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| Morning Star File Photo |
It appears like Lumby won’t become the home of a new prison. Premier Christy Clark and Solicitor General Shirley
Bond will attend a press conference with Osoyoos Indian Band Chief
Clarence Louie in Oliver at 10:30 a.m. Monday. A media advisory
indicates there will be an announcement, “befitting public safety and
job creation for families in the Okanagan.” Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, would not speculate on the outcome of the press conference. “I have been told there will be an announcement tomorrow,” he told The Morning Star. Lumby, the Osoyoos Indian Band, the Penticton Indian Band and Summerland had applied for a 360-cell facility. However, the concept of a prison divided Lumby residents. During a referendum in April, 56 per cent of those who
voted in the village said yes to a prison while 44 per cent said no. In
adjacent Area D of the North Okanagan Regional District, 34 per cent
voted yes while 66 per cent voted no. While some residents insisted a facility would bolster
the economy and draw new families to the area, others were concerned
about public safety and that Lumby’s image may become one of a prison
town. Foster believes Monday’s decision — no matter what it is — will be good for residents of Lumby and area. “It will be done,” he said of the debate that has dominated the community. Look for more details shortly after an announcement is made Monday at www.vernonmorningstar.com
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