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Elko votes in favour of fire protection
Sixty per cent of Elko voters voted ‘yes’ in the Nov. 15 election/referendum, approving the establishment of a fire protection service area by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
Forty-eight of the 80 votes cast support the idea of borrowing up to $710,000 (amortized over a 25-year period) to build a fire hall and purchase a pumper truck and equipment.
On August 1, the RDEK board launched Bylaws No. 2533 and 2534, Protection Service Establishment Bylaw and the Elko Fire Protection Loan Authorization Bylaw.
More than 40 people attended a public meeting held on Thursday, September 18 at the Elko Community Hall, where representatives from the RDEK provided information on tax rates, mapping and how the fire service and fire department would operate.
The fire protection initiative was launched by out-going Electoral Area B Director Heath Slee, who opted not to run for a sixth term.
Newly elected Area B Director Stan Doehle will finish the task. Doehle captured Area B on the strength of 351 votes, compared to challenger Morgan Dilts who received 264 votes.
According to preliminary election results, Doehle carried the polls at Elko (30 to 26), Jaffray (98 to 76) and Grasmere (37 to 19), while Dilts carried Baynes Lake (90 to 72). Doehle carried the advance polls in Jaffray and Elko Nov. 5 and 13.
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