TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2014
LOIS CREEK TRAILS
BOOK EXCERPT
WILDLIFE INFO
NITROS IN LONDON TOWN
Interactive signs let hikers share wildlife sightings. See LOCAL NEWS page 3
CRANBROOK
BLACK FRIDAY
Nov. 21st
See LOCAL NEWS page 4
st 2014 1 2 r e b Novem
Like Us
THE BULLETIN
TownsmanBulletin Follow Us
@kbulletin
1
$ 10 INCLUDES G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING KIMBERLEY AND AREA SINCE 1932 | Vol. 82, Issue 218 | www.dailybulletin.ca ELECTION 2014
A chat with the CRANBROOK Mayor-Elect
BLACK FRID C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
CAROLYN GRANT PHOTO
Just prior to his re-election for a tenth term, City Councillor Albert Hoglund was presented with a UBCM Long Service award by Mayor Ron McRae, recognizing his more than 25 years serving the City of Kimberley.
New Council eager to get to work Two women, four men make up new Council C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
Kimberley’s City Council for the next four years is a mix of experience and new faces, but one and all are excited about the possibilities the term will bring and grateful to the voters who got them there. The top vote getter in Saturday’s municipal election was Sandra Roberts, who campaigned on her solid history in finance as manager of the local credit union before her retirement. “I wish to take this opportunity to thank the resi-
dents of Kimberley who chose to vote for me,” Roberts said. “I look forward to the immediate future when we will get down to work on fulfilling our mandate to represent you in the most effective way possible. It appears that you have chosen a great team and I am anxious for us to get started.” Councillor Kent Goodwin was elected to a second term, again with a fiscal responsibility message. “I am excited and honoured to be reelected to Kimberley City Council,” said Goodwin. “I would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s election, including all the candidates and those who took the time to vote. I am hopeful that, over the next four years, there will be further
opportunities for everyone to get involved in community decision-making as we move forward with economic development planning, a City service review and conversations about what kind of town we are becoming. Democracy works best when people stay engaged between elections. Please help us make that happen.” Councillor Darryl Oakley, one of the more outspoken councillors from the previous term, received the third highest number of votes. “It is a huge honor to be re-elected to Kimberley City Council and I intend to continue to work hard for our community. I wish to thank all those who ran for public office, and congratulate those who were elect-
ed to council. I am looking forward to the next four years and I am very excited to be part of the team with Don McCormick leading the charge,” Oakley said. Councillor Albert Hoglund will be the senior member of council as he enters his tenth term. “I feel good,” he said of his win. “It’s nice to have the confidence of the people back. Hopefully I will be able to serve them well for the next four years.” The other newcomer on Council is Nigel Kitto, who says he is very much looking forward to the coming term. “Thank you family, friends and community for your support and trust in electing me to city council,” Kitto said. See COUNCIL, page 3
Kimberley’s Mayor-Elect Don McCormick is ready to get work at City Hall, though he won’t formally be sworn in until December 8. And he is adamant that he will follow through on promises made. “What I heard the majority of tax payers saying during the campaign is that they are concerned about the size of the tax bills they are getting relative to the value they feel they are getting. “What am I getting for the money spent? It all relates back to the size of the pie. We don’t have a spending problem per se. We have a revenue issue. If there is no more revenue, it puts pressure on the tax base. “Prudent spending has to do with what we do with what’s available. And a service review is the core of that.” One of McCormick’s promises was a full service review, which is essentially a look at everything the city does, every service provided, every penny spent. “My expectation is that a service review will help us find ways to more effectively spend the money we have. And it needs to independent and public. “It’s a variation of a zero
Mayor-Elect Don McCormick based budget. Assume nothing. My expectation is we will find ways to more effectively spend the money.” However, he says that at no point in his campaign did he mention the word cut. “One of the things I want to do is immediately meet with various staff groups and answer their specific questions.” Another thing the service review would look at is non-profits. “The whole funding issue for non-profits is not the easiest thing,” McCormick said. “Money is scarce. I believe the role of the city is facilitating to ensure the success of non-profits but we can’t bankroll them. See McCORMICK, P. 4
McRae wishes new Mayor and Council well C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Editor
Mayor Ron McRae says he is disappointed in the results of Saturday’s election, but wishes those elected well. McRae lost by a margin of roughly 150 votes to Don McCormick. “I wish Mr. McCormick and the new Council all the
best,” McRae said Monday morning. “I thank all those who supported me, not just in the election but over the past three years. There was much accomplished and the foundation is there. My hope and desire is that Mayor and Council will continue to forge ahead with the direction that’s been set.”