Editor, The Times:
Dear Blue River Community Association and potential TNRD Candidates -
Since I came to Blue River in 1974, we have shown our dedication to the community by contributing the best we could with the highest integrity possible, while always bearing ethical behavior in mind.
In 1974, Blue River enjoyed a community base of 650 people, which made for a vibrant town. The population has now declined to less than a couple hundred and most of the social services have also declined. Presently, all the basic services are at a bare minimum, temporary or do not exist.
Our company and owners are family-oriented people. Most of our employees have families with children of all ages - about five or six children are born every year by our employees. New employees now come as couples and are looking for meaningful jobs and careers. They seek to join a strong and growing company where they are assured that their paychecks every two weeks will be good. They need job security to plan long term for their families. A good job equates to a good lifestyle for now and well into the future and we do not want to allow this security to slip away.
Presently, in the winter we employee up to 190 employees full-time and in the summer there are 90 full-time employees. The majority of the positions are filled from people from Kamloops and the North Thompson Valley including Clearwater, Vavenby, Valemount, Barriere, and Avola. We also have about 10 ski guides as well as our executive chef who originate from Europe.
Our marketing and sales plan is a worldwide venture. We are working toward making Blue River a world-class destination. Presently, 95 per cent of our revenues come from international markets, which has a huge positive impact in the community and in the province. We also generate indirect revenue that is created as a result of the clients that visit us. For example, airline tickets and transfer costs, hotel, food and other travel costs.
Additionally to the creation of revenue, expenditures are also consistently made throughout the entire Thompson Valley. We employ numerous contractors throughout the valley that also rely on us to put food on the table. We have a long-term growth plan and vision for the Eight Peaks and Saddle Mountain that will see us more than doubling our employment in town. This fits with a plan for the long-term tourism vision for the Yellowhead Corridor.
The main purpose was and still is to make Blue River a better place to live, work and play. We strive for this community to be a safe, protective and harmonious environment to raise a family. Also, we stress the importance of Blue River to be a community that can create meaningful jobs so young people can thrive and develop their professional careers for their future. This is essential for the success of families and their ability to thrive in the town of Blue River.
In our experience, success is dependent on the following:
1. Establish a solid and diversified sustainable economic base that will facilitate future growth.
2. Expand the availability of affordable housing throughout the community and other essential infrastructures like safe highways, communications, and utilities.
3. Expand the basic essential social and health services available throughout the community.
4. Support sustainable and environmentally responsible businesses that bring career jobs and growth to the community.
5. Expand community protection and policing throughout the valley. Vandalism and break and enters are widespread and need to come to a stop.
6. Support and maintain the protection of the environment and wildlife, especially in terms of caribou recovery.
Unfortunately, we have a fragmented citizenry in Blue River. This is partially due to the legal regulations that exist in the province that don't work for Blue River. We have multiple groups with multiple missions made up of fewer and fewer people. The Community Association, Improvement District, and Services Committee are too many groups. Let's act now to change this, amalgamate our town into a single voice that is directly represented by the TNRD director. Then we can start to work towards our common goals.
Mike Wiegele
Blue River, B.C.