Trail Daily Times, March 05, 2013

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TUESDAY

S I N C E

MARCH 5, 2013

Smokies clinging to playoff hope

1 8 9 5

Vol. 118, Issue 36

110

Page 11

$

INCLUDING H.S.T.

PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO

Group questions proposed sale of Glenmerry lot

Pigeon plan on hold

BY SHERI REGNIER

BY SHERI REGNIER

The City of Trail’s proposal to dispose of a riverfront Glenmerry lot has sparked a citizen’s group into action. The Glenmerry Citizens Group has begun a petition process that requires 600 signatures by 4 p.m. on April 2, to stall the sale of the green space and bring the transaction to referendum. “When this all started it was about saving our park,” said Joanne Crossman, from the citizens group. “Once a park is gone, that’s it, we will never get that coveted green space back,” she said. In a Letter to the Editor in today’s Trail Times, Helen Basttistella, who lives right next to the lot, questions the perception that it’s a public park. “Has any member of the citizen’s group ever taken the time to walk through the park to the edge overlooking the river?,” she wrote. “If they did, they would get some idea of the extent of the dumping. “It is a convenient place for some people to dump their yard waste including discarded vegetables and fruit, rather than the free city pickup in the spring and fall. Perfect conditions for the bear problem I contend with.” But what began as a “save our park” initiative, has grown into so much more, explained Crossman. She is referring to the proposed adoption of bylaw 2750, which was given a first, second and third reading at the Feb. 12 Trail council meeting. The City of Trail intends to adopt the bylaw on April 8, which will allow for the disposal of a large waterfront lot on Rosewood Drive in Glenmerry for the sum of $115,000 to just one bidder. “I’m not a ‘front end’ kind of person, but there are so many questions I have about the process of disposal of this land.” Additionally, no sign was ever posted on the property, nor were any neighbouring residents informed of the proposed sale of the lot. “We read a little ad in the paper,” she said. “Only by fluke did I happen to see it in the back page classified section.” Crossman explained that the city opted to use a notice of “alternative approval” process to notify citizens of the city’s sales agreement and intent to sell this prime piece of real estate. This process requires the intention to enact a bylaw (sale) by publishing an ad in a local newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks. “If citizens allow city council to adopt this bylaw it will set a precedence which will allow See CITY, Page 3

The pigeons will be holding their roosts for now. The City of Trail announced in a press release on Monday that its Pigeon Control Program is currently on hold. Due to miscommunications in the proposed contract with the pest control service provider, the city has decided to take no action until all details of the contract have been clarified, said the release. “I have received numerous calls, too many to count on this pigeon control program,” said Warren Proulx, engineering technician and city administrator of the pigeon control contract. “I have been in discussion with Care Pest and am waiting for an official response from them.” The city said that any changes to the original proposal would be presented for approval by council before an official contract is signed. “We will clear up any misunderstandings with the service provider, discuss with council and decide how to proceed,” said Mayor Dieter Bogs. Boggs explained that council wants to deal with the pigeon problem in the city, but is seeking clarity on the details of the contract before doing so. At a council meeting on Feb. 25, the city approved $25,000 for the Care Pest and Wildlife Control Ltd., of Burnaby, to eliminate the ongoing pigeon problem in downtown Trail. The plan included trapping the pigeons and transporting them to the lower mainland to be donated to a pigeon trainer.

Times Staff

Times Staff

SHERI REGNIER PHOTO

Appraiser Peter Blundell brought his expertise to the Warfield Hall on Friday and Saturday. Blundell estimated the value of a treasure trove of items during each 15-minute session at the “Antiques-What’s It Worth?” show. See more photos on Page 2.

Local hidden gems appraised BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff

A cornucopia of collectibles was dusted and polished for appraisal at the “Antiques from the Attic-What’s it Worth?” show at the Warfield Hall on the weekend. Over 40 avid antiquers not only received an estimated value for their family heirlooms, but in some cases, a funny anecdote and advice on use, by Peter Blundell. Blundell, an advisory expert for the CBC Antiques Roadshow, was on hand to research the origin of treasures that ranged from: a Georgian silver teapot from 1825; an 1880’s rose-hued pottery wash set (with only one tiny chip); a child’s chair from 1890s Austria; and, a remarkable find to the appraiser himself, a Gasparo violin dating back to 16th century Europe. Blundell couldn’t even speculate on the

value of the rare Italian instrument, with only 80 known to exist today. Instead, he passed along contact information to the flabbergasted violin heir, so the research could continue with the help of musical instrument experts, located in Vancouver. The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said that a grandfather passed down the instrument. “Not much else is known about how he got it yet, other than a little history from a great-uncle.” Blundell’s appraisal of the rare find drew a reaction from a spectator. “Oh my gosh, that’s the instrument the whole neighbourhood had to listen to being practiced, when I was a kid,” the voice quipped. See EVENT, Page 2

Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242

Waneta Plaza is here for all your shopping needs! • Ardene • Athlete’s World • Bogie & Bacall Hair Salon • Bootlegger • Crockett Book Company • Dollarama • McAuley’s No Frills • No Frills Pharmacy

• Pro Vision Optical • Red Cross Loan Cupboard • Reitmans • Ricki’s • Suzanne’s • The Source • Waneta Gas Bar • Waneta Plaza Lottery Ticket Centre

• Warehouse One The Jean Store • Your Vitamin Store • Zellers Financial • Kootenay Savings Credit Union ATM • Scotiabank

Restaurants / Food Court • Colander Express • Eastern Wok • Sushiyo • Tim Horton’s

Free parking • Free kids playroom and ball pit • Late Night Shopping Thurs. & Fri. to 9pm

2nd Floor Professional Offices • Dr. DeGreef, Plastic Surgeon • Dr. Le Moel, Chiropractor • Dr. Morency, Dr Scheepers Ophthalmologists • Septen Financial Ltd • Waneta Primay Care Clinic

250.368.5202

Canada Post, Contract number 42068012

5 min. east of Trail on Hwy 3B


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