SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
66
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ISSUE
NO.
18
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S U M M E R L A N D,
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
B.C.
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T H U R S D AY,
M AY
2,
2013
WHAT’S INSIDE:
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24
PA G E S
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$1.15
The annual Arts Appreciation Award was presented on Friday evening.
Page 15
Political issues
Candidates answer questions about their platforms and policies.
Pages 7-8
Animal aid
Critteraid, Summerland’s animal sanctuary, is looking to reduce the number of cats in its care.
Page 18
Beach clean-up
Dog owners gathered to clean up at Peach Orchard Beach on the weekend.
Page 10
Benefit concert
A concert this weekend will raise money to help women in North Africa.
Page 16
Coaching career
A skating coach has trained many Summerlanders over the years.
Page 19
YOUR SMILE It was love at first sight. Then I took a second look.
Preparing for a launch
Students at Summerland Secondary School are preparing to launch a balloon this morning, if the weather conditions allow for it. From left are Emily Henderson, careers teacher Trevor Knowlton and Ryan Varchol.
Students plan balloon launch by John Arendt
If weather conditions cooperate, students at Summerland secondary School will release a balloon this morning. During its 2.5-hour flight, the balloon is expected to travel east 100 to 150 kilometres, reaching an altitude of more than 34,000 metres. Trevor Knowlton,
careers teacher at the high school, said the balloon will carry a series of cameras, an aircraft transponder and a spot GPS unit to track its location. It will also have a digital video recorder to record the video and still images from the flight. Emily Henderson, a Grade 11 student, will coordinate a live broadcast to the McMillan
Space Centre in Vancouver while Ryan Varchol, in Grade 12, will coordinate the filming which will be sent to the International Space Station. Knowlton said around 20 students, from film, broadcast, woodworking, metal work, textiles and art are involved in the balloon project.
See LAUNCH Page 23
GST
Abattoirs excluded by John Arendt
Arts award
INCLUDING
A slaughterhouse proposed for the James Lake Industrial Area will not go ahead now that municipal council has amended its zoning bylaw. The amendment prohibits abattoirs on properties with M1, M2 and M3 zoning designations. These designations are for light, heavy and agricultural industry. Council passed second, third and final readings of the bylaw at a special meeting on Monday evening, before a full crowd in council chambers. Most of those who spoke at the public hearing were opposed to the abattoir. In addition, council had received earlier letters in opposition as well as a 75-name petition opposing slaughterhouses in the industrial area. Allan Murray, who presented the petition, said residents were concerned with the amount of activity from the proposed abattoir. “There seems to be no limit to the number of animals which can be brought in,” he said. Kim Lawton said she is concerned about a decrease in the value of her Palmer Place property if an abattoir is set up nearby. “It doesn’t need to be in an industrial park, right beside a residential area,” she said. Kelsey Van Alphen of Alder Street Auto Body said the proposed slaughterhouse will have a much more noticeable effect on the area than industrial operations. He said he tries to be respectful of his neighbours by limiting the times when he is using equipment at his shop, “but cows aren’t respectful because they’re animals,” he added.
He said abattoirs belong in agricultural areas, not residential areas. Lisa Scott, who has lived in the area since 2005, said air, smell and noise are all retained in the area. She added that controls are needed for abattoirs. “Regulations are only as good as they are enforced,” she said. Brenda Murti said she has concerns about the effects of a slaughterhouse on the community. “Summerland is a good-feeling, healing area,” she said. “What about the negative vibrations from the animals?” Brian Adams, who lives on a hobby farm and raises cattle, said good regulations are needed. He said he has butchered cattle on his property without incident. “Noise shouldn’t be a factor if it’s organized properly,” he said. “Smell shouldn’t be a factor if it’s organized properly.” He added that the proposed operation is small and that other communities have had abattoirs in operation without problems. Coun. Lloyd Christopherson suggested the proposed abattoir be relocated to land within the Agricultural Land Reserve. “It’s a land use issue,” he said. “An abattoir should be on agricultural land.” “I don’t think it’s an appropriate location,” added Coun. Martin Van Alphen. “I would support an abattoir on agricultural land. That’s where it belongs.” Coun. Peter Waterman, the only member of council not in support of the bylaw amendment, said commercial land uses are not allowed on lands within the land reserve.