Family of murdered Peachland girl fight council over flower memorial

A petition has been launched so the family of a murdered Peachland girl can continue to place flowers on her memorial bench even though council has decided they can no longer do so.

For almost six years, the family of Ashlee Hyatt has placed flowers on her memorial bench as a way of coping. But recently Peachland council decided to vote against allowing the action. The bench was installed in February 2011.

Hyatt died at the age of 16 following a stabbing outside a house party in Peachland in 2010. An 18-year-old woman was convicted of manslaughter in the death. Every year the family has attached plastic flowers to the bench to help keep the teen's memory alive and to work through the grieving process. But that has all changed.

During councils' regular meeting this week, the current bylaw that restricts people from placing items in parks and on memorial benches was discussed. Council was presented with options to install permanent flower holders on the bench, at a cost to the family. But the option was denied and council decided to keep the bylaw intact, which means the family is only left with one option.

They can purchase one of the district's flower pots to be placed beside the bench. These pots cost around $600 but the family has been offered a discount which means the flower pot would cost them $340 if they decide to purchase one.

According to Hyatt's mother Charrie Fitcher, it's just a money grab from the district.

"We have celebrate birthdays, had BBQ's with her, and have had one little bunch of flowers in each corner that has been maintain and beautiful," said Fitcher of the council decision. "Then one woman had her own agenda to get Ashlee's flowers pulled from the bench so they could sell hideous flower pots to the community to remember their loved ones they are impersonal and they maintain them who would want that? Money and policies are what! I can only hope that we can keep her flowers on the bench Ashlee deserves the flowers it lets her know she's loved! That will always be Ashlee's bench they cant take that from us!"

Hyatt's sister Brooklyn has launched the petition against council's decision and in less than 24 hours, it has garnered nearly 400 signatures. Brooklyn is encouraging residents and the public to email members of council to explain why the bench is important to them and why the family should be allowed to continue to place flowers.

Brooklyn noted that Mayor Cindy and Council member Pam were for the flowers being kept and encourages supporters to email other council members.

Support has come from all over Western Canada including Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary and Prince George. While the decision from council is final, the family of Ashlee Hyatt hopes that they will reconsider if enough people lend their support to the cause.