Association of Citizens for Summerland

Monday, June 13, 2005

I'm Inspired!

The field trip covering the 154 hectares of ALR land in West Prairie Valley on the week-end turned out to be a successful event. About 30 people took part, and it was a great way to get some exercise, meet some new people, and explore this piece of land first hand. For me, it only solidified why I think this land needs to be preserved in the ALR. I took part in the longer walk of the two, hiking right from the far west edge, over to the eastern edge, where it lies adjacent to Deer Ridge. This land is beautiful! There are many flat benches and rolling terraces, healthy trees and lots of flowers, birds singing; and the sun shines down on this south facing slope. Just add some irrigation and I could imagine some beautiful vineyards up there. Or, leave it alone and protect it as parkland, as the easy hiking trails are great for the whole family! Right now, as Crown and Municipal land, we all have the opportunity to enjoy this land. Quick access to mountain biking trails, or a liesurely walk with your dog, it's great to have this in our back-yard. Anyway, after some wonderful conversations with fellow concerned Summerland residents, and an enjoyable forest walk, I am more inspired than ever to protect this land as ALR. Whether it is developed for agricultural use in the future, or simply preserved as a green belt around our community, it needs to be kept in the ALR.

Council will vote TONIGHT (June 13th, 7:30 pm) on whether to defer their recommendation for 60 days or forward this application with support, to the ALC. This is a public meeting, Council Chambers, Municipal Hall.

posted by Amie | Permanent Link

5 Comments:

  • I agree. I am not so inspired anymore. I guess I was naive, but I really thought Council would vote to defer this application for 60 days as the AAC recommended. I was shocked and disappointed with this decision. Having said that, It does make me dig my heels in, lift my chin up, and start planning other ways to slow this giant development machine down! We may have lost this battle, but there will be others. We have to be smart, persistant and convincing. We need more people!!!

    By Blogger Amie, at 9:31 a.m.  

  • The real decision is not in Council's hands (fortunately!). The Agricultural Land Commission, not Council, will determine the fate of this large block of land. If many, many people write to the ALC objecting to the removal of this land from the ALR it is highly likely there will be a public hearing in Summerland. If folks don't take the time to write and phone, then it is a done deal.

    By Blogger tony cooke, at 2:56 p.m.  

  • Is someone from the association going to get in touch with the Summerland Review for comment about this and for an appeal to citizens to write the ALC etc. about this proposed exclusion?

    Thanks.
    Laura Dean

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:34 p.m.  

  • A press release was given to the Review on Monday morning. Let's see if the editor does anything with it. Look out for the Penticton Herald, Suzan McIvor is working on an article.
    Letters from a variety of folk to the Review would help - I suggest that we must show that opposition is broadly based and doesn't depend on the few folk who have taken a public lead so far.

    By Blogger tony cooke, at 9:48 p.m.  

  • My apologies to Susan McIver for typing her name incorrectly.

    By Blogger tony cooke, at 10:42 p.m.  

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