LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- February 5, 2008
Dear Sir:
Re: "ER will close if no doctors come," January 29, 2008 issue of the Similkameen News Leader.
I take great issue with Randy McLean's statement at the January 21, 2008 council meeting. For a mayor, who has as of this year been mayor 6 of the last 9 years, with a 3 year break, when Keith Olsen was Mayor.
Randy McLean has admitted on CHBC News, that he dropped the ball when it came to the community's health care crisis. When Interior Health was systematically gutting our hospital and downsizing beds, staff, I.C.U. beds, and operating rooms etc., Randy McLean and council of the day were noticeably absence by their silence. With the one exception of Kathy Clement, who tried to get answers from the Interior Health bureaucrats. There was it seemed absolutely no interest of council to pursue what, and why our hospital was being gutted and try and stop it.
Mayor and council instead of ignoring what Paul Adams suggested about bringing Interior Health to Princeton, to explain to us, the people of Princeton, who pay the taxes, the people who will ultimately pay the price one way or the other, what is going to happen to our hospital.
You dropped the ball once Randy, don't bury it this time. Council might be swayed by the Interior Health's smoke and mirrors News Letter, but the people of Princeton aren't.
Invite Interior Health to Princeton to answer good hard questions from the people. Interior Health caused the problem, let them fix it.
We prefer to listen to our doctors and nurses and hospital staff and their sound advice. To anyone reading this letter, do yourself and your family a favour and e-mail or phone Mayor McLean or any of the Councilors at Town Hall. Let them know that you would like Interior Health in Princeton at a public forum. It is your tax dollar.
Town Hall's phone number is: 295-3135. The e-mail address is: prince@nethop.net.
Yours truly,
Don Fleming, Princeton
To The Editor;
Do we really have a Strata Problem?
I have to admit the second I heard ''Strata'' in a small town like Princeton without enough rentals already I was totally against it! BUT after letting all the info sink in for a few days from the meeting two weeks ago I think
'if we wheel and deal it right' it could be a start to a nicer and better Princeton than we ever had!
The key to this is to have the town build NICE and affordable houses, rentals immediately in a designated area close to downtown ...like the old Argo building site the town apparently recently bought.
People can walk from there to downtown no big deal - and at the same time we get the old and mostly run down looking apartment buildings and now the 'Riverside' bought and developed by people with money who will upgrade the look of all these buildings to accommodate the needs of town and new purchasers.
It can be ALL GOOD! IF the town gets on their heels and builds low income housing right away and at the same time the people living in the apartment buildings get the chance to either buy their old place or wait it out in their rentals till the job is done. I am not too sure if those Riverside log houses are worth keeping as a living areas for human beings they are just too small except for motel use.
This is not 1908 it's 2008! But if someone buys it up and upgrades the area like the new townhouses on the other side of the main street this will be beneficial for this town no doubt! We can use the old log homes at the fairgrounds for vendors etc...and even better for selling tickets for racing days that we get the spook house back up and running for good!?
John might like that idea. This guy put so much work into the spook house for years and everyone could feel it in 2007 that we had only half or less the fun without his work during Halloween!! (and the help of all other firefighters who helped !)
- Stefan Dietz, Princeton
Randy McLean & Town Council;
I am writing with great concerns regarding the senior citizens of the Princeton Manor apartment building.
I understand that the Town Council and yourself have approved the strata for this building, my question to you and the council is, how long of a process was this to come to such a serious decision without first and foremost taking into consideration what this would do to the seniors that currently occupy a rental unit in that building?
What did the Town gain by doing this?
A few more tax dollars a year, is this really worth it? You gave the strata to opportunity to prepare their presentation and show you the benefits this would have for the Town of Princeton, but was any consideration given to the seniors who will be without homes this summer?
Did you bother to ask them their feelings regarding this? Was a Town Meeting called so the residents of Princeton could have some input into this proposal?
Did you do your homework and check to see what would be available for those seniors to rent when the time comes?
What is the benefit to these seniors?
A 25-year mortgage (no benefit). Strata fees? (no benefit). Higher payments? (Again, no benefit). Legal fees? (no benefit). Homeless at 70+? (no benefit).
Now take into consideration the majority of those people have owned homes in the past and moved to this location for just that reason...location, location, location!
They can freely walk to wherever they want to within the town limits. Close to shopping and pharmacies and doctors. Now that is a whole new story...but first things, first.
What is there for our seniors to rent that is maintenance free? Which again, is why they chose this building within town limits.
These are the people who have paid taxes for many years in this town, these are the people who have voted you and your council in time and time again, so now is the time for you to step up to the plate and help them out in their time of need.
What will the Town Council do to help them? Are you going to turn your back on these people? Or is it too late? I hope not...
Remember that we all are the next 'Senior Citizens of Princeton' - how would it feel to be thrown out of a building you have called home for many years?
Yes, they have the option to buy. But how many financial institutions are willing or able to give a senior a mortgage, and take note that most mortgages hold a 25-year amortization. Where is the logic in that?
"They are seniors" this is when age does matter, lots of older people are living from cheque to cheque and do not have a down payment let alone make a mortgage payment which likely will be higher than the rent they pay now.
For example: The payment for a $110,000.00 mortgage is approximately $716.00 per month, which is about $200.00 above what they are paying right now for a 2-bedroom unit (this is over 25 years, based on a 5-year fixed rate). Then include a monthly strata fee of $105.00+ and then add on the heat/taxes and all the other utilities, all on a pensioners income.
Yes, I know that the town has senior facilities, but have you checked those out lately? They are either full or bachelor suites, which barely hold a single bed and a TV.
As far as the other apartment buildings in town there is a waiting list, so who knows if there will be any available units when the time comes for them to move.
You are taking away "their way of life and their home" by allowing this to happen.
All they want is the freedom to come and go without worries in a safe and secure location.
They have earned this right, they paid their dues. Is this too much to ask?
Time is running out for these people, and these tenants are becoming very stressed over this whole issue.
Now what do we do to help them?
Any suggestions Council, Randy?
- Edna & Ken Blomme, Princeton
Dear Editor,
The Princeton doctor shortage highlights again the complex question of comprehensive health care in a rural community like Princeton. Doctors, nurses, therapists, Lab, X-ray technicians, office staff, housekeeping people mostly have partners.
Partners need employment. Employment requires industry and businesses.
We've never met a male doctor's wife that is a bimbo. They often have professions in their own right and want to exercise it. If there is no employment available a $50,000 yearly subsidy may be necessary for the partner.
Incentives may be necessary to attract Princeton graduate students to the health care profession.
Our wide open Canadian immigration policy is overwhelming our system, stressing out our services and infrastructure.
It's like building a house for 4 people and 40 move in. It's a disaster for those waiting in line, cross-legged that have to go potty in the one and only bathroom.
Regards,
- Joe Schwarz, Princeton
Dear Editor: Please print this in the News Leader:
To the person or persons who has/have been clearing the snow from the Coalmont Postal Boxes:
Thank you so very much, not only I, but I'm sure the rest of Coalmont really appreciates your kind gesture.
- M. Broad, Coalmont
