Sechelt's 2014-18 business and financial plan will have a theme, councillors decided during their Aug. 21 council meeting.
The theme will be "This is Sechelt - Celebrating and Securing our Heritage and Prospects."
"I think the intention with the theme is to help all of us focus on what is the overall objective of the budget, which is, of course, to further council's objectives and priorities in a way that is affordable and ensures the prosperity and security of the community," said Mayor John Henderson.
Chief financial officer Victor Mema pitched the idea of a theme in his report to council, saying it "provides all stakeholders with a common focus and white-board on which each party can reflect and project priorities and interests."
"It's really an expression of pride in the community," Mema said. "We are hoping that we will be celebrating and securing our heritage and prospects, our heritage being the natural things we have and man-made things we have, and looking at the potential for the District in the future."
He said the theme was general enough to help shape priorities but would not "handcuff council."
All were in favour of accepting the new business and financial plan theme.
Business development
During their general reports, Coun. Chris Moore and Coun. Tom Lamb spoke about recent meetings with the District's business development committee, Sechelt Innovations Ltd. (SIL). Lamb noted there are "different directions that committee is going in," but did not offer any more information.
Moore said things with SIL are "quite exciting," and noted the group hopes "to be able to share a lot more with the public soon."
Currently SIL meetings are being held with targeted groups, and the media is not allowed to attend.
Help deferred
Council deferred a request for assistance from the Naturally Autistic Awards Convention & Festival until their next meeting, citing the need to see financial statements and who else has been approached for assistance.
Coun. Darnelda Siegers requested the additional information from convention organizers Leonora Gregory-Collura and Charlie Collura in response to their request for about $3,000 worth of in-kind donations from the District.
The organizers are seeking free use of the Seaside Centre and a District-sponsored shuttle service for participants who will come to Sechelt during the international conference Oct. 1 to 6.
Henderson directed the organizers to have their information into the District by Friday to ensure the request can be dealt with next week.
