Owners urged to spruce up downtown page 3
SPOTL SPOT SPOTLIGHT LIGHT
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The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 18
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Council debates public smoking ban Andrea DeMeer Similkameen Spolight
Smokers will have to butt out in some public areas in Princeton, but council is still debating the extent of its proposed public smoking ban. At a special meeting last Tuesday afternoon councilors reviewed a draft bylaw, and sent it back to staff with suggestions for changes and more information. “I’d like to see us move forward on it,” said Mayor Frank Armitage. “Let’s get a basic bylaw in front of us, one that can grow with the community.” Staff originally proposed restrictions that would make it illegal to smoke in parks, playgrounds, playing fields, splash parks, skate and bike parks or trails where a no-smoking notice has been posted. Additionally staff suggested there be no smoking within 10 meters of the doorway or window of a public facility or during an outdoor special event. First offense fines were set at $25, with $125 for subsequent offenses. Fines of $200 were proposed for smoking in town-owned vehicles, and for obstruction. Armitage told the meeting he believes a public smoking ban needs “a transition period,” and staff was directed to compile a list of parks and
events where no-smoking signs should be posted. “It’s easier to grow non-smokers than to make them,” said town recreation manager Lyle Thomas. “Maybe any park that has playground equipment or where children congregate is where we should have our signage.” Canada Day and Remembrance Day events at Veteran’s Square were identified by councilors as appropriate events to be identified under the bylaw. Smoking currently is prohibited near entrances to the Princeton Museum, Riverside Centre and the municipal pool. Armitage questioned the fairness of banning smoking at baseball parks, where adult teams hold regular games and tournaments. “It’s a social event,” he said. “I think it’s unreasonable to ask people to get up and leave the property and go to the highway to smoke.” Councillor Rosemary Doughty said she believes an effective bylaw must respect both smokers and non-smokers. “I like the idea of being reasonable, of not being heavy handed.” CAO Rick Zerr said the bylaw should be ready for council’s vote at the May 18th regular meeting.
Princeton council still needs to decide which parks and events will be covered by a municipal bylaw to butt out in public.
Coalmont launches David and Goliath battle with Telus Spotlight Staff
The little village of Coalmont is making headlines across the province as it mounts a David-and-Goliath style battle with Telus over the replacement of its public phone booth. While a spokesperson for Telus was emphatic last week that the phone booth – damaged in an attempted murder two months ago –will not be reinstalled, the RDOS says it’s still negotiating with the telecommunications giant.
“The Regional District is working with Telus to try and get something sorted out and to get it replaced,” Area H director Bob Coyne told the Spotlight Monday. “We seem to be having a bit of an issue and we really don’t know where it is going,” he said. “Our emergency services department is working on it, that’s as far as I can go.” The fight for a new phone booth began the day after Coalmont’s only 24-hour access public pay phone was destroyed when it was struck by a speeding car, injuring a man who
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was using the phone to make a call. Rolly Giroux was later charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident. Bob Sterne, who operates the village’s Mozy On Inn with his wife, emailed Telus representatives repeatedly with requests for information about a new phone booth. In an interview with The Spotlight he said responses were infrequent and inconsistent. “We basically kept the pressure on Telus,” said Sterne, who also circulated a petition that received the support of about 50 people in
writing and on-line. Coalmont has a permanent population of approximately 100. “Last week Telus gave us their final answer that they will not be replacing the phone booth.” Sterne said 24-hour access to a public pay phone is critical as Coalmont has no cell phone service, and with its proximity to a popular section of the Trans Canada Trail it needs a pay phone in case of emergencies for “If you are using the trail or coming continued page 3
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