MORE TRADES TRAINING IS ON THE WAY / Page 5
LOCAL EDUCATION AGREEMENT SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED / Page 3 merrittherald.com
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MERRITT HERALD FREE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
AHEAD OF THE
GAME Cents star Colin Grannary was selected Player of the Game at last week’s CJHL Prospects Game and recently accepted a scholarship to the University of Nebraska Omaha for 2017-18. / Page 9
Colin Grannary at the CJHL Prospects Game a week ago. Photo courtesy of Garrett James Photography
SIGN OF THE TIMES
DOG GONE
City to proceed with new signage
Anti-tethering bylaw unleashed
Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
New timber-themed directional signs to guide visitors into and around Merritt may soon pop up around town as city council has unanimously adopted a wayfinder strategic plan. The $40,000 document, produced by Vancouver design and planning company Alta, includes design concepts for a new city logo, directional
signage and map kiosks, as well as cost estimates for signage and sign placement guidance. At its regular meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 26), the plan was unanimously adopted as-is by council, which had the option to recommend changes to the document. The cost estimates are broken down into two phases. Phase one recommends the city install a pedestrian map panel,
information kiosk, three directional signs for vehicle travellers and three signs marking Merritt's gateway entrances. The total price for the roadway signs is estimated at $19,500 while that of the gateway entrance signs will cost anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000. The information kiosk is estimated to cost $19,000 while the map panel will require about $10,000. The wayfinder
signage strategy recommends placing an information kiosk outside the civic centre and a map panel at Spirit Square. Phase two recommends erecting three directional signs for pedestrians at an estimated cost of $5,400. Coun. Diana Norgaard said she was in favour of the report, but expressed worry at the $30,000 difference per gateway sign.
See ‘Council’ Page 2
Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
City council unanimously adopted anti-tethering legislation to its animal control bylaw in an effort to strengthen local regulation regarding the care of Merritt’s canine citizens. The bylaw now includes section 23.A which states that “no dog shall be tethered without the ability to move around and access shelter and water.” The rule doesn’t specify access to food. The bylaw isn’t meant for owners who might leave their dog tethered on a sidewalk while they shop inside a store. “The dog’s not experiencing any
stress,” O’Flaherty said of that scenario, noting that is not the purpose or the intent of the bylaw change. Rather, this bylaw is designed to address cases where dogs are tethered all day without the ability to access shelter and water. Prior to voting, Coun. Linda Brown expressed the concern she had previously with the amendment that this new rule was unenforceable. “When we get a complaint, what can we do other than calling SPCA, and if we act, what are the consequences to us acting?” Brown asked planning and development manager Sean O'Flaherty.
See ‘Penalty’ Page 8
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