Editor:

Re: KTW story of Nov. 7 outlining increased fines for those who dump illegally (‘Do this and risk a new $500 fine’):

Posting signs and media advertisements will be an ineffective and costly measure if city bylaw officers do not do their job, which either has obviously been the case or Kamloops is seriously understaffed.

Contractors throughout the city, especially in the Pineview area, have been flagrant in their disregard of any and all bylaws concerning construction waste.

This has been an unsightly mess for months.

The garbage strewn from the building of the new condos along Copperhead Drive heading into Pineview Valley, and from the new homes adjacent to Hugh Allan and Copperhead drives, has increased in the last month to resemble another Batchelor Heights problem.

But the culprits in this case — contractors — literally do not care and openly continue to leave the garbage where it lands.

I placed a call to the city’s bylaw-enforcement department and was told a report would be noted and I would receive a call back.

This was a month ago.

I placed a call to one of the realtors who encourages homebuyers to purchase in this area — but, again, no results.

It should not be up to residents to have to talk to the contractors.

The area park’s walkabout has deteriorated and the stretch of Hugh Allan from Copperhead to Pacific Way is a disgrace.

The wind has blown all this waste throughout the area. Once winter and snow arrive, this will all be covered up until spring, so, again, nothing will have been done.

Creating a fine of up to $500 fine is redundant. The fine should be $500 — period.

Bylaw staff should not have the discretion to impose fines of lesser amounts.

Give these people 24 hours’ notice to clean up their mess. If an honest mistake has been made, the notice time will be effective in clearing up any problems.

Contractors are not the only guilty ones.

Take a look at the business sector along the highway and see the amount of accumulated waste.

Coun. Tina Lange’s comment that city council is serious about community appearance is garbage.

The new council needs to grow some backbone and deal with this problem.

S. Klein

Kamloops