Morning gStar
The
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
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N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
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C O M M U N I T I E S
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Y E A R S
It’s Our People who Make
VERNON DODGE
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Vernon
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Landon MacKay
250-545-2261
DLR #5204
IN THE GAME | Lumby celebrates Family Day on ice to show its Hockeyville spirit [A7]
4607 27 TH STREET, VERNON • VERNONDODGE.COM
Cannabis clarification demanded
CARNIVAL CUDDLE
RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
LISA MAZUREK/ MORNING STAR
Leigh Holt cuddles with a three-dayold chick at the Feather Fancier Show and Antiques Sale Sunday at the Vernon Recreation Complex. The event is a Vernon Winter Carnival tradition.
Downtown market may move RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A final decision hasn’t been made, but there appears to be support for adjusting the public market schedule in downtown Vernon. City council was asked Tuesday to allow the Downtown Vernon Association to hold a market in Cenotaph Park on Saturdays between Victoria Day and Labour Day, as well Dalvir Nahal as one Friday night a month on 30th Avenue. “It’s a pretty good proposal,” said Mayor Akbal Mund. “It’s a bold move on their part to try both and see which works best.” The future of the Friday night market has been in question as the city has received
complaints from some merchants about how business and traffic were impacted by the closure of 30th Avenue. Other merchants, though, praised the market for bolstering their profile. Given the difference of opinion, Coun. Catherine Lord says the DVA’s new proposal may be a compromise. “They’ve addressed a lot of the issues,” she said. “I like the idea of what’s happening.” According to DVA executive director Lara Konkin, meeting the needs of all merchants has been a priority. “We have come up with a proposal that will accommodate as many groups as possible,” she said. If approved by council, the Saturday market would run in Cenotaph Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “It will be great for the city and be a fun place for families,” she said.
2016 CR-V LX
The Saturday market would also see existing businesses on 30th Avenue use sidewalks for outdoor cafes or to feature their merchandise and generate foot traffic. “It will allow the street to stay open,” said Konkin of 30th Avenue. Use of Cenotaph Park would require an adjacent alley to be shut off to public traffic, and that is a concern for Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who has a business next door. “On Saturdays, I have clients who (park in the alley) and drop items off,” she said. Konkin believes the DVA can find a solution that benefits those businesses next to the alley. The Friday night market is scheduled for May 27, June 24, July 29 and Aug. 26, and it would be held in a different block each time, meaning limited closure of 30th Avenue. Vernon council members are expected to discuss the DVA’s proposal and make a decision Feb. 22.
Ottawa is being told to clarify the legality of medical marijuana. If there isn’t a clear plan laid out in the upcoming federal budget, the City of Vernon will write a letter to the government insisting that certainty be provided to municipalities, the police, medical marijuana dispensaries and customers when it comes to the regulations. “There have been delays on decisions. It’s been a ping-pong ball back and forth,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham Cunningham after Tuesday’s council meeting. “Everyone is caught in the middle and it needs to be clarified once and for all.” In December, RCMP officers visited Vernon’s five medical marijuana dispensaries to “outline our concerns and the potential ramifications related to business practices which do not comply with the current Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).” As a result of the police action, the operator of a local medical cannabis dispensary told council Jan. 25 there is a need for municipalities to determine the number of outlets and where they are located. City officials insist responsibility for medical marijuana rests at the national level. “We want the federal government to expedite the matter because we’re stuck right now,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. “We need to show it’s of a concern to us and we want it addressed.” While he supported sending a letter to the federal government, Coun. Scott Anderson is concerned some residents may see the city becoming political by favouring or opposing medical marijuana. “By getting involved in this, we’re making it tougher for the police and confusing the public,” he said.
BANNISTER HONDA “A Family Business, with Family Values ”
6425 Hwy 97 N, Vernon BC • bannisterhonda.com 250-545-0531 • 888-545-0531 DL# 8718 ††Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).†Based on Global Automakers of Canada New Vehicle Registrations for calendar year 2015 for the Subcompact Car segment. *Limited time weekly lease offer and all other offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., on approved credit. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2016 CR-V LX RM3H3GE1 for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $72.01 leased at 1.99% APR based on applying $0 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price after taxes). ‡Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $18,722.60. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is $27,885 including freight and PDI of $1,695. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. */#/**Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent’s fee of $5.25, tire/battery tax of $25, or air conditioning tax (where applicable) of $100, all of which are due at time of delivery. Offers valid from February 2nd through February 29th, 2016. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.