It’s symbolic of how the national park controversy has divided residents in the south Okanagan.
A “pro-park” billboard was chopped down in an act of vandalism just days after it was first erected.
The sign, beside Highway 3 near Sumac Road in Cawston, was destroyed overnight on Saturday.
The property belongs to park supporter Lee McFadyen.
She said several smaller “yes” signs in the area have also been removed.
“The removal of every ‘yes’ park sign is definitely a symbol or a statement of disrespect of an opposing opinion,” she said.
The large billboard, which is approximately four meters wide by three meters tall, said “70% of people are in favour of a National Park because it would ‘protect species’ and ‘create 700 jobs.’”
The sign was paid for by the South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Network.
Co-ordinator Doreen Olson said it will cost at least $5,000 to replace.
“This particular area, it’s sort of been a hot bed for the ‘no’ park group, I just really didn’t think that they would do this,” she said.
While it hasn’t been proven park opponents are behind the vandalism, a statement issued by Cpl.Brian Evans, area commander for the Keremeos RCMP, said police are investigating.
“Individuals have a right to express their views in support or against the park. However, this was a criminal act and the Keremeos RCMP will be taking all steps necessary to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime,” he said.
The national park proposal has been on the table for more than a decade but the debate was re-ignited in January when the provincial government announced it would restart talks with the federal government and local First Nations over the park’s creation, albeit on a smaller scale.
“I think that these people who are opposed are now feeling the threat that we are moving ahead on the park,” Olson said.
Advocates said it’s shaping up to be a hot provincial election issue in the South Okanagan, although they hope for greener pastures ahead.
Comments