Lake Country Continues to Raise Its Profile

At the Local Government Management Association (LGMA) Annual Conference and AGM held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre this week from the 17^th to the 19^th Alberto De Feo, the District’s Chief Administrative Officer was successfully elected as the 1^st Vice President of the Association.  Following Councillor Noreen Guenther’s recent appointment as the new SILGA President (Southern Interior Local Government Association), Lake Country is definitely putting the community on the map. Mr. De Feo says he “ is honoured to be considered for the position which will help foster relationships with federal and provincial partners and assist in funding future projects”.

The LGMA is an association governed by a 13 member Board of Directors with the presidential positions, Secretary-Treasurer and Directors at Large being elected at the Annual General Meeting each year. The LGMA encourages the interchange of ideas, promotes professional management and leadership excellence in local government and works to create awareness of the local government officers’ role in the community. 

The 2011 LGMA theme was Building Leaders, Building Community and focused on topics such as holding not for-profit organizations accountable, engaging aboriginal stakeholders, integrated asset management and of course, balancing work and life.

Lake Country was showcased several times for their initiatives in working with aboriginal neighbours, the Okanagan Indian Band and also for demonstrating leadership in Asset Management. 

In March of 2011, the District and the Okanagan Indian Band reaffirmed their existing Protocol Agreement, “Respecting Government to Government Working Relationship” and have been actively continuing to build upon the existing strong relationship and collaborating together in a spirit of neighbourliness.  A CommUnity Working Group was established and meets regularly which is guided by the Protocol Agreement and explores, innovates, cooperates and collaborates on activities that enhance an environmentally conscious sound and sustainable self-sufficient community where all beings, bio-diversity and community service is encouraged and supported.

In Asset Management, Lake Country was showcased not only at the LGMA but at the Canadian Network of Asset Managers Conference in Burnaby and has received invitations to present to both national and international audiences on the Asset Management Roadmap Project.  The project is a collaboration between Lake Country, Powel River, Merritt and Tofino under the guidance of Asset Management BC with funding through the Provincial Infrastructure Planning Grant. The Roadmap will provide small and medium size communities with a practical guide for navigating their way through Asset Management and shows others that it can be done.

Lake Country is demonstrating leadership and forging good connections for the future of the community.