Merry Christmas – your hydro bill went up page 9
SPOTL SPOT SPOTLIGHT LIGHT $1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Volume 65 Issue 51
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
It’s back to business for Burton Avenue Andrea DeMeer Spotlight Staff
Andrea DeMeer
The Princeton Riding Club spread festive cheer Sunday with its third annual Jingle Bell Ride through the community’s streets. Jessie Maxon of Princeton was one of the riders and carolers who visited homes including Ridgewood Lodge.
Princeton has its very own Grinch Spotlight Staff
Someone has been stealing Christmas lights from the town square and municipal hall. “There’s a Grinch lose in Princeton, that is true,” said Kevin Huey, infrastructure director. “They’ve taken some strings of lights off some of the trees in the square and they pulled lights off the town office building. I noticed this morning [lights have been taken] from the gazebo.” Huey said the thefts and vandalism are especially disappointing as the town made an increased investment in its light display
this season “We put up more lights for sure and those are the ones they are taking…We have a very nice display. I thought it was lovely and everybody was commenting on how nice it looked.” The RCMP has been notified. The town is replacing lights as they disappear.
“I guess my comment is it’s unfortunate and a bit sad that they are doing this. The lights are put up for the enjoyment of all and it just costs everybody money in the end. It’s a bit disappointing to say the least.”
Weather Watch Wednesday
High-4/Low-9
Thursday
High-5/Low-11
Friday
High-6/Low-11
Saturday
High-4/Low-4
Sunday
High0/Low-6
While this year the Town of Princeton strung more lights than ever to beautify the downtown, a local Grinch has been stealing from the displays.
Princeton council settled the thorny issue of land use on Burton Avenue Monday night, approving four business applications for rezoning by giving third reading to a bylaw to amend both its zoning and official plan rules. After months of meetings and petitions the vote was unanimous. Councillor Rosemary Doughty, who moved to pass the amendments, said she had done extensive reading on the issue. “It’s my opinion that it’s important to listen to the people who are residents, as well as the business people and the people who are employed at those businesses,” she said. Council attached conditions to final approval of the amendments, requiring business owners to prepare, present and finance a landscaping plan to improve street aesthetics.. “I believe it represents a compromise,” said Councillor Jerome Tjerkstra. Councillor Doug Pateman called the decision “a happy medium.” Council’s move, changing zoning for the four businesses from residential with grandfathered business rights to service commercial, effectively reverses the intent of the 2008 Official Community Plan. Applicant Susan Robinson, co-owner of Ace Hardware and Fletcher Transport, said she was “thrilled” with the decision. “We trust that the town will be reasonable in its expectation of our landscaping plan given the deer, the property lines and the neighborhood.”
Light Bars make a great Christmas Gift for anyone in the family!
309 Culbertson Way
250-295-0101