By Don Urquhart
Approximately 200 people gathered in protest of a 40 per cent hike in tax and user fees at Osoyoos town hall yesterday ahead of a Special Open council meeting.
Protesters milled around the fountain area, signed two large petitions mounted on the side of a truck and lined up waiting for the council chambers to open.
At one point a rope noose was briefly thrown over the Town of Osoyoos archway before objections from some of the people nearby saw it quickly removed.
Once the doors to the council chambers were opened, the public gallery was quickly filled to overflowing. With aggrieved residents talking over the elected officials, the environment became increasingly chaotic with hecklers drowning out the councillors.
The meeting – aimed chiefly at clearing the way for fireworks at next week’s Lite-Up Celebration – was then adjourned before any business was completed much to the annoyance of the crowd who sent council off in a chorus of “boos”.
RCMP Sgt. Jason Bayda and the town’s bylaw officer were both on hand to ensure the safety of the meeting but other than disrupting the meeting with raised voices, the assembled crowd was orderly.
The meeting’s agenda items were shifted to next Regular Open Meeting of council on Nov. 28.
Protests against the tax and user fee hikes will see a meeting at AMS Truck Repair, 10801 115th St. Osoyoos at 6 p.m. on Nov. 29. It’s unclear if any of the elected officials will be attending.
Residents wait for the doors to be opened to the council chamber.
