Mayor Denise O'Connor shared the following message:
On behalf of the Village of Lytton Council, I want to extend warm wishes to all members of our community and surrounding areas as we enter this holiday season.
Our Council has now completed the second year of our four-year term, and we owe heartfelt gratitude to many individuals and organizations for supporting Council and the community. I am continually inspired by the kindness and generosity of others who continue to reach out. I cannot list everyone, but please know you are all appreciated.
I also want to express my appreciation to our Village staff for your commitment and dedication to Lytton. The work that you do—whether it’s at a computer, interacting with the public, bringing information to Council, or fixing water and sewer lines—is integral to rebuilding a vibrant and sustainable Village.
I believe it’s important to reflect on 2024 as it comes to an end. There have been many challenges, but also many successes. We need to build on our successes as we continue moving forward.
Highlights
The Village of Lytton’s highlights for 2024 include the following:
- Issuing 17 building permits for re-builds
- Finalizing occupancy for five rebuilt homes
- Finalizing occupancy for one commercial rebuild
- Completing backfilling for all but a few properties
- Offering the following programs and extending deadlines to June 30, 2025, for property owners who are rebuilding:
- A 50% reduction in building permit fees
- Up to $5,000 to help offset archaeology costs
- Up to $100 reimbursement for planting trees
- Advocating to have all private property owners’ archaeological costs covered and to simplify the process for property owners who are rebuilding
- Updating our strategic plan to focus on six areas for 2024 to 2026: rebuilding, relationships, safety and sustainability, organizational excellence, economic growth, and advocacy
- Opening the Temporary Fire Hall
- Awarding a contract to re-build the Public Works Building and updating zoning and OCP designations to optimize use of the site
- Successfully applying to the federal government for funding committed to the Community Hub project and convening a project advisory committee, including representatives from neighbouring First Nations and the Thompson–Nicola Regional District, for the project
- Purchasing the property to rebuild our Village Office in the same location
- Continuing to improve communication and launching the new Village of Lytton Website
- Continuing to repair and upgrade the Village’s water and sewer systems and locating and repairing a major water leak
- Continuing with Lytton Fire & Rescue training and completing fire safety inspections
- Developing an emergency plan and continuing emergency training for Council, staff, and partners
- Receiving a draft tourism economic development strategy
- Updating reserve bylaws to put the Village in a better position for future planning and expenditures
- Receiving a new fire rescue truck from the City of Port Moody
- Recognizing three retiring volunteer firefighters
- Participating in TLKemchEEN FireSmart Committee activities, along with Lytton First Nation
- Marking the third anniversary of the 2021 fire and recognizing the more than 30 fire departments, individuals, and organizations who supported Lytton during and after the 2021 fire
Coming together
Community members came together for many milestones and events in the Lytton area this year. Some of these included the following:
- First annual Canyon Cruise from Hope to Lytton and Show & Shine in Lytton
- 20th anniversary of Lytton River Festival
- Nlaka'pamux Truth and Reconciliation Day
- Chief Cexpe'nthlEm Park project commencement ceremony
- Nicomen Bridge blessing and opening
- Fraser Canyon signage project completion
- Monitoring and witnessing debris in the Fraser River from the Chilcoltin landslide
- Lytton Remembrance Day Powwow
- Lytton First Nation Christmas Parade
- Lytton Chinese History Museum reopening
- Royal Canadian Legion Lytton groundbreaking
Congratulations to our neighbours for their ongoing work in planning, rebuilding, and community engagement. We look forward to seeking opportunities to listen and collaborate in the future.
I consider it a privilege to serve Lytton as your Mayor and look forward to continuing our work of rebuilding Lytton in 2025.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Mayor Denise O'Connor