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Okanagan rainbow crosswalk defaced

Vandals cover colours with white paint in District of Coldstream sometime overnight Saturday
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The District of Coldstream’s rainbow crosswalk on Kalamalka Road, at the entrance to Kal Beach, was found covered in white paint Sunday morning. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

White paint over its rainbow crosswalk has left a black mark in the District of Coldstream.

The district’s rainbow crosswalk on Kalamalka Road, at the entrance to Kal Beach out of the popular recreation facility’s parking lot, was discovered painted over with white paint Sunday morning.

“It saddens me to see that there are still individuals in our midst that are so insecure and threatened by this gesture of inclusion that they feel the need to sneak out to vandalize and deface it,” said Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick. “Coldstream staff will be contacting the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C. on Monday to put in a claim to repair the damage.

“I encourage any witnesses to this act contact the RCMP with any information they can to provide.

Added Coun. Richard Enns: “It’s disappointing. I find this type of vandalism fosters discord in our community.”

READ MORE: Rainbow crosswalk shines in Coldstream

The crosswalk was installed in July 2017 at an approximate cost of $5,000.

It’s believed the district’s insurance through the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C. will cover the cost of re-painting the sidewalk.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with a quote from the Mayor of Coldstream that better reflects his and the District of Coldstream’s intolerance for such actions.



roger@vernonmorningstar.com

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Roger Knox

About the Author: Roger Knox

I am a journalist with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. I started my career in radio and have spent the last 21 years working with Black Press Media.
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