Elks Lodge Back on City's Agenda
Residents of Cummins Road in Okanagan Landing didn't want it before, and they don't want it now. After making a few changes, the City of Vernon is once again considering relocating
the Elks Lodgefrom downtown, to the former Lakers golf clubhouse site, on Cummins Road. Its a similiar proposal to one that caused outrage among residents, and was voted down by counciljust eight months ago. Resident Joel Ellams says they still have the same concerns,"You have to be extremely mindful whenyou're driving down that street because on every second house there's kids. So the last thing thatanyone wants to see on our block is a liquor establishment. You know they can move that thinganywhere, I'm not sure why there is so much favoritism in putting it there." Resident Bruce Stobbe, who attended Monday's council meeting along with Ellams, agrees the Elks Lodge is not wanted in their neighborhood. "Its crazy to put that building there. There's a zillion places the Elks could go but this is park land. Its zoned parks already, and we voted for it." Mayor Wayne Lippert says a change to the street design and shorter opening hours for the Lodge,should make the new plan more acceptable to the residents. he proposal is part of several concept changes to the Waterfront Plan and will next go to a publichearing. Dates and times for the hearing have yet to be determined. (Pete McIntyre)
Residents of Cummins Road in Okanagan Landing didn't want it before, and they don't want it now. After making a few changes, the City of Vernon is once again considering relocating
the Elks Lodgefrom downtown, to the former Lakers golf clubhouse site, on Cummins Road. Its a similiar proposal to one that caused outrage among residents, and was voted down by counciljust eight months ago. Resident Joel Ellams says they still have the same concerns,"You have to be extremely mindful whenyou're driving down that street because on every second house there's kids. So the last thing thatanyone wants to see on our block is a liquor establishment. You know they can move that thinganywhere, I'm not sure why there is so much favoritism in putting it there." Resident Bruce Stobbe, who attended Monday's council meeting along with Ellams, agrees the Elks Lodge is not wanted in their neighborhood. "Its crazy to put that building there. There's a zillion places the Elks could go but this is park land. Its zoned parks already, and we voted for it." Mayor Wayne Lippert says a change to the street design and shorter opening hours for the Lodge,should make the new plan more acceptable to the residents. he proposal is part of several concept changes to the Waterfront Plan and will next go to a publichearing. Dates and times for the hearing have yet to be determined. (Pete McIntyre) City Moves To Make Downtown Safer
After hearing from the Downtown Vernon Association last
meeting, city council hasannounced a number of moves. Five new bylaw enforcement officers have been hired and started work Monday. They will enforce violations 18 hours a day, seven days a week. Council decided not to return to staffing the parkade, but that issue will be revisited insix months. Councillor Jack Gilroy says 35-thousand dollars has been spent on new video camerasfor the parkade. Gilroy says the measures will cost taxpayers 300-thousand dollars, but he feels it will reinforcethat Vernon has the safest downtown in BC. In addition, City staff will be preparing a report looking at removing dumpsters in alleyways.(Pete McIntyre)
After hearing from the Downtown Vernon Association last
meeting, city council hasannounced a number of moves. Five new bylaw enforcement officers have been hired and started work Monday. They will enforce violations 18 hours a day, seven days a week. Council decided not to return to staffing the parkade, but that issue will be revisited insix months. Councillor Jack Gilroy says 35-thousand dollars has been spent on new video camerasfor the parkade. Gilroy says the measures will cost taxpayers 300-thousand dollars, but he feels it will reinforcethat Vernon has the safest downtown in BC. In addition, City staff will be preparing a report looking at removing dumpsters in alleyways.(Pete McIntyre)
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