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APRIL 15, 2015
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Vol. 64, Issue 72
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Fire Hall future fans flames of debate ARNE PETRYSHEN
As Monday night’s city council meeting was drawing to a close, Coun. Danielle Cardozo brought forward her concerns about the nature of the debate about putting Fire Hall no. 1 up for sale. Cardozo said there is a lot of feedback coming in from the public on the issue and she would like to see more
public input brought forward before council makes a decision. “It’s been made clear that there is a lot of voice — for, against. Whether it has to do with the Arts Council or not, it’s heritage, it’s culture. Clearly residents of Cranbrook are saying they want to have a voice in this. I would like to see some sort of community consultation
on this regarding the use — whether it be preservation, selling, arts council, private interests, anything.” Cardozo asked if the communication department could look into a consultation process that would be far-reaching and cost-effective. Mayor Lee Pratt responded with his opinion on the matter. He acknowledged
that there has been a lot of discussion on the issue, but said most of it has been one-sided. He said on top of the letters to the editor in the newspaper, he’s been inundated with emails from people who don’t live in or pay taxes to Cranbrook. He said they also have a strong opinion on the matter. “A lot of it seems to be directed to a specific group
of people, namely the CDAC (Cranbrook and District Arts Council),” Pratt said. “All credit to them — they’ve done a great job organizing that — but the truth of the matter is I don’t think the public realizes the money that the city spends on arts and culture in Cranbrook.” Pratt said he is taking part in an exercise at the moment
“When dispensaries have gone to court, the court consistently recognizes that we’re helping people, that the federal government’s medical marijuana program is a failure; and they are not willing to treat it like a serious crime.”
to find out how much the city has spent. “I know last year one arts and culture organization got almost $146,000 from the city,” he said. “I know that this year, my rough estimate is we have already allotted $300,000 to the arts and culture. The issue that we’re hearing is that we’re not supporting it, and that’s not true.” Pratt said his message to the public is that if you’re not in favour then get your voice heard. “By all means, let’s be heard,” Pratt said. “It’s that silent majority that we keep thinking about.” But Pratt also noted that the fire hall was an issue in the election as pointed out in a recent Letter to the Editor. “I believe 100 per cent that it was, and I would also point out the fact that it seems that everybody that was in favour about it didn’t get elected or re-elected,” Pratt said. “We’ve spent thousands and thousands of dollars, of time and money of the city on this issue and going to a referendum or prolonging it further is just going to cost more money. The end result is that I think we were elected to make a decision and we should do that within the next couple of weeks and get on with it.” Coun. Tom Shypitka agreed. “I think the people of Cranbrook need a voice, and we’re that voice,” Shypitka said. “To ask any further is kind of anti-production on what we were elected to do. There’s a lot of hard decisions to be made. I think we’re all intelligent people up here. I think we’ll look at all the facts. I think nobody’s biased one way or another, we’re all looking out what’s best for Cranbrook.” Coun. Norma Blissett pointed out that it is really two issues — the future of the fire hall and a location for the arts council.
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TREVOR CRAWLEY PHOTO
Following the judging of all the projects, medals were awarded at the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair on Friday afternoon at the College of the Rockies. Pictured above, the silver medal winners in the Grade Six category receive their hardware. See more, Page 2.
KIMBERLEY
Couple wants to open medical cannabis dispensary CAROLYN GRANT
Medical marijuana is a growth industry, says Tamara Duggan of Kimberley. Duggan and her husband, Rod, were at Kimberley City Council on Monday evening, informing Council of their plans to open Tamarack Dispensaries, purveyors of high quality medicinal
cannabis products, in Kimberley. Medical marijuana can be distributed through Health Canada, but that only allows for the purchase of dried plant product from authorized growers. But Duggan says there are many who could benefit from the medicinal qualities of cannabis
who don’t wish to inhale it. Their plan is to promote the use of edible cookies, butters, oils and tinctures in a storefront that is “upscale and clinical”. “Image is everything in the dispensary business,” Duggan said. “We will be as presentable and professional as any pharmacy.”
Tamarack Dispensaries will be a member of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. The CAMCD’s vice president is Dana Larsen, who headed up the decriminalization of marijuana petition last year. “I like to say we are not legislated,” Larsen said.