EDITOR;
Over three months ago, many basements in town were affected by the rain.
To date, we continue to rebuild our basements and get our lives back in order. This has been a stressful time psychologically, physically and emotionally. As many residents may have noticed, to help the situation, porta-potties appeared around town and storage containers on properties were placed to hold what remained of our basement contents. The containers that remain are evidence of how long it is taking to recover from the spring event. 
Never did we expect the support we received from the town would be in the form of a letter, segments of which follow:
“It has come to the attention of the Town of Vauxhall that a shipping container is currently located on your property. The placement of a shipping container without an approved development permit constitutes a violation of the Town of Vauxhall Land Use Bylaw No. 833-09.
Accordingly, you are requested to remove the shipping container or make a development permit application for consideration by the Town of Vauxhall Subdivision and Development Authority. Please undertake either one of the above-mentioned options by Sept. 24, 2010.
Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Please be advised that failure to comply with this request may result in the town undertaking enforcement action.”
As some of the people affected by the flooding/sewage backup, we feel this letter is extremely insensitive. Does the town really believe these containers were placed for landscaping purposes or party facilities (as has been eluded to)? Is it not obvious the containers are nothing more than temporary storage for our contents? We have been totally inconvenienced by the loss of our basements, driveways and/or garages. Does the town not realize that we would be more than happy to have the containers removed by Sept. 24 but that is an unlikely event since our basements may not be ready until Christmas?
It is our understanding the bylaw came into affect after the containers were in place.
Why was this bylaw given priority when the only containers we view around town are on properties affected by the flood. If the town really believed the bylaw was needed, why not have a special resolution to exempt flood victims. 
Instead of harassing the flood victims with a new bylaw, could the town not be more proactive by strongly encouraging residents to stop pumping storm water into the sanitary sewer. Further, new properties should not be allowed to discharge their storm water from tile drains and sump pumps into the sewer system. The system was never designed to handle storm water. Has the town considered increasing the size of sewer main?
It should be noted, that we are not in the practice of airing our grievances in public, but some of us have approached administration and council, and feel we have not received an intelligent or appropriate response. In conclusion, we wish to inform the town we have no intention of removing the containers or purchasing a permit by the imposed deadline. It is a pretty sad day when our insurance companies are more compassionate than our town council and administration.


Barry AND Charlotte Edwards
JOE AND Roxzana McNiven
TERRY AND Lori Kress
ERNIE AND Agnes Howlett
KIM EGELAND
Vauxhall