To the editor;
Re: Oct. 24/11 issue Letter to the Editor ‘Mayor and council chastised for no show at Stomp’n Toy Run’.
I would like all your readers to know that myself (as District of Barriere Mayor), the Deputy Mayor, or a Councillor, try to attend all functions that we are invited to. The following are just some of the events that I have attended over the last twelve months.
Alzheimer’s Walk for Memories; Community Garden Spring Festival, community July 1st celebration, Fall Fair Queen Pageant, NTFFRA parade and opening ceremonies, t Terry Fox Run, the Seniors Provincial Carpet Bowling Tournament, the Hospice Bike Challenge, Fire Department Open House, B.C. Baden Powell Guild AGM, Barriere Secondary Graduation Ceremonies, Kids with Santa at the Lions Hall, Harvest Fest at the Community Garden, Festival of the Arts, Halloween at the Park, the Wildfire Dragon Art and Music Festival, Remembrance Day ceremonies, Simpcw First Fish Ceremony at Dunn Creek Hatchery, 2011 Barriere Babies Luncheon at the Seniors Hall, Elementary School Awards Day, and Pitch In Day.
I also attend 25 to 30 council meetings per year, and 40 to 50 committee meetings each year for the District of Barriere. I attend 35 or so TNRD board and committee meetings each year, as well as the Regional District Hospital Board and various C2C forums.
In the last year I have met with the RCMP commanding officer twice, BC Hydro reps twice, Premier Christy Clark, Deputy Minister of Community Services Don Fast, MLA Terry Lake, MP Cathy McLeod, the Agriculture Land Commission, and the TRU Economic Geography class three times. I also attended the UBCM five days, FCM five days; and SILGA three days.
This year I spent a number of days volunteering at the Fall Fair grounds. I also drove the Simpcw bus to Kamloops and back so the TRU economic geography class could tour Barriere for their project.
I have fixed fences, formed sidewalks, painted a cross walk as well as painted soffit for the bandshell. I helped replace the metal on some of the dugout roofs, helped replace the concession roof, removed a District tree that had fallen on private property and used a weed eater on a good portion of Barriere Town Road in preparation for the Fall Fair. While doing these projects I have used my own tools and vehicle and did not receive any compensation.
I support many fundraisers that go on locally. I have a huge collection of aprons made by the Fall Fair Queen contestants, and no one gets asked to buy raffle tickets more than the Mayor. I also try to make time each week to see my grandchildren and have a private life.
Maybe next month I will be able to mop my floors, wash my windows, and clean that green fuzzy stuff out of my fridge. I promised my truck a wash job and oil change over a month ago, but I guess it will have to wait until after the election.
Despite this busy schedule, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I enjoy representing Barriere, and am looking forward to growing our community.
To all groups in Barriere, if you are having a function or event and would like me or someone from Council to be there and say a few words, please make sure that Tasha at the District office gets the invitation. We will try our best to help make your event a success. I congratulate Paul and Barb Morris on the success of the Toy Run and look forward to attending the event next year.
Mike Fennell
Mayor
District of Barriere