The City of Armstrong is supporting Spallumcheen’s former mayor’s bid to have the province reconsider its upcoming Multi-Materials B.C. (MMBC) recycling plan.
Will Hansma, owner-operator of the Okanagan Advertiser newspaper, gave a passionate plea to city council, to help support a plan that, Hansma stated, involved little or no consultation with stakeholders.
“It (MMBC plan) is going to affect all of us so much,” said Hansma.
The new plan is slated to take effect in May, though it’s still not clear who will collect recycling in Armstrong, a task currently handled by the Regional District of North Okanagan.
“I think we should ask the province to reconsider the policy,” said Coun. Paul Britton.
“Nobody likes having anything shoved down their throat. Maybe it will come out that some things aren’t working, but you need to involve the people in the industry and consult with them.”
Council voted unanimously to send a letter to Premier Christy Clark, asking the province to reconsider the MMBC plan and to include stakeholders in recycling consultation.
Couns. Ryan Nitchie and John Trainor were absent from Monday’s regular meeting.
The Township of Spallumcheen and City of Enderby have also endorsed Hansma’s concerns.
Marijuana hearing
The public has no concerns or comments about allowing medical marijuana facilities in the city.
No members of the public attended an open hearing on a bylaw amendment that would regulate medical marijuana facilities on agricultural land reserve (ALR) lands.
“We have not received any phone calls, letters or e-mails,” said Mayor Chris Pieper.
The amendment would allow the city to impose municipal restrictions on facilities that may be issued federal licences.
If passed, the bylaw would allow facilities only on ALR properties with a minimum parcel size of one hectare. All activities associated with the production facilities would have to be housed completely within an enclosed building with no outdoor storage or display.
Council unanimously passed third reading of the bylaw amendment. Final adoption still remains.
