Greetings !!! With these May showers, we should be able to see many flowers! Since my April Letter B newsletter, things continue to jog along. We re-ceived some fantastic news early May with the communities of Bouchie Lake / Milburn Lake and Ten Mile Lake / Moose Heights receiving $15,000 for Phase 2 of the project focused on the creation of Healthy Communities. We are still try-ing to secure a little bit more money prior to rolling out the project.

I had a really enjoyable time in Ft. St.John at the end of April attending the NCLGA / North Central Local Govern-ment Assoc. conference. The confer-ence was also very informative with a particular focus on the energy sector. On the 1st day, I attended a 1 day tour which took us to a worker camp, a well site, and where a drill rig was working. All very interesting. The tour was specif-ically on natural gas extraction which included fracking.

Many of the services available to rural residents rely on volunteers. This in-cludes, but is not limited to, rural recrea-tion facilities, volunteer fire departments, parent advisory councils (in schools), and all the user groups that offer activi-ties (horseback riding, softball, girl guides, drop in sports, seniors luncheon, etc.). Volunteer recruitment is on-going and there is always a need for more people to get involved. Whether you have a little or a lot of time, your involve-ment will be appreciated.

HELLO FROM YOU TO ME across Electoral Area B!

Letter Letter BB UPCOMING EVENTS &

MEETINGS

May 29 & June 3 & 7North Cariboo Arena Replacement Pro-

ject Meeting June 4 & 9Advance PollsREFERENDUM

June 5Cariboo Regional District Committee of the Whole Meeting June 6Cariboo Regional District Meeting June 9 Bouchie Lake Rec. Com-mission Meeting June 10 Northern Rural Cau-cus / North Cariboo Jt. Planning Committee Meeting June 14NORTH CARIBOO REC. & PARKS REFERENDUN June 21Belly Run, Ten Mile Lake

June 27Cariboo Regional Dis-

trict Meeting

Serving the communities of Ahbau Creek, Baker Creek, Bouchie Lake, Cinema, (lower)

Cottonwood, Dunkley, Hilborn, Milburn Lake, Moose Heights, Parkland, Quesnel-Hixon, Riverpark,

Strathnaver, Ten Mile Lake and many areas in between!

CONTACT ME

Email hdixon-

warren@cariboord.bc.ca

BLOG http://heloisedixon-

warren.blogspot

FACEBOOK Heloise-Dixon-Warren-

CRD Director Area B

May, 2014

Volume 3, Issue 5 There are so many benefits that come with volunteering for your community: - close to home;

- build a healthy community & strong neighbourhoods;

- see and feel direct benefits;

- meet new friends;

- have fun & learn new skills;

- giving back / paying it forward;

- share your skills & expertise;

- economic development (makes our community a more desirable place to live)

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always just a phone call or email away. FACEBOOK works too!

Letter B Page 2

If you would like to be added to my distribution list for Area B, please email me at hdixon-warren@cariboord.bc.ca

$15G to support Healthy Communities in Area B!

Healthy Communities Neighbourhood ProjectPhase 2

This project has been funded by the Healthy Communities Capacity Building Fund, a partnership between BC Healthy Communities Society and Healthy Families BC. This partnerhip supports local government engagement and partnerships across sectors for creating healthier communities, and provides learning opportunities, resources, and leading-edge practices for collaborative local action.

A partnership of the Cariboo Regional District,

Parkland Recreation and Bouchie Lake Recreation.

The Cariboo Regional District has been awarded $15,000 to support Phase 2 of the

Healthy Communities Project for the communities of Bouchie Lake / Milburn Lake and Ten Mile Lake / Moose Heights. This project will build upon Phase 1 that was completed this past

spring.

Phase 2 will be focused on the completion of a Community Healthy Living Action Plan for the

two communities. The Action Plan will provide steps for improving existing health services,

creating new programs and/or health policies, and will recommend new partnerships and pro-

gram funding models. The Action Plan will address health issues specific to rural communities,

including: living in isolation, access to recreation and fitness programs, low income families,

knowledge of healthy eating and access to healthy foods, and health resources for seniors. The

Action Plan will be unique and be specific to the communities.

Rural communities do not have access to the same staff, funding and other resources as

neighbouring municipalities. Therefore, the Action Plan will be a grassroots document, incorpo-

rating the ideas and strategies voiced by residents and community stakeholders. In addition, a steering committee of communi-

ty volunteers will work alongside the consultant to ensure the Action Plan remains grassroots and addresses the issues and op-

portunities raised at the workshops. After the Action Plan is completed, some of the recommendations will be tested and evalu-

ated.

Opportunities exist for residents to participate in Phase 2 so if you are interested, please let me know. Partners to date in-

clude BC Healthy Communities, the Cariboo Regional District, Bouchie Lake Recreation and Parkland Recreation. Other part-

ners / stakeholder groups (e.g. Volunteer Firefighting Associations, Parent Advisory Councils, other user groups) are welcome

and encouraged to get involved! We want the Action Plan to meet the needs of the communities. It needs to be a Made in Area B Plan for it to fit and work. Input from residents and stakeholders will be absolutely key in this process. I am excited about this project and I see that it could be of great value. If you wish to be notified as activities role out for Phase 2, please

let me know by emailing me at hdixon-warren@cariboord.bc.ca or calling 250.249.5329.

The Action Plan will build upon the results of Phase 1 which identified the 3 top community health concerns. They

were Transportation, Recreation and Community Hall Utilisation. The final report for Phase 1 can be viewed on my

blog at http://heloisedixon-warren.blogspot .

What is a Healthy Community?? Healthy lifestyles. A vibrant economy. Affordable housing. Protected parks & green space. Acces-

sible community services. Thriving neighbourhoods. Clean air and water. A sustainable environ-

ment. Ethnic and cultural diversity. Healthy public policy. Engaged citizens.

A healthy community is all of this, and more.

Recently I attended the Appreciation Event for the

Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Department. The event

was not only enjoyable but a real tribute to these vol-

unteer men and women who give so much to our

community.

In Electoral Area B, there are 4 fire departments that

serve residents that are within a Fire Protection Area.

This includes: Ten Mile Volunteer Fire Department,

Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Hixon Fire

Department (serving Strathnaver residents) and the

City of Quesnel Fire Department (serving residents in

the Two Mile Flat areaRiver Park Road, Hilbourne Rd., etc.). Not everyone has Fire Protection; to have

it one must reside within a Fire Protection Area and

contribute through taxation to that function.

The Business Plans for the Cariboo Regional Depart-

ments Volunteer Fire Departments can be found

online http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/WhatsNew/

AgendaArchive.aspx The Agenda for the CRD Meet-

ing held on December 13, 2013, Section 22.4 Recom-

mendations from 2014 Finance / Budget Commit-

teeBusiness & Financial Plans for all functions of the

CRD including Fire Protection.

Volunteer membership of all volunteer departments

throughout the Cariboo Regional District is identified

in all business plans as one of the most significant is-

sues facing small rural departments. This is consistent

with the trend across Canada whereby volunteerism

overall is on the decline for a great many reasons and

variables. There is some interesting comments and

numbers of the Statistics Canada website (http://

www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/2012001/

article/11638-eng.htm#a6 ) to consider when as-

sessing volunteers, who they are, and what they do.

Having an active and highly functioning volunteer fire

FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN AREA B

Thank a Volunteer Firefighter Today!

department is, I believe, one component of having

a healthy community. Being a Volunteer Firefight-

er means different things to different people.

None the less, these people serve their communi-

ties at all different times by responding at all hours

of the day. They get called out on weekends, holi-

days, during family events, and anniversaries. Vol-

unteering as a Firefighter is often in addition to

their day jobs and family. They juggle many hats,

to serve their community, and saves lives, homes,

and businesses. At times, they have to deal with

heart breaking and dangerous situations.

To get involved with the Volunteer Departments

in Area B contact the following:

Chief Robert ShkuratoffTen Mile Lake Chief Jim BraemBouchie Lake Chief Sylvain GauthierCity of Quesnel Acting Fire Chief: Bruce PerrinHixon For additional information on how to get involved, check out http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/Services/EmergencyProtectiveServices.aspx and.

THANK A

VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTER TODAY!

Letter B Page 4

If you would like to be added to my distribution list for Area B, please email me at hdixon-warren@cariboord.bc.ca

Residents within the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks service boundary will be heading to the polls once again on June 14th; this time to vote on a proposed North Cariboo Arena Replacement project. This project, if it proceeds, will see a 1,600 seat arena with a regulation size ice surface and dry floor space to support arena programs and events constructed in the downtown area of the City of Quesnel close to the existing Twin Are-nas. The new arena would feature a structural steel build-ing with wood architectural elements. Based on 2014 assessed values, the estimated annual cost to undertake this borrowing translates to a residential tax rate of $26/$100,000 of the net taxable assessed value of land and improvements.

There are some important meetings coming up that pertain to this project which residents may wish to make note of. They are as follows: Thursday, May 29 - Open House in Arena 2 Lobby from 4 p.m. 8 p.m. First conceptual designs from CEI Architecture will be available for public review and comment. Tuesday, June 3 - Open House in Arena 2 Lobby from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. This open house will focus on the referendum information, voting information, etc. and the conceptual designs will be available for public review. Saturday, June 7 - Open House in Arena 2 Lobby from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. This open house will again focus on the referendum information, voting information, etc. and the conceptual designs will be available for public review.

Wednesday, June 4th and Monday, June 9th; 8 am8 pm Advance Voting (CD Hoy Room, Quesnel City Hall);

Saturday, June 14, 8 am8 pm General Voting Day; Red Bluff School, Parkland Community Centre, Bouchie Lake Elementary School, Barlow Creek Elementary School, Quesnel Legion Branch 94; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For additional information on the Referendum, Bylaw 4905, other criteria to vote, and where to vote, please check out http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/WhatsNew/Referenda.aspx

PROPOSED NORTH CARIBOO

ARENA REPLACEMENT PROJECT IFI YOU LIVE OR OWN PROPERTY WITH-IN THE BLACK BOUNDARY ON THIS MAP, YOU LIKELY ARE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING REFERENDUM ON JUNE 14, 2014 (Note: some other criteria applies).

REFERENDUM QUESTION Are you in favour of the Cariboo Regional District adopting Loan Authorization Bylaw 4905 to borrow up to $7.5 million over 20

years to provide for the construction of a new arena as part of

the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Service?

RURAL RECREATION

TEN MILE LAKE / MOOSE HEIGHTS

1st Annual Belly Run on Ten Mile Lake The Obstetric department of Quesnel is fundraising for updated

equipment for our maternity ward.

Online Registration at www.eventbrite.ca.

Run or Walk

9km (one for

each month of

pregnancy)

around Ten Mile

Lake!

Starting at 8:00

a.m. at Kosta's

Cove!

The Parkland Community Centre, located in the Park-land Elementary (Ten Mile Lake) is a fantastic communi-ty gathering place. It is available for community mem-bers to rent out, host gatherings, parties, meetings, etc. As with many of our rural based recreation facilities, the centre is managed by volunteers and governed by a Recreation Commission bylaw of the Cariboo Regional District. The centre receives funding through the North Cariboo Recreation & Parks taxation function of the CRD. Consider getting involved volunteers are always needed and appreciated. For additional information on how to rent the facilities and /or to get involved, please call the Parkland Community Centre at 250.992.5400. The Parkland Community Association is on FACEBOOK too!

RURAL RECREATION

TEN MILE LAKE / MOOSE HEIGHTS

RURAL RECREATION

NORTH CARIBOO EQUINE EXTRAVAGANZA May 10, 2014 - The Tail Event Bouchie Lake Rec. hosted the 1st ever North Cariboo Equine Extravaganza on Sat., May 10th and it was a huge success. 22 tables were set up in the hall for the tradeshow with participants ranging from not-for-profit groups, people selling used tack, saddle makers, vets, and farriers. 6 presentations / demonstrations were held with discussions on saddle fitting, tack care, equine dentistry, harnessing, manure management, and horse massage therapy. The turn out was great for the first year. All proceeds (total: ~$440.00) will be used to-wards improvements of the equestrian facilities at the Bouchie Lake Recreation Grounds.

OTHER RENOVATIONS The Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission is planning to do some other infrastructure renovations in 2014. With aging infrastructure, this is very much necessary. The plan is to access some grant funds through Northern Development Initiative Trust (Community Halls & Recre-ation Facilities) and complete some repairs and im-provements that are needed. The following is planned: Accessible front entrance way Wheel Chair Lift (for upstairs) Upstairs Multi-Purpose Room Acoustic Curtain replacement Sound System Ground BeautificationVolunteer Appreciation

Garden (FireSmart Plants); Well Head If you are interested in assisting with this project through providing guidance and direction, please con-tact Bouchie Lake Recreation. BLRC wants to ensure that the project being planned is done with input from residents.

BOUCHIE LAKE / MILBURN LAKE BOOKING THE FACILITIES AT BL REC. Booking the Bouchie Lake Hall and Recreation Grounds is done by contacting the Facility Agent at 250.249.5508 or emailing bouchielak-erc@gmail.com It is a fairly simple process and is well described on www.bouchielakerec.ca As the facilities are managed under a Cariboo Re-gional District bylaw, there are certain items re-quired to book the facilities. This includes: Completion of Contract User Group Form (if a group) Liability Insurance Rent Payment Deposit The Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission has been working very hard to streamline the rental process and to ensure that things are equitable for all renters. In 2013, the Commission was di-rected by the CRD to implement a 2-tiered rate structure whereby taxpayers of the NCRP (North Cariboo Rec. and Parks function) get a 25% dis-count on accessing the facilities (rent and pro-grams). This currently applies to all private and group rentals but has not been put into place for Affiliate Member rentals. The Commission is still working out how to address this as Affiliates are often comprised of people who both reside with-in and outside of the taxation function. Overall, this 2-tiered structure has been well received as it means taxpayers are not subsidizing the use of the facilities by non-taxpayers. It should be not-ed that rate structures, fee schedules and poli-cies are subject to change. Check out www.bouchielakerec.ca for infor-mation on how to book the facilities.

RURAL RECREATION

BOUCHIE LAKE / MILBURN LAKE