Observer SALMON ARM
Wednesday April 25, 2012 www.saobserver.net $1.25 HST INCLUDED
Directors put hold on Stomp By Barb Brouwer OBSERVER STAFF
Summer Stomp fans will have to wait another month to see if a 2012 version will run in Silver Creek on the third weekend of July. Event organizers had asked Columbia Shuswap Regional District board members to consider a request to temporarily dispense with bylaw enforcement on two Salmon River Road properties. But directors deferred a decision until they get answers in the form of a detailed operating plan – something stomp organizers says they will work on with haste. At issue is the fact that neither of the proposed properties is zoned commercial. And, while the CSRD board last year decided not to enforce the bylaw because of the economic opportunity they saw in the event, the Agricultural Land Commission refused to allow non-farm use on the land located within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). This year, organizers have made arrangement René Talbot for two properties loCSRD cated about two kilomeDIRECTOR tres south of the Silver Creek Community Park and note the portion of the land they wish to use is not inside the ALR. But board concerns extend beyond zoning. “I’ve had phone calls and emails from residents not thrilled about it being close to their homes,” said Area D Falkland-Silver Creek-Ranchero Director René Talbot. “Noise is an issue, fire is a huge issue. They always want a fire. I don’t know of any other event that has fires.” Talbot also took issue with what organizers have planned in terms of security and possible damage to the Salmon River. “I see nothing here about them talking to RCMP and it’s the same weekend as Sturgis – we will have lots of people running down Salmon River Road,” See Stomp on page A2
JAMES MURRAY/OBSERVER
Taking the reins
Salmon Arm 1st Pathfinder Katie Greenlaw takes charge from draft horse handler Joyce Marchant during a horse plowing demonstration held Saturday at Harmonious Homestead and Ewe.
‘Green man’ faces riot charges By Tracy Hughes OBSERVER STAFF
A Salmon Arm man accused of being involved in last year’s Stanley Cup riot is now formally facing charges. Andrew Comber, who is charged with participating in a riot, mischief and arson, was arrested Saturday in his Salmon Arm home, said Sgt. Howard Chow, media relations office for the Integrated Riot Investigation Team. Comber, 38, allegedly lit a stuffed bear on fire and threw it onto an overturned truck during the riots, which took
This week The Royal Purple celebrates 50 years of service in Salmon Arm. For more, see page A10. More than 1,000 children took to the soccer pitch for the start of the season. See A17.
place after the Vancouver Canucks loss to Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals on June 15, 2011. Fans angry at losing to the Boston Bruins went on a rampage in downtown Vancouver, causing millions of dollars in damage. Police say Comber had painted himself green and was very active on the night of the riot. He was spotted taunting police in many locations, an RCMP release says. Comber is also wanted on See Comber on page A2
MATT GIBSON/FOR THE OBSERVER
Easy to spot: Vancouver Police arrested Salmon Arm’s Andrew Comber for participating in a riot.
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............. A14 Sports............... A17-A20 Arts & Events ... A21-A24 Time Out................... A25 Vol. 105, No. 17, 48 pages