As I sit down to write this on August 18, 2025, I can’t help but remember the Day of the Dragon two years ago, when fire tore through and razed so much of our community. We’re coming back, but recovery is proving slow and expensive. Still, the news isn’t all bad.

Rebuilding is happening. As of early June, the CSRD had received 70 building permit applications for fire-destroyed buildings, and 59 had already been issued. Of those, 51 permits are for homes. With more than 170 houses lost, there’s still a long way to go, but momentum is there. Scotch Creek’s new fire hall should break ground this September, with completion expected in about a year. The new library building is also gearing up to start construction any day now, as reported at this month’s Board meeting.

I’d say we’re about halfway back. What’s encouraging is that there are also new conversations happening about development in Scotch Creek. If those ideas take shape, they could mean new homes and new commercial spaces. I’m a guarded optimist, but I like what I see on the horizon. Fingers crossed.

On another front, I’ve been talking a lot about giving our community more direct control over some of our services. A Local Community Commission (LCC) would allow locally elected people to make local decisions on things like Parks or Economic Development. In contrast, a Local Advisory Committee (LAC) would only “advise” me, your Area Director, without real decision-making powers. CSRD staff have produced a couple of reports—written with a somewhat negative tone—but the Board has directed that we at least get a clear comparison of costs and staff time between an LCC and an LAC. I’ve asked that this report be ready by year-end, so we can debate it before the CSRD budget is finalized. More details are on my website: NorthShuswap.info → Community Empowerment.

Meanwhile, we’re about to launch a Parks Master Plan for Electoral Areas A (rural Golden), D (Falkland/Silver Creek/Ranchero), and F (us). The CSRD has engaged Urban Systems to lead the process, which will run until late 2026. The plan will set priorities for projects and guide parks and recreation work for the next decade. There will be plenty of chances for residents and user groups to weigh in, and I encourage you to start thinking big. I’d especially like to see ideas that broaden recreation beyond just the summer—things that bring adventure, activity, and celebration year-round. You’ll start hearing more about this very soon.

Food is another big piece of our local resilience. Two groups are stepping up here: FRIES, launched by Celista’s own Jade Shamen, and the Shuswap Community Food Coop, an offshoot of the Shuswap Economic Development Society. Both are still in early stages, but FRIES already has local potatoes and ground flour in production. Jade often has an article here in the Kicker, but if you can’t reach him, get in touch with me and I’ll connect you. The Coop is also looking for food-minded folks to help on their board—again, contact me if you’re interested.

Finally, please mark your calendars: Wednesday, October 29th is our next North Shuswap Town Hall. We’ll gather to talk about Parks, Fire Halls, and other important issues for our area.

Here’s to September—a fine month and the beginning of the slow slide into winter.

Stay in touch:
Jay Simpson
📧 jsimpson@csrd.bc.ca | 📱 250-517-9578
🌐 FB & Web: NorthShuswap.info