www.vanderhoof.ca

UPCOMING REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGSDistrict Council Chambers

5:30 pm Mondays

APRIL 14 • APRIL 28

The UPDATER is distributed to all Vanderhoof mailboxes. Editor: Michelle Roberge

Production: Tom Clement & Gavin Ireland

Send inquiries to updater@district.vanderhoof.ca

250-567-4711160 Connaught Street, PO Box 900

Vanderhoof, BC, V0J 3A0

UPDATER - APRil 2014www.vanderhoof.ca

TOASTMASTERS“When I attended my first Vanderhoof Toastmaster meeting, I thought it was just going to be a one-time thing. I never imagined that I would ever attend another meeting. Not that I had anything against Toastmasters, I thought I had decent public speaking skills and I didn’t think my skills were in need of upgrading. ““However, four months later, I found myself completing my second speech and in the process of writing my third. I have learned valuable skills, and I now refrain from using filler words, such as “um” or “ah.” Thanks to Toastmasters, my speaking ability has become less reliant on slang and has become much more professional. Through Toastmasters, I have not only found an outlet for my burgeoning leadership and public speaking skills, but I have found a safe haven where I feel comfortable to discuss topics that truly matter to me. “Although Toastmasters is internationally known for improving public speaking skills, the organization has evolved over time, and has become much more. Toastmasters helps us to be open enough that we accept each other’s constructive criticism. There is no instructor at a Toastmasters meeting, we all evaluate each other so we can improve our skills as leaders. By learning to effectively evaluate, we become better communicators and leaders. Furthermore, all of this takes place in a no pressure atmosphere, where individual success is at its forefront. We would love for you to join us at a Toastmasters meeting! Vanderhoof Toastmasters meets every Wednesday at 7pm in room 3-140 at College of New Caledonia.Find us on face book at www.facebook.com/VanderhoofToastmastersSubmitted by Katie Hong Peers

• VANDERHOOF COMMUNITY GARDEN WORK BEE •

May 10 - 10am - View Street Volunteers are needed to help get

the community garden set-up for the growing season. A wonderful day to

get in the dirt and help out.

• MIRACLE WEEKEND CHEQUE PRESENTATION •

May 10 - 10:30am Riverside Park

Vanderhoof Community for Kids will be presenting a cheque to BC

Children’s Hospital for the total amount Vanderhoof raised for the

hospital this year. The presentation will be filmed and can be viewed

during the Miracle Weekend Telethon on May 31-June 1. Everyone who

supported VCK is invited to come and help present this cheque.

• IDIDALAP4CANCER •June 20

Vanderhoof Sports TrackCome out to walk or run a lap in the

fight against cancer.

» Council Meeting NotesMarch 10, 2014 Regular Council MeetingCouncil received a delegation from the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project. Council waved the building permit fees for the multi-use building at the Community Garden, and the ice fees for the Nechako Figure Skating Club’s annual Carnival. Council approved a grant application to Plan H for a Community Garden Coordinator. Councillor Frenkel was then nominated by Council for the position of President of the North Central Local Government Association.

March 11, 2014 Special Meeting of CouncilThe District’s proposed Operating Budget was presented to Council for review and comment.

March 17, 2014 Strategic Meeting of CouncilCouncil received a number of reports including an ice user fees report, a building permit report, a solid waste management report, and a recreation needs assessment. Council directed staff to contact an arborist about removing aspen trees in Ferland Park.

March 24, 2014 Regular Meeting of CouncilCouncil received a delegation from BC Assessment. A second delegation presented a request for a skateboard/BMX park. Council approved of the use of Riverside Park for the 2014 Hooterville Hoot, and the closure of a section of Connaught Street for a joint Blessing of the Psalms. Council gave first, second and third reading to 2014’s election bylaws.

April 7, 2014 Special Meeting of CouncilCouncil received a delegation from the Vanderhoof RCMP detachment to discuss the creation of a Safer Community’s Coordinator. The District’s Capital Budget was then presented to Council for review and comment.

April 14, 2014 Regular Council MeetingCouncil received an update about the Minerals North 2014 Conference, and discussed the Historic Society’s 2014 request for funding. Council adopted a new Travel Policy, and received the draft copy of the Official Community Plan. Council appointed a Chief Election Officer for the 2014 municipal election. Council also directed staff to create a tree removal policy.

» Council Message Spring is finally here!After what seems to have been the longest, most drawn out winter I can remember (that or I’m getting older), spring has finally arrived. The tell tales signs are all here. Birds are filling the trees and sky, the ice is off the river, trees are starting to bud, and the familiar hum (and associated dust) from the street sweeper filling the air. Vanderhoof is abuzz with spring time activity, including the opening of new buildings, economic opportunities, and with the Minerals North 2014 Conference.

This April has seen the completion of several new commercial and industrial buildings in Vanderhoof. The new CO-OP hardware and lumber building on Stewart St. has opened, as has BID Construction’s new building on Highway 16 which is the new home of Omineca Sports and Nechako Outdoors. Freshwater Fisheries’ new Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre on Burrard Ave. is nearing completion, as is the Advanced Millwright Services building on Highway 16 West.

Business in Vanderhoof seems to be encouraged by the prospect of major natural resource projects. Opportunity is knocking, and it is up to Northern BC to grab hold and make the most of it. Upgrades to Vanderhoof ’s major primary and secondary sawmills will only strengthen their market share. There are no less than five natural gas transmission lines proposed just north of the Nechako Valley and there are several proposed mining developments working through the Environmental Assessment process. There is also a growing need to carry oil by rail or pipeline to offshore markets. Last, but certainly not least, there is a major wind energy project proposed south of our community. Vanderhoof is the heart of it all, and it is our time to be part of these opportunities.

Between May 21 and 23 of this year Vanderhoof will host Minerals North 2014. A great team of local volunteers has been working diligently over the past year to bring this conference to fruition. Minerals North 2014 will be the biggest conference that Vanderhoof has ever held. With almost 500 delegates and tradeshow exhibitors attending this year’s event, Vanderhoof will be busting at the seams.

Get out and enjoy spring, and visit the new facilities that are now open in Vanderhoof. If you have any thoughts as to how Council and our District of Vanderhoof team can help make life better, please contact any one of your Council representatives, or call our office at 250-567-4711.

~ Counicllor Brian Frenkel

Councillor Brian Frenkel

MINERALS N O R T H2 0 1 4V A N D E R H O O F, B C

T H E CO R EO F I T A

L L

COMMUNITY GROUP» Small Town LoveSmall Town Love was successfully launched last year, and saw 34 businesses from Vanderhoof participating in the program. The second phase of Small Town Love is about to start, and we are now accepting applications from new independent businesses.

The application process to participate in the Small Town Love program is simple. You can fill out the online application form at http://lovevanderhoof.com/business_signups.

Once your application is received, it will be reviewed to ensure that your business qualifies for the program and you will be notified of the status of your application. If approved, you will be provided with the next steps, including the scheduling of your professional photo shoot.

Should you have any questions or require any further information about the Small Town Love program in your community, please contact us at smalltownlove@northerndevelopment.bc.ca or visit our FAQ at http://lovevanderhoof.com/static_pages/faq

We are looking forward to spreading more love in Vanderhoof !

Riverside Campground cont.

The District of Vanderhoof realizes that the work in Riverside Park has caused a great deal of concern. We are pleased that so many people have noticed, as this shows how important Riverside Campground

is to the community. The District apologizes for not communicating our plans regarding the cutting of trees at the campground. In the future, especially when it comes to open public spaces, please be assured we will communicate any work we have planned with Vanderhoof’s residents.

UPDATER

VolUmE 6 issUE 3APRil 2014

ThE UPDATER is A DisTRicT of VAnDERhoof commUniTy PUblicATion

In This Issue » Council Message » Upcoming Council Meetings » Upcoming Meetings and Events » Community Clean-up » Vanderhoof Community Garden » Backyard Composting Program » IDIDALAP4CANCER » Riverside Campground » Small Town Love » Toastmasters

Over 200 volunteers helped out during the annual Community Clean Up last Saturday. They picked up hundreds of pounds of garbage and the community looks a lot better for it! Please continue the effort and use waste bins located throughout our community. Photos by Vince Terstappen.

Dont’ forget to visit us on our Facebook “District of Vanderhoof” page.

» IDIDALAP4CANCERThe members of the IDIDALAP4CANCER Organizing Committee would like to thank all those that participated, and supported last year’s IDIDALAP4CANCER event. With the community coming together to support this important event, the Committee was able to exceed their fundraising goal of $40,000! The success of this event depends on the commitment and participation of everyone that is proud to call Vanderhoof home!

As planning gets underway for the 2014 event, IDIDALAP4CANCER is counting on continued participation from the community. The Committee is hoping that teams that participated last year will register again, and that new teams will register. Let’s set a new record for team numbers!

Registration information is out early this year to give teams plenty of time to plan, organize and register.

Find information on Facebook at ‘IDIDALAP4CANCER’, register at http://convio.cancer.ca/IDIDALAP4CANCER2014 and call 250-570-7650 with any questions.

Lace up your shoes and come join IDIDALAP4CANCER at the NVSS track in support of a great cause!

» Vanderhoof Community Garden A work in progress!If you have strolled along View Street or through the Riverside Nature trail recently, you may have noticed heavy equipment, piles of soil, and raised beds at the Vanderhoof Community Garden (VCG). This is a joint project headed by the Nechako Valley Food Network. School District 91, the District of Vanderhoof, Seniors Connected and the WL McLeod Farm to School program are all partners in this community based project.

Volunteers, contractors and the District of Vanderhoof have been very busy on the first phase of development. In the next two months, you will see the establishment of a timber frame toolshed/covered area, a wheelchair accessible bathroom, outdoor raised beds, greenhouses, and wheelchair accessible paths. Cardboard weed barriers with material layering are planned for the in-ground gardening sections. All this VCG development has been made possible by the tremendous donations and support of numerous individuals, businesses, and organizations. Thank you, Vanderhoof !

There will be a community work bee at the Vanderhoof Community Garden on Saturday, May 10 starting at 10 am. Bring a shovel or a 20 litre bucket, work gloves, and a bag lunch. For more information about the work bee or the garden, please call 1-866-279-9733 or email bytes@nvfoodnetwork.ca.

If you are a senior and enjoy gardening or gardened in the past, please contact Debra-Ann Bishop (250-567-0623) with Seniors Connected to talk about gardening!

This week saw another successful community clean up! The District of Vanderhoof would like to thank all of the volunteers

who donated their time, and the Nechako Waste Reduction Initiative which organized this great event. Thanks to everyone

who makes our community a beautiful place!

» Riverside CampgroundThe District of Vanderhoof wishes to provide an update on the recent work at Riverside Campground, and some of the reasons for undertaking the work.

Vegetative control is an ongoing issue at Riverside Campground and there is a fine line between natural and overgrown. The District strives to maintain Riverside Campground as a natural site, yet sometimes this requires the removal of underbrush.

For the past couple of seasons, the District has heard concerns from campers that some of the sites are not accessible to larger recreational vehicles because of overgrown willows. Removing the overgrowth, has made the campground accessible to larger vehicles.

The overgrowth in the campground also creates a number of safety hazards. Many of the trees that were removed were hanging over fire pits, and created a fire hazard. Because of the density of the undergrowth

in the campground, the potential for a fire to quickly spread endangers a large portion of the park. In addition, the thickness of the undergrowth creates a situation where it was difficult to identify, and prevent vandalism in the campground.

The work in Riverside Campground is still ongoing. When the work is finished, the Campground will remain natural, be more accessible, safer, and attractive. Article continued on inside…