Better at home begins
Lisa Daniels, coordinator of the Better at Home Program hosted by inclusion Powell River Society, presented to City of Powell River council, Thursday, April 17, about the new program’s offerings to seniors in Powell River. The program received a contract through United Way of the Lower Mainland to set up a non-medical home care support system in Powell River and the surrounding region. Services will begin within the city with a focus on friendly visitation, transportation and grocery shopping. Services will then expand to include light housekeeping, light yard work and minor home repairs and will encompass seniors in the regional district.
Daniels can be contacted at 604.485.4008 or email: [email protected].
Parkinson’s awareness
April has been Parkinson’s Awareness Month organized by the Parkinson Society BC. Judi Spencer spoke to council about the affect the disease has on individuals and their families.
Parkinson’s is the second most common degenerative neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s, affecting over 11,000 people in BC. The primary symptoms are tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement and postural instability. There is currently no known cure.
Earth Week support
Council awarded a $2,000 grant-in-aid to Malaspina Land Conservancy Society for Earth Week events that took place April 22 to 27. The amount was funded from the 2014 grant-in-aid budget.
PRISMA grant
Paul Schachter, secretary-treasurer of Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA), submitted a letter to council to request sponsorship in the amount of $1,000 for the second annual Celebration of the Senses event on June 18. Council granted the request, advising the money should come from the grant-in-aid fund as the event draws economic activity to the area.
Variance permit
A development variance permit was issued for 4114 Bowness Avenue to vary a zoning bylaw reducing the minimum side yard setback in the compact residential (RM1) zone from 1.8 metres to 1.4 metres. The variance was issued to permit a chimney structure on a new dwelling to remain unchanged.
Minor hockey
Council approved grant-in-aid funds in the amount of $1,200 to assist with the Powell River Minor Hockey 2014 Stars Tournament, which took place over the Easter long-weekend. The money was requested to pay for staff overtime in hosting the event.
QuickStart
The contract term for the city’s planning manager involved with the community energy and emissions plan, was extended by council to the end of December 2014 with additional funding of $28,000. A further $50,000 was allocated to support completion of the QuickStart Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. Funds were approved from Community Works.
