President Terry Rimmer gave a short speech to thank the Veterans and MC was Derek Marshall.

You may have noticed the ads regarding the proposed BC Hydro Substation Upgrade Project in Fernie. This was presented to Council, with feedback that included asking for the entire substation to be moved elsewhere or enclosed and landscaped so as not to be as noticed. Sue Foster of Hydro said she understands that the esthetics are very significant considering the present location but that the existing structure is approaching peak load capacity and needs to grow. It is not slated to be moved and if not allowed to progress the result could be an alternate location of supply some distance away from a neighbouring substation which doesn’t sound like a positive move for us.

There was a fantastic turnout of people for the official community plan consultation held last month. People were placed at different tables with a couple of chapters to study and comment on. The feedback was very positive and well received by the consultants. Thank you so much to everyone who took time off from work and busy schedules to attend this session.

The Community Directed Funds Committee made up of Elk Valley mayors, Regional District directors and community reps will be interviewing potential candidates next week to take on the job of consulting the public in the entire Valley to research what project would be of benefit to the entire area.

Special Thanks go to everyone who helped in any way during the flooding situation in our area. From staff at RDEK, City of Fernie and especially all the amazing Volunteers that came out to help without even being asked, a heartfelt thank you hardly seems enough. There was a lot of anxiety in many areas and the show of support was tremendous. Congratulations to all of you.