LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- March 25, 2008
To The Editor;
The Victoria, BC company of Gary Roberts and Associates has been hired by Parks Canada to carry out a socio-economic assessment on the impact of a national park on our Similkameen Valley communities.
The members that make up the study group have been appointed by the Community Futures Group to assure non-bias.
I find it incomprehensible that the study will not have bias as Gary Roberts and Associates have been hired by Parks Canada!
This Parks Canada assessment, coyly called a socio-economic study, is a sham. I believe it would be better labeled as a risk assessment. Using the analogy of vaccine testing; if two out of a sample of 1,000 die, I believe the term used when this occurs is casualty or more appropriately collateral damage. It would appear that it is taken for granted that there will be casualties in the establishment of the proposed park!
The affected ranchers and farmers of the Similkameen Valley, will, as one speaker said, "be considered a casualty of the National Park Reserve." Finally
honesty - but a thoroughly heartless and obscene statement! Is establishing this park really good for the residents of the Similkameen Valley? I think not.
I believe that from all the pro park signatures collected, that there is not one individual who has, or ever will, venture into the proposed park, or choose to live in this valley.
I believe the pro parkers are knee-jerk reactors who have not taken the time to consider the ramifications of their blindly signing a pro park petition. I believe that they are ignorant of the fact that over the past decades, the LRMP has successfully managed the area in partnership with all its constituent stakeholders.
Is it really true that the LRMP is to be dissolved by the government? The audacity of such a decision would be shockingly disrespectful to the dedicated hard working members of the LRMP. Further, I query whether there will be an opportunity for the Similkameen Valley residents to have input? Which groups are involved in the study? Are there any groups excluded? Is the rumour true that the First Nations Peoples are not included in the study?
Ross Fitzpatrick, what a legacy you are leaving for our children. In being pro park, you are making a conscious decision to dismantle the historic and fundamental fabric of the Similkameen Valley. You are making the decision as to which families will be casualties of the National Park Reserve. Collateral damage would seem to be a given in the establishment of any national park. I find that morally abhorrent and obscene. I'm amazed that you would want to be remembered for such a travesty.
Alex Atamanenko, if you choose not to represent your constituents, you are guilty of the same morally obscene choice.
Mr. Atamanenko, just remember that for every one complaint there are more than 100 unvoiced complaints. Alex, I may appear to only be one voice, but take heed, there are many of us who will vote for another candidate in the next election if the proposed park is established.
- Mary Nash, Cawston
