News Leader News
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- May 23, 2006
To The Editor;
Sir,
Twenty years ago, May 15, 1986, was to be the official opening of the Coquilhalla Highway to coincide with Expo 86 in Vancouver.
We¹d only been in the Tulameen Trading Post a few months. Not being familiar with the back country we drove the back road to the toll booth, about an hour and approximately 30 miles of vast wilderness with a spider web of logging roads, supposedly habitated with bears, grizzly bears moose, elk, deer, coyotes, cougars, bobcats and eagles, etc.
Sure enough once the Coquilhalla was open, people (and there was a variety of types) would turn off at the toll booth and head who knows where. Many times they'd come into the store with a ghostly look on their face asking "where am I?" They'd been lost in the maze of logging roads.
Women were especially bad. Their cars with bald tires would be overloaded with stuff and kids.
One day a neatly attired gentleman came in and introduced himself as a retired Anglican minister. "Wow, are we ever glad to see you." Looking somewhat startled he replied, "Really?" "Yes we said, We're getting an infinite number of lost souls from the toll booth desperate for help.:
He laughed, thought that was great and would do what he could. We never saw him again. Another man came in, good natured looking like a 'Woodstock' veteran of the Vietnam era in search of gold, and wanted a little guidance. We kidded a bit and told him not to get confused with the tarnished nuggets like some do -- those were deer droppings.
His beat up Volkswagon van was O.K. but he wanted some air for his wheelbarrow tire and he could handle it. A little while later there was a big bang and simultaneous thud. He over inflated the tire splitting the rim making a big dent in the shop door. Luckily he was uninjured rather than ending up singing soprano in the St. Petersburg male choir.
Like everyone else we visited Expo and even had our picture taken with actress Joan Collins and displayed it in the store.
Many tourists were amazed that she frequented the area. Tulameen and the Similkameen we'd say is known by many for it's uniqueness and beauty. We never said Joan Collins was really a paper cutout we'd been photographed with. We followed President Clinton's dictum - "Don't ask, don't tell."
Years later while in a Indio, California store specializing in used golfballs we unexpectedly had a very pleasant conversation with a casually dressed stranger. It was former Expo 86 Premier Bill Bennett.
Also while in Indio we befriended three Vietnamese brothers who operated a dollar store and suggested they should visit Vancouver sometime. "Oh, we have," they said. "We visited Expo 86. It was great but the second day we were there, our van was stolen. Sure made us feel good."
The man who for five years headed Expo 86 to it's opening at a salary of a dollar a year was Mr. Jimmy Pattison. He later said he was never paid his salary of 5 dollars so the Tulameen Trading Post felt he earned it and paid it.
Mother said, "always wear a clean shirt and pay your bills." The store never did hear from him but then it was in competition with his Overwaitea store in Princeton.
Like the present Whistler Olympics, Expo 86 had it's controversy but Tulameen prospered. The lot across the street from the Trading Post front door sold in 1986 at $ 6,500.00. At least one tenth of today's prices. A Microsm of B.C.
Regards, Joe Schwarz, Princeton
Dear Editor:
As the federal representative for the BC Southern Interior I voted against the motion to extend Canada's military mission in Afghanistan until February 2009 because I believe it is the wrong mission statement for Canada.
The gunshot debate in Parliament was a clear example of Stephen Harper's back door methods of supporting the American led insurgence into Afghanistan. This in no way reflects the peace-making values that Canadians want to see our forces undertake on the world stage.
I could not in good conscience support a motion that ties our Canadian foreign aid to such an ill conceived war making agenda.
It is quite clear that Harper's Conservatives are not interested in due diligence. They are only interested in dragging us further into a US-style combat role and away from a fundamental peace keeping role.
Afghanistan has seen numerous invading armies come and go throughout her ravaged history. Mughal rulers of South Asia, Russian Tsars, Soviet Armies and the British Empire have all suffered humiliating defeats in this strategically important country. Most recently we have witnessed the rise and fall of the Taliban and an invasion by a US led coalition many of whom are no longer making new commitments to this mission.
After six hours of debate the Conservatives emulated the Liberals before them and refused to answer any questions put forward by the opposition such as what the chain of command and control will be, how Canadian troops may define success at the end of the mission or what the exit strategy will be.
Many Canadians have written me wanting answers and it is my duty as their elected representative to get them those answers. As any soldier knows, time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted.
If there is to be peace and security in this region then clearly the United Nations need to commit to and develop a comprehensive peace plan that is based on a defensive rather than an offensive military role.
I am afraid that May 17, 2006 will go down in history as a tragic day for Canadians and all those seeking peace in these troubled times.
- Alex Atamanenko, MP
BC Southern Interior
To The Editor;
The proposed National Park is a great idea. It would help protect the endangered grasslands and the many and various species of that habitat which are now at considerable risk of survival.
At the same time it would be a powerful tourist attraction, offering many people a reason to visit the area and for others a reason to extend their stay. There seems to be some confusion about what would happen if the Park was once declared. Of course hiking, birding, and other wild life observation would not only be allowed but would be greatly enhanced. Horse riding is permitted and motorized vehicles limited as in Provincial Parks - remembering that the purpose of the Park is to protect the natural life there.
Contrary to some reports, cattle ranching could continue and the grazing would be part of the Park management. Outside some of the other Parks, hunting has actually improved.
As far as contributing to the local economy is concerned, there is clear evidence that there are benefits wherever a National Park is located. Full time and part time jobs are created, and the increase in tourism creates others.
This is a beautiful and unique countryside which we must care for and ensure that our kids and theirs will be able to visit and wonder at the complex life within the Park.
Please consider all the above and write or call the MLA Bill Barisoff and MP Alex Atamanenko to tell them of your approval. You can then learn much more by attending the Open House events and expressing your views for a National Park in the South Okanagan.
- Sheila White, Secretary
Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society
