TUESDAY
S I N C E
OCTOBER 22, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 166
105
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INCLUDING G.S.T.
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Council exploring ways to improve Gulch properties
FALL FUN
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
As curb appeal takes centre stage along Victoria Street, a forlorn stretch of certain properties along Rossland Avenue are tarnishing the Silver City’s shiny new look. The city has been monitoring the crumbling facades of many Rossland Avenue homes and businesses and earlier this year, council directed civic staff to investigate opportunities that may offer renovation incentives to the owners of derelict properties. “The Gulch provides an important visual and physical entrance into the City of Trail,” said Michelle McIsaac, Trail’s corporate officer (CO) in her brief to council at the Oct. 15 governance meeting. “The historical importance to the area has diminished over the years by urban decay,” she explained adding,“the purpose of this report is to outline existing measures for either requiring or encouraging private property upkeep and to determine if council wishes to expand on incentives offered.” Mary Zanier, a 62-year resident of Rossland Avenue, remains hopeful that she will see the Gulch revitalize itself and once again become a centre of the Trail community. Zanier lives in the house her family bought in 1951 after immigrating to Canada from Italy. However, the property is a far cry from what it used to be, starting with her windows, all of which are barred to keep out intruders. “To me, the Gulch is inside my blood,” she said. “People ask why I don’t move out. I say ‘no.’ I am proud of where I live but sad to see the way it has gone down hill,” she said, adding, “it will never be what it used to be but hopefully it can become a decent place to live again and everyone can feel free and happy.” To date, one option the city has implemented is an order under the unsightly premises bylaw, See GRANTS, Page 3
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
Eight-year-olds Ripley Shubert, Kalum Power and Sam Bartlett took jumping in leaves to new heights on yet another glorious fall day on a backyard trampoline in Rossland.
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
Trail representative headed for awards ceremony BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
A long-time blooming volunteer is getting ready to represent the City of Trail at this month's Communities in Bloom awards ceremony. Bill Garnett, owner of Columbia Garden Greenhouses, will attend the event scheduled for
Wednesday to Saturday in Ottawa on behalf of Trail Community in Bloom chair Dan Rodlie and his wife Lana. Last year he attended the event alongside the Rodlies, which was fitting since the city was recognized as best floral city in Canada. “I'm just glad that the city got behind Communities in Bloom
in the very beginning and has supported (Trail) Community in Bloom all through these years,” said Garnett. “Without the support of the city council, we just wouldn't be able to do it.” Trail has kept its standards high for over a decade, scoring the maximum five-bloom rating
for 10 of the 11 years it's competed in the competition that invites judges into communities to rate criteria. The city welcomed two judges in July to critique it on categories such as environmental action, heritage, community involvement and tidiness in an international Communities in Bloom
competition for a population of under 10,000. Though the city was going up against some communities across the world, it was also challenging its neighbour, Castlegar. There's a win in sight, according to Garnett who has always held high expectations of Trail. See VOLUNTEER, Page 2
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