Countering hate message
“I am absolutely appalled by the hate message…,” remarked Mayor Nancy Cooper as she opened council’s Nov. 28 meeting.
She was referring to hate-filled graffiti that was written on a fence along the Turner Creek Trail, between Okanagan College and 20th Street NE.
“To me this hate message is a crime; I hope that whoever wrote that is caught and charged.”
She said she hopes the city’s Syrian families know the hateful remarks are not indicative of what the rest of the community thinks.
“I want them to know they’re very important to us.”
Looking for a move
Eagle Homes manufactured home sales will be moving, if city council’s support of the relocation continues. On Nov. 28, council unanimously approved first and second readings of an amendment to the official community plan and an accompanying rezoning that would allow the business to move from its current site on the Trans-Canada Highway to a vacant parcel at 1190 51st St. NE, near the junction of Highway 97B and the TCH.
The amendment would also allow mobile home sales, and would redesignate the land from acreage reserve to highway service/tourist commercial, as well as rezoning it from A-2, rural holding to C-3, service commercial.
Applying are owners Ken-Nyl Developments and Vic Bates Enterprises Ltd. represented by Jodi Bland, care of Eagle Homes Sales (Salmon Arm) Ltd.
Coun. Alan Harrison said he thinks the parcel is a good use of highway commercial, “and I think the moving of Eagle Homes from Highway 1 is probably a good move for them.”.
Mussel concern
Zebra mussels are continuing their march west.
Coun. Chad Eliason noted the invasive mussels were found in Lake Winnipeg last year and in Montana this year.
“It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when, in my opinion,” he said. “I don’t think people take it seriously enough. Maybe we should be adding it to our strategic plan, the effects on infrastructure and beaches.”
One dollar agreements
Seven community groups have had their occupation agreements renewed for five years, effective Jan. 1. The groups will pay $1 per year.
They are: the Salmon Arm Curling Club, Salmon Arm Fish & Game Club, Salmon Arm Horseshoe Club, Salmon Arm Lawn Bowling Club, Salmon Arm Tennis Club, Shuswap District Arts Council and Shuswap Association for Rowing and Paddling.
Coun. Alan Harrison said sometimes he is asked why the groups can lease for $1 per year, and then get a permissive tax exemption.
“I think we all appreciate the work these groups do. They supply first-class recreational facilities with no cost to the city. If we were to try to do this… it would cost much, much more.”