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Invermere Councillor By-election Candidates

Grant Kelly: It is important the DOI undertakes the study to explore future water sources while examining and protecting the two we currently use. In addition, it is crucial to look at our usage and protection of all of the water within, and surrounding the district. I am confident a study is the first step to address these concerns and allow us to make informed decisions in the future.

DAVID GOLDSMITH:

The question of water supply source has three dimensions: quality, quanti- ty and long term security. Water distribution is also an issue.

The deep well in Athalmer, at present, seems to be a secure supply, both in terms of quality and quantity, but by itself is not adequate to meet the current or future needs of Invermere. The Paddy Ryan reservoir faces several challenges. The surrounding properties are not owned by the town and could present a quality threat if the use of those lands were to create significant pollutants. Surface water is also subject to significant evaporation during hotter months. Climate change could adversely affect the quantity of water due to evaporation. Water quality may also be affected with less water in the lakes due to any potential pollutants becoming more concentrated. This past summer, we saw periods of temperatures above 30 degrees which may become more common in the future. This in turn will affect the available runoff from the mountains that is required to re-supply the Paddy Ryan reservoir, and the aquifer supplying the Athalmer well. Water distribution for Invermere also faces issues. Currently there is enough volume and pressure in the system to meet domestic needs. But there could be volume and pressure issues in outlying areas if there was a fire that required significant water flow.

I attended the DOI Council meeting on February 14 and asked about these issues and was advised that they will be addressed by the proposed Water Security and Source study.

Wacky woodpeckers: Lewis’ woodpecker

The Wild Files

It’s our nature

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Keeping up with the theme of our feathered friends this February, let’s look at woodpeckers which are part of the Picidae family.

The International Ornithological Union indicates there are 236 species of woodpeckers worldwide. Lewis’ woodpecker was first described by ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, in 1811 and named after Meriwether Lewis who first saw the bird during his famous westward expedition with William Clark. Native to much of central and western United States. Lewis’ woodpeckers breed on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Peoples, and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples of B.C., from late April to July. Their ideal breeding habitats are woodlands near streams and rivers. The southeastern area of British Columbia is the only area in Canada where this species of woodpeckers is found.

Lewis’ woodpeckers have red faces, black behinds, pink bellies, grey collars and dark green backs. This species of woodpecker has broader wings than most. While Lewis’ woodpeckers’ peck into trees for wood-boring insects with their chisel-like beak, they also spot flying insects, then soar out to snag them mid-air. They feed on berries and nuts and will even store them in cracks and holes of trees to save for winter. Lewis’ woodpeckers are typically 28 centimetres (cm) in length and weigh 139 grams (g). They have a wingspan of 52 cm.

The descent: A family or group of woodpeckers is called a descent. The North American Breeding Bird Survey says Lewis’ woodpeckers are more uncommon than other species and between 1968 and 2019, saw a 48 per cent decline in population. Partners in Flight rates them 15 out of 20 on the continental concern score, placing them on the Yellow Watch List. They are threatened by ever-changing forest conditions such as logging, grazing, and fire suppression. This results in fewer standing dead or decaying trees that Lewis’ woodpeckers depend on for nesting. Rather than excavating their own holes, Lewis’ woodpeckers prefer to use existing holes or crevices to create their nests which are at least a foot below its entrance. Woodpeckers have special feathers covering their nostrils to prevent dust and splinters from going inside.

Using their heads: All woodpeckers hit their heads with over 1,000 grams (g) of force on trees and can peck their bills 8,000 to 12,000 times per day at forces of over 1000 g. These constant hard hits of their head never cause any harm. Chinese scientists discovered that head of woodpeckers is designed to transfer this strain down their body with their heads only taking 0.3 per cent of the force. They are also very intelligent.

The sound of love: Compared to other species, Lewis’ woodpeckers are much quieter. When looking for love, woodpeckers aim to attract attention and a mate by banging on objects with their beaks to make a loud drumming sound. Both males and females drum and will do so on trees, telephone poles or metal objects. What may sound like a noisy nuisance to humans, this banging is sweet music to woodpeckers. Males will give a harsh churr three to eight times during their courtship.

Courting males will also lift their wings while circling around a tree and calling out to a female of interest. Both genders chatter in a series of squeaks throughout the year. It is the male who builds the nest and shares the responsibility incubation. The nesting period for female woodpeckers is 28 to 34 days and they lay a clutch of five to nine eggs. Woodpecker chicks are hatched stark naked with their eyes closed, and leave the nest five weeks after they hatch.

Happy and hardworking: In many Indigenous cultures woodpeckers are associated with friendship and happiness. They are also known to be associated with wishes, luck, prosperity, and spiritual healing. In other cultures, woodpeckers represent hard work, perseverance, and determination.

With over 236 species of woodpeckers across the globe Lewis’s woodpeckers are a large species native to North America. Lewis’s woodpeckers breed throughout the Columbia Valley from late April to July. Photo by Glen Bartley

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339

Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

Notice Of Election By Voting

A by-election by voting is to be held to elect one Councillor and that the following persons are candidates for each office:

COUNCILLOR – One (1) to be elected

Surname Usual Names Residential Address

VIOLINI JUANITA 1017 – 13th Avenue, Invermere, BC

GOLDSMITH DAVID 15 – 1126 – 13th St., Invermere, BC

KELLY GRANT 1716 – 6th Avenue, Invermere, BC

STEVENS STEPHANIE 1318 – 17th St., Invermere, BC

BRADATSCH GREY 115 12A Avenue, Invermere, BC

Voting Dates And Locations

GENERAL VOTING DAY will be:

Saturday, March 4th, 2023, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Columbia Valley Centre

646 – 4th Street, Invermere, BC

Electors Registration

There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors for this election will take place at the time of voting. In order to register at the time of voting, you will be required complete the application form available at the voting place and to make a declaration that you meet the requirements to be registered as set out below:

RESIDENT ELECTORS:

To register as a resident elector you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day March 4th, 2023;

• be a Canadian citizen;

• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

• be a resident of the District of Invermere on the day of registration (at time of voting); and

• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:

To register as a non-resident property elector you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day March 4th, 2023;

• be a Canadian citizen;

• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

• be a registered owner of real property in the District of Invermere for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);

• not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and

• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors:

• The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.

• If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

In addition, in order to register at time of voting:

• To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

• To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the other property owners.

Mail Ballot Voting

REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE: Mail ballot applications are available and can be submitted to the District of Invermere office between February 7th, 2023, to March 2nd, 2023 at 4 p.m.

If you would like to receive a mail ballot and submit it to the office an application must be submitted to the District of Invermere office by March 2nd, 2023, at 4 p.m.

Applications are on the District of Invermere website at www. invermere.net, or can be requested by email corporateservices@ invermere.net and the municipal office located at 914 – 8th Avenue.

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 4th, 2023, of General Voting Day.

For further information on the election process, please contact:

Kindry Luyendyk

Chief Election Officer

250-342-9281

Corporateservices@invermere.net

Basin Residents Invited To Share Input On Future Of Region

Submitted by Columbia Basin Trust

(Columbia Basin) – Columbia Basin Trust (the Trust) is inviting you to have your say about the future of the Columbia Basin region. You will soon be able to share your ideas as the Trust travels throughout the region to meet with you, listen to your input, and plan together for the future.

The Trust was established in 1995 to support efforts by the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being in this region. Its activities are guided by the Columbia Basin Management Plan, developed based on public input from residents.

“This is an opportunity for everyone who lives in the Basin to share your perspective on how we can realize an even better future for this incredible region,” said Johnny Strilaeff, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am so pleased to invite residents to the conversations that will determine how the Trust can best support communities in the future. We all have a stake in this as residents, and that’s why we call this process Our Trust, Our Future.”

The Trust is offering many ways for residents to provide input, including in-person open houses and facilitated conversations in more than 20 communities. These events in April and May are opportunities to explore your vision for your community and the region as a whole, with your family, friends, neighbours and Trust Board and staff. There will also be virtual meetings and an online survey available.

In May and June, the Trust will present the common themes from resident feedback at three large regional events in Cranbrook, Trail and Golden. These symposia will bring Basin residents together to celebrate the region and create a further opportunity to discuss the themes that emerged from the earlier engagement. The symposia will feature local food, visual art and music from Basin creators and entertainers, and an exciting keynote speaker—a well-known Canadian personality that will be announced at a later date.

The Trust strives to host inclusive, barrier-free and accessible events, and encourages residents to reach out with any questions.

Get ready to have your say, save the date for your local community meeting and learn more about Our Trust, Our Future at ourtrust.org/future. This is your Trust, this is your future, and the Trust can’t write it without you.

Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin.

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