SLRD Area A Directors Report

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Local Information:

Hello everyone I hope everyone is well and staying safe. I want to take this time to talk about Social Distancing as it is imperative that we do this to stop the spread of the COVID-19. However it does not mean that we can’t Social Communicate from a distance with family, friends and neighbors. We can message them, have online video communications, share information and pictures etc. on Facebook, and most importantly there maybe people that do not use these technologies so a phone call to them just for a chat is so important in these difficult times. I have a few people that I will be phoning in the next few days and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

We are all in this together and it is imperative that we stay calm, be kind, and courteous to each other so that we can get through this Pandemic in the most positive way that we can.

I also want to thank everyone that is still out there working for us in our local community such as staff at BC Ambulance Service, Valley Hardware and Groceries, Canada Post, SLRD Transfer Station, SLRD Water and Sewer Contractor, Dawson Road Maintenance, Cayuse Flats Transportation, Bridge River Valley Community Association, and Minto Communications. If I have missed anyone my apologies.

We currently have a number of people in self isolation in our community for various reasons. Our BC Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry says it is imperative that you treat everyone you see as if they have the COVID-19. The reason for this is so that the COVID-19 is not transmitted and to stop the spread of it. It is key to practice Social Distancing (Physical Distancing) of 2 metres or 6 feet, Disinfecting and Hand Washing as you never know where COVID-19 is.

The following is the status of some of our services in our community and all of these services are taking precautions for the safety of yourself and their staff:

• The Valley Hardware and Groceries store has in place that only 2 people are allowed in the store at one time. Line up outside and keep 2 meters or 6’ apart until you are allowed into the building. Signs are posted outside. If you call in and give them your credit card number they will shop for you and arrange a pick up spot.
  • Operating hours are as of now:
    • Monday and Thursday 10:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 5:30pm. Note that these are delivery days and it will be closed during deliveries.
    • Wednesday 1:00pm – 5:30pm.
    • Saturday 10:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm – 5:30pm.
• The Post Office is open and on its regular operating hours. Only one person is allowed in the building at one time. Line up outside and keep 2 meters or 6’ apart until you are allowed into the building. Signs are posted outside.
• The Transfer Station is open and on its regular operating hours. If there is a line up stay in your vehicle until it is your turn to dispose of your materials.
• The Gold Bridge Community Resource Building is closed and staff are working remotely. There is a locked mail box in the entrance area, if you have something to drop off. It is looked at regularly.
• The Library is closed.
• The Gold Bridge Community Club and Gym are closed.
• The Bralorne Pub is closed.
• The Gold Bridge Hotel’s, Cafe and Pub are closed other than off sales.
• I also want to say that here seems to be an influx of people in and around 2:00 pm at our local services especially on Monday’s and Thursday’s at our local store, post office and transfer station. Try to see if you can limit the number of trips (maybe once a week or even every 2 weeks) to these services and also to come at varying times so we do not get congestions at any one of the services. This will help with exposures to the COVID-19.

Director’s Update:

I have been busy as you can imagine since I was elected. The first thing I had on my plate was the SLRD 2020 Financial Plan as I came in at the tail end of the process and had to learn it to make decisions that were required. I have attended many meetings since I was elected and appointed to a number of different committees that also have regularly scheduled meetings. I am learning what is required for all of these meetings and for one of the last meetings had well over 1,000 pages of reading material to go through! I have had a number of local issues that constituents have wanted me to look into and have done some and have others on my to-do list. Then throw in the COVID-19 Pandemic and here we are!

I have meet with the Dawson Road Maintenance Quality Manager and Local Supervisor and will continue to meet with them monthly. If you have any road maintenance comments, concerns, suggestions or compliments please feel free to let me know as I will relay the messages.

I have had my first initial meeting with the Acting RCMP Sargent in Lillooet and will continue those meetings throughout my term.

I have had communications and will support a Gold Bridge Community Ratepayer Group being formed so that they can have a voice and be able to receive funding for various initiatives.

The SLRD had a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Area A completed. I have reviewed the plan and talked to Bruce Morrow who helped develop the plan. I will be looking into what it will take to implement a Prescription Plan for the community that is at most risk for a wildfire. The funding for these Prescriptions has changed a lot in the past couple of years so will take some research to make it all happen.

There may be a need for a Food Sustainability (Food Bank or similar) program for our valley and I have been working on this initiative with others in our community and the SLRD.

There is a need for a Cayuse Flats Transportation facility for deliveries that are not related to the Post Office and there is a group working on a solution and I am engaged in this initiative.

I have had a number of Grant in Aide Requests that have been sent to the SLRD, to be put on an upcoming Meeting Agenda for approval.

I also have an ever growing to-do list and have to prioritise them to make sure the most important ones are dealt with.

Everyone stay safe and practice Social Distancing (Physical Distancing) of 2 metres or 6 feet, Disinfecting and Hand Washing.