2022DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTRY CITIZEN BULLETIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION & REFERENDUM EDITION
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The District of Lake Country was incorporated in 1995 with a neighbourhood constituency (ward) system as a defining feature. It allows residents to vote for a Councillor to represent the ward in which they live - Carr’s Landing, Okanagan Centre, Oyama or Winfield. Although they are elected by the residents of their ward, ward Councillors serve the community as a whole. Lake Country Council is made up of one Councillor from each of the four wards, two Councillors At Large (elected by all voters in Lake Country) and one Mayor. Lake Country is the only municipality in BC with neighbourhood constituencies. Voters will also be choosing one School District #23 board trustee.
On Saturday, October 15th, eligible Lake Country voters will elect representatives for Lake Country Council who will make decisions that will impact our community and the lives of its citizens. Those elected to serve on Council determine service levels for our roads, parks, water and wastewater systems, recreation, fire protection and police services to name just a few.
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2022 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION
Eligible voters can vote by mail ballot by completing and returning the Application and Registration to Vote by Mail or Non-Resident Property Elector Application to Register (if applicable) before 4 p.m. Thursday, October 13th. Applications can be downloaded at lakecountry.bc.ca/elections
Wednesday, October 5th and Tuesday, October 11th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Country Municipal Hall, 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road.
❶ Mail Ballots:
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THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT WAYS TO VOTE:
❷ Advance Voting:
Saturday, October 15th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. voters can cast a ballot in the Community Gym at George Elliot Secondary School (GESS) – located at 10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road
For complete details visit lakecountry.bc.ca/elections
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Mail Ballot Packages will be mailed out as soon as possible following the Declaration of Election by voting or acclamation on Monday, September 19, at 4 p.m. Voters are responsible for ensuring mail ballots are received by the Chief Elections Officer no later than the close of General Voting Day being 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022.
❸ General Voting Day:
Blair Ireland
Riley
Reed 250-575-7650reedcj22@gmail.com WHO WILL BE ON THE BALLOT Mayor: ACCLAIMED Councillor At-Large: Carr’s Landing: ACCLAIMED Okanagan Centre:
www.michaelwlewis.com778-594-5154michael@michaelwlewis.com
www.triciabrett.catriciabrettlc@gmail.com
250-859-2214billscarrow@gmail.com
Hastings
250-766-1284irelandblair@gmail.com
Bill Scarrow
Michael Lewis:
Bib Patel
Cara
www.facebook.com/votebib403-613-2334getengaged@bib.ca
Tricia Brett
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250-863-5595rilehast@hotmail.com
Amy Geistlinger
250-808-5321toddmckenzie@me.com
Winfield:
Oyama: ACCLAIMED
250-469-1842amy.geistlinger@sd23.bc.ca
Jerremy Kozub
School District #23 Board Trustee: ACCLAIMED
403-461-1239hirvine@shaw.ca
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250-575-2340jerremykozub@gmail.com
Heather Irvine
Todd McKenzie
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BAKERMAYORYOUTHANK
Thank
On September 6th Tracy Gray, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country presented Mayor James Baker with a long-term service award, recognizing Mayor Baker’s contribution to local government and the community. James has served the Central Okanagan Regional District and the District of Lake Country in various capacities and roles since 1981. Currently Mayor Baker sits as a Director on the Regional District of Central Okanagan Board and is the Lake Country representative on the Kelowna Airport Advisory Committee. He was appointed to the Okanagan Basin Water Board by the Regional District and the University of British Columbia Okanagan External Community Advisory Council by the Provincial Government. you, Mayor Baker!
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement.
REFERENDUM
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REFERENDUM
On Saturday, October 15th qualified electors will be voting on the following question:
If electors support the bylaw and the right property doesn’t come on the market within the next five years, borrowing of the funds will not take place and the bylaw will be repealed.
Having adequate financing available for when the right property hits the market is essential in today’s real estate market. If the right fit comes along, the District must have the ability to acquire adequate financing to make a reasonable offer. Despite having the ability to acquire funds, Council must go through the process of considering a bylaw, getting approval of the electors, and then borrowing at one of the two borrowing opportunities available to municipalities each year, spring or fall. It’s not a quick process. Council wants to be in the position to have the ability to borrow funds for when the right waterfront property comes available.
“Are you in favour of the District of Lake Country authorizing Loan Authorization (Waterfront Property) Bylaw 1187, 2022 to authorize the borrowing of up to $8,000,000 to purchase waterfront property for community use?”
In 2006 Council adopted a policy to review waterfront properties that become available for purchase, to determine if they are the right fit for the District to consider purchasing for community use.
Visit letstalk.lakecountry.bc.ca for complete details on the referendum.
Please take the opportunity, before October 15th to ask questions and educate yourself before making your decision on the referendum ballot. You can reach out to any member of Council for their perspective on the proposed bylaw.
REMINDERSANDDATESIMPORTANT
Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, Lake Country Municipal Hall.
October 5 & October 11
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Apply at lakecountry.bc.ca/elections or call 250-766-5650 for a mail ballot.
September (approximately)23
Lake Country Municipal Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Council InaugurationMeeting
Advance Voting
Important Dates and Reminders
October 19
September 1 to October 13 Mail Ballot Application Period
Mail Ballot AvailablePackages
Official Election Results Announced
Official Election Results announced at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers, Lake Country Municipal Hall.
Polling station will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. located at George Elliot Secondary School, Community Gymnasium, 10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road.
October 15
November 1
Packages will be available to be picked up or mailed when ballots are printed and in the custody of the Chief Election Officer.
General Voting Day
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• Citizenship Card;
Two pieces of valid identification is required to vote. One piece must have a signature however photo identification is not required. Identification must prove both residency (address) and identity:
• Credit Card or Debit Card; or
• Utility Bill, (such as electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable services).
If you live in Lake Country:
• You must be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;
Identification Required to Vote
• Driver’s Licence;
• Be a resident of the District of Lake Country on the day of registration and to vote in a Neighbourhood Constituency (ward), live in that jurisdiction on the day of registration; and
REMINDERSANDDATESIMPORTANT
• You must be a Canadian citizen;
• You must not be disqualified by law or any enactment from voting in an election.
• Property Tax Notice;
• BC Services Card;
• Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC
• BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard;
• Social Insurance Number card;
Who can vote?
• You must have lived in British Columbia at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
• You must not be entitled to register as a resident elector;
• You must be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;
• You must be a Canadian citizen;
• You must have lived in British Columbia at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
If more than one individual is the registered owner, only one individual is entitled to vote. Written consent must be provided from a majority of all other owners on the title including the person requesting registration. It is recommended NRPE’s to apply register prior to voting day by contacting the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer at Municipal Hall. You will be required to produce acceptable identification, proof of ownership of the property and written consent from a majority of the owners stating you are designated as the Elector for that property.
• You must be the registered owner of the real property at least 30 days before the day of registration; and
• You must not be disqualified by law or any enactment from voting in an election.
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PropertyQualificationswww.lakecountry.bc.ca/subscribeforaNON-RESIDENTElector(NRPE):
If you are a non-resident property elector who owns property in Lake Country but resides elsewhere in BC you can still register to vote:
10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road Lake Country, BC V4V 2M1 lakecountry.bc.ca • 250.766.5650