I fully agree with Margot Shaw’s excellent letter Feb. 20 regarding those complaining about the noise level from agricultural practices in Coldstream and Lavington.
It is puzzling why they located here rather than downtown Vernon or Lumby? Was it because it was a leafy green, lovely rural area, or was it because it was cheaper to build or buy out here?
Did they even ask or did their real estate agent not mention the likelihood that noise would arise from time to time from agricultural activities or the pellet plant, mill, tractors and trucks, cows mooing or trains on the railway track?
Of course the operations are commercial.
They always have been and always will be. It is ridiculous to expect a farmer to survive financially otherwise.
Coldstream is rural but perhaps you moved here expecting city amenities would follow because you bought a lot.
Presumably you are comfortable with purchasing all of your meat and produce from other countries regardless of cost or how it is grown. I am not.
Do you go to the farmers market once or twice a week and pat yourself on the back about how you support local growers and farmers?
Instead of not in my backyard complaints, try being more supportive of these people.
If that is too difficult, then perhaps you might wish to consider relocating to a quieter community, if one is to be found. If not, and the rules get more and more restrictive, then we may as well throw up our hands and turn the valley over to the developers.
Then you can have your sidewalks, streetlights, extra traffic and much higher taxes amongst other things.
Maybe it is time for the real estate agents to point out a few hard facts to prospective clients and maybe risk losing the sale. I don’t know.
As it is now, our council is faced with difficult decisions trying to plan for growth and sustainable agriculture.
I for one appreciate the environment, the services, and our generally efficient administration out here in Coldstream and sincerely hope they continue to be staunch supporters of all forms of agriculture.
P. Sault
Coldstream
