2nd chance for memorial?

Photo: Don McTighe

Charrie Fichter may get her wish after all.

Fichter, the mother of slain Peachland teen Ashlee Hyatt, had her petition to continue to place flowers at her daughter's lakefront memorial bench denied last week by municipal council.

The motion on the floor was to allow Fichter to continue the practice.

The vote ended deadlocked 3-3. According to rules, a tie vote means a motion is defeated.

Fichter was upset Mayor Cindy Fortin, one of her most staunch supporters, was unable to attend the meeting because of a family medical emergency.

Now, a councillor is coming to her aid.

In an email sent to Castanet, Coun. Keith Thom said he will introduce a motion to reconsider the decision when council meets again Nov. 8.

"I am a strong believer in the democratic process. Our mayor was not able to attend last week’s council meeting due to a family emergency and I feel that in the spirit of fairness that her voice should have been heard," said Thom.

"I would appeal to the public to refrain from placing flowers on the bench until this motion is brought forward at the Nov. 8 meeting."

Despite the original vote, Fichter told Castanet she would continue to place flowers on the bench.

Fortin said she was disappointed she missed the meeting.

As of last week, she had not decided whether she would bring forth a similar motion to one being proposed by Thom.