A group of East Kootenay citizens concerned with the regularity of road clearing has set up a Facebook page called “Taking Back East Kootenay Highways.”
Over a year old now, the growth of this page has allowed organizers to create a webpage, Ekhighways.org.
“This website is designed to help you make your voice heard and to provide information to those who do not have access to Facebook,” said co-administrator of the website Greg Johnson in a press release.
The group is planning a peaceful protest on Jan. 20 at 100 Cranbrook Street, Cranbrook. This is the office of Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.
Bennett has come out in support of the current road clearing and winter maintenance company, Mainroad East Kootenay. The company is under a provincial contract and they are up for a contract renewal this year.
There are voices on both sides of this issue. East Kootenay residents have also spokeout in support of the company, believing that the roads are well maintained for the season and instead shift blame onto drivers not sufficiently preparing their vehicles and driving to conditions.
The peaceful sit-in will aim to show that the current contractor is unacceptable and should not have their contract renewed, opting to recruit another company to maintain the roads and highways.
