The District of Barriere Council received a report from Corporal Darin Underhill at the March 5 meeting. The report included a comparison of the totals for 2010 and 2011. While break and enters and theft under $5,000 and drug seizures increased in 2011, the complaints of mischief/vandalism and crimes against persons both decreased.
Underhill’s report included some personal background. “I have been with the RCMP for 11 years now, starting in Invermere in the East Kootenay Region. After three years on general duty, I transferred to Southeast District Traffic out of Cranbrook where I started my training and work as a Collision Analyst. In January of 2010, I was promoted and transferred to general duty in the Vanderhoof Detachment as an operational supervisor until my transfer to Barriere Detachment. I was fortunate enough to be assigned Collision Analyst duties from at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. I have worked on a number of major case files from large criminal motor vehicle collisions to homicide investigation. I did work on three large forest fires in the Invermere and Vanderhoof areas, but with very little loss of personal property unlike the Barrier/McLure Fire.”
“Before I joined the RCMP, I completed the Hotel and Restaurant Management Program and began to manage my first pub in 1993 in Smithers. I later transferred to another new pub to manage in 1996 in Lumby. After my pub experience, I worked as a lead hand for Habercraft Aluminum Boats for four years before joining the RCMP. I have been involved in sports my entire life and have coached for the past 24 years in curling, soccer, baseball and golf. My family and I are really enjoying the town and wonderful people we have met. This is a great community and we are looking forward to getting more involved in all the community and area have to offer.”
Council members passed the first three readings of the Board of Variance Bylaw No.86. When a local government has adopted a zoning bylaw, it is required to also establish a board of variance. Three persons will be appointed by Council to sit on this board once it has passed the final reading.
Local resident Barry Thorn asked Council when it will take over the maintenance of the roads. Mayor Humphreys replied that it would be September of 2013. However, if there is a problem with the roads, residents should still call the District office, who would then contact Argo.
Council then convened in a closed session.
The next general Council meeting will be on March 19, at 7 p.m.