<![CDATA[Cory Cassel - Area G]]>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:31:31 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee              December 7th, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:48:05 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-december-7th-2023The Hatzic Watershed Stewardship Team continues to meet on a semi-weekly basis. We are close to completing the Terms Of Reference and look forward to working with the Team on identifying projects to move forward with in the New Year.

After years of negotiation, on November 10th Leq’á:mel First Nation and the Canadian government announced a $75 million settlement on the Klatwaas Colonial Reserve Reduction Specific Claim. The federal government is providing the funding toLeq’á:mel First Nation as recompense for allotting lands and reducing them without compensation. Congratulate the leadership of LFN for their work on behalf of their people and appreciate the work of the federal government as we all work toward truth and reconciliation.

Active Transportation Public Meeting – I attended a public meeting at Deroche Hall hosted by the FVRD which provided residents of Area’s C, G & F an opportunity to Have Their Say with regards to active transportation in our areas. While active transportation has been
described to me in this context as the ability for residents to move within their neighbourhoods without relying on their vehicles, much of the discussion was around a desire of residents from outside of Area G to see the dikes on Nicomen Island open for recreation activities like walking and cycling. I made attempts to explain the issue of private property rights throughout the Nicomen Island dike network and have encouraged residents of the area to ensure their voices are heard with regards to the use of the dikes on Nicomen Island.

And finally, I'd like to acknowledge the passing of Ann Androsoff. Ann stepped up in 2010
and donated her service to the FVRD’s ESS program as a volunteer until 2022. Extend our sympathy to Ann’s family and friends and thank them for sharing Ann with the FVRD in a volunteer capacity.
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Merry Christmas!]]><![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee              November 9th, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:45:01 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-november-9th-2023Had an opportunity to meet with Chief Baars from NFFD and he reported that morale within the Fire Dept is up as is recruitment and retention. New members are joining and some former members are rejoining. The number of calls for service remains steady and the demands on the volunteers that respond to the calls for service continue to stretch
current resources. I am also working with Chief Baars on a volunteer appreciation event for the volunteer firefighters that will be held at the Deroche Hall in March.

I’d like to acknowledge that we have reached the one year plus two days point of our 4 year term as directors and as a newly elected member of this committee, I’d like to say thank you and express my appreciation to my fellow directors for their collaborative approach to the work we do around this table on behalf of the residents of our region. I must admit, the first few months of the year were a bit rough for me as I struggled to figure out how things work in Regional District world and how I canbe most effective in my efforts to represent the residents of Area G but, I am happy to report I think I have just about figured it out, not quite but just about, and I want to express gratitude to our staff for their patience with my many, many questions and I would also like to give a shout out to Chair Dickey for being available at the other end of the phone or an email to answer questions and provide
context to assist me in navigating the FVRD reality! I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my role as Electoral Area Director and am proud to represent the residents Hatzic Island, Dewdney, Nicomen Island and Deroche, otherwise known as Area G, on the Fraser Valley Regional District Board.]]><![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee              October 12th, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:40:20 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-october-12th-2023​My reports regarding UBCM Ministerial Meetings

Minister of Agriculture – we were advised the FVRD may have tools at its disposal to address illegal and unpermitted dumping in the Electoral Areas. Examples of tools which may be available included soil and sign bylaws and while myself and my FVRD colleagues suggested support in seeing more resources going to the ALC to use the tools already at the province’s fingertips, it was suggested that the FVRD may have a larger role to play in enforcement and surveillance.

Minister of Forests – I expressed the urgency of works that need to be done to address scouring of the foreshore protecting the dike along the Fraser River at the northern most section of Nicomen Island to prevent damage and breach to the dike which could be devastating to the agricultural and residential properties on Nicomen Island and other
vulnerable areas downstream. I felt optimistic that the Minister understood the urgency of the situation and was advised that any applications to the Ministry would watched for.

Minister of Transportation – I asked for clarity around any planned improvements to Highway 7 other than the Dewdney Bridge Replacement project and expressed a desire within the community to share their concerns for safety along the highway. I was advised someone from the Ministry would reach out.

I’d like us to consider reviewing the process of these meetings so that we can present a more coordinated, collaborative approach to these ministerial meetings. I think staff did as best they could facilitating and supporting directors in these meetings but I wonder if we can do more before we submit requests to meet with Ministers that could help us be even more effective than we might have been.

Lots of community fundraising happening north of the river these days with Music Bingo Friday Fundraisers at the Historic Dewdney Pub supporting the Mother Earth Food Forest Garden in Deroche that is hosted by ACES, the Deroche Elementary School PAC and others. This Saturday night, come on out to Area G for the North Fraser Fire Fighters Fundraiser Dance at the Deroche Community Hall and enjoy a live band and cash bar hosted by the
Sasquatch Lions Club. You can come dancing in Deroche after a fabulous round of Music Bingo at the Harrison Mills Community Hall!]]><![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee              September 14th, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:35:38 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-september-14th-2023I had the opportunity to have a couple of discussions with individuals in the construction industry who have participated in the removal and relocation of earth materials from construction sites in some of our adjacent municipalities who expressed some concerns around the need for sites to deposit materials and a desire to collaborate with local governments and other agencies to address the need to enhance agricultural properties, to
source materials for projects and the opportunity these challenges and needs present in the electoral areas. I am encouraged by the desire of some in the private sector to find solutions rather than challenge regulations and hope local governments as well as the provincial government have the will to consider mutually beneficial strategies rather than focus entirely on regulation and enforcement to resolve a situation that will only become more challenging as we move forward. It is clear that the issue of fill coming from the municipalities to the electoral areas is now one that is of concern in many of our areas and I hope we can be part of developing a solution.

The only other meetings I attended since our last committee meeting were with the Hatzic Watershed Stewardship Team which seems to be moving forward with the leadership of our CAO and the assistance of Urban Systems and are getting closer to establishing terms of reference and a framework to get on with the work of flood mitigation and prevention in the area.

I want to congratulate the folks that work so hard to organize the Deroche Farmer’s Market and congratulate everyone involved in another successful season of Markets which have definitely added to the Scenic Route 7 experience as visitors travel through Area G to enjoy
recreating in the areas to the east. A shout out is also in order for the group known as ACES which is primarily made up of residents from Area C who have done a commendable job of producing a bountiful harvest in the Mother Earth Magic Food Forest Garden on the grounds of the Deroche Access Centre which is also where the Farmer’s Market is hosted. A lot going on in downtown Deroche all summer long and I am grateful for the work of the local residents who volunteer to bring these initiatives forward to enrich our community.

My last item to report on is the Murder Mystery Event happening at the Deroche Community Hall this Saturday, September 16th which is a collaborative event being
hosted by the Sasquatch Lions, Cory Cassel Productions and Rootdown Farms to build friendship in our community and I will be sure to report back on who done it at our next meeting. We invite everyone to join us in Deroche for a murder mystery that has been written specifically for our community and a dinner provided by Over the Top Catering.]]><![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee              July 13th, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:31:03 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-july-13thHatzic Watershed Stewardship Team – our first meetings co-led by the FVRD and LFN. Encouraged that we have regular attendees from FVRD, LFN, City of Mission, DAID, staff from MLA and Ag Ministry as well as the Ministries of Environment and Emergency Mgmnt &amp; Climate Readiness. Appreciate the collaborative approach taken by CAO Kinneman and Rick McKamey from LFN and am especially grateful for the ongoing participation of DAID as well as the strong leadership of Director Davidson. This is definitely a team led by the community the with support of the provincial government.

CP Police – 2 meetings – keen to assist and be part of strategies to improve Traffic Safety along Route 7 as well as to address some of the challenges at the end of Hawkins Pickle Rd around Norrish Creek.

Directors Davidson, Waardenburg and myself had an opportunity to meet with Chief Baars and Asst Chief Stevens and had a really good discussion around how we can best support the Fire Department’s work to keep residents and motorists safe. We all agreed that open communication and a renewed relationship between the Fire Department and the EA Directors will be a benefit and something we all agreed is important to work toward.

Was invited by the residents of the Sundorn development on Hatzic Island to participate in Canada Day Celebrations and had the pleasure of leading a rousing rendition of Oh Canada with MLA / Minister Alexis.

Area G Events:
Secrets & Pies – Murder Mystery & Dinner – Sept 16th – an event being organized as a collaboration by the Lions, Rootdown farms and myself to build friendships and goodwill in our community.
Drag in the Country – Drag Show & Dinner – Sept 9th in support of community projects hosted by the Rotary Club of Mission Mid-day.
Deroche Farmer’s Market – Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.]]><![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee              June 8th, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:24:56 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-june-8th-2023I attended two Ministerial Tours of the Hatzic Watershed as did CAO Kinneman and Director Davidson on May 18th and June 6th and am encouraged by the amount of time that provincial ministers are taking to learn more about and better understand the challenges with respect to flooding in the Hatzic and Dewdney areas. We had 4 Ministers in our area for a combined total of 8 hours, 4 hours each visit, which is very encouraging. I want to thank Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission and Minister of Agriculture and Food and her staff for encouraging the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, the Minister of Environment and Minister of Forests to make a visit to Hatzic a priority in their busy schedules and for putting together 2 really productive tours and meetings with the Ministers on behalf of the Hatzic Watershed Recovery Table.

Meetings of the Recovery Table continue to happen on a regular basis as we move out of the recovery phase and into a watershed management table with a focus to create a work plan to mitigate flooding in the Hatzic Watershed that can be actioned for long term resiliency.

And I’d like to mention that the ongoing theme around the table is about looking forward to how we can work to become resilient as climate change continues to occur rather than looking back to try to predict what might happen in the future… ministers were receptive and it is refreshing to have a new lens to move forward with.

I had an opportunity to meet with a couple of residents from Hatzic Island this week who provided a perspective on the Watershed challenges that I hadn’t recently been privy to first hand. I look forward to building productive relationships with residents of Hatzic Island to learn more about their specific concerns and to work collaboratively to find solutions.

I attended a meeting of the Nicomen Island Project Steering Committee with members of the Nicomen Island Improvement District, Leqamel First Nation, engineering staff and consultants. It feels like we are closer to moving forward with improvement to the Nicomen Island dikes and all of the pumps that work to keep the agricultural lands on Nicomen Island drained and clear of seepage. Thanks to FVRD staff for their diligence and creativity as we work to find a path forward with work that has been difficult to get started for several years. I think, we are almost ready to get on with the work that will hopefully help to mitigate flooding and seepage on Nicomen Island.

CPR Police Sergeant Simon Turner took the time to meet with me and I learned a lot about the authority of the CP Police and how they can assist in policing the traffic along Highway 7. I appreciate Sergeant Turner’s time and want to thank him for meeting with me.

This past Sunday, my husband and I went on an adventure to a part of Area G that we had never been before and explored parts of Sumas Mountain Regional Park which we didn't know existed until I started my job as Area G Director. It was a beautiful day for a hike which I would say for me was at a moderate difficulty level which became more difficult when we decided to spend 4 hours to complete a 2 hour hike. We only missed 2 turns, 1 of which was missed by other hikers we met up with, which resulted in 2 additional hours of hiking, and as always, were thankful for the assistance of Google to get us back on the right path. I may have a suggestion or two about sign placement along the Chadsey Lake Trail if anyone is interested and hope that others will have an opportunity to experience the spectacular scenery at the top of Sumas Mountain and Chadsey Lake.]]><![CDATA[Director's Report - Electoral Area Services Committee       May 11, 2023]]>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:12:46 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/directors-report-electoral-area-services-committee-may-11-2023Hatzic Watershed Recovery Table meetings continue to occur every 2 weeks and I look forward to seeing the table move forward as the FVRD receives grant money from the province to provide leadership around that table.

Had an opportunity to meet with ACES – a group engaged in Actively Creating Exceptional Spaces in our communities including a community garden which has been established on the property that the FVRD ACCESS Centre is located on with Director Waardenburg and was interested to learn more about their plans for the community garden project in Deroche.

Director Davidson and I met with Inspector Lewko of the Mission RCMP who had some questions regarding our priorities for policing in the electoral areas that could be considered as the Mission Detachment works to complete a Strategic Plan.

Within a week of the meeting with Inspector Lewko, I hosted a Community Forum with the RCMP at Dewdney Elementary School, just this past Monday in fact. Attendance felt low though when compared to similar forums that that the RCMP have recently participated in other jurisdictions, I don’t feel bad about my efforts to provide an opportunity for 10 residents of the Dewdney Community to have an open, frank and respectful dialogue with leadership of our local detachment even though residents may not have been happy to hear some of the realities of policing in our region. Nonetheless, I’d like to thank Inspector Lewko, Staff Sergeant Scott, FVRD/MP Schools Trustee and Board Chair Carter and all of the residents that came out and engaged in the discussion.

The overwhelming issue of concern for residents in Dewdney is traffic safety and response to calls for service in the rural areas.

Traffic Safety was also the dominant theme during a public information meeting regarding the Dewdney Bridge Replacement project that was hosted by the Ministry of Transportation and Leqamel First Nation last evening. While the presentation was centered around the bridge replacement project, residents echoed the concerns brought forward during the community policing forum in Dewdney with regards to safety of the highway outside of the scope of the Dewdney Bridge. 

Special Mother’s Day edition of the Deroche Farmers Market happening this Saturday, May 13 th from 10-2 in downtown Deroche which also has a stretch of nice new pavement right in front of the FVRD Deroche ACCESS Centre.

Happy Mother’s Day!

If you have any questions about any of the items in my report or anything that was on the May 11th Electoral Area Services Committee agenda, please connect with me at ccassel@fvrd.ca.

Agenda's for FVRD Board and Committee Meetings can be found here: https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/government/agendas-minutes-webcasts.html​
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​Video of previous meetings can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@FraserValleyRD]]><![CDATA[FVRD Regional Board Meeting - April 27, 2023]]>Fri, 12 May 2023 03:44:11 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/fvrd-regional-board-meeting-april-27-2023A brief report from the April 27th meeting of the FVRD Regional Board.

​"Thank-you to Chief Howell for his 37 years of service keeping the residents of the North Fraser Region safe and for his leadership of our volunteer fire department. We wish him well on his retirement from the North Fraser Fire Department.
  
I’d like to invite the public to attend a community forum with Inspector Ted Lewko and Staff Sergeant Jeff Scott of the RCMP that I will be hosting at Dewdney Elementary School on Monday, May 8th from 7-8:30pm. Topics for discussion will include Traffic Safety, Vandalism/Graffiti and any other issues of public safety that the community would like to discuss with the RCMP."

If you have any questions about any of the items in my report or anything that was on the April 27th  Regional Board agenda, please connect with me at ccassel@fvrd.ca.

Agenda's for FVRD Board and Committee Meetings can be found here: https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/government/agendas-minutes-webcasts.html​
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​Video of previous meetings can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@FraserValleyRD
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]]><![CDATA[Sorry its late - April's EASC Report]]>Fri, 12 May 2023 03:31:15 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/sorry-its-late-aprils-easc-reportMy apologies for getting this up late. Here is my report from the April 13th meeting of the FVRD Electoral Area Services Committee which can be viewed on Youtube here - https://youtu.be/i68mrY-kUO0

"It seems like so long ago since we met around this table so one would assume there would be a lot to report but a lot of my time since our last EASC meeting has been spent hosting houseguests from Oyama, Japan as an extension of the Sister relationship the City of Mission has with the Town of Oyama. They say 2 or 3 days is usually appropriate for hosting houseguests and I am not sure who thought it would be a good idea for 5 people to co-habitat in our one bedroom home for 13 days. Thanks to many of the residents of Area G, community groups and even staff who accommodated my hectic spring break schedule.

I did attend 4 meetings pertaining to the ongoing work around the Hatzic Watershed Recovery from the 2021 atmospheric river event. Director Davidson and I continue to represent the residents of Area’s F & G at those tables and I am optimistic that there is progress in the work to create a plan to address the complex issues that have challenged efforts to mitigate the effects of flooding and climate change on the lives of local residents for decades.

I found our Strategic Planning exercise to be an interesting experience as we heard many many great issues and challenges that are important to various Directors while we considered the concept of scarcity with regards to the capacity and perhaps, of political will to build the resources needed for the FVRD to be able to address a huge basket of issues. I hope, that we never lose sight of the issues and challenges of our area residents and I remain committed to focusing on challenges around public safety and the livability of our region.

There was a meeting with a resident of Area C who expressed concerns regarding the public hearing process which I was invited to participate in and I look forward to any opportunities that this committee might have to discuss how we can do better when facilitating public hearings for electoral areas.

Met with Clare Seeley from Destination BC. Clare reached out because she wanted to understand how the dike network in the RD is managed differently than in municipalities, specifically, the fact that in the RD, dikes are situated on private property which adds private property rights into the mix when considering projects such as trail networks that use dikes in other jurisdictions.

I am working with MPS Electoral Area School Trustee Shelley Carter and the Mission RCMP detachment to facilitate a policing forum at Dewdney Elementary School that will happen sometime in the coming weeks and will focus on strategies for the community to address safety for students who use the roads to commute to and from school as well as how we can address an ongoing challenge around graffiti and vandalism in our area.

I was invited to and attended a Chum Salmon Release at Deroche Elementary School and was thrilled to see upwards of 10,000 chum released into a local stream as part of the school’s outdoor education program. We were also treated to a delicious lunch that included local salmon and a salmon chowder that was scrumptious!

Music Bingo Fundraiser on April 21st at the Dewdney Pub in support of Deroche Elementary School PAC to support expansion of their outdoor education program.

I attended a Music Bingo Fundraiser at the Dewdney Pub in support of the FV Humane Society which raised $1300.00 in support of their feline rescue and adoption program. Music Bingo has become a great community event in Area G – the host of Music Bingo at the Dewdney Pub is quite something – and I encourage everyone to plan to check it out if they are looking for a fun way to spend a Friday evening.

The Sasquatch Lions are holding their monthly Texas Holdem Tournament at the Deroche Hall at the end of the month and I look forward to attending a volunteer appreciation event hosted by the Sasquatch Lions in Deroche this weekend."

If you have any questions about any of the items in my report or anything that was on the April 13th  EASC Agenda, please connect with me at ccassel@fvrd.ca.

Agenda's for FVRD Board and Committee Meetings can be found here: https://www.fvrd.ca/EN/main/government/agendas-minutes-webcasts.html
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​Video of previous meetings can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@FraserValleyRD

]]><![CDATA[Electoral Area Services Committee - March 9th, 2023]]>Thu, 16 Mar 2023 21:23:33 GMThttp://corycassel.com/area-g/electoral-area-services-committee-march-9th-2023Below is the report I provided to the FVRD Electoral Area Services Committee at our meeting on March 9th.

"I attended a public hearing Chaired by Director Waardenburg regarding a proposal for an Indoor Film Studio at the end of Bayview Rd in Lake Errock. There was a lot of emotion among the 50 or so residents that attended. Most of the residents in attendance made comments about the application and I would like to acknowledge the challenges that Director Waardenburg endured in his efforts to keep the hearing moving and to bring decorum to the proceedings. I would like to see EASC have a discussion around public hearings and how we can all work to support each other when we find ourselves chairing hearings in our own Area’s, as well as FVRD staff, especially when it may be evident that items being commented on during the public hearing are contentious or controversial. I think we can do better than what I observed in Area C and I look forward to having a conversation at this table soon regarding public hearing processes within the electoral areas.

There was a meeting of the Nicomen Island Dike Steering Committee which included myself and FVRD engineering staff, the Nicomen Island Improvement District, Leqamel First Nation, and Urban Systems. We discussed erosion of the foreshore of the Fraser River at Athey Rd and agreed that this work is outside of the

scope of the committee and that we will be seeking the Province to provide the funding and other resources to address. It was recommended that both the FVRD and LFN engage in a coordinated effort to advocate to the Province for this work. We worked on a strategy to finally move forward with the Nicomen Island Pump Station Upgrades. I am optimistic that we have a solution and look forward to seeing the process move forward in the near future. Dike Upgrades were also discussed and Leqamel provided an update on their work in within the Nicomen Island Improvement District.
Meetings of the Hatzic Watershed Recovery Table continue and we are optimistic that there will be progress to report on this complex project soon. I appreciate Director Davidson’s efforts around that table as he and I work together to bring long term solutions to decades old challenges in that watershed.

Director Davidson and I also participated in a discussion with Ministry of Environment regarding the ongoing work to address sediment in the streams flowing into Hatzic Lake. Again, I’d like to acknowledge Director Davidson’s strong voice on behalf of residents affected by flooding as a result of the sediment issues in the area and also appreciate Graham Daneluz’s expertise and professionalism during the discussion.

On a lighter note, Area G has become Hollywood Fraser Valley North with filming of a movie titled Under the Bridge which is about the story of Rena Virk is being filmed around the Dewdney Bridge and in other locations of the community. There has also been a lot of activity on Nicomen Island and on Leqamel Territory as the film crew seems to have really moved in!

The Sasquatch Lions Fundraiser Dance on Feb 11th at Deroche Hall was well attended and I managed to get through my dance card though former Director Stobbart’s card was much fuller than mine and when I left the dance, he was still cutting a rug and showing us all his best moves! The next Texas Hold’em Tournament, also a fundraiser hosted by the Sasquatch Lions to support community projects, happens March 25th in Deroche and, for those itching to get out into their gardens an d begin planting, Seedy Saturday is happening in the parking lot of the FVRD Access Building in Deroche on Saturday, March 18th."

If you have any questions about any of the items in my report or anything that was on the March 9th EASC Agenda, please connect with me at ccassel@fvrd.ca.

Agenda's for FVRD Board and Committee Meetings can be found here: https://www.fvrd.ca/.../gov.../agendas-minutes-webcasts.html
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​Video of previous meetings can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@FraserValleyRD]]>