Observer SALMON ARM
Wednesday October 10, 2012 www.saobserver.net $1.25 HST INCLUDED PM40008236
Loud and clear Herman Drescher, right, shows his billboard to passing traffic as he and other sign-bearers march down the Trans-Canada Highway Thursday for the National Day of Action Against Smart Meters. The group joined up with other protestors and headed south, stopping to demonstrate in Enderby, Vernon and Kelowna. LACHLAN LABERE/OBSERVER
Walmart goes to tender SmartCentres: Bidding closes Oct. 18, no construction date set. By Martha Wickett OBSERVER STAFF
Despite rumours over the past month that Walmart might not be coming to Salmon Arm, a construction tender says otherwise. Construction of a Walmart on the SmartCentres property at the west end of town was tendered last week and closes on Oct. 18. Sources who have seen the tender documents report that the floor plan includes a grocery section with a deli and bakery area, as well as poultry and produce coolers, grocery aisles and grocery sales. It also includes a medical/pharmacytype centre, and a photo centre. Initial perusal of the plans show nei-
ther an automotive centre nor a fast-food facility, as some Walmarts include. Sandra Kaiser, vice-president of corporate affairs for SmartCentres, confirms that construction on the SmartCentres property has gone to tender, but didn’t provide further details. “We have gone out for tender but no construction date has been established yet.” She said the company is still working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on approvals. Sources say the project also went to tender in February, but was not awarded at that time. The BC Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal from the Neskonlith Indian Band
This week Firefighters make an enormous contribution to safety in the Shuswap. See more on A10-15. It was a weekend of equestrian competition at Topline Stables and Show Park. See A19.
on Monday, Sept. 24 and the project is reported to have gone to tender on Sept. 28. The band had initially requested a judicial review of an environmentally hazardous areas development permit issued by the city for the SmartCentres site. In April, a BC Supreme Court judge dismissed the request for the judicial review. The band appealed that decision, but it was dismissed by the provincial Court of Appeal. Chief Judy Wilson told the Observer late last week that the band has 60 days to file further court action on the issue. The Neskonlith band has not yet made a decision on this because it must first meet with its membership.
RCMP arrest flasher suspect A 58-year-old Salmon Arm man is facing charges of committing an indecent act and indecent exposure after being arrested last week in regard to an incident in a Canoe playground on Sept. 23. The man’s name is being withheld pending the approval of the charges by Crown counsel. He has been placed under a number of conditions to preserve public safety. The suspect is to have no contact with anyone under the age of 16 years and is not to be found anywhere a child might reasonably expected to be present, including playgrounds or schools. “The Salmon Arm detachment remains vigilant to ensure these conditions are followed pending the court process,” says Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane. The suspect is alleged to have exposed himself to some young girls at the playground, after initially speaking to them and giving them coloured markers.
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............. A17 Sports .............. A19-A22 Arts & Events ... A23-A25 Time Out................... A26 Vol. 105, No. 41, 52 pages