Councillor Hughes brings poster information forward

With an idea to educate people who visit the Nakusp Hot Springs and are interested in its plight, Councillor Joseph Hughes has proposed to make an educational poster, and possible the printing of brochures, to give people the facts.

The information to be included, which is still up for deliberation, includes the reasons for the hot springs’ decline in revenue over the last few years and the measures, such as closure for four months and changing hours, which may have to be implemented if no solutions are found to keep the facility running a profit not a deficit.

“Nakusp Hot springs has a reputation for being exceptionally clean, safe and friendly,” one of the points on the fact sheet states. “We promise that these traits will not be compromised.”

In the points, Hughes also reinforces that public input will be heard and opinions considered as “the hot springs are a part of many peoples vacations and daily lives.”

More will be heard of this project’s progress after the special closed meeting of council on July 2 which will focus solely on the hot springs.

Nakusp Paddling Club receives letter of support

In a letter to council, secretary of the Nakusp Paddling Club John Perkins asked council to write a letter of support for the club’s endeavor to undertake a mapping project of the Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes.

“The project will cover the area from Revelstoke to the Hugh Keenleyside Dam and will provide navigational assistance and recreational information to paddlers, canoeists, kayakers and other non-motorised water users,” said Perkins in the letter.

Without deliberation, council carried a motion to write the letter of support.

Farmers’ Market to set up July 1 and 19

The Nakusp Farmers’ Market, in a letter to council, requested that they be allowed to operate on July 1 for the Canada Day holiday and also on July 19, the last day of the Nakusp Music Fest.

Council approved the idea, with confidence there will be no disruptions with the parade as the market has operated on Canada Day in past years and not caused any interference.

Western Pacific Marine moving from Revelstoke to Nakusp

In a letter, accompanied by a map, the manager and marine superintendent of operations Captain Elgin Mckillop notified council they plan to close their office in Revelstoke and relocate to Nakusp. They have already made an offer on a property and are awaiting response.

“Western Pacific Marine Ltd. intends to construct a permanent structure on the property,” he states. “In the interim we are seeking permission for a 40 by 12 modular structure to be placed on the property for a period of not more than 24 months.”

The property in question is behind What’s Brewing on Broadway on 5th Ave. SW.

Hamling said she and village CAO Bob Lafleur met with Mckillop who is the latest manager hired for Western Pacific Marine and the conditions of his employment are he has to live in Nakusp. Hamling says currently, he would just like to get the property and set up the office, and would like the grace time to draw something up that will fit in with the village’s OCP.

Lafleur says eventually they plan to have commercial space on the main floor and put housing above when they build something more permanent. He adds the office will be for the management of the local ferries.

Proprietor wants to start horse-drawn carriage rides in Nakusp

In a business license application, the owner of Mountain Valley Farms Rosemary Hughes, applied for the right to give horse-drawn carriage rides within village boundaries.

When council spoke of the proposed license, a few issues arose, such as the specific route of the rides, as the carriages do go slow and traffic could pile up behind one on a narrow road or highway.

In the end, council did not carry a motion to give the license, but rather agreed to go back to the proprietor and ask for specific routes the carriages would be taking.

Hot dog vendor vies for spot outside Leland Hotel

Since the May 24 long weekend, except for the last few weeks, Jeff Gelinas has been selling hot dogs out of a vending cart for people going to the Leland Hotel bar or who are on a walk by the waterfront. Parked outside of the front door to the Leland, Gelinas was unaware of current village bylaws he was violating, and is now seeking a bylaw amendment to serve his goods after 9 p.m. until the early hours of the morning (2a.m. - 3 a.m.).

At the last council meeting, Gelinas has sent in a letter with the reasons for his request, which mainly state Nakusp has no food available for sale after 9 p.m. and also that he is a competent vendor who has served in front of bars in both Invermere and Castlegar.

“I sincerely respect all the bylaws and the requests that any town council has had or has asked of me. I work very well with all bar owners, town council and RCMP and have had no complaints,” said Gelinas in his letter.

But, contrary to his statement, Mayor Hamling did say there have been RCMP calls near 3 a.m. to the bar to “break up things that are happening because of the cart.”

Council came to an agreement whereas Gelinas will be allowed to operate from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a revocation clause in the bylaw or a condition of his license which states revocation of his license could be caused by not staying within the hours permitted.