SUMMERLAND REVIEW THE VOICE OF OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1908
VOLUME
67
-
ISSUE
WHAT’S INSIDE:
NO.
30
•
S U M M E R L A N D,
B.C.
•
T H U R S D AY,
J U LY
24,
2014
•
16
PA G E S
•
$1.15
INCLUDING
Park access limited Longboarding event cancelled due to fire danger by John Arendt
ATV jamboree
WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM
Because of the extreme fire hazard, there will be less activity than usual on Giant’s Head Mountain. The Summerland Fire Department has restricted motor vehicle access on the narrow, winding road
in Giant’s Head Mountain Park and the annual Giant’s Head Freeride longboarding event has been cancelled. The road closure took effect July 18 in an effort to limit the risk of personcaused fires in the park. Fire chief Glenn Noble said the last time Giant’s Head Mountain Park was closed to vehicle traffic was in 2003, during one
of the most devastating fire seasons in the region. Hikers are still allowed in the park, but Noble said further restrictions could be put in place unless fire hazard conditions change. On Monday, the longboarding competition was also cancelled. “This wasn’t an easy decision, but for the safety of the community and
the public, it was the right thing to do,” Noble said. “I think the risk is too great.” While the temperatures had cooled over the weekend, the community did not receive much-needed precipitation. As a result, the fire danger rating is unchanged. “If we don’t get some significant rain in the next little while, I fore-
GST
see closures being more extensive,” he said. Mayor Janice Perrino said the longboarding event would have brought around 100 participants to the community. She added that the event organizers had been gracious and professional when the decision was made to cancel this year’s event.
All-terrain vehicle enthusiasts from around the province gathered near Summerland for a jamboree last week.
Page 8
Fires banned
Campfires are prohibited in Summerland and the region as a result of extremely dry conditions.
Page 3
Sun safety
Information on reducing the risk of skin cancer will be presented at the beach.
Page 7
Water wise
Okanagan residents are urged to take a pledge to use water responsibly.
Page 2
Ultraman race
A grueling three-day test of endurance will conclude in Summerland.
Page 11
YOUR SMILE I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.
Single vehicle accident
One person was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 south of Summerland on Tuesday morning. Police are continuing to investigate the accident.
Transit ridership increases by John Arendt
Passengers continue to use Summerland’s scheduled transit service, according to statistics from B.C. Transit. The statistics show a ridership increase of 33.4 per cent over last year. The transit service was introduced Oct. 28, 2013 with service in Summer-
land and to Penticton. “Since local transit service was introduced in the District of Summerland last October, residents have shown that it’s a service they appreciate,” said Dan Ashton, MLA for the riding of Penticton. “A 33 per cent increase in ridership in less than a year is an impressive uptake.”
Meribeth Burton, a corporate representative of B.C. Transit, said the increase in use is significant. “This is a system that’s performing like a mature system,” she said, explaining that the amount of use is similar to transit systems which have been in place much longer.
“What we’ve introduced is extremely popular,” she said. On Tuesday morning, B.C. Transit officials had the Transit Future Bus in Summerland during the country market in an attempt to draw feedback from the community. B.C. Transit officials will later make recommendations to the muni-
cipality for possible service enhancements. Local governments are responsible for transit routes, schedules and fares. When the transit service was introduced last year, the cost to the municipality was estimated at between $48,000 and $54,000 a year. See MUNICIPALITY Page 3