EAGLE VALLEY
NEWS
Campaign an education for councillor Page 3
Public positive about council’s fireworks plan Page 5
Wednesday, June 12, 2013 PM40008236
Vol. 55 No. 24 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (GST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com
Council finds compromise over fireworks By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News
Compromise seems to have quelled the public furor over a council decision to move the Canada Day fireworks event to the August long weekend. The decision had sparked a public protest in front of Sicamous’ civic centre on Monday, June. 3. Coun. Terry Rysz, who had supported the decision, told those present that they had been heard, and that the matter would be brought back to council. Subsequently, at a special meeting held Friday, June 7, council voted to rescind the previous decision and move the fireworks display back to Canada Day. Afterwards, council voted in favour of another motion, to split the $20,000 the district has budgeted for fireworks this year so as to hold two shows, with 75 per cent of the funding going towards one on Canada Day, and 25 per cent towards a second in August. These decisions were preceded by comments to the packed council chamber gallery from meeting chair, Mayor Darrell Trouton. He explained the vote to keep fireworks on the August long weekend – At the end of the when they were held last year day, council makes a on account of the state of emer- decision that it feels gency the community was in is best for the comthroughout July – was valid munity as a whole. and legal. The mayor also not- While we can’t please ed he has a vote on all matters, everyone, we can and that no one abstains from listen to everyone. voting. Darrell Trouton “We are not here to force Mayor opinion upon others, but listen to the opinion of others,” said Trouton. “At the end of the day, council makes a decision that it feels is best for the community as a whole. While we can’t please everyone, we can listen to everyone.” Overall, the meeting was civil, though on more than one occasion Trouton was prompted to warn the audience that outbursts would not be tolerated. “We are going to keep this very orderly, and that will be a first warning,” stated Trouton upon receiving a critical comment from the gallery. “After that, we will remove people from the chamber or ask you to leave please. Just so you know, we do plan on keeping this an orderly meeting.” Two RCMP officers were stationed at the council chamber doors throughout. Trouton said after the meetSee District on page 2
Looking to the future: Haley Smith looks on as fellow Eagle River Secondary grad Boris Munro delivers his thoughtful, provocative and often hysterical valedictorian speech Friday evening during the school’s graduation ceremony. For more from this year’s grad, see page 7. Photo by Lachlan Labere