Today the snow covers the ground but when it melts a few months from now, what will it reveal?
Tons of junk metal, derelict cars, disabled farm machinery and various other bits and pieces of scrap metal objects that have been accumulating over the years. Some of these items are leaching oil, gasoline and other contaminants into the soil and polluting the aquifer below.
The amount seems to be growing at an alarming rate, with some residents having a dozen or more items piled “behind the barn” hoping they are out of sight.
In looking into this, it seems that there is a lack of a venue to dispose of these items locally. Having to find a means of delivering these items to the landfill or collection agent can be prohibitive.
I have been in consultation with the environmental staff at the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) to see if there is some incentive to solve this problem.
In conjunction with Earth Day (Sunday, April 22) and the putting out of unwanted items to the curb, which is held in April, we have arranged for a scrap metal dealer to come to your property and pick up your unwanted scrap items.
More information will be distributed closer to the date but in the mean time, as the snow goes, we can start to collect these items in readiness for pick up. By removing these items you can prevent potential hazards, avoid accidents and most important, make our valley the pristine, pleasant place it once was to please visitors to the area and ourselves
Mark your Monday, Feb. 27 on your calendars for our annual Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. at the Seniors Hall at Grand Forks’ City Park.
This meeting gives citizens a chance to come out and meet staff from Trail and I, Area D director. It is an opportunity to learn how the local government works and this meeting gives you the chance to ask any questions you may have, voice any concerns or bring forth items that may be of interest. Notices and reminders of this will appear in the newspaper and flyers will be in your mail. If you have questions before hand, call me at 250-442-3817 at any time.
Positions on the recreation commission
for residents of Area D
The role of the commission is to be pro-active, bringing new ideas and concerns and assist and advise on programs. The time commitment for this position is one meeting per month, lasting no more then two hours.
I will also accept names for the Advisory Planning Committee for future positions as the need arises. The commitment for this is also one meeting per month or as required. Responsibilities of this committee are to review applications as presented, talk about concerns in Area D and get updates on what is happening both in Area D and in the Boundary.
Again, call 250-442-3817 for information on either of these committees.
– Irene Perepolkin is Area D director for the RDKB