While some other Clearwater town council members might skim over their agenda packages (135 pages for the Dec. 16 meeting), councillor Barry Banford has a reputation for reading everything carefully.
That trait became evident during the council meeting held Dec. 16 when he picked three possible action items out of more than a dozen letters and other pieces of information listed at the end of the agenda.
The first was a letter from Greg Halseth, co-director of the Community Development Institute at University of Northern British Columbia, congratulating Mayor John Harwood and the rest of council on their recently being elected.
Banford noted that UNBC has done a number of studies in Clearwater, including the mobility study underway now.
The councillor suggested that the university be asked to do a housing study for this community, as he felt there is an urgent need for places to live by seniors and people on low incomes.
UNBC has done similar housing studies for other communities, Banford said.
The second item Banford picked up on was a letter of congratulations to mayor and council from David Arsenault, general manager of Community Futures Thompson Country, a federal business development agency. The letter said that CFTC has loaned $16 million for business development in the region over the past 25 years, including thousands in the North Thompson.
Banford noted that CFTC is presently undergoing a strategic planning process that is intended to provide direction for its activities.
However, there has been no mention of involving local governments in that process, the Clearwater councillor said.
Council passed a motion seeking input into CFTC's strategic process and inviting the agency's manager to talk to council.
Item number three for Banford was a letter and brochure from Manuel Achadinha, president and chief executive officer of BC Transit. The letter congratulated the mayor and council on getting elected.
It also offered to have BC Transit staff do a presentation about the services the organization offers.
Banford noted that District of Clearwater, along with Wells Gray Country (TNRD Area A) are funding partners with BC Transit in the local transit system (which is operated by Yellowhead Community Services).
He suggested that Clearwater should take up BC Transit on its offer to do a presentation.