Mia Cirotto Wins Wells Bursaries

SCHOLARSHIPS HELP LOCAL RESIDENT FURTHER HER EDUCATION

At the August 21, 2007 Council meeting Mayor Jay Vermette and Councilor Virginia Wilkins presented Mia Cirotto with a cheque for $750.00 for the 2007 District of Wells Bursary, and a cheque for $250.00 from the Evan Williams Foundation.

Ms. Cirotto, who was also the recepient of the 2006 awards, is attending Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, and is studying Animal Health Technology.

Both the District of Wells Bursary and the Evan Williams Foundation award are annual scholarships, with the next application deadline on April 30, 2008. Be sure to contact the District of Wells for an application package if you are interested in applying for the 2008 scholarships.

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Preschool Starts Up For the Season

WEDNESDAY MORNING DROP-IN PROGRAM

With the beginning of September comes the return of school. For the older kids that means reading, writing and arithmatic, but for the younger citizens of our fine community, that means the return of the preschool program at the Wells Community School.

This once a week program runs Wednesday mornings from 10:00 AM until approximately 12:00 PM upstairs in the Wells Community School, and is designed as a fun and informative place for preschool age children and younger to get together for games, crafts and a healthy snack.

Combining elements of Mother Goose and the Ready Set Learn programs, the drop-in sessions are designed to be inclusive and educational. If you would like more information please contact Megan Topham at 994-6809.

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District of Wells Prepares for UBCM Conference

BRINGING LOCAL ISSUES TO A PROVINCIAL LEVEL

The Mayor, Councilors and staff of the District of Wells are preparing to attend the 2007 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Conference in Vancouver.

This annual event brings together municipal leaders from across British Columbia, and is designed to allow municipalities to bring up local issues with Provincial Ministers and other high level government officials.

This year's attendees from the District of Wells include Mayor Jay Vermette, Councilor Judy Campbell, Councilor Virginia Wilkins, and Chief Administrative Officer Gary Champagne.

Provincial meetings that have been confirmed include the following:

- Minister Stan Hagen, Ministry of Tourism Sport and the Arts: To discuss securing sustainable funding for Barkerville Historic Town

- Minister Barry Penner, Ministry of Environment: To discuss problems associated with Bowron Lake Provincial Park reservation system.

- Minister John Les, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General: To discuss BC Lotteries funding for small town fire departments.

Besides local concerns, the District of Wells also works closely with the Cariboo Regional District and the North Central Municipal Association to discuss issues that have a regional focus, such as the proposed new electoral boundaries and the Hwy 26 connector to Purden Lake.

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Community Potlucks Starting up in October

HELD THE THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

As the busy summer season draws to a close in the Wells, Barkerville, Bowron Lakes area, it's time to start thinking about fall and winter activities.

One of the more popular community activities from October through April is the monthly community potluck dinners. Held the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM in the Banquet Room of the Wells Community Hall, the community potlluck dinners are a great opportunity for local citizens to get together in a fun and relaxed environment.

One possibility that has been discussed for the upcoming potluck season is to have movie nights in conjunction with the dinners. Using the new 2010 Live Site Viewing Centre in the Banquet Room of the Wells Community Hall, it would be possible to show movies on the big screen after the dinners.

The concept is still at the discussion phase, but if you believe that movies would work well with the community dinners, or don't think they would work, get a hold of the District of Wells and provide us with some feedback.

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2008 Property Tax Exemptions

TIME FOR FEEDBACK TO COUNCIL

Council will be reviewing and approving the District of Wells 2008 Property Tax Exemptions at the regular Council meeting of October 2, 2007 to be held at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 4243 Sanders Avenue.

If you wish to provide any feedback to Council regarding this year’s recommended exemptions, please submit your feedback in writing to the Municipal office before Thursday September 27, 2007 for inclusion in the Council agenda.

The exemptions currently being recommended to Council in Bylaw #87, 2007 are as follows:

1. The following lands and improvements thereon, all within Cariboo District, are hereby exempted by the District of Wells from payment of taxes for the assessment and collection year of 2008 as per ratio indicated for each lot, pursuant to 224 of the Community Charter:

(a) 100 per cent for lands and improvements owned by the Wells Historical Society and legally described as: - Block B, District Lot 12985 (subject to right-of-ways PGP39583 and PGP39584) – Roll #09351.002; - Lot 1, portions of District Lots 5899 and 10518, Plan 32374 listed as “old bunkhouse” – Roll #05541.991;

(b) 100 per cent for lands and improvements owned by the Island Mountain Arts Society and legally described as Lot 4, Block 4, District Lot 289, Plan 18500 listed as “Art Gallery” – Roll #01650.000

(c) 100 per cent for lands and improvements owned by Wells Recreation Society legally described as Lot A, District Lot 391, Plan 31977 – Roll #01480.002.

(d) 50 per cent for lands and improvements owned by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 128 and legally described as Lot 1, District Lot 391, Plan 38869 – Roll #01433.001.

2. Pursuant to Section 220(1)(h), that portion of the parcel of land and improvements not exempted by the Province and owned by the United Church of Canada legally described as Lot 24, Block 6, District Lot 289, Cariboo District, Plan 18500 (Roll #01694.010) is hereby exempted for the 2008 collection year.

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