Prison not a concern for neighbours

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 22, 2010 12:00 PM

Lumby’s most immediate neighbours aren’t worried about having a prison right next door. The village is investigating the possibility of becoming the site of a correctional facility, and that has generated interest among adjacent jurisdictions. “It could have a positive economic affect on the community,” said Rick Fairbairn, director for Whitevale, Trinity Valley and Mabel Lake. Fairbairn expects some of his constituents, and particularly those closest to Lumby, will wonder about security. “There will be questions but the village has provided opportunities to answer those questions. From the information they have received from other communities, facilities can have a positive affect,” he said.

Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director, says some of his residents are just starting to consider the issue. “They’re hesitant to say it’s a good thing until they know more about it,” he said. However, Foisy says Lumby’s proposal must be considered simply from an economic standpoint. “We’ve lost so much of the logging industry and young families are moving. Keeping the school becomes difficult,” he said. “I’d encourage anything to get jobs. I’m glad Lumby brought it up so it can be looked at.”

Communities to the west are also aware of Lumby lobbying the provincial government for a prison. “As long as the right (safety) procedures are put in place, it could benefit the North Okanagan. It would bring dollars in job-wise,” said Wayne Lippert, Vernon mayor. Lippert admits, though, that he would be concerned that inmates would relocate to Vernon once they had served their sentence. “It only takes one incident to make it tough on everyone.” Jim Garlick, Coldstream mayor, says he’s not opposed to a prison in Lumby. “The inmates won’t be just running around unattended,” he said. Garlick believes employees at a facility could live in Coldstream, bolstering its tax base. “We haven’t had a lot of bright spots in job creation so that would help with that situation,” he said.