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Vol. 64, Issue 134
Proudly serving Cranbrook and area since 1951
The Sons of Fenrir perform a battle re-enactment at Coronation Park during the Kimberley Medieval Festival. See more on page 4.
Pet waste dispensers targeted by vandals in Cranbrook parks RCMP
Cranbrook RCMP are investigating a series of mischiefs to pet waste bag dispensers that have occurred in local parks dating back to February 2015. Seventeen dispensers have been donated by The Playpen Pet Boarding and Grooming and identified by the business logo on each. On three occasions logos were removed from units at Idlewild Park and once at Kinsman Park. Steps were taken by the owner in May to secure a plexiglass plate over the logos. In June, four of the five units at Idlewild Park were vandalized with black spray paint to obscure the logo. Cranbrook RCMP believe the acts are targeted and seek the public’s assistance in identifying the people responsible. The dispensers are placed by donation at the owners expense and benefit a large population of pet owners. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Cranbrook RCMP at 250-489-3471 or Crimestoppers at 1800-222-8477. Information can also be relayed via web or text based tips with details on canadiancrimestoppers.org.
www.dailytownsman.com
PHOTO COURTESY ANNE MARIE FITZGERALD
Too early for debate Sales up, supply decision, Wilks says down in Cranbrook real estate market C AROLYN GR ANT
Kootenay Columbia MP David Wilks says he is not yet prepared to make any decisions about debates in the riding this fall. Last week NDP candidate Wayne Stetski asked each candidate to put forward a member of his or her campaign staff to meet and pick out dates for debates in Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere, Kimberley, Fernie, Cranbrook and Creston. Bill Green of the Green Party and Don Johnston of the Liberals agreed. However, MP Wilks has a different view. “My plan is to run my campaign the same as I did in 2011,” Wilks said. “It was successful. As we get closer to the writ being dropped, we will make a decision on debates.
F O R T H E TOWN SMAN
MP DAVID WILKS “I’m not committing right now to what I’ll do.” Wilks says he still has the challenge of serving as MP in the riding. “I still have to fulfill my duties as MP and there are a significant number of funding announcements to make.” In 2011, Wilks did not attend debates in Revelstoke, Kimberley, Invermere or Cranbrook.
The local Cranbrook, B.C., market has been active in real estate for the first six months of 2015, according to data compiled by local realtor Jason Wheeldon. The first two quarters of the year saw 135 single family dwellings sold in the City of Cranbrook, an increase of 16.4 per cent over last year. Average sale price has been trending upward and year to date is 3.283 per cent higher than the 2014 average sale price. Supply is lower, with reduction in supply of 8.8 per cent within the market when compared to the same period of 2014. Currently there are 115 single family dwellings offered for sale within the City of Cranbrook on the multiple listing service. The 2011 Census indicates that Cranbrook
has 7,350 single family dwellings within the City. 2015 has been one of the stronger starts within the local market since 2008 and prices are appreciating modestly. Demand has risen, supply has reduced, creating upward momentum in local single family dwelling prices New construction for single family starts is at a lower pace with only eight single family dwellings under construction in 2015. However, with the lower supply of housing available we expect to see an increase in construction to meet demand. Vacancy rates in the City are down with CMHC’s spring report indicating a 1.8 per cent vacancy rate within apartments within the City.
See REAL ESTATE, Page 3