CAROLYN GRANT/Daily Bulletin
The annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities meeting is coming up next week in Vancouver. Instead of sending the Mayor, a couple of Councillors and the City CAO, Kimberley will be represented only by Mayor Ron McRae. Council decided to cut costs by not sending a contingent to Vancouver.
As always, the UBCM is a good place for municipal politicians to network and meet with government Ministers on issues of importance.
McRae has a number of meetings lined up, including a session with Premier Christy Clark to discuss issues around urban deer.
"Myself, Wayne Stetski (Cranbrook) and Gerry Taft from Invermere will meet with the premier," McRae said. "Wayne set up the meeting for the three of us, though I imagine we will probably have a few other communities join us. I think it's very important to keep deer on the radar with the provincial government, and a talk with the Premier is certainly on the radar."
McRae will also meet with Bill Bennett.
"We want to meet with him around the Sun Mine, to make sure he is in the loop. As the Minister responsible for BC Hydro, and because he is our closest provincial government representative, it's important to keep him involved.
McRae, along with Area E representative Jane Walter will also meet with the Minister responsible for highways around St. Mary Lake Road. As reported earlier this week in the Bulletin, the City of Kimberley feels the road should be a provincial responsibility from the highway to city limits, as the majority of the traffic on the road continues past city limits. Responsibility for the road was given to Kimberley in 2000-2001.
McRae will also be looking to speak to someone about the provision of ambulance services in Kimberley.