Road maintenance major concern of constituents

LINDSAY MCPHERSON
Invermere Valley Echo

December 19 2007

Over the past few weeks Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald traveled throughout his riding, making scheduled stops to meet with constituents.  On Dec. 11 Macdonald was in Invermere where he says many concerns regarding road maintenance were brought to his attention.

“The quality of road maintenance as the early season starts,” said Macdonald, was of concern.  “We’ve been hearing a lot about highway maintenance in the larger areas.”

Macdonald went on to say that secondary highways were also a topic of discussion, primarily the road to Wilmer.  Other road and highway issues in the Columbia Valley pertained to the lack of proper turnoffs and passing lanes.

“Lots of highway issues often relate to safety,” noted Macdonald.

However, he added that he heard comments applauding the Ministry of Transportation and how quickly they responded to and erected the temporary bridge over Dutch Creek.

Also on the agenda was land use.  Macdonald cited Columbia Lake and of course, Jumbo, as areas where constituents addressed concerns and comments over future development.

In addition to universal accessibility, transit, housing and prescription drug costs, forestry was discussed with the MLA.

“The whole region is really dependent upon forestry as one of its economic drivers,” said Macdonald, noting it’s a cyclical industry that is currently in a market downturn.  “We need to ensure the industry is as viable and sustainable as possible.”

Macdonald believes that one of the issues that needs to be addressed hastily is attainable housing, which goes hand in hand with providing support for people at risk of slipping into poverty, including seniors and children.

“There should not be the level of child poverty in our area that there is,” Macdonald points out.

For Macdonald, the challenge now is to fully understand the issues brought forward to them, and attempt to draft solutions to put forth in the Legislature.

“What we’re consistently dealing with is helping individuals solve their problems dealing with the provincial government,” said Macdonald.

For anyone who was unable to meet with Macdonald during his recent riding tour, he can be reached at his constituency office at 1-866-870-4188.