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photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/33595045/
We're all over the provincial and national news websites today. Residents in Barnhartvale have been allowed back to their mobile homes, but the area remains on evacuation alert. Thought it might be a good time to point to some really important locally put together information.
Dan Sulz, ED of Venture Kamloops
Kamloops needs more doctors. I learnt more today about a solid initiative to attract more of the right types of doctors to town.
Venture Kamloops Executive Director Dan Sulz gave a great talk to the Kamloops Rotary Club this afternoon. In front of a membership made up of local business people and professionals, Dan presented about the Red Carpet program for physicians thinking about locating / relocating to Kamloops.
The Red Carpet program is designed to provide a warm welcome to doctors, their spouses, and families. It also allow them to experience the many amenities Kamloops has to offer.The program also offers reputable local businesses the opportunity to provide products and services as part of the Red Carpet welcome packages.
So far, since November 2009, twelve doctors have been attracted to Kamloops through the program. I am so glad that Venture Kamloops is targeting and measuring its programs. I wrote about my thinking about this here.
Venture Kamloops has more information about the Red Carpet program. And here is audio of Dan's talk (about 11 minutes):
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/4370352638/
One of the organizers of the Kamloops Energy Fair, and former BC Wildlife Park manager Rob Purdy, spoke to me about some big picture sustainability issues. Recorded at the 2010 Kamloops Energy Fair on June 19th 2010. Almost 7 minutes.
Audio Map
00:00 - big picture of sustainability
00:22 - problems with oil based economy
01:03 - contribution of the Kamloops Energy Fair
02:06 - momentum towards transitioning to a cleaner energy society - key number is 13%.
03:55 - women another potential driver to greener world
- green economy huge potential.
Kamloops This Week article on City Hall staff salaries.
The question, in my mind, is not why do you make so much money? The question is how will citizens actually believe you are worth it. I know city staffers are worth the money. I've had first hand experience. Council members often contort themselves every which way, vying for the opportunity to compliment city staff in meetings. But, I am not sure that works in inspiring public confidence in city staff. It seems too cozy to me when I watch on tv or am sitting in the public gallery of council chambers.
Councillors often feel sheepish asking tough questions of senior city staff at council meetings. I know I often did when I was on council. But, this may be the best opportunity for city staff to really show their stuff.
I also think part of the role of a councillor is to ask tough questions on behalf of the public. Early on in my council term, we were given the opportunity to choose a piece of City of Kamloops clothing. A rationale given by one staffer was that we were now representing city hall in the community. I think it's the other way around.
I've been addicted to the iPhone for almost two years now. Yes, I know. Many may feel this sad. The odd time I agree.
The iPhone is, in my humble opinion, the most amazing device ever produced. It performs an amazing amount of really useful functions for my life, and I don't really ever use the phone. I use the Internet. I read and write email. I use facebook and twitter. I take photos and edit them. I shoot video. I use the GPS and clear maps to locate myself in another city, or to find a coffee shop nearby. I record and listen to audio. I take notes.
And, now, I can get some pretty neat Kamloops related functionality.
Most smartphones - whether blackberry, iPhone, nokia, android, or something else - have application (app) stores accessible on the phone menu. Searching for Kamloops on my iPhone brings up the below list. Special mention to Tourism Kamloops who have an app that allows you to see what amenities are nearest to your current location - very smart used of the technology.
creative commons photo credit - thank you:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yooperann/4687070480/
The Federal Government has decided not to require some Canadians to fill out what is called the "long form questionnaire" for the 2011 Census. The government says many Canadians had complained to their MPs of the intrusiveness of the long form questionnaire - so the Tories have decided on a voluntary replacement. On the flip side, however, a lot of reputable organizations and people are questioning this move. First, no formal consultation was done to inform the decision. Second, a lot of government decisions, such as those made at city hall, are informed by good census data. David Eaves has a lot more on his blog.
I'd rather err on the side of having more information and for making the case to Canadians that the requirement to fill out these forms when chosen will help the country as a whole.
