Bralorne Gold Mines Update and More

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!  I've been out and in on Road 40 over the winter.  The re-paving project is by no means completed and will be starting again this spring.  But you will find the 25km stretch that was so bad on either side of Tyaughton Lake Rd., much smoother and easier to drive.  Hope you have an enjoyable weekend!

Bralorne Gold Mines Update

Here are a some links for key updates:

2017 Summary and 2018 Outlook, Scroll down for Bralorne

CEO Clip

8000 m Drill Program

I'm Retiring - We need a NEW Regional District Director - Election October 20

See my notes from my last blog for details:
http://www.debbiedemare.com/2018/03/im-retiring-election-october-20.html

Thank you to all those who have emailed, messaged and phoned to say Thank You in the last month and ongoing over the last 6 years.
And for those that think being elected is "thankless", the vast majority of people are respectful of hard work and often say Thank You.

This is a terrific video on what makes a good Local Government Elected Official.




New Rapid Access Clinic at Royal Inland Hospital - Kamloops

For those of you property owners in Area A, SLRD, you pay a good chunk of your property taxes to the Thompson-Nicola Hospital District.  We are in the catchment of Interior Health.

Patients in the Kamloops region who need to see a specialist to receive complex medical, cardiac or neurology assessments have new access to a quick appointment – without needing to be admitted to the hospital.

See the announcement here:
https://www.interiorhealth.ca/AboutUs/MediaCentre/NewsReleases/Documents/New%20Rapid%20Access%20Clinic%20at%20Royal%20Inland%20Hospital%20improves%20access.pdf

Tougher off-road vehicle rules and new fines to reduce wildfire risks

After last year's unprecedented wildfires in the Cariboo-Chilcotin-Thompson areas, it stands to reason that change, and change that attempts to address threats, is to be expected.

Like it or not (and I hear alot on these topics) are a series of new fines and other regulations, including the need for spark arrestors on ATV's.  

Here is the link to the details: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018FLNR0044-000479

Effective immediately folks, so you need to get moving to get the spark arrestors on.

Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin

We have definitely had winter this year.  When you look at the date, such as at the link below, you will find that we are quite close to normal.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/river-forecast/2018_mar1.pdf

Note that the Lillooet River (Pemberton area)  is in the Lower Fraser Drainage is mentioned as being at higher risk of flooding, this does note except us except for Hurley FSR access.

Middle Fraser (which is us) is more normal.

I'm Retiring - Election October 20

Election for Regional District Director October 20

Our local government in the upper Bridge River Valley is the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.  Your representative is the Electoral Area Director (or commonly referred to as Regional District Director) for Area A (our area).

Area A:

Size: 3,715.03 square kilometers

Folio Count: 1,971

Taxable Property Assessment Total: $189,422,519

Average Taxable Property: $243,161

On October 20 this year there will be an election for the next Regional District Director.
After two terms (7 years) I am retiring and will not be running for re-election.

This is a very important elected position that represents us to other levels of government and to the SLRD, is key to determining tax rates and works to distribute other forms of funding into the community.

To be an eligible candidate you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• have lived in British Columbia for at least six months before filing your nomination documents;
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

And a key factor for us, is that you do not have to live or own property in the jurisdiction in which you are running for office.  In other words, if you are a part time resident here you can run for election.

The election is October 20, 2018.  There will also be advance polls approximately 10 days ahead of the election date.  (More details on election process to come).  As a non-resident property owner you CAN vote.

The nomination period is Tuesday, September 4, 2018 – Friday, September 14, 2018.  This means you must have your papers into the SLRD office by Friday, September 14 in order to be put on the ballot.

There is much more basic information here:  http://elections.bc.ca/political-participants/local-elections-campaign-financing/2018-general-local-elections/

Many people ask about the time commitment.  Required commitments are the monthly Board meeting (one day), the monthly Electoral Area Directors meeting and some other Committee of the Whole meetings (almost monthly).  Preparation is a part of all meetings.  From there how much or how little you take on is really up to you.   One of my efforts on the SLRD board was to have procedure by-laws modified so that meetings can be attended by telephone (its not preferred but in bad weather etc. it can be done).

What about pay?  There is a flat rate (right now) of $25,000 per year plus expenses (mileage, meals, phone, etc).  In the case of Area A, the SLRD also pays 1/2 the monthly rate for a Satellite Phone.  

There are many places to get information - I'm happy to help (250)238-2248, you can phone Elections BC (see link above) and you can also phone our staff (1-800-298-7253).


Are you building this year?  Don't know much about bylaws, zoning or other items related to your property in Area A of the SLRD?

Our staff has put together a very informative brochure which you should receive in the mail.





If you haven't received it, click here:  2018 Building Planning Department Brochure










Douglas Fir Bark Beetle Infestation

Here is the link to the 2016 mapping (2017 not done due to fires)  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0Bz8bmBXIlkCOUk9TZ0ZyejhLcGM?usp=sharing

This is suseptibility mapping so if you'd like me to help interpret it for you let me know.

Douglas Fir Bark Beetle Fact Sheet

The key thing people can do to prevent further  tree deaths (and thereby fire hazard) is to  treat their immediate surrounding trees.  It is very important that people do this BEFORE the first flight (varies, but May)

The forest health people at FLNRO STRONGLY encourage the everyone, particularly in the Gun Lake area do this.

The product is a pheromone - not chemical.  Checklist for Applying MCH

This the link to the supplier's WebSite. https://www.westgreenglobaltechnologies.com/ 

If you would like more information about the product you can contact Sal (saldemare27@gmail.com)