Recent History – 1999
Nov. 5, 1999, By Charity Wallace, Daily News Staff
Water, the new village office and history topped the list of inquiries made by Pouce Coupe residents at a forum last night.
All candidates were present at the forum, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, last night at the Peace River Haven.
One resident expressed his concern over water supply and maintaining the museum because he wants to donate the Heritage Canoe to a museum and Dawson Creek has made inquiries about it.
Council candidate Laura Hamann said she was aware of the water problem and would try to alleviate the problem, she also shared her thoughts on the museum.
“The museum is a wonderful place,” she said. “I think the (Heritage) canoe should stay in Pouce and I hope you don’t give it to Dawson Creek.”
Doyle McNabb sympathized about the water problem and shared his personal experience.
“I realize the extent of the water problem,” he said. “The whole village storm sewer is dumped on my property.”
Candidates for mayor Aylffe Hulbert and Jill Wonnacott gave their thoughts on the village.
Hulbert started off the mayoral forum by saying that water prices are high, but prices and taxes in Pouce Coupe are low. Hulbert praised seniors’ for efforts in making the nation what it is and said that he now sees the nation going to hell.
“I see another giant (Dawson Creek) ready to gobble us up and rape us by taxing us through the roof and it’s damned unneighbourly,” he says. “They want our money and yet they stopped the bus program.”
Hulbert said that if people don’t want to vote for him that’s okay but he said that everyone should get out and vote.
Jill Wonnacott has had six years of previous experience on council and has been a village clerk. She said she knew what it was to stretch $1 to $10.
“Now we have Fair Share but there are so many things we haven’t done,” she says. “We had plans to build a new skating rink but then the village office was condemned.”
Wonnacott described plans to pour a new concrete pad for the fire hall, build the new village office, get a new storm sewer done and work toward having Pouce Coupe declared a heritage village.
Candidates were short and to the point as to what they wanted to do for the village if elected.
Council candidate Doug Ezeard announced that he was withdrawing his name from the race because he may have to leave before the end of a full term, but he promised to make himself available to the community any way he could.
Doreen Atkinson started off the forum with her thoughts on cleaning up the town.
“The public works yard looks like a junk yard,” she said. “The parks in the village also need maintenance.”
Doyle McNabb, 52, spoke about his many years of experiences in departments such as the fire department and the recreation commission.
“The young people here need something to do,” McNabb said. “I have no platform but I will do things right and I have lots of time to do it.”
Expressing her views, Keri Gorek took the floor with her concerns and said that she was always available to listen to the concerns of the residents.
“I live in the community and want my two children to grow up in a safe and healthy environment,” said Gorek, “I am concerned about the price of water and animal control.”
“I believe we owe something to the children, seniors and young adults in the village,” council candidate Laura Hamann said when it was her turn to speak. “I make no promise of water bills decreasing because I know that the village has tried to make them lower, but I’ll try to make them stay the same. My concerns are yours also.”
Water, taxes, fire and streets and recreational rental rates were on Del Folk’s mind as well as a project to do in conjunction with the Peace River Regional District.
“There is a forestry reserve, three million acres of crown land, I believe that after it is harvested it can be developed into cattle ranches and tree farms,” he said. “Hundreds of young families would jump at the opportunity to do this if they could gain title to the land. I can see 1,500 young families attain their dreams.”
Peter Kut said he’d like to keep an eye on the new administration building and improve the playgrounds.
“I would also like to see some arrangements made for buses for senior citizens so they can do their shopping and buses for young people so they can go curling, play hockey, or swim.”
Donna White is a current Pouce Coupe councillor who’s seeking re-election. She said she wants to help finish what the current council has started.
“I would like to see more stuff done for the kids, but more volunteers are needed,” said White. “I also think we need more pavement.”