Two members of the provincial government’s rural caucus were in Clearwater recently, gathering information about local issues and taking action where they could.
“I think they did a really good job,” commented councilor Ken Kjenstad after the visit by MLA for Cariboo Chilcotin and caucus chair Donna Barnett and John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford South.
“She was very understanding and knowledgeable about the issues in the Valley, such as getting more power to the North Thompson,” added Christy Dobi.
Other issues discussed included improving tourism with Wells Gray Country, better road access, opportunities for the Infocenter, support for people on probation in the community, Wells Gray Community Forest’s annual allowable cut, and the community-to-community forums held between local governments and Simpcw First Nation.
Clearwater and District Chamber of Commerce was also represented at the meeting.
“I think we were heard,” said Dobi. “There was an immediate response ... phone calls were made.”
Lines to be re-painted
As a new municipality, District of Clearwater won’t take over most road maintenance until September, 2013.
However, a few items, such as line painting on designated municipal roads, stop bars and zebra crosswalks are under the district’s jurisdiction.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure did some line-painting earlier this summer but there are approximately 10 km left to complete, interim chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx reported to council last Tuesday.
This included double solid lines for Camp Two Road and fog lines from Brookfield Bridge along Old North Thompson Highway through to Clearwater Station Road, ending at Swanson Road (covering a high pedestrian traffic area).
Council decided to award a $5,000 contract to Alpine Line Painting and Traffic Marking of Kelowna to complete the work.
Council also instructed staff to obtain quotes for paving needed to repair roads damaged while public works staff fixed water or sewer lines.
These include the frontage of Clearwater Elks Lodge on Old North Thompson Highway, the corner of Musgrave Road and Camp Two Road, a section of Musgrave Road and various manholes. District site preparation and paving are also required in front of Clearwater firehall.
Speaking from the audience, local resident Hazel Wadlegger said it is important that the lines at the Highway 5 intersection near the Wells Gray Inn be kept painted.
She has seen several times people, apparently tourists, get into the wrong lane when wanting to make a left turn onto the highway from Old North Thompson Highway.
Wadlegger said she feared what would happen if someone wanted to turn off the highway at the same time.
Card-lock seeks re-zoning
Clearwater council gave first reading to an application that would see the zoning of the card-lock facility behind Kal Tire changed from Highway Commercial to Service Commercial.
The change would allow the operation of a storage locker business on the property, said acting chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx.
No responses had been received to letters sent to nearby landowners or to a sign erected at the location.
The proposed re-zoning will be taken to a public hearing during a council meeting on Sept. 4.