Won’t you be my (good) neighbour?

The town of Peachland has produced a guide telling residents how to be nice to each other. Better behaviour by citizens will help “preserve one of Peachland’s most important assets: its friendly small-town feeling,” the guide states.

That image took a beating last year, however, when a seasonal bylaw officer received so much abuse that he quit before his contract was up.

“The Good Neighbour Guide will enhance the quality of life for all residents, promote civic responsibility and encourage good relationships between neighbours,” says Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin.

As well, the town has created Good Neighbour Awards that will be handed out four times annually to recognize efforts to keep neighbourhoods clean, safe, quiet and attractive.

The 13-page brochure includes tips such as not shouting, singing or playing music in a way that disturbs neighbours, promptly cleaning up graffiti and not letting garbage accumulate on a property.

Residents are also encouraged to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall, to not feed wildlife and not to allow campfires to get too smoky.

“Each of us has the responsibility to protect and enhance the quality of life in our community and encourage good relationships between neighbours,” the guide states. “No bylaw can regulate common sense and consideration.”

Town officials say the guide is intended to summarize official bylaws in plain language.

As a first step in resolving disputes between neighbours, the guide advises “a neighbourly conversation to try and resolve the problem.”

If that doesn’t work, people may file a formal bylaw complaint to the town office.

Such complaints, the guide says, will be investigated on a priority basis, with those representing an immediate threat to public health or safety getting the most urgency.