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Fire risk prompts notices

A brief update on the goings on at the Midway Council table.
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Public Works Foreman John Boltz delivered his quarterly report to Midway Council at their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 18. When asked by Councillor Gary Schierbeck if the works crew was still cutting weeds on untended vacant lots, he and village administrator Penny Feist explained that the village has had to write off over $2,000 in bills owing for cutting weeds on empty lots.

In the past the village policy was to mow unsightly vacant lots, billing the owner and, if the bill went unpaid, adding the charges to the property tax bill.

Feist said that some property owners refused to pay, claiming they had not asked for the work to be done. She said the village would continue to mow weeds when they become a fire hazard. Property owners will be notified of the needed work beforehand, but if the village has to look after the problem because of a fire risk, the charges will be billed and added to the property tax bill if necessary.

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Midway Library chairperson Susan Lang formerly introduced the new library director, Nicole Ferrier. They announced that beginning Sept. 1, the library would no longer be open on Saturday. The hours of operation will be coordinated with Boundary Pharmacy. The library will now be open on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Riverfront Park campground manager Steve Stewart came to offer his insight on the proposed advertising of Riverfront Park in the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association “Our Travel Experiences 2015” guide at a cost of $250. He noted the information is already available in a province-wide guide available at Visitor Centres. “There are probably better ways to spend the money.”

Council decided to back away from the ad, instead putting the money toward signage at the three village entrances that will advertise the Boundary Country brand that was adopted in 2011. The branding campaign has an online presence at BoundaryBC.com. Council had rejected, as too small, branding decals at their last meeting.

Stewart told council that the campground is totally full approximately five or six times each season. Kettle River Day and August long weekend are already fully booked a year ahead.

There are 20 spots altogether. Of the 12 in the main part, eight have power, and there are another 10 in the group site. Expansion of the campground and the addition of washrooms continue to be on council’s wish list and the meeting gave council an opportunity to hear Stewart’s thoughts on options.

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Work continues on the proposed sale of a portion of Palmerston Avenue to the owners of The Spot. Council has received an appraisal report from Dave Marshall estimating the market value of the land at $28,500. Negotiations continue.

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An email request regarding street naming came from Trish Pannell who spoke of her grandparents, Howard and Lottie Pannell, as pioneers of Midway and requested that council consider the family name should a street naming opportunity present itself. Council voted to place the information in a file for future consideration.

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As she wrote in a letter to the editor published in the Times last week, Heather Remillard proposed to council that they purchase property and develop an RV park. Council’s response was that the issue has been referred to the regional district planning department for comment and Remillard will be informed that her letter is being kept on file.

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Mark your calendars. Council voted to support a request by the Boundary World Suicide Prevention Day Planning Committee for use of James G. McMynn Park from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 for a community barbeque, a kite flying activity and awareness session.

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During question period, former councillor Martin Fromme said the recent fires in the Kettle Valley that were handled by the fire department, “showed the wisdom of this council going ahead with this fire extension. You probably saved the province a lot of money. It’s already proven itself to be valuable not only to Midway but to the province as well.”