Image Credit: Trent Leggett

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Heffley Creek community stands up for store victimized by break-in

Jul 11, 2023 | 4:50 AM

WHEN ANOTHER BUSINESS is broken into, the common reaction among the rest of us is, “That’s terrible.” “Our sympathies.” “Hope the cops catch whoever did it.”

Which is about all we’re able to do. Or, is it?

The Heffley Creek Store, which has been a fixture in its home community for 126 years, was victimized by a break-in last week that resulted in an estimated $20,000 in damages and stolen merchandise.

Unlike so many other stores, the Heffley store owners had installed high resolution security cameras that clearly show the dolts who did it. The videos will, hopefully, prove helpful in identifying and bringing to justice the man and woman responsible.

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Usually, security footage is of such poor quality as to be pretty much useless, so the Heffley Creek owners deserve full credit.

The store has something else going for it, too — community spirit. Heffley Creek folks aren’t content with simply expressing their outrage over the criminal act. They’re going to raise money in support.

Deb McDougall-Bergstrand, secretary-treasurer at the Heffley Creek community hall, and number one volunteer, is organizing a fundraising dinner at the hall on Aug. 12.

As she explains, the Heffley Creek Store has supported many community causes and events over the years through sponsorships and donations. The dinner is both a way of showing appreciation for those gestures, and of helping the store out.

We’ve all heard about so many businesses who have their dreams shattered by the criminal element that seems to have reached into every part of Greater Kamloops. Some of them have given up.

Few have an entire community to rally around them with their time, energy and wallets the way Heffley Creek is doing for their store. As heart-breaking as it must be to suffer such a devastating blow to their business, the fundraiser that sprung up so quickly in its aftermath is a reminder that the vast majority care.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.