New Year's messages from officials

City of Powell River

Dave Formosa, mayor

We live in and respect the traditional territory of the Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation. We remain thankful for their enduring friendship, partnership and patience as our relationship moves progressively forward. May our Tla'amin neighbours enjoy continued success in all their future endeavours.

This past year, council continued to work diligently for the betterment of our community. Meetings were held with key government officials and provincial ministers to debate our views about BC Ferries issues, municipal development corporations, project eligibility and local government funding under gas tax programs, capping of municipal operations expenditures, Freda Creek community power, hydro rates, Powell River Community Forest, the Liquid Waste Management Plan and the future of Powell River.

The Economic Development Advisory Committee was formed to offer counsel on opportunities and threats to the economic sustainability of Powell River. I wish to thank the members of this committee for their efforts in advancing Powell River’s economic development. Council adopted their report A Path to Preparing a Long Term Economic Development Strategy for Powell River and recommendations contained therein. The committee will continue to provide advice on moving the programs forward as recommended.

We actively pursued avenues to boost our economy, create new jobs and increase the tax base; always with a view to living within our means. A press conference was held to apprise our citizens of the various new companies we attracted to our city. Council remains committed to encouraging and supporting business development in Powell River and welcomes community input as we work together to build a sustainable future.

To all city staff, we offer sincerest thanks for all that you do. Your continued dedication to providing the best possible service to our community is genuinely appreciated. Special thanks also to past councillors for their work on our behalf. Their commitment and perseverance in making the tough decisions has earned them our appreciation and respect.

It is timely to count our blessings, be grateful for where we live and be generous in our thoughts and deeds. Acts of giving never go unrewarded.

Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. God Bless!

On behalf of the Sliammon First Nation we would like to wish all readers of the Peak a safe and prosperous 2015!

This coming year seems as though it will be a year of challenges and possible changes for the Powell River area as a great deal of uncertainty hangs in the air lately.

Our people have lived on these lands since time immemorial and have witnessed many changes over the past 150 years, many of which were not positive events for our people. The healing journey continues and we still find ourselves with the vision of improving the lives of our people and providing a brighter future for our future generations.

Our treaty will be used as a tool to help us achieve these objectives; sadly, we cannot turn back the hands of time and return to our historic methods of living. The effective date of our treaty is set for April 5, 2016 and this date is quickly approaching.

The Tla’amin people will be exploring many different opportunities that have never before been available to us in these modern times. The relationships that have been developed with the City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District will play some important roles in the developments that the Tla’amin people may be pursuing. Having open dialogue and respect among the three local governments will be extremely beneficial for all. We are very excited and proud of the successes of our existing partnerships and we look forward to expanding on them and creating new relationships as required.

I am more than certain that I am not alone in feeling this: as we get closer to saying goodbye to the Indian Act, I truly believe that this is “our time.”

2015 offers opportunities for real progress in our community. Politically, the regional district has undergone significant changes. New directors from Texada Island and the city will offer fresh ideas for the ongoing shift from what was, to what might be.

What might be includes greater public participation in the conduct of our regional affairs.  Through membership on select advisory committees, joining the discussion on our concerns about ferry service, attending the open meetings on recycling, a new library, bike lanes, and other initiatives, people have an opportunity for real input, an opportunity to be respectfully heard.

Perhaps one of the most important of this year’s discussions will revolve around the new library. This is a municipal service but four of the electoral areas contribute funding to the operations. With the decision by the city to move the library to an existing building, the electoral areas will decide not only how they fit into the funding, but whether to contribute to the cost of the renovation and upgrade of the building.

One great facility that will require no deliberation is Willingdon Creek Village. Locally financed, on time, and on budget—what a great achievement for all of us. Construction should be completed early in the new year with occupancy following sometime thereafter.

Any look forward is always preceded by what is behind. This winter a glance over our shoulders yields horrendous rainfalls followed by flooding and land slides. All of our areas have been hit with only Lasqueti Island escaping lightly. The bright note is that the regional district staff, backed by the emergency services volunteers, came through when they were needed. Well done all.

Let’s look upon 2015 as the year when we build on the past and move confidently into the future. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and prosperous New Year!

As with all school districts in the province, 2014 was a challenging year for all involved in the education system in Powell River. Nevertheless, thanks to the commitment of our teachers, administrators and support workers, our students experienced many successes, both great and small.

While the labour dispute resulted in a significant loss of instructional time, cancellation of a number of activities and considerable stress for all concerned, staff and students have moved forward in a positive manner. There has been a return to the regular schedule of activities: Terry Fox Run, Great BC Shakeout earthquake drill, visits to the Lang Creek fish hatchery, cross-country runs, other athletic competitions and, more recently, the annual seasonal celebrations. Parents and teachers have enjoyed social events together at several schools and more recently, district staff gathered for a very successful Christmas dinner and dance.

Despite continued concerns regarding the priority given to funding for public education, we are happy that the settlement that was reached in September between the BC government and the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation has provided assurance that there will not be similar disruptions for the next few years.

Recently, we have seen staff changes in all of our schools, a seismic upgrade and additional renovations at Henderson Elementary School as well as a new trustee at the board table.

As a new calendar year begins, we look forward to working collaboratively with our education partners so that, through supporting and enabling innovative and creative teaching and learning strategies, there will be a continued increase in student engagement and success for all.

On behalf of my fellow trustees—Ashley Hull, Mary James, Aaron Reid and Doug Skinner—I want to wish everyone a wonderful 2015, full of learning, good health and happiness.

Reflecting on 2014 and the completion of my third year as president of the Powell River Chamber of Commerce, I am reminded of two important things: the value of co-operation and the perils of complacency.

By refusing to become complacent, we have opened our eyes and minds to new ideas and new opportunities; as motivated business owners and employees, we are actively pursuing opportunities to see Powell River's business community prosper. Projects include addressing the matters of the BC Ferries Fiscal Fairness Initiative, business licensing, advocacy and benefits to members, wastewater and incineration. All these things fall within our mandate to promote and enhance trade, commerce and the civic well-being of our community.

This year we've also proven that the value of co-operation can never be over estimated. As a board and as individual members we have worked together with local government, organizations and residents to contribute to the enhancement of our community. Although our first priority is the creation of economic growth and diversity, we also have given support to a number of other worthy causes. An African proverb sums it up: "To go fast, go alone; to go far, go together." As your board of directors we are committed to making our collective voice stronger by working together for the common good.

In closing I wish each of our members the very best for 2015 even as I gratefully acknowledge Kim Miller, our chamber manager, for her tireless dedication to both our chamber and the community. I also extend my thanks and appreciation to my fellow directors for their time and dedication to the growth and well-being of Powell River businesses and residents.

My hope during the holiday season and New Year has been for good wishes to be fulfilled.

Thank you to Kim Tournat in Sechelt, Maggie Hathaway in Powell River and Elizabeth Parkinson in Victoria for fielding constituents' requests and concerns, managing the numerous advocacy and scheduling requests, researching government policies, and making sure I get where I'm supposed to go.

As many celebrate holidays or otherwise mark the festive season and the New Year, we Sunshine Coasters also remember those who are going through difficult times. For those experiencing challenges in their lives, this season is not always a happy one. For those hospitalized or incarcerated or otherwise separated from their place of comfort, we have a community that cares. That caring is evident in the donations to charitable causes for children and seniors, for the homeless and for those who are not well.

This past year has been an eventful one for many people in the constituency of Powell River - Sunshine Coast, and for constituency as a whole. We've had a lot of contentious issues to discuss, to argue over, to befriend and un-friend each other: hotels, sewage plants, grow-ops, libraries, parks, resources, rights and ferries. I'm always reminded by the wise words of the Clerk of the House upon being first elected, that we use our words to work through our differences because it's always better than the alternative. Let's hope the New Year in politics is one of intelligent dialogue and conciliation.

Traditions, gathering together for food, parties, music, worship and gift exchanging, reflect the practices of many backgrounds and faiths. They are a regular and important reminder that kindness, generosity and togetherness are central in all our cultures.

On behalf of all of my colleagues from every side of the House, I wish everyone a peaceful and healthy New Year.

I welcome you to usher in 2015 with a renewed sense of vigour matched by a heightened sense of gratitude for our community and the great country in which we live.

A combination of those things—vigour and gratitude—launched me in the run-up to 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Maybe you shared with me that sense of invigoration and thanks for the sports extravaganza that brought the world to our doorstep. From that I asked, “What could we do in our riding to preserve the vigour and the gratitude?” My response was to devote my efforts to deepen Canada’s commitment to increased physical exercise, healthier lifestyles and decreased health care costs.

Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of constituents, mayors, health advocates and other leaders, we now have National Health and Fitness Day, proclaimed by over 150 cities in Canada. On December 10, 2014, the Day was introduced in our laws and traditions when Bill S-211, crafted by Senator Nancy Greene Raine and me, passed Third Reading unanimously in the House of Commons. A concept born in the 2010 Games, this is our New Year’s gift to the rest of Canada: the resolution to live healthier lifestyles.

Happy New Year to you, from Donna and me!