Some people are still holding a grudge against the Town of Oliver for changing their house numbers. But council says the battle is over and it’s time to comply with the law.
Unfortunately, Town staff are taking the brunt of it by trying to defuse some angry and frustrated residents who are concerned over recent enforcement action. One fellow indicated he would have “punched” the municipal manager if he had been in the office.
“This does not make for a pleasant experience at the front counter, however, the front end staff have continued to remain very professional throughout this process,” said corporate officer Cathy Cowan.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said front desk employees should not have to take this abuse and inappropriate behaviour.
“They are not responsible for the decision (to enforce the bylaw and ticket offenders).”
Council recently passed a bylaw to start ticketing people who failed to erect their new house numbers (as part of a controversial street-renaming and house re-numbering initiative in Oliver).
During enforcement, the Town discovered several hundred homes that still did not have their new numbers displayed properly. So the ticket books came out and people were fined $75.
Cowan stressed that the Town’s focus is compliance, not money. To that effect, she said residents can enter into a compliance agreement in order to significantly reduce the fine (if they change their numbers within 14 days).
“I would prefer them (people) to spend money on the numbers rather than the tickets,” Cowan said.
Councillor Maureen Doerr expressed her frustration with people flouting the bylaw when they’ve known for a long time that this was coming.
“Just put your numbers up!” she said.
Cowan said a lot of people believe the numbers (on sheets of paper) that the Town provided to residents are good enough to use. But they do not meet the house numbering standards in the bylaw.
The numbers have to be a certain size and properly affixed to your residence.
Councillor Dave Mattes said the Town is partly to blame for handing out these sheets with the large numbers on them.
Councillor Jack Bennest reiterated the Town’s stance that it does not want the revenue, it only wants compliance. But he said he doesn’t want the perception that the Town will back down under pressure.
Council approved a motion to reduce the fine by 80 per cent (for a total of $15) if people comply within 14 days. Residents must show proof of compliance with a photograph. Those who don’t comply within this time period will receive another ticket.
Hovanes said the primary reason for the bylaw comes down to liability and safety – to ensure health services personnel find the proper address during an emergency.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
