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LETTER: The word takeover comes to mind when considering Kaslo dispute

Dispute between Kaslo Chamber of Commerce and KLHS
11133253_web1_copy_180215-TDT-Moyie-new
SS Moyie in Kaslo is the oldest intact passenger sternwheeler in the world. Photo credit : KLHS.bc.ca

Partnerships, collaboration, and associations, are words that have meanings. This is why the Kootenay Lake Historical Society (KLHS) board of directors received a petition for a public meeting that was held at the Kaslo Seniors Hall on March 8.

The KLHS administers the SS Moyie stern-wheeler and Visitor Centre to provide tourism for Kaslo and area on behalf of the Destination BC contract with the Province of BC. Profits from the Visitor Centre go towards the maintenance of the SS Moyie, which is a National Historic Site that has been located on Kaslo’s waterfront for more than sixty years.

Last fall discussions took place with the Kaslo Chamber of Commerce and the KLHS agreeing to share a manager who will work with both organizations to market tourism.

Subsequently, a manager was hired and everything was going smoothly until January when the chamber surprised everyone and commenced to move in to the Visitor Centre.

Legal ads were placed by the KLHS in the Pennywise for the public meeting but some discrepancies were discovered in these ads. As the word “partnership” is in the KLHS minutes the original petition requested information for: “…agreements, partnerships or other matters being considered between the KLHS/Visitor Centre and the Kaslo Chamber of Commerce”. The legal ads omitted the word “partnership” which may be the reason that there was suspicion at the meeting when a motion was put forth: “That the KLHS not enter into a partnership with the Kaslo Chamber of Commerce.” When the legal implications of a partnership were explained the motion passed.

Another ad which appeared in the March 6 edition of the Pennywise was anonymous and alleged that members of the KLHS believe this association with the Chamber will have “detrimental effects.”

This matter was cleared and it became clear that the Chamber’s actions to move in to the Visitor Centre was the focus of the meeting and a motion was put forth asking the Chamber to move out of the Visitor Centre and rent their own office. This angered the Chamber’s members, employees and supporters and they voted to defeat the motion.

Another word that comes to mind is takeover.

Patrick Mackle,

Kaslo