Plastic bags might become a rare commodity in Squamish if the new plastic bag reduction initiative is successful.
Squamish council voted in favour of giving $10,000 to the Plastic Bag Reduction Initiative from the Carbon Neutral Reserve Fund at a council meeting Tuesday (March 3). The fund was originally established for the purpose of supporting greenhouse gas reduction initiatives to offset the annual emissions from municipal operations.
According to recent poll collected by Greener Footprints, 83 per cent of residents think Squamish should become plastic bag free. Jen Reilly of Greener Footprints said the reduction program is the first step but a ban might be a possibility.
"Local stores are in support of a plastic bag ban and some have already gone plastic bag free, so it is already starting," Reilly said during a presentation to council.
The northern Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids was the first municipality in Canada to ban plastic shopping bags. Ignoring the ban in Leaf Rapids could result in a $1,000 per day fine for retailers.
The Greener Footprints program includes the distribution of up to 15,000 reusable Squamish logo bags and educational materials reminding people to kick the plastic bag habit.
Homemade bear locks discouraged
Council members are concerned about reports that Carney's approved a "handmade" bear lock system instead of insisting a certified kit be installed.
"It sets a precedent that residents can do whatever they want to bear proof bins, and Carney's can OK it," said Coun. Bryan Raiser.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman agreed that council does not want to encourage citizens to bear proof their own systems, and that every bear proof kit needs to be from a certified supplier such as Carney's or Critter guard.
Council gave third reading to a Bear Proof Bylaw that will see residents pay $19.20 a year for five years for bear proof garbage totes.
At a council meeting in Dec. 2008, council approved the garbage collection and recycling contract until 2013 with Carney's Waste Systems. At the time, council directed Carney's to equip garbage totes with certified bear proofing by April 30, 2009.
Residents who already own certified bear proof kits, are exempt from the yearly fee.
Looking pretty for 2010
When the world drives through Squamish in 2010, council members want the town to look pretty.
Council directed staff to identify areas along Highway 99 that could use a facelift. Raiser said the goal is to have Squamish stick out in people's minds, which could drive tourism to the community.
"We are asking staff to identify areas along the highway that could be good spots for signature landscaping," Mayor Greg Gardner said.
The motion included plans for Sam the Axe Man, Squamish's iconic statue, which usually sits next to the Squamish Adventure Centre in the summer. Lonsdale said Sam would make a nice attraction in the winter of 2010.
Staff was directed to contact Logger Sports about the possibility of displaying the statue during the winter of 2010. Staff was also directed to gather information on costs for a "Squamish Welcomes the World."
"This starts the discussion on what we want to present to the world in 2010," said Coun. Paul Lalli.
Guns and Hoses returns
The heavy metal rock band aside, the Guns & Hoses Hockey Charity Game is set to rock residents on Friday March 20, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Brennan Park arena.
Council decided to waive arena rental fees for the event in the amount of $319.12. The charity hockey game pits the Squamish Firefighters against the Squamish RCMP with proceeds going to Cops for Cancer. Gardner has agreed to referee the game.
Pitch In Week declared
Council has issued a showdown of sorts for Howe Sound Secondary students and local media. It's the high noon Fastest Picker Showdown and last year council blew away the competition.
"We are already in training and ready to win again this year," said Heintzman.
As kick off to Pitch In Week on Monday April 25, students, media and local government will go head to head to take home the memorial trophy. Last year's event produced more than 15 bags of garbage picked from the Howe Sound Secondary School perimeter. This year's event includes a recycling component.
Council also declared the week of April 20 to 26, Pitch In Week for the community. As part of the festivities, council authorized free disposal at the landfill on Saturday and Sunday (April 25 and 26).
Free Dump Days allows residents to dispose of non-hazardous residential waste for free. Last year's community clean up event resulted in a total of 2,415 vehicles visiting the landfill site during the two-day, free dump period.
"Squamish has taken part in Pitch In Week for the last 20 years and it is a very successful campaign," said Gord Prescott, district manager of operations. "We spend a lot of time and money picking up litter and I believe we have sufficient garbage cans. I am hoping we can convince our community not to litter."
Council discussed potential anti-littering campaigns such as recreation or bus passes in exchange for litter.
