1

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2

SANTA CLAUS

PARADE IN

PHOTOS

3

MAYOR’S

COLUMN

4

VILLAGE NEWS 5

COLOURING

CONTEST

6-7

BYLAWS 8

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

9

PUBLIC WORKS

& RECYCLING

10-11

RECYCLING

GUIDELINES

12

Inside this issue:

Volume 3, Issue 9

DECEMBER 2018

With a change in name and slightly different schedule, an annual holiday

event returned to Main Street on November 23.

By all accounts, the Old Fashioned Santa Claus Parade was a success. The

event, formerly known as the Truck Light Parade, saw an increase in parade

entries and support from a variety of organizations.

Activities officially got underway at 4:30 p.m. as visitors enjoyed campfires,

roasted hotdogs and marshmallows, hot drinks, wagon rides and music. The

Pouce Coupe Museum and Pouce Coupe Community Church also opened

their doors and welcomed visitors with food and drinks.

The parade included a variety of entries as nearly a dozen vehicles lined up

along Main Street. A panel of judges (Village of Pouce Coupe Council)

reviewed the entries and awarded the “best decorated float” prize to Coca Cola

Refreshments. For winning the contest, the Coca Cola group received a

certificate of appreciation and $200 cash from the Village.

The festivities continued after the parade as Santa greeted patiently-waiting

children inside the “Old Library”. Fireworks were launched at 7 p.m. from the

water tower site in the northwestern part of town to cap off the evening.

The Village thanks everybody who contributed to the event’s success

including the parade drivers and teams, Museum, Community Church,

Volunteer Fire Department, parade marshall and volunteers.

For event photos, turn to Page 3.

Visitors gather for Santa Claus Parade

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Happy Holidays

From the Village of Pouce Coupe,

have a safe and happy holiday season!

Office Closure The Village Office will be closed from Monday, December 24 through Tuesday, January 1. The

office will reopen and resume its regular hours on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Taxes or utility payments may be completed through online banking or you can make a deposit

in the office mailbox, just to the left of the front door.

Garbage and recycling will continue the week of Dec. 24-28. Turn to Page 11 for the garbage

and recycling schedules.

No Council Meeting on January 2 There will not be a regular council meeting on Wednesday, January 2. The first regular meeting

in 2019 is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17.

The Pouce Coupe Food Bank is pleased to be offering meal hampers this holiday season.

The Christmas Food Hampers will be available for pick-up at the Food Bank on Saturday,

December 22 from 3:30-4:00 p.m. The take-out food hampers must be ordered at least one

week prior to the December 22 pick-up date. They can be pre-ordered at the Food Bank or by

phoning 250-786-0005.

The Food Bank will also be open on December 8 and 15 at 3:30 p.m.

Please note that the Food Bank has a new location. The Food Bank now operates out of the

“Old Library” building on Main Street (5002 49 Avenue).

Christmas Food Hampers available at Food Bank

3

Stay up to date on Village of Pouce

Coupe news! Follow us on Facebook and

visit our website at poucecoupe.ca.

Above: Judging by the smiles, the Pouce Coupe Museum

float is a fun place to be during the Old Fashioned Santa Claus

Parade on Friday, November 23.

Right: Children meet Santa Claus in the Old Library.

Below: The Pouce Coupe Fire Department has a well

decorated float of their own at the Santa Claus Parade.

Bottom Right: Mayor Michetti presents Ken Shaw of Coca

Cola Refreshments with the “Best Decorated Float” prize. The

Coca Cola team received a certificate of appreciation and $200

cash prize for winning the contest.

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The Holiday Season has arrived Mayor’s Notes

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

We are well into another holiday season, with the arrival of December and

completion of the Old Fashioned Santa Claus Parade.

On that note, thank you to everybody who attended and supported our event

on Friday, November 23. While the Village staff play a large part in planning and

organizing, the Santa Claus Parade and Food Drive would not be possible without

the efforts of volunteers and organizations like the Pouce Coupe Museum,

Library, Community Church, Volunteer Fire Department and others! Once again

we had a great event that included roasted hotdogs and marshmallows,

sleigh/wagon rides, children’s activities, a visit from Santa and fireworks. The

parade had about a dozen vehicles, which is an improvement from 2017.

I send a special thanks to the individuals who supported the Pouce Coupe Food Bank at the Santa

Claus Parade with non-perishable food items and monetary donations, including PRRD Electoral Area ‘D’

Director Leonard Hiebert. All in all, it was a great evening!

If you have not decorated your home for the Light Up Contest, you still have a bit of time before the

deadline. Judging will occur on Wednesday, December 5 at 6 p.m., just before the council meeting

that evening. First place gets a cash prize of $300, with $200 and $100 going to second and third

respectively. Please note that you need a house number on the house to be eligible.

Getting into the holiday season, we also see the 2018 calendar year wind down. The end of the

year marks a time of reflection. Here in Pouce Coupe, we had an eventful year! The 2018 General

Local Elections brought change to our municipality, with three individuals joining council who did not

serve the previous term. I welcome our new members with open arms and look forward to working

collaboratively in dealing with the challenges facing Pouce Coupe.

The Pouce Park Re-Opening was a highlight to the year, as we could see the fruits of remediation

efforts that started after the 2016 floods. The day-use park has only been officially opened since

September and has already attracted a disc golf course and interest in the development of cross

country ski trails, summertime music in the park events and more!

Looking ahead, we are excited about what 2019 has in store. With an ice resurfacer in our hands,

we will welcome visitors to our great outdoor skating rink once the weather allows for it. Work will

continue on the Skate Park, with construction expected to be completed later in 2019. Both of these

projects encourage healthy and active living.

Furthermore, we look forward to helping Pouce Coupe grow with the creation of projects to attract

residents. One way this can be done is through the West Pouce Neighbourhood Concept Development

Plan, intended to improve the lifestyle of residents today and into the future by adding more housing

developments. We also plan to continue showcasing our region through events like our Canada Day

party, which draws visitors to the South Peace every year.

On behalf of the Village of Pouce Coupe Council, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season

and best wishes in 2019!

- Lorraine Michetti, Village of Pouce Coupe Mayor

Residents who have issues with their property

within Village boundaries are reminded to go

into the Village office, where they can formally

fill in a complaint form.

HAVE A COMPLAINT?

5

New council begins four-year term Village News

The Village of Pouce Coupe Council held its first meeting of the term on

Wednesday, November 7.

Mayor Lorraine Michetti welcomed three councilors who did not serve the

previous term from 2014 to 2018—Ken Drover, Donna White and Marlene

Hebert. Barb Smith, re-elected this year, rounds out the five-member council.

The 2018 General Local Elections were held on October 20 while Advance

Voting was held October 10. Michetti, an incumbent, was elected Mayor by

acclamation as no other individuals took a run at the Mayor’s chair. She has been

Mayor since being elected in April 2016 in a by-election.

Andre Lavoie and Raymond Johnston ran for re-election on council but fell short on votes at the polls.

Colleen Evans, who chose not to run, also served as a councillor during the previous term.

Michetti, Drover, White, Hebert and Smith were officially sworn in at the beginning of the November 7

meeting. Portfolios have been established and an Acting Mayor Schedule approved. The Acting Mayor

Schedule is as follows: January to March—Councillor Drover; April to June—Councillor Hebert; July to

September—Councillor Smith; October to December—Councillor White.

Each council member’s portfolio can be seen on the Village of Pouce Coupe website at poucecoupe.ca.

Council adopted the 2019 Schedule of Council Meetings at the November 7 meeting. Council approved the

cancellation of the January 2 meeting, with the first regular meeting of the new year to be held January 17.

The next meeting for Village of Pouce Coupe Council is on Wednesday, December 5.

2019 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE January 17

Feb. 6 and 20

March 6 and 20

April 3 and 17

May 1 and 15

June 5 and 19

July 17

August 21

Sept. 4 and 18

Oct. 2 and 16

Nov. 6 and 20

Dec. 4 and 18

The last Council Meeting of 2018 will be held Wednesday, December 19

Light Up Contest winners to be announced soon Time is running out to enter the 2018 House Light Up Contest.

Judging will take place on Wednesday, December 5 at 6 p.m. First place will be awarded $300,

second place will receive $200 and third place will get a $100 prize.

Any home located within Village of Pouce Coupe boundaries that is decorated with lights and has

a proper visible house number qualifies for the contest.

Names of the winning entries will be announced on Facebook, the Village website, the window at

the Post Office and in the January 2019 issue of the Village Voice.

Good luck to everybody participating! Happy Holidays!

6

How well can your kids colour?

Fill in one of the pictures and bring it back to the

Village of Pouce Coupe office during regular hours,

Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entries up

until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 17 will be

accepted.

We will award prizes to the top individual in each

category on Tuesday, December 18.

CHRISTMAS

AGES 5 AND UNDER

NAME: PHONE:

7

COLOURING CONTEST AGES 6-12

NAME: PHONE:

8

BYLAWS

BUSINESS LICENSES, BURNING PERMITS AND ANIMAL CONTROL

Business Licences (Bylaw No. 1014, 2018) - Village of Pouce Coupe Business Licence holders are reminded that 2018 licences are valid for only the calendar year, and invoices for 2019 licences will be issued in January. Please contact the Village with any changes in licence information, or let us

Animal Control & Licensing (Bylaw No. 1005, 2018) - As 2018 comes to an end, Village residents are reminded that dog and cat licences must be renewed annually.

If you got a new pet, your pet needs a licence. Fees for dog licences are as follows:

$20.00 - spayed/neutered male or female

$50.00 - non-spayed/neutered male or female

Fees for cat licences are as follows:

$25.00 - spayed/neutered male or female without

tattoo or microchip

$5.00 - spayed/neutered male or female with

tattoo or microchip

$50.00 - non-spayed/neutered male or female

A replacement licence costs $5.00.

Our Animal Control Officer is Les Randall and he can be reached at 250-719-6081.

know if your business no longer operates in Pouce Coupe.

Business Licence Bylaw No. 1014, 2018 was adopted by Village of Pouce Coupe Council on September 5, 2018. With its adoption, Bylaw No. 657 (1994) was repealed.

As the new bylaw was adopted later in the year, the majority of 2018 invoices were based off Bylaw No. 657. With that noted, 2019 invoices will have higher totals, as council approved licensing fee increases to keep up with inflation and rising administrative costs.

Burning Permits (Fire Protection & Life Safety, Bylaw No. 657, 2014) -

Permits expire in January. Starting on Wednesday, January 2, permits for the 2019 calendar year can be purchased at the Village office. As per Section 28 of the bylaw, no person shall light or start an open fire within the Village without first having obtained a burning permit from the Fire Chief or Village Administration. Permits for the year are $10 while three-day permits cost $3.

Inter-community

Business Licence add-

ons are available for

municipalities in the

Peace Region. Pouce

Coupe Business Licence

holders can pay an

additional $130 to permit

their business to operate

within six other

municipalities in the

region - Dawson Creek,

Fort St. John, Chetwynd,

Tumbler Ridge, Taylor

and Hudson’s Hope.

For further information and a list of all bylaws, visit the bylaw

section of the Village of Pouce Coupe website at poucecoupe.ca.

Our Bylaw Enforcement Officer is Blair Deveau and he can be

reached at 250-219-9205.

9

Dec. 5 and 19 — Council meeting @ 7 p.m. in the Vil lage

Council Chambers.

Mondays Vil lage of Pouce Coupe Volunteer Fire

Department Fire Practice.

The Village of Pouce Coupe Volunteer Fire Department is

excited to announce that Santa Claus will be at the Fire Hall on

Saturday, December 8 from 1-3 p.m. Come on down and bring

your children for photos with Santa.

The Pouce Coupe Food Bank is open on Saturdays at 3:30

p.m. at its new location at the “Old Library” at 5002 49 Avenue.

Pouce Coupe Legion Schnitzel Night is on the second Friday of each month. Begins at 6 p.m. and

the meal costs $18. For more information on the Pouce Coupe Legion and facility rentals, phone 250 -786-

5144 after 3 p.m.

Seniors Fun — Coffee time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bingo on

Mondays and Thursdays at 12 noon. Senior’s Dinner is the third Friday of each month. For more

information on seniors activities or to rent the Senior’s Hall, phone 250-786-0111.

Post Office Hours — Main Office: Monday

10am-12pm, 1pm-6:30pm; Tuesday-Friday

9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm

Lobby (Boxes): Monday-Sunday 6:45am-

6:45pm

The Post Office will be closed on Christmas

Day (Dec. 25), Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and New

Year’s Day (Jan. 1).

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN POUCE COUPE

Regular Library Hours are:

CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS The Library will be closed from December 24 to January 1. Regular hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2.

SIP AND SEW Sip and Sew is on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 7 p.m.

DOODLE BUG STORY TIME Doodle Bug is every Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., excluding holidays. Children aged 0-5 are welcome. Join us for stories, playtime and a snack.

LEGO CLUB Drop in for Lego every Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Lego is provided, and everyone is welcome.

BOOK CLUB If you would like more information on the book club, please phone 250-786-5765 and ask for Courtenay.

LIBRARY NEWS:

Mon: 10am-12pm, 1 pm-6:30pm

Tues: 9am-12pm, 1pm-7pm

Wed: 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm

Thurs: 10am-12pm, 1pm-7pm

Fri: 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm

Sat: 9am-3pm

The Post Of f ice is c losed on Sundays.

POST OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS November 19 to December 22

Monday: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday: 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Library is closed on Sundays.

10

PUBLIC WORKS

RECYCLE BIN REMOVAL NOTICE

Please refer to the Peace River Regional District

guidelines on the back page (Page 12) for what can

go in curbside recycling and what needs to be brought

into DC Recycling. Bins with items not approved for

roadside pick-up will be rejected.

Recycle bins that continue to be rejected for

pick-up will be removed.

The Village has started keeping track of rejected

recycle bins. Any bin that is rejected twice in a three -

month period will be removed and a notice will be

placed on the resident’s door.

Removed bins may be returned to the owner once

the owner has come into the Village office to sign an

agreement stating they will comply with the rules of

the recycle program. Once the recycle bin is returned, the owner will get one more

chance and if it is rejected again they will lose the bin indefinitely.

The purpose of removing the bins with non-recyclable items is to cut the costs of bin

audits and prevent the program from being cancelled.

Soft plastics such as grocery bags and bread bags are not accepted for roadside

pickup. Other items not accepted include Styrofoam, batteries, light bulbs and

glass bottles. Furthermore, bins that include items with any food waste will be

rejected from pick-up.

Three “Soft plastics only” bins are situated by the ice rink.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Village office at 250 -786-5794 or phone

the Peace River Regional District.

Recycling pickup is every other Tuesday. See the schedules on Page 11.

SNOW REMOVAL Public Works reminds Village residents to keep their vehicles off the streets so they

can be plowed.

As is outlined in the Village of Pouce Coupe Snow Removal Policy, high priority snow

clearing areas include the Pouce Coupe Volunteer Fire Department driveway and 49

Avenue between 50 Street and 51 Street.

Overtime snow removal clearing

will not occur unless accumulated

snowfall exceeds 6 inches on the

roads. Regular snow clearing will

occur during regular business

hours as time and resources

permit.

The full Snow Removal Policy is

available through the website at

poucecoupe.ca.

11

SCHEDULE CHANGE Please note that the Village of Pouce Coupe Garbage

and Recycling Schedule will change this month due to

the holiday season.

Curbside recycling pick-up will move to Friday,

December 28. Garbage pick-up will go as scheduled on

Thursday, December 27.

The 2019 schedule has been confirmed and is

displayed below.

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