WEDNESDAY
S I N C E
DECEMBER 19, 2012
1 8 9 5 Red Mountain Racers ready to go
Vol. 117, Issue 234
110
$
Page 9
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Council approves bylaw fine for RV storage
ON THE CUTTING EDGE
BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
John Crockett, job coach for the West Kootenay youth and adult wood shop, crafts a custom ordered shadow box out of reclaimed wood. See story on Page 2.
The room went silent when the public question period opened. Mayor Dieter Bogs had initiated public time at Monday night’s city council meeting and asked a full council chambers gallery of 23 people if anyone wished to speak to council on a matter of concern. After repeated calls and no speakers one woman finally stood up and opened a flood gate for debate on an issue that had rubbed several Trail residents the wrong way in fall, and now could potentially pit neighbours against each other. She pointed to council’s recent move to place a $500 fine—initiated only on receipt of a valid neighbour complaint—on non compliance for improper storage of a recreational vehicle, improper placement of a swimming pool or a temporary vehicle shelter. The city’s previous zoning bylaw prohibited storing those items on front driveways and lawns, as well as exterior side yards of corner lots. But there was no penalty in place for violating the rules. “I don’t understand why we are being criticized for what we choose to do or store on our property,” the woman asked council. The fine would not be levied unless a neighbour consented to generate a compliance complaint, said city corporate administrator
Michelle McIsaac. She noted that, in fall, as part of the city’s annual search for unlicensed vehicles parked on city streets, 62 letters went out for improper storage of recreational vehicles, which was reduced to seven after the property owners complied. Only one fine was handed out after a neighbour complained. “I know (complaints driven) is what we are going to, but it’s not perfect by any means because people don’t want to get into any trouble with their neighbours,” said Bogs. After the woman spoke, nine other people rose to voice their displeasure with the way the city was handling the issue. The people spoke and council listened. But it did not sink in. After a lengthy debate, council approved setting the fine amount at $500 for the bylaw infraction, despite a motion made at third reading by councillor Kevin Jolly to rescind the amendment and consider reducing the fine. The rule on parking RVs in front yards had been in place since 2002. Parking them on the street for more than 24 hours is prohibited as well. Under amendments to the city’s municipal ticketing information bylaw, violators will now be subject to $500 fines which are enforceable in Provincial Court.
Chamber meeting yields more questions than answers BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
A special general meeting was held at the office of the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce last Friday, and in less than 10 minutes, three new directors were welcomed on board. The agenda was set for the “business at hand” and was to address the nomination process for new directors, which closed on Dec. 10. Although the meeting dealing with the election was brief, the post-meeting tête-à-tête with some of the 35 attendees lasted
over an hour. There were many lingering questions and comments regarding the swift and controversial termination of executive director Maggie Stayanovich, and members wanted to address the topic. “I am surprised that so many people are making assumptions only knowing half the story,” said Lisa Gregorini, director of the chamber. “But we have to respect the privacy laws.” According to Gregorini, the reasons for Stayanovich’s termination will never be made public. She added the chamber
has been consulting its lawyers throughout the ordeal, to determine what, if anything, it would reveal. “More information begs more questions, and we are keeping it quiet to respect privacy,” she said. Calls to Stayanovich were not returned as of press time. Pastor Shayne McIntyre, from the Gateway Christian Life Centre, resigned as a chamber director on Nov. 28, and only learned of Stayanovich’s dismissal the following Monday (Dec. 3). “I got back involved with the
chamber because of Maggie, it was through her encouragement as a director, that I returned,” said the pastor. “My position of resignation is clear,” he explained. “They didn’t follow procedure, and if you are not following a process, you cannot address the issues at hand properly, and they become slanted. “The following Monday, I found out they went ahead and dismissed her, before she was even given an opportunity to speak.” McIntyre’s resignation
revolves around the fact that not all board members were present at the meeting to vote and those absent were not privy to any information that was discussed during the in-camera sessions. In-camera is a closed board meeting that covers information not recorded in the minutes or divulged to the public. McIntyre added neither Stayanovich nor Thea Stayanovich, her daughter and fellow board member, were allowed in the room during the in-camera meeting. See THREE, Page 3
Peace on the earth– goodwill to men– And best wishes to our neighbors and friends for an unforgettable holiday season.
Ron 250.368.1162 Darlene 250.231.0527
Kootenay Homes Inc.
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