The Columbia Valley’s Newspaper Since 1956
From Canal Flats to Spillimacheen
VALLEY ECHO T he
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Vol. 57 56 Issue Issue 40 Vol. 12
invermerevalleyecho.com
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BERNIE RAVEN CHRIS RAVEN 1-866-598-7415 TEAMRAVEN.CA Offices in Panorama, Invermere & Fairmont
Hovercraft fundraising makes strides Pg A4
Feathered hat profits donated upon retirement Pg A10
Agreement encroaching on business relations
MaxWell Realty Invermere
New friends lend a lift
KRISTIAN RASMUSSEN The Valley Echo
A group of Invermere businesses have begun voicing their concerns about an agreement between the district and street vendors they feel is encroaching on their profits. The encroachment agreement, which has created some controversy among the local business community, is a document between the district and owners of street vending stalls operating on district property. “My primary concern with the encroachment agreement is that vendors who come in to town to sell during the summer months are selling items that are identical to existing businesses,” said Yolande Dolman of River Gems. “I don't have an issue with street vendors, but it would be nice to see them setting up things that are perhaps not represented by permanent store owners.” Jurassic Gems, who were approved for a one-year encroachment agreement by the District of Invermere at the Tuesday, February 26th council meeting, sell products very similar to Ms. Dolman’s business. “When we bought this store the vendor in question had already been approved last year,” she said. “At the time the store was for sale, and I didn't know that the vendor had applied.” In addition to the concern regarding product duplication, street vendors are not paying a fair rent in the downtown core, Ms. Dolman added. “I think there are people in town that feel that street vendors add to the flavour and ambiance of Invermere and I think that's fine, but it would be nice to see people contributing to things going on in town instead of taking their money back out of the area.”
KRISTIAN RASMUSSEN PHOTO Firefighter Billy Robideau lifts Cash McKay into an Invermere Fire Rescue truck during a demonstration held on Thursday, March 14th behind the Sonshine Daycare in Invermere. The firefighters were there as part of an outreach program intended to build trust between youngsters and firefighters, who can intimidate children when dressed in their full protective gear.
CONTINUES TO 'DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES' ON PAGE A9
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