OBAC Has Full Time Manager

By 250 News

Elizabeth Anderson has been the interim manager of the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition since it started about a year ago.  She is now the new, full time manager.   

Anderson has a  big job ahead of her, as  she is expected to release a report today, or  early  next week, on what should be done about the three communities not initially invited to be part of the Coalition.

Anderson  and representatives from the Provincial government were to look at all  possible scenarios for including Valemount, McBride and Mackenzie in their group which  already contains all the communities along highway 16 west from Prince George to Smithers.

Initially, the three  who were left out ,  didn't have any significant beetle impact, but they are experiencing the beetle's presence now.  Adding the three, has a significant  funding impact as it expands the area to be covered, but the dollars ($800 thousand) remain the same.

The ideas under consideration include having two modules under the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition banner,  including the three as -is, or possibly  setting up another coalition  with Prince George, Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount as the members.

Valemount Mayor Jeannette Townsend has indicated a seperate coalition might be the way to go as she thinks it would be easier to manage.

Anderson is also trying to set up an office for the Omineca group.   That office will likely be in Prince George.  Once that is done,  OBAC Chairman  Len Fox , says "We will have a face and will be able to put our strategy in place."

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