Cranberry has one and so does Wildwood. Townsite used to have one, but it has lapsed in recent years. And Westview, the most recent of Powell River’s communities, has never had one.
The Peak set out to gain some perspective on Powell River’s long and storied past with ratepayer associations.
A ratepayer is essentially anyone who pays property taxes to local government, although home ownership is not a prerequisite for participation in a ratepayers’ association.
They are groups made up of people who are concerned about what they see happening in their neighbourhoods.
According to records at Powell River Historical Museum and Archives, Cranberry first established a ratepayers’ association in 1931. But this first group was destined to close about 10 years later.
The objectives of each ratepayers’ group was to strive for the advancement and betterment of the community and promote the interests of the residents. During its first 10 years, the Cranberry group also promoted horticulture. It organized an annual flower show, precursor to Powell River and District Agricultural Association’s Fall Fair.
Long-time Cranberry resident Ann Nelson said that it was not until she moved to Townsite about 15 years ago that the Cranberry group was active again. At that time residents were up in arms over the development of some quarry sites near the lake, the city shutting the doors on a bird sanctuary and then there was the increasing problem with the lake’s water lilies, Nelson said.
Ron Miller, president of Cranberry ratepayers, said the group usually meets at the Cranberry Hall, but its meeting schedule is not set and depending on what is happening the group could meet once every month or three. “We like to take a more honey approach to working with the city,” Miller said. He added that when a meeting is organized, quite often a City of Powell River councillor attends to hear the residents’ concerns.
Lou Ann Kerr, treasurer for Cranberry ratepayers, said that she first became involved with the group after her children were a little older and she wanted to get to know her neighbours better.
Nelson said that of the three ratepayer associations, Wildwood has been the longest standing. The group celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2009. Before joining the newly formed Corporation of the District of Powell River in 1955, the resident group was the de facto village government. It raised the money and built the infrastructure to bring electricity to the community in 1932. Then in 1945 it brought in a water system for residents from Powell Lake. After the community joined Powell River, the group continued to operate as a way for residents to lobby city hall for improvements to the roads and water system—concerns that have stood the test of time and continue to this day, said vice-president Kay Bremner.
There is a stable group of people who attend meetings, but they always welcome newcomers especially residents who are younger. The average age of the regular attendees is around mid–60, president Bill Bird said.
The group also acts as a sounding board and speakers are organized to talk to the community on various issues, Bird said. And, like Cranberry, a city councillor also attends their meetings. The group meets in the library at James Thomson Elementary School.
For more information about the Cranberry Ratepayers’ Association, secretary Patti Marr can be contacted 604.483.3139. For more information about the Wildwood Ratepayers’ Association, readers can contact Bremner at 604.483.9289.
In the second part of this story attention will focus on Townsite Ratepayers’ Association and why a group has never been organized in Westview.
