News Leader News
RODENTS CAN BE DEADLY
A recent death in southern British Columbia has raised concerns again about the rodent population. A young man died from hantavirus, believed to have been contracted from deer mice.
Hantavirus is deadly. The first identified cases of the killer strain of hantavirus occurred two decades ago in Arizona, killing three young Navajo athletes. The virus infects so rapidly that most victims die in three days. It is rare for anyone to survive the infection.
The first death to occur in B.C. was in May, 1994, in the Kamloops area.
Rodents are carriers of the disease. The rodent population includes not only mice, but marmots, squirrels, chipmunks, pack rats, and many other species. One death was attributed to contact with raccoons.
Prevention is the key. It is not enough to simply avoid rodents. People must avoid contact with rodent feces and urine, especially in confined spaces.
Rodents may be trapped and their bodies burned (trap and all - do not touch the rodent or the trap) and any area with rodent droppings must be aired and then disinfected.
DO NOT FEED RODENTS!
Some people think rodents such as squirrels, chipmunks and marmots are "cute" and will feed them seeds, nuts and crumbs. This encourages not only initial contact with the rodents, but encourages the rodents to return time and again, increasing the likelihood of rodent droppings on your property and perhaps in your outbuildings and home as the rodents become confident.
The consequences could be fatal to you and your family. Imagine a small child playing on the lawn where an infected rodent has urinated! That child could be dead in a day or two.
Any area infested with rodents should be avoided and every effort should be made to eradicate the rodent population in locations where contact with humans is likely to occur.
PROPERTY OWNER FACES ZONE PROBLEM
A property on Tapton Avenue is for sale, but one of the owners has written to Town Council complaining about the difficulties they are encountering due to zoning problems. The owners have a buyer, who would like to build a four-plex or duplex on the two adjacent lots. Zoning and parking requirements forestall the sale, as the property is zoned Commercial. The owners claim they asked Council for a variance and Council would not agree.Town Council dealt with the matter at the June 19 meeting, saying they never have received a request for a variance.
That block of Tapton Avenue has had one business location among residential properties for many years, and is designated Commercial in the Official Community Plan.
The property in question has an old house on it which would be removed.
Mayor Randy McLean asked Council whether it made sense for new residential buildings to be constructed on that street. If a variance was granted, it would likely tie up commercial development on that street for the next 50 years.
TOWN COUNCIL NEWS
COUNCIL COMMENDS MINOR BALL
Councillor Jim Manion attended the regional Peewee Girls tournament held in Princeton and gave high praise to the organizers of the event. At the June 19 Town Council meeting, he noted that although the Princeton team did not win, they played well and did an excellent job of hosting the tourney.
COUNCIL OKAYS SENIORS' PICNIC PLAN
Senior Citizens Branch 30 received approval of their request to use a park for their annual picnic on August 13. They asked for use of Lions Park located on Third Bench, as well as picnic tables and portable toilets.
Council approved all requests.
COUNCIL SUPPORTS STREET CLOSURE
Overwaitea Foods and A&W plan a Show N Shine car show on July 8. The company submitted a request to Town Council for closure of two blocks on Bridge Street between Fenchurch and Billiter Avenues on that date to make parking space to show the cars.
The request was backed up by affected businesses voicing no objections to the plan.
Council approved the request, failing to note there is only one block between the two avenues.
COUNCIL SAYS "YES" TO LEGION
On August 3 to 6, Princeton's Royal Canadian Legion members will host the 2006 International Gavel Passing. This event will involve approximately 150 Legionnaires from Washington State and B.C.
Part of the ceremonies will be a remembrance ceremony to be held at the Cenotaph on Sunday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m.
The Legion requested Council grant approval to use Cenotaph Park and the public address system, and to have street closures as they have on Remembrance Day.
On June 19, Council granted the requests.
In addition, Mayor Randy McLean has been invited to give an official welcome to Princeton at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday evening, August 4, at a dinner, as well as participating in the remembrance ceremony.
