First of all, I must apologize for not yet reporting back on the Union of BC Municipalities convention held in Vancouver Sept. 21 to 25.
I have been trying to overcome an allergic reaction to perfume worn by the person next to me on the flight home.
The UBCM conference is a major undertaking and I want to thank UBCM staff and board members for all the work they do for all us. The agenda is always packed full with speakers, workshops, meetings, and resolutions sessions.
Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first woman and first neurologist in space, was the most popular speaker at the conference (except for Premier Clark when she announced $75 million over three years for rural communities under 25,000.)
Dr. Bondar suggested we never reach our potential but rather continually strive for it by being leaders who inspire our communities.
Accompanied by MLA Greg Kyllo, council met with Minister of Transportation Todd Stone regarding the Trans-Canada Highway and airport funding, Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson, regarding the downtown college campus proposal and Minister of Environment Mary Pollack on zebra and quagga mussels. Thank you Greg, your support at the meetings meant a lot to us.
We spent many hours reviewing and discussing more than 200 resolutions.
It amazes me to see the issues we face are basically the same around the province. Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz and I have already agreed to work together on a 2016 motion allowing dredging of the Sicamous channel as keeping the channel clear is key to their economy.
Lastly, I ran for as position as the UBCM’s second vice -president.
While I did not get elected, I was able to say Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake four separate times to a few thousand delegates and having people come up and ask for more information was success enough – for now.