Earth Hour: Turn Off Your Lights on March 29 at 8:00

Consider participating in this year's Earth Hour on March 29 from 8:00-9:00. Town Council discussed this campaign at Monday's Council meeting and agreed to help promote it, although we stopped short of signing up as a municipality. Maybe next year.

So what IS Earth Hour? Last year, Sydney, Australia turned off lights for an hour to bring awareness about climate change and ways their residents could reduce their use of energy. This year, it has turned into a global event, and on March 29, individuals, businesses, and cities will participate by shutting off lights between 8:00 and 9:00 PM.

A number of large Canadian cities have already signed on--Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. I've signed up as an individual and you can, too. As I write, the counter on the website shows that over 52,600 individuals and 3000 businesses have signed up. Peace River residents can push up those numbers at: http://www.earthhour.org/

On the Take Action tab, you can download a document that provides ideas to help you become involved during Earth Hour. Think about what your family might be able to do during an hour without power--playing games, singing, or having a jam session by candlelight? (Be careful with the candles--we don't want fires started as a result of this campaign!)

On the Earth Hour Every Day tab there are ideas for conserving electricity anytime at home, at the office, and at school.

Let's each do what we can to show support for this initiative. On March 29, between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, shut off your lights, computers and other electrical appliances and help bring awareness about finding ways to reduce our contribution to climate change.

Situation Critical: Alberta Forest Industry

One item on last night's Council agenda was a brochure entitled Situation Critical: Alberta's Forest Industry Crisis. The lead line indicates that "The future of Alberta’s $11 billion forest products industry is in jeopardy - putting thousands of Albertans in peril of losing their livelihood and dozens of communities in danger of seeing their local economies crumble." It outlines the catalysts that have led to the crisis and provides ideas for finding solutions.

I grew up as the daughter, grand-daughter, and great-grand-daughter of people involved in the forest industry--my great-grandfather was an owner of the Grande Prairie Lumber Mill and before it was taken over by Canfor in the late 1950s, my grandfather and father each managed the mill.

This situation also has the potential to negatively impact many of the communities around Peace River as well as the Town itself. We all need to educate ourselves about the forest industry in Alberta and throughout Canada and do what we can to support it during this period of crisis. Council made a motion last night to write a letter of support to the province after the election is over and new Ministers are appointed.

For more information on the crisis and to view an informative video about the industry, check out this website:
http://albertaforestproducts.ca/about/SituationCritical.aspx

Municipal Planning Commission: New members needed

Do you have an interest in planning and development and how your community will look in the future? If so, you might want to consider applying to join the Town of Peace River's Municipal Planning Commission.

The MPC meets up to twice a month and considers development applications that are referred to it by the Development Officer.

The Town of Peace River's Land Use Bylaw (available at: http://tiny.cc/LandUseBylaw) outlines the duties and responsibilities of the MPC on pages 32-34.

I see that the City of Grande Prairie has just re-established an MPC. This article from the Daily Herald-Tribune points out the reasons why it's an important body. http://cgi.bowesonline.com/pedro.php?id=1&x=story&xid=379241

There is an application process that involves writing a letter and having your name approved by Town Council. If you are interested or know of someone who would be a good addition to the MPC, please contact me by email (leslie.ayrejaschke@gmail.com) and I will pass along your name or try to answer questions.

Provincial Election/All Candidate Forum

The election call finally came and Albertans go to the polls on Monday,
March 3.

To ensure you are on the voter's list, go to Voter Link. You'll need your Alberta driver's license or an Alberta Identification Card.
https://www.voterlink.ab.ca/

The candidates for the Peace River constituency are:

• Progressive Conservative: Frank Oberle (incumbent)
• Liberal: Cory Van Der Aa
• New Democratic Party: Adele Boucher Rymhs
• Green Party: To Be Announced
• Wild Rose Alliance Party: To Be Announced

Here are the party website links:

• Progressive Conservatives Alberta:
  http://www.albertapc.ab.ca/admin/contentx/default.cfm?PageId=9178
  
  
• Alberta Liberal Party:
  http://www.albertaliberal.com/index.php/alp/content/C56
  
  
• Alberta New Democratic Party:
  http://www.albertandp.ca/
  
  
• Alberta Green Party:
  http://www.albertagreens.ca/
  
  
• Wild Rose Alliance Party:
  http://wildrosealliance.ca/party/index.php

There will be an All Candidates Forum in Peace River next week on Wednesday, February 13 at the Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre Ballroom. Doors open at 6:00 to the public and the forum will be called to order at 6:30. The forum is hosted by the Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce and mediated by Don Jennings.

What are the issues that you'll want to see discussed? Certainly from the perspective of a municipality, there is a great need for additional help with infrastructure--water, sewer, roads, recreation facilities, libraries, museums, and so on.

See you at the forum.