It was just a matter of routine to pass a Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw to give the Bylaw Officer the ability to ticket an infraction under the new pesticide bylaw. However, after a vote, Council defeated the bylaw, which means there will be no tickets issued.

This doesn’t mean the bylaw has no teeth at all — under the original bylaw there is a provision for a $500 fine and a court date. However, that would be a rarely used provision.

What Council is thinking is that the new bylaw — which bans cosmetic use of pesticides on Kimberley lawns — is going to require education.

“The intention of the bylaw is not to be punitive but to work with people,” said Coun. Brent Bush.

Coun. Albert Hoglund, who has voted against the pesticide bylaw all along, said he would vote against the ticket bylaw just on principle.

But Coun. Bob West Sells, who was for the pesticide bylaw said he didn’t think issuing tickets was advisable at the moment.

“Certainly the intent is to educate and help people find alternatives. Any punitive ticket is not appropriate at this time. We’re going to have to ask the bylaw people to use reason at this point.”