TASK FORCES FORMED TO TACKLE ISSUES

Hope's new mayor, Wilfried Vicktor and his council were centre stage
for Monday night's inaugural meeting at the Hope Cinema - as outside
the marquee lit up the night with a creative movie promo to the event
- - 'The Way Hope Was Won" starring Wilfried Vicktor.

Over 50 people walked under the theatre's marquee, congratulating the
new council, to attend the formal swearing in by the Honourable W. G.
Grist of six of seven candidates elected to lead the community for the
next three years.

Councillor-elect Ron Smith was not in attendance and will be sworn in
at a later date.

Presentations were also made to recognize the work of former acting
mayor, Larry Ortis and Councillor Sue Vandevelde-Savola, who did not
run for re-election..

In his inaugural speech the new mayor, who held the position for one
term in the late 90s, said he will remain focused on the key issues
which emerged during the election. The first being crime where a "300
per cent increase in property crime in just over six years can not be
tolerated."

"Individuals involved in crime should know very clearly that their
destructive and disrespectful lifestyle is not welcome in our community."

Aimed at creating an unfriendly atmosphere for criminals, "the current
situation of having drug related paraphernalia, for example crack
pipes available for purchase in local stores and rooming houses in
operation for drug users and dealers is clearly not
acceptable."

"A hard line approach will be necessary to make full use of our
legislative authority in the Community Charter. Fines for any
involvement in drug related activities within the District should be
made the highest in BC."

The new mayor also asked residents of Hope in their battle against
crime and drugs to recognize that these people are someone's son or
daughter and should not be written off. The mayor also denounced
vigilantism and asked all people to work within the system to hold
criminals to account.

"Innocent people can get hurt with a continuance of this frontier
style justice."

Other focuses for the mayor over the next three years, include
increasing employment in the area, diversifying the economy, building
respect at the district hall, and planning for the future.

The new mayor also kicked his plans off with a new set of task forces
to focus on his goals, including the new Crime and Drug Reduction Task
force.

A new Business Friendliness Task Force, made up of the mayor, new
councillor Peter Robb and a number of developers and business owners,
will tackle how to make the district hall more efficient in dealing
with development and business.

A new Downtown Revitalization Task Force will focus on developing the
downtown core, also headed by the mayor and a number of community
members and organizations.

A new Youth Advisory Group will increase the participation and input
of the youth into the District of Hope's activities.

A Job Creation Task Force will look at increasing employment and
economic development.