Mayor Merlin Blackwell is really impressed with the newly hired economic development officer, Julie Kimmel, “Kimmel has lots of experience and she is well known to Community Futures and her additional role is as a municipal councillor for Sun Peaks. She has a lot of economic development experience for this six month contract because that is all the time we have left to use the funding provided by Esti-BC in the term of the grant before we have to turn it back. We needed someone that could hit the ground running. Julie came in to our first meeting with an initial plan done in hand. Essentially she was working before she even checked into our office.”
The economic development portfolio is something Kimmel is looking forward to assisting with, saying, "I’m excited to be a part of the dynamic team at the District of Clearwater. Economic Development itself is multifaceted and allows for a wide range of processes, projects and involvement throughout the community. I’m looking forward to getting involved and working with the service clubs, organizations, NFP’s, businesses, residents and First Nations in the area."
Blackwell adds that Kimmel also has a number of great working relationships up and down the North Thompson Valley with the District of Barriere, Simpcw First Nation and others saying, “That’s what we need, a person that is ready to go and has many ideas to assist us in moving forward with regards to Ec-Dev.”
Switching gears the mayor addressed the recent questions from locals about the higher population of Canada Geese at Dutch Lake beach and potential interactions with the public and “there’s no other way to say it – the goose poop” which the district is addressing with the possibility of extra landscaping contractors increasing their efforts and what that may cost in the long run.
“I’m researching what other areas are doing or have done about similar situations in their municipalities or places within town water recreation areas like Dutch Lake. Some interesting studies out there. I’m not a biologist but I am hoping to speak to an expert like that as well. So far we haven’t had an negative encounters as yet with the geese mainly staying to the side, feeding on the grassy area or away from people in the water on the whole. But we are looking at ways to address this in the future. With this year’s goslings already growing, Canada Geese being protected in a natural waterway we will need to have a plan earlier for next season with populations seeming to be on the rise,” says Blackwell.
With regards to people feeding the geese intentionally, the mayor says he hasn’t had any complaints about that, adding, “Kids are going to drop crumbs and stuff though. Even if people aren’t purposely feeding the geese when families go to the beach to picnic it’s inevitable food will be dropped or left behind at times. Of course we discourage people from feeding them and habituating them to people food.” The mayor is continuing to “look into the situation” especially for next season’s planning and will be seeking expert advice on the matter to create a long term plan.
