SRD asks Lytton how it can help out
Cortes Currents
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Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been more than three months since the village of Lytton burned to the ground, displacing nearly 1,300 people, and the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is reaching out to see if it can help.
This initiative was inspired by a commitment made in the Regional District of Mount Waddington (RDMW), in northern Vancouver Island.
“To help Lytton rebuild, the Electoral Area Directors of the RDMW will contribute one dollar for every person in their representative areas. ln doing so, the Electoral Area Directors of the RDMW wish to challenge all other local governments to make a similar gesture.”
At the Wednesday October 6th SRD Board meeting, Mayors Julie Colborne of Zeballos, Martin Davis of Tahsis and Mark Baker of Sayward all spoke in favour of the SRD making a donation.
Colborne mentioned to the 2018 fire, which damaged 7 buildings above the village and could easily destroyed Zeballos.
Tom Yates, corporate services manager at the SRD, said it would cost the district $44,000 to $45,000, but they would need to figure out how they could set up the donation. (It is not, for example, a grant in aid.)
Director Brenda Leigh suggested that this topic be referred back to the SRD’s Emergency Services Co-ordinator, Shaun Koopman, asking that he draw up a report on how much money has already been given to Lytton and what was needed.
Director Claire Moglove said a report was unnecessary. They city of Campbell River decided to contact Lytton directly to ask what the needs are.
That was the motion that Davis brought forward, Director Kerr seconded, and was carried at the SRD Board meeting.
Image credit: Photo by Adam Wilson on Unsplash