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I would like to give a bit of an overview of some of the involvement I
have as a Councillor.
I was pleased to attend a
Strategic Planning Session for the Revelstoke Community Forest
Corporation on Feb.23rd. Three members of City Council are appointed to
the Board of Directors. There are a lot of challenges facing the forest
industry today, including such issues as softwood lumber duties,
decreased market price for cedar, the rise in the Canadian dollar, the
mountain pine beetle epidemic, habitat co-existence with mountain
caribou, low pulp market and recent forest fire seasons.
At the planning session,
the RCFC Board and staff were joined by local forestry experts to
discuss ways of tackling these issues to ensure long term growth and
profitability for RCFC. A number of excellent ideas were presented and
will be developed into action plans. It needs to be emphasized that RCFC
feels a deep commitment to the community. It tries to operate with a
stable work force and holds to a high standard of environmental
stewardship.
Whilst on UBCM Councillor
training I sat in on a presentation by the Mayor of Lillooet. Lillooet &
Barkerville are asking all other BC communities to join them in a 2008
promotion of our ethnic heritage. This will be a prelude to the 2010
Olympics and also a celebration of B.C.'s 150th birthday. For example
Barkerville will promote how the Chinese were vital to their early gold
rush days and so on. More to come on that later from the Olympic
Committee.
Revelstoke will be
hosting the OMMA conference in May. It is a great opportunity for us to
show other Mayors & Councillors a great welcome and the uniqueness of
our city.
We hear a lot about ski
development and it is exciting to be part of the development process.
However, another major attraction of our town sometimes gets overlooked.
Our local snowmobile club can be proud of their accomplishments and
great trails they have created as an attraction to Revelstoke. I had the
great pleasure of travelling up those trails on the mountain last week,
and it is no wonder tourists & visitors here say it takes their breath
away. When you see members of our local club, encourage them and give
them a pat on the back. Support them anyway you can, they work hard for
us. Thank you Larry for a great & awesome trip.
At Crimestoppers, for
which I am the city liaison, it was decided that due to a current low
membership and the time & costs involved, they could not handle the lost
or stolen bike issue for the RCMP. Again, I encourage everyone to
support this very safe community minded organization in any way you can.
In the meantime if you or your organization has an idea or can handle
our bike situation, please contact the city or the RCMP for details.
I appreciate all input &
comments & take them very seriously. You can reach me at
rgibbs@cityofrevelstoke.com.
Thank you and keep involved in our community.
Respectfully
submitted,
Russ Gibbs, Councillor
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