A Castlegar councillor says she and a colleague took it on the chin for the city’s lack of involvement in Canada Day celebrations this year.
Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff said she and Darcy Bell volunteered at the Station Museum flipping burgers, but the feedback they got wasn’t positive.
“We were screamed at, yelled at because the City of Castlegar did nothing for Canada Day this year. I was so embarrassed to sit on this council and say there was nothing planned, we’re not doing anything … It was not a pretty sight.”
Heaton-Sherstobitoff said the city needs to rethink the events in participates in.
“People want to see us participating and doing stuff. That’s something I’m going to be bringing forward when we get to budget.”
Last year council said it would seek out partners for various community events. Canada Day was specifically cited as an event whose popularity has declined and that could use new energy and ideas.
Then-councillor Dan Rye said it’s hard to compete with other communities that go all-out like Nelson and Salmo. Consequently, “we weren’t really putting on a first class event.”
The city is involved with other events such as Winterfest and the Merry and Bright holiday decoration contest.
