Two local politicians will be taking the reins of the North Central Local Government Association.
Fraser-Fort George Regional District chairman Art Kaehn was elected president of the association at its annual general meeting last week in Prince Rupert. Prince George city councillor Dave Wilbur was elected member at large.
"It's quite an honour and privilege to serve on behalf of communities across the north-central area," Kaehn said. "By working together we can identify improvements which benefit all our communities."
One of the key initiatives brought forward at the meeting was a focus on transportation infrastructure, spearheaded by Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers and the City of Fort St. John, he said.
"We've got a new premier and a new government," Kaehn said. "They're looking for solutions. The key objective is to help them help us."
The recommendations brought forward by resolution would see transportation players in each sector from across the north brought to the same table to come up with a priority list of projects, he said.
Another resolution of local interest is the association is calling on the province and RCMP to extend the mandate of the Cariboo Region Integrated Marijuana Enforcement Task Force. The task force was created as a one-year pilot project to combat the increasing number of marijuana grow operations in the central interior.
"The pilot is supposed to run out in the fall," Kaehn said. "[But] it seems to working effectively on our behalf."
On Thursday the task force was involved in busting a grow op outside of Quesnel. Three people were arrested and 2,000 marijuana plants and 90 pounds of harvested marijuana.
The association will also be seeking B.C. Hydro to pay property taxes on its rural lines - or some comparable grant - to rural municipalities, he said.
Working with the Union of B.C. Municipalities, the association will also be working on a code of conduct for elected officials, he added.
The association's annual general meeting made headlines last week when anti-Enbridge protesters staged a rally outside the conference to protest Enbridge's role as a sponsor.
"The executive met with the Friends of Salmon ahead of the conference," Kaehn said. "Many delegates attended they sessions they set up off site."
Kaehn said he and the other executive members let the protesters know their message had been heard, and that the association was open to hearing from both sides of the issue. Enbridge has proposed a twin oil pipeline which would run from the Port of Kitimat to Strathcona County outside of Edmonton.
Coun. Dave Wilbur said next year he hopes the Friends of Salmon will meet with municipal delegates, rather than protest outside.
"It's always better to do that than try to persuade people by how loud you can shout," Wilbur said. "I'm still very concerned about the Enbridge pipeline and what that might mean with tankers transporting oil. My big concern is Enbridge is not stepping up to the plate and saying 'we will indemnify any spill.'"
On his role on the association board, Wilbur said it will allow him to speak on behalf of the city and promote partnerships with other regional municipalities.
"When you speak with one voice... then you get more leverage and achieve more," he said. "I think it's really important that we pursue the decade of the North. That means economic development and diversification."
