Scot Hutchinson
A Gallagher Lake businessman who was considering running for Area C director has backed out, saying he will “not join a bunch of bullies.”
Scot Hutchinson from Route 97 Motorcycle was all set to challenge incumbent director Allan Patton, but Patton announced that he was not seeking re-election.
After attending some regional district (RDOS) board meetings, Hutchinson decided not to run.
“Politicians have lost their connection with the Canadian people,” he said, noting that directors should be representing their constituents, not the regional board.
Hutchinson’s beef began last year when the regional district hired contractors to tear up Gallagher Lake Frontage Road to install a new water/sewer system.
Hutchinson said business owners and residents were not informed about this and the project ended up disrupting the local economy. He noted that businesses lost revenue for three months because customers couldn’t access the area.
Hutchinson said heavy equipment (a packer) caused some damage to building foundations along the frontage road.
Patton previously stated that he did notify residents about the project before it began.
Hutchinson said the problems didn’t stop there, adding that speeding was a concern after the McIntyre passing lane project was completed. This prompted calls for a crosswalk and/or street light on Highway 97 to improve pedestrian safety.
The Ministry of Transportation said it would review the situation and conduct a traffic study.
“Why have they not done anything . . . they lied to us,” Hutchinson said.
He pointed out now that Ye Olde Welcome Inn can serve families under new licencing, more children have to cross the highway to have lunch there.
Hutchinson cited the recent death of a Summerland senior who died after getting hit by a truck while crossing Highway 97 in that community.
Last year a 46-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the highway at Gallagher Lake.
Robert Adam, a spokesman for the ministry, said they undertook pedestrian and traffic counts at the Gallagher Lake Frontage Road intersection this summer and found there were insufficient pedestrian volumes to warrant a marked cross walk at this location.
“However, the ministry has ordered the installation of overhead street lighting at this intersection,” Adam
said.
He noted the ministry also undertook a vehicle speed study of this highway segment and found good compliance with the majority of traffic (85 per cent) travelling at or below the posted speed limit.
Hutchinson said the latest problem plaguing residents is the sewer smell emanating from the manholes on the frontage road. He noted that sewer appears to be piling up without proper flows from the new Deer Park Estates subdivision.
Hutchinson said business owners and residents should not have to smell the stench of feces and get sick because of it.
He suggested sealing the manhole covers and plugging up the holes on the top.
Stephen Juch, subdivision supervisor, confirmed that the new sewer and water system at Gallagher Lake services the Deer Park development. The sewer collection system has been operating since April, and the water system since July.
Juch acknowledged that the regional district has recently received concerns about odours emanating from the manholes.
“We are in the process of reviewing the situation with the developer from Deer Park to remedy the situation.”
He said the odor may be attributed to low flows in the mains and timing between pumping cycles.
“Once additional users connect to the sewer system this type of issue will be less likely.”
Juch said the regional district will soon be seeking properties to enter the sewer and water systems.
He noted that information regarding costs and connection will be going out to properties owners in the near future.
But Hutchinson wants no part of it, saying his existing water/septic system is fine.
The businessman believes the regional district is trying to pressure people to hook into the new system. He fears that Gallagher Lake might turn into another Okanagan Falls where residents are subjected to boil water advisories from time to time.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
