Barb Brower
Black Press
The 2012 version of the annual Summer Stomp in Silver Creek is a go despite concerns.
The motorcycle and music festival runs from Thursday to Sunday.
Falkland director Rene Talbot says he’s received e-mails and phone calls from Silver Creek residents concerned about noise and wanting to know the music would be shut down at midnight.
He also wants protection of the Salmon River, which runs along the property.
“We spent a lot of money on the Salmon River, I don’t want garbage thrown in,” he said.
“I will be going, but not in leather. I’d like to go out and see that they’re following the rules and, if they don’t, they won’t be having one next year.”
That would suit Sgt. Dave Evans, head of rural operations at the Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP.
In a letter to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Evans addresses the issue of seeking approval of the RCMP and complying with RCMP recommendations, as set out in the regional district’s proposed use agreement for the stomp.
“There seems to be some confusion around the approval aspect, and if the CSRD board is still requiring RCMP approval as an aspect of the proposed agreement, I must reiterate that I do not approve of the current security plan and I do not believe steps have been taken to comply with recommendations,” he wrote.
Evans says his No. 1 concern is a failure by stomp organizers to acquire a liquor licence that would have restricted liquor consumption to a designated area.
“I have recommended that organizers clearly mark and identify the camping area and use signs advising that no alcohol is permitted outside that area.”
Evans further recommends organizers use volunteer security to ensure alcohol is not consumed outside of an individual’s camping area.
“This is a recommendation that they may attempt to achieve, but with the setting of the event, the volunteer use of security, and camping being on the same site as the event itself, it will not likely be accomplished.”
Second on Evans’ list of concerns is the fact that even if organizers install fencing, knowing who is entering or leaving will be difficult.
The remoteness of the proposed site is also an issue that could result in delayed response time of police or other emergency services, he notes.
Also on the sergeant’s list of concerns is the lack of detail in a plan by Stomp organizers to offer a shuttle bus service.
“The details of this need to be added to their plan and designed in such a way as to provide a viable option for persons wanting to depart,” he wrote.
