The bizarre proposal for a tacky, amusement park-like sign at the waterfront has to be a new low in turning a blind-eye to nature – in this instance, to the natural ecological and scenic wonders of Salmon Arm’s unique foreshore.
Luckily for us all, those natural wonders are already there to be appreciated and respected just the way they are – mostly undiminished – despite incessant, incremental intrusion by unnecessary development.
Too bad, but being ‘whimsical’ (“playfully quaint or fanciful – in an amusing way”) is also unnecessary and out-of-place in the lakeshore’s protected – but precarious – natural environment.
In rejecting the sign’s proposed location, Coun. Chad Eliason and Tim Lavery got it just about right. Coun. Lavery noted how the sign would “obstruct the view of the lake” and Coun. Eliason recognized that “the painting (sign) is the exact background” (of the real lake, itself), and “kind of cheesy.” His idea of an ‘empty’ metal frame with the actual lake-view beyond, seems pretty good, even whimsical!
Could a tourist-interactive digital disco-dance-a-thon Grebe-O-Rama be proposed next? Or continuing the unnatural, survival of the fishest – Hunger Games fish derby? Perhaps Christmas Island dog agility trials? Maybe a high-speed skydiving with the osprey thrill ride with your own personal Osprey?
(Be sure and purchase your dancing Grebe, sharpest fish hook, complimentary dog-walking pass and diving osprey iPad apps at the wharf before the show begins.)
The lakeshore’s conscientious and tireless nature-advocating group – SABNES – includes an “E” for (Nature) Enhancement in its logo. A “cheesy” sign at the waterfront would be anything but!
Tom Crowley
