EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Sicamous RCMP welcome new commander Page 5
Martial arts coach brings home gold Page 7
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013 PM40008236
Vol. 54 No. 4 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (HST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
CSRD washes hands of flood responsibility By Barb Brouwer
Eagle Valley News
Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors are resolute in their belief that flood management remains a provincial responsibility, just as it is with wild land interface fires. Directors at last week’s board meeting in Salmon Arm unanimously approved a resolution that will be sent to the Southern Interior Local Government Association for consideration at their convention in May. The issue arose from widespread flooding experienced in the Shuswap last spring. “In the aftermath of the flooding in Sicamous and Swansea Point, various provincial officials indicated that the local authority is responsible for carrying out flood protection and mitigation works,” wrote chief administrative officer Charles Hamilton in his report to the board, pointing out this position is contrary to board policy W-5, which states the regional district will not respond to flooding events. “The issues relating to a local government providing flood management to Crown waterways are numerous and include the process for establishing the service, determining who would fund the service, the method of taxation and acquiring the necessary expertise to manage such flood incidents, to name a few.” Following discussion with staff from CSRD and the Regional District of North Okanagan and senior government officials, it was recommended that a See Mayor hopes on page 2
Found talent: Gordon Mackie discovers he has a knack and passion for painting as a member of the newly-formed Wednesday Arts for Everyone held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Red Barn. Photo by Lachlan Labere
Sicamous among locations considered to host Summer Stomp
By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
The Salmon Arm Fall Fairgrounds and Sicamous are options being considered by Summer Stomp organizers for the event’s home in 2013. Steve Hammer, treasurer with the nonprofit Summer Stomp committee, confirmed Friday that the fairgrounds is one of three locations being looked at for their event, billed by the organization as the “best biker charity party going.” “It is very preliminary but it is an option, and we actually have a meeting coming up on the 24th of January… and we’ll have some more clear direction of which one
we’ll be pursuing at that time,” has not committed to leasing Hammer explained. the grounds. On Monday, Salmon Arm “I would understand they city council considered a letter would like to hold their annual from RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin general meeting first, and their Keane, who says he’s been ad(AGM) is in February,” said vised that the Summer Stomp Harrison. “So they haven’t Steve Hammer “is seeking approval to use the made a decision if they want to Summer Stomp fairgrounds” for 2013. Keane lease the grounds…” also notes the city is responHarrsion said he advised sible for 100 per cent of costs the board that if they decided related to “special events” outto lease the grounds for the side of the municipal policing contract. Stomp, they “should consider collecting Coun. Alan Harrison said the Stomp’s in- an amount to help pay for RCMP policing terest in the fairgrounds has come before the costs.” fair’s board of directors, and that the board Despite there being no application from
the Stomp, or further details available, Coun. Chad Eliason said he was supportive of the group using the fairgrounds. However, he said he wouldn’t support a request for a noise bylaw extension. Eliason said he also wouldn’t consider an application from the Stomp to the Agricultural Land Commission to use adjacent agricultural land for campgrounds, as is done for Roots and Blues. Coun. Denise Reimer agreed with both conditions. This, however, is not a concern for Hammer. He said if the Stomp goes to the fairgrounds, the committee will not be making either application to the city. See Noise issues on page 2