By Roy Wood

Home Hardware Gets Okay To Use Mister In Front Of Store

Thanks to a request from one of the town’s best-known business owners, commercial establishments in Osoyoos will be allowed to use personal misting devices during the heat of the day to cool their customers.

In a letter to Osoyoos town council, Home Hardware owner Frances Sologuk sought permission to use a personal mister on the sidewalk in front of her store.

She pointed out that the device in question uses only half a U.S. gallon of water per hour and “provides comfort to anyone (human or canine) passing on the main street of our community.”

The use of such personal cooling devices is technically against the terms of the water use bylaw passed on June 2.

Councillor CJ Rhodes said, “We do have a bylaw in place (and) every little bit of water is important.” He proposed going along with the staff recommendation and turn down the request. His resolution was defeated.

All the other members of council chimed in: praising Sologuk for her contributions to the community; and pointing out that personal misters are effective at cooling, particular children and pets.

Said Mayor Sue McKortoff, “This very small issue has become a large one.”

After a long discussion, council adopted a resolution to allow the use of personal misters by businesses between noon and nine p.m. upon receipt of a permit from Chief Administrative Office Barry Romanko.