For the last year, we felt that since we are all small communities – Area D (rural Grand Forks), the city of Grand Forks, the city of Greenwood, village of Midway and Area E – if combined into pulling together as a group, we could have a stronger voice.
Working together in this manner does not come naturally and takes some adjustment in the way we do business.
When an idea comes forth, it seems natural for one area to grab onto it and run with it for its own good.
There have been challenges to overcome in this process.
The City of Grand Forks has put together its own economic committee that is duplicating some of the goals the Boundary committee has been working on.
A good example of this is the agriculture component.
We ask why they are working on agriculture when the city has only a very small portion of area dedicated to agriculture. We have to ask, do the taxpayers have to fund this twice? When thinking regionally, one has to bring it to the group and work together.
If an industry is looking to locate in an area, we have to remember that they may locate in one town but the entire area is going to benefit from it.
Employees will come from each surrounding area, families will shop in each area, attend school and so on. Communication is going to play a huge part with all the players.
We need to make sure that all parties are getting the same message out in their areas so the constituents know what is happening.
At the recent UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) convention in Victoria, B.C., Premier Christy Clark announced funds to most areas in B.C. but noticeably nothing for our area – further evidence that we need to have more strength in numbers.
We are getting further behind in economy. Combine this with the fact that we are not included in the Columbia Basin Trust leaves us little to work with when it comes to applying for various grants that come available. Many of them need matching funds and there is nowhere for the Boundary to go for these.
Over the next year we will strive to work together to see if we cannot strengthen the voice of the Boundary.
Some upcoming events taking place in the Boundary:
- Friday, Oct. 12 Kettle River Watershed Management workshop at Rock Creek, starting at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
- Saturday, Oct. 13 B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Keeping Your Flock Healthy workshop for sheep and goats at the Senior Hall at City Park in Grand Forks. Call 250-442-3817 to register; the course is free
- Starting Wednesday, Oct. 24 B.C. Clean Farms Obsolete Pesticide Collection campaign. Check your sheds and dispose of old or unwanted pesticides free. Collection location is Advance Orchard in Grand Forks.
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather of fall; we could not ask for it to be any more perfect.
If anyone has concerns or ideas they would like in this column my email is ireneperepolkin@gmail.com and my phone is
250-442-3817.
– Irene Perepolkin is Area D director for the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary