COUNCIL DELAYS DECISION ON BYLAW TO CONTROL SALES OF HYDROPONIC EQUIPMENT

CHILLIWACK - It was the public hearing that never happened.

Faced with some questions surrounding the legality of their proposed
bylaw to control hydroponic equipment sales, city council decided to
put their plans on hold Monday night.

When Mayor Clint Hames announced early on that the city was holding
off on the bylaw, there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief from
the large group that had gathered for the hearing.

"Our legal counsel's advice is to withdraw the item at this time," Hames said.

Many had written or faxed council before the meeting to express their
opposition to the bylaw, and most filed out immediately upon hearing
the news of the withdrawal. As they left the council chambers, some
could be heard saying they had driven four hours to come to the
hearing or muttered the city didn't "have a leg to stand on" or
referred to their "brief interlude" into municipal politics.

The group may have to return though, either to city hall or to some other forum.