We are writing in response to the full page ad placed in the Oct. 28 issue of the Salmon Arm Observer by a group calling themselves BAD.  The ad features a photograph of dump trucks dumping rocks into what appears to be a lake, along with a headline intentionally made to resemble our SmartCentres logo.

We would like all Salmon Arm residents to know that this ad is intentionally misleading.  The photograph in the ad is not a photograph of our site.  The fill that we have placed on our site, which we have placed in compliance with all the applicable regulations, is more than 50 metres from the Salmon River, and hundreds of metres from the current level of Shuswap Lake at its nearest point.

We support debate on matters of public importance, but we do not support intentionally misleading ads that attempt to sway opinion through fear.  We are disappointed that the Salmon Arm Observer would agree to publish such an ad.

Here are some facts about our development proposal:  Our current development proposal protects 39 per cent (24 acres) of the site as preserved green space.  We have established unprecedented setbacks to protect the Salmon River and Shuswap Lake.  Before even applying for land use approvals from the City of Salmon Arm, we received the approval for the development from the Ministry of Environment under the Riparian Area Regulations (RAR) to ensure that the development would protect the Salmon River and Shuswap Lake.

We invite residents who would like to find out more about the proposed development to visit our website at www.salmonarmshopping.com.

Nathan Hildebrand

SmartCentres