A series of public consultations are rolling out in Thornhill over the next few weeks, re-examining the options of incorporation, amalgamating with Terrace, or remaining the same under governance of the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine.
In a 1997 referendum Thornhill voted down a proposal to join the City of Terrace, but since then a group of residents and the Electoral Area E director for Thornhill, Ted Ramsey, who is in favour of incorporation, have pushed to re-examine the merits to alternate forms of governance.
READ MORE: Next steps taken to determine Thornhill future (2017)
“There will be many opportunities for the community to get involved,” Ramsay said in a press release. “I encourage all Thornhill residents and property owners to attend the public meetings, ask questions of the consultants, complete the survey and participate in the discussion.”
Last year the district completed a review of the governance and services offered in Thornhill and the Greater Terrace area. That information has been added to a 2015 Greater Terrace/Thornhill Diagnostic Inventory to include the latest data up to November of last year, including the 2016 census data. Over the next few weeks, an independent consulting team will present the information to Thornhill residents for discussion before bringing their findings back to the district board on the public’s level of satisfaction with the current governance model.
“The Regional District Board is supportive of a renewed examination of governance options for Thornhill,” Phil Germuth, chair of the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine said. “We have received provincial support to consult with Thornhill residents and ask about their interest in exploring a possible change to local governance.”
READ MORE: Terrace, Thornhill merger idea liked by local businesses (2016)
The full inventory study and fact sheets summarizing the inventory available on the Regional District website at www.rdks.bc.ca. Copies are also posted at various locations in the community including the Regional District Office, Thornhill Animal Shelter and the front desk at the Northern Motor Inn in Thornhill.
Thornhill residents and property owners are asked to complete a survey available after the first public meeting on June 26. It can be completed on-line or by paper copy dropped off at locations listed above.
Consultation dates:
• Public meetings and presentations on Tuesday, June 26 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, July 14 at 2 p.m., at the Thornhill Community Centre, 3091 Century Street, Thornhill.
• Meet and discuss with the consultant at an Open-Door session on Tuesday, June 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and again on Saturday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., both at the Thornhill Community Centre
quinn@terracestandard.com
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