TERRACE
1.34
$
S TANDARD
$1.20 PLUS 14¢ HST
VOL. 25 NO. 18
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
City warns derelict building owners THE CITY of Terrace is putting its foot down on three local building owners with properties deemed dangerous and unsightly. Owners of three properties on Little Ave. — 4450, 4440, and Terrace’s first hospital at 4520 — have each recently received a letter from the city demanding they make plans to shape up their buildings and properties. After public complaints, some of which have accumulated over the years, it is not the first time the city has intervened over safety and appearance issues — the letters received by owners last week
mean the city is closer to reaching grounds to begin a demolition order process if action isn’t taken soon, said staff. “These last letters that were sent are really an ultimatum,” said city planner David Block, noting that applies more to 4450 and 4440 Little Ave. “The one farther west (4520) hasn’t had quite as bad a history.” But there are issues with the three nonetheless, he said. “They’re falling apart,” said Block. “At least some of the portions of the buildings on each property are sitting vacant and
unused.” Over the years, neighbouring residents to the properties have made valid complaints to the city, he added. “They’re unsightly, the yard areas aren’t getting maintained ... they’ve been boarded up, but some of that boarding has been removed,” said Block. “It’s almost a surprise that with evidence of people breaking in and sheltering or hanging out in the properties that they haven’t had fires in them.” Stray animals taking residence in the buildings is also an issue.
Letters were received by owners last week. “As your property may be adversely influencing the property values of other properties in the vicinity, it is perceived your building is a nuisance,” said a letter sent to owners of the three properties. “Buildings appear to be degenerating with no apparent plans in place to reconstruct or demolish the structures.” The letter further encouraged demolition to happen as soon as possible if that’s the intent — owners of 4520 Little Ave. demolished part of their building
after taking out a permit earlier this year. “At this time the City of Terrace requests that you present a proposal of your intended use of the property and the structures currently there with a timeline for that development,” said the letter. The deadline for such a response is August 30. Block explained that if action isn’t taken, there may be grounds for the city to begin the demolition order process on certain buildings — which would require a vote by council to proceed.
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Protestors rally for dog’s transfer
SAMANTHA GARVEY PHOTO
■ Scarecrow sculptor GABE BOHLE (4) shows off Harem Scare ’em, his entry into this year’s scarecrow contest at the Farmer’s Market Appreciation Day, Saturday, Aug. 11. The whole family helped build the six-foot-tall creation. Gabe added the finishing touches by painting its face.
A DRIVE to get a dog moved to better living conditions took to the boardroom as supporters rallied to make their voices heard at the regional district meeting Aug. 10. Dog owner Paul MacNeil asked the regional district board to let his German shepherd Cain be moved from the Thornhill animal shelter to the Kitimat Humane Society where he and his supporters believe the canine would have better care until its trial day in December. He explained that Cain bit a child when cornered after being chased down the street by children with hockey sticks and three diesel trucks. The child’s skin wasn’t broken, he wasn’t taken to the hospital, didn’t have a bandaid put on and later on that same day was playing in his backyard, said MacNeil. “He did bite [the child and I’m not excusing that] but the Thornhill pound is not the place for a dog to be for a long time,” said MacNeil, adding he didn’t want to debate the case but just wanted his dog moved to the Kitimat shelter. Cain is in a four foot by 10 foot kennel and he’s an 85 pound German shepherd, said MacNeil. “I’m not allowed to see my dog on my terms,” he said. The Thornhill animal shelter is open from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and he works from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
he explained, adding that Cain passed an assessment for his temperament that was videotaped by dog trainer Kelly Ruff. Phyllis Gregg of Kitimat, who came up to help support MacNeil, said the Kitimat Humane Society was willing to take the dog and work with it as it had a lot of success rehabilitating dogs and would sign papers saying it would take full responsibility for the canine. If provincial court doesn’t order the dog destroyed, Cain can have a second chance and go to one of the German shepherd rescue groups that the shelter works with, she said. The group can then find the dog a suitable home, she added. Earlier in the day, regional district bylaw enforcement officer Murray Daly confirmed the dog was seized in April and said bylaw was seeking a destruction order for the dog. Daly didn’t want to speak about specifics of the case but did comment on the shelter keeping Cain. “I will say the dog is in our possession and until we’re ordered to do so by a judge, it’s not leaving our possession,” he said. “The dog is not being treated inhumanely,” he added, saying Cain was being fed and watered. “It receives all the treatment it would probably get at the Kitimat shelter.”
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Fun for all
Jobless
Get jamming
Take a look at some of the highlights of Riverboat Days \COMMUNITY A17
The northwest’s jobless rate is the highest in B.C.
Roller derby players amp up their skill set with former Terrace resident \SPORTS A27
\NEWS A12