FRIDAY
S I N C E
MARCH 28, 2014
1 8 9 5 Smokies’ spring camp hits the ice
Vol. 119, Issue 50
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Page 11
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Well can’t sustain rodeo grounds: Trail
VISAC SPINS NEW SHOW
frosty’s
liquor store “freeze the beak off a penguin cold!”
BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
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It’s almost the weekend...
Time to visit Maglio’s!
Hwy 22A 250.368.6466
Fred Behrens
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All Pro Realty Ltd. 1st Time Home Buyer Specialist 250.368.5000 ex.31
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SELKIRK SECURITY SERVICES 250-368-3103
ART HARRISON PHOTO
Heather Hurst of the Trail Pottery Club, puts some finishing touches on a newly thrown pot before letting it dry for firing. The Visac Gallery is presenting “Pottery – Follow the process” until April 4, presenting some of the work of the pottery club and other local potters.
First there must be water before a horse can be led to drink. The future of the Trail Horseman’s Society is looking dry as the organization grapples with the loss of water service. The rodeo grounds across the highway from the Trail Regional Airport were left in the dust after a 45-year water service between Montrose and the Trail Horseman’s Society ended two years ago, after the village’s water upgrades were too onerous for the non-profit to invest in. The 108- member group was again left high and dry after a “Well Access Agreement” between the society and the airport’s previous owner, the regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), fell by the wayside after Trail began negotiations to purchase the airstrip property last summer. When Trail took ownership of the airport earlier this year, the riding organization approached the city to request running a waterline under the highway to connect to the airport well. The Horseman’s Society stated in a letter to the city that it is desperate for a water supply and that pumping from the well was the only viable option to keep the facility up and running. After reviewing the city’s engineering report at Monday’s governance committee meeting, Trail council rejected the proposal, citing
significant regulatory and technical issues related to the use of untreated well water. “There are a number of regulatory issues and legal considerations,” said David Perehudoff, Trail’s chief administrative officer (CAO). “Given the amount of water that the society is looking for, it was a significant concern in terms of the draw on the well and how well the can recover.”
“There are a number of regulatory issues and legal considerations.” DAVID PEREHUDOFF
During roundup events, the water draw could have the pump running 16 hours per day to meet the Horseman Society’s demand, and that would result in expedited deterioration of the well, he added. Additionally, Trail would have to cough up upwards of $110,000 to develop a groundwater management plan to include wellhead protection provisions, a long-term disinfection program of non-potable water, and a contingency plan in the event of an emergency. “We do understand that the regional district has done some work on the disinfection issue,” explained the CAO. “But when you take it all into consideration and given the costs we are not in a position to provide water at this time.” See RDKB, Page 3
New sergeant joins Trail detachment BY ART HARRISON Times Staff
Cpl. Dave Johnson is ready to get back to his regular beat after acting as sergeant for the Trail and Greater District RCMP detachment. “I’ve been acting sergeant for four months and I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “The job has mostly been managing staff and the budget, it’s been interesting. But the permanent sergeant should be here at the end of April or early May and I’ll go back to my supervisory position where I’m actually out catching the bad guys.”
Johnson has been managing the detachment since early January when long-term staff sergeant, Rob Hawton, retired. Sgt. Darren Oelke, who was stationed in Trail eight years ago, will be coming from Prince George to take over the management of the detachment. “I’ve been in Trail for 13 years and I’ve enjoyed my time here,” said Hawton. “I’ve served around B.C. and I think this is one of the best areas in the province to live. I’m sure he’ll (Sgt. Oelke) enjoy it here.
“I think it says something that he worked here before and wants to come back to the community.” Prior to hanging up his hat, Johnson presented local crime statistics to Trail council at their regular Monday night meeting.
ROB HAWTON
Results showed a slight increase in sexual assaults, robberies, motor vehicle thefts and drug offences, while assaults, break and enters, theft and mischief were down for the Silver City. “Even with the statistic for robbery showing an increase, it’s important to note that only one of those was an actual robbery of a convenience store with a knife,” said Johnson, referring to the robbery of the downtown Trail 7-Eleven store in December of 2013. See CRIME, Page 3
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