LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- October 3, 2006
Dear Editor;
This morning I listened to a CBC radio host interviewing Vancouver's Mayor Sam Sullivan. The topic was the overwhelming drug problem in Vancouver.
Mayor Sullivan offered no solutions, but what he did say must have jolted the sensitivities of more than just a few rednecks. He said that in 1880 there was a study in Vancouver regarding the use of narcotics.
The study concluded that 1% of Vancouvers residents were drug addicts. Then he made the startling revelation that in 2006, 126 years later, its addicted population still stands at 1%.
I waited anxiously for His Worship to connect the dots for his less astute readers, but that didn't happen.
So, I have concluded that the mayor knows trying to educate his morally conservative supporters would be political suicide---- there are just too many people in this country who believe that some way, some day, prohibition will work; that all we have to do is throw every transgressor in jail.
I will assume he was dying to tell us that in 1880 there were no drug raids and no narcotics officers. The only police required were those needed to tame the occasional drunk. Addiction was not a crime and no one was in jail for selling or using drugs.
Property crime was minimal because there was no theft to support addiction. There were no women on the street selling their bodies to obtain drugs, which meant that there also were no pimps and no perverts to prey on them and there was no blood running in the streets due to turf wars.
I believe Mayor Sullivan also wanted to say that an informed populace beginning in infancy and not prohibition provides the only solution to the problem.
But since he allowed us to fill in the blanks, let me spell it out--- drum roll, please and the winner is----E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N-!! -
HPToews, Princeton
To The Editor:
Re: Tatoosh Fire - RDOS Emergency Operations Center - Princeton General Hospital September 4-14, 2006
Now that Tatoosh, Tripod and Border Lake fires are contained, the smoke has cleared and life has returned to normal in the south Okanagan and Similkameen the Regional District wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary volunteerism in Princeton and area.
On September 4th, the RDOS activated an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the basement at the Princeton Hospital on the recommendation of the Forest Service in response to the concerns about smoke for residents from the Tatoosh Fire burning in the Pasayten Valley. A local EOC through the Provincial Emergency Program supports those fighting the fire and the public that may be affected.
BC Forest Service requested our immediate support in establishing a toll free line at the EOC to transfer the escalating volume of telephone calls that they were responding to. We required several volunteers to answer the phone lines from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM until further notice. RDOS staff arranged to meet Gerri Logan, Electoral Area H Director at the EOC on the morning of Labour Day, Monday to begin to contact a list of potential citizens that could possibly assist. Within one hour over fifteen residents arrived at the EOC and numerous phoned in throughout the ten days ready and willing to volunteer their time. Those volunteers that answered the phone lines at the 'call center' were described by many as 'awesome.'
The RDOS commends the residents of Princeton and area for their impressive community spirit!
Yours truly, Jason Johnson Chief Administrative Officer RDOS
Dear Editor:
For the past two weeks, three town workers Len Liberatore, Ken Gibson and Allan Bouvette have been putting in new sidewalks on Similkameen Avenue.
They did a fantastic job. When credit is due these three men did an absolute outstanding job of laying concrete for the sidewalks.
If anyone who complained last year during our snow storm that the town crew were not very efficient, you should have seen these guys.
I do not know what they get paid, but I know darn well it was not enough, and all we can say from the people of Similkameen Avenue for a wonderful job is thanks Len Liberatore, Ken Gibson and Allan Bouvette. Job well done!
PS: All the form work done for the sidewalks is of the old style, not the new modern inter-locking forms, everything they did was straight hard physical labour, the old way.
Thanks again. - Don & Julie Fleming,
Princeton
Dear Editor:
Families are being hit hard by the Conservative governments lack of vision in regard to childcare. There are simply not enough spaces with well-qualified childcare specialists to assist young families. The cancellation of the early learning and childcare agreement mean that B.C. will not be getting over $600 million to provide for more affordable childcare spaces.
The situation has become worse. As we have seen from a recent article in the Trail Daily Times, there are families who have to stay on the waitlist for 2+ years which basically means that their children will be too old for the infant-toddler program when they get their turn. Due to the lack of quality childcare spaces, there are parents in our rural communities not able to work. This puts tremendous pressure not only on the family itself but also on our government support system.
The federal NDP has been relentless in exposing the pitfalls of the deceptive and cynical Harper plan for it provides no choice, no childcare and only little of the promised $1,200 family benefit. According to the Caledon Institute, a working couple earning $36,000 per year in Ontario would only see $388 of this benefit after taxes and other reductions.
Two NDP MPs, Denise Savoie and Olivia Chow, have been working hard to enshrine childcare into legislation and have introduced the Early Learning and Child Care Act. It is based on the same principles as the Canada Health Act quality, accessibility, affordability and universality principles which reflect our country's values.
Nevertheless, the battle has just begun. We need everybody's help to raise awareness of this important issue. It is time to contact all Members of Parliament and encourage them to support this Act when it comes to debate later this month.
I urge all those concerned to contact my office, write letters to the editor and especially contact the Prime Minister and his government MPs. Also, please take a moment to visit our take action page at www.oliviachow.ca to download petitions.
Clearly, this Conservative government has lost touch with issues that really matter to average Canadian families. It is up to all of us to get our country back on track. Together, we can build a better future for our children.
Sincerely, Alex Atamanenko, MP BC Southern Interior
To The Editor;
Who are the real 'Stakeholders' in the development of Princeton's TOWN SQUARE that the Council Members are determined to achieve by turning the tiny Cenotaph Park into what appears to be an Entertainment Centre?
So who will benefit from such a ludicrous scheme and who will bear the cost in terms of actual monies or loss of customers by the adjacent established businesses? What changes will be made to the current traffic flow and the provision for parking in that area?
Being a Veteran, a member of Branch 56 of the Legion and a taxpaying resident I felt I should be considered to be a Stakeholder in this project but I wasn't invited to the first meeting that was held at the Skills Centre on Wednesday, September 27th.
How many readers of this newspaper fall into this category? Neither were the business owners most affected by the proposed development which was referred to as a 'mere oversight.' However as word leaked out they made an effort on last minute notice to be present with some input.
Two very young ladies who have been hired to extract information from key Stakeholders controlled the meeting with a video presentation of various cities and towns who have constructed a TOWN SQUARE. Then the selected handful of people who represented some local organizations were given a piece of paper and asked to draw what their concept of such a plan should be.
There seemed to be no logic in this when the letter that was sent out by the Town Council states they "invite the Princeton and area residents to be involved as we enhance Princeton's position as a key cultural, retail, tourist and entertainment district for the area."
So a large picture of our Cenotaph Park area was placed on the screen so the 'Stakeholders' could focus on that one area only being foisted on us.
From what I observed and heard when we were divided into groups of 5 or 6 people to give our opinion on various aspects of the project, the suggestions of these few selected people will set the stage for rubber stamping Town Council's desires in order to eventually influence the general public's acceptance of enlarging the Cenotaph Park with the closure of the street that was named to honour Veterans.
That would accommodate a Bandstand for Musicians to entertain residents and tourists year round. My curiosity led me to concur with John Sandness that the public should be permitted to have their views expressed. When the girls were attempting to schedule a second meeting for these few stakeholders in November I expressed my concern that 30 people out of 5,000 in the town and surrounding area do not properly represent the opinions of the majority.
I suggested that the next meeting should take place in a larger facility to hold a public hearing or forum to provide an opportunity for all concerned to share their views in the initial stages.
When asked about the cost of such a project being important information for the public, it was not on the agenda at this time! I instantly thought of the 'Parable of the Tower' written by Luke in Chapter 14:28-30 with a similar question. I quote: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, considering whether he have sufficient to finish it?"
With this in my mind, I have to question the price the public will pay in terms of having access to businesses on Vermillion Street for traffic and parking. Also how will the public be affected in changes to be made on Bridge Street for both parking and the safety of the traffic flow?
This should be a major consideration for everyone.
I conclude with a challenge to the Veterans and 400 or so Legion Members who should be included as Stakeholders to voice their opinions on simply beautifying Cenotaph Park with flower beds plus the addition of park benches and picnic tables for people to enjoy the peace and tranquillity while respecting and honouring the sacrifices made by many for the freedoms we should cherish first and foremost.
Preserving all aspects of the area versus creating an entertainment centre should include the views of 5,000 Stakeholders including all the people who patronize the local businesses and depend on having access to other important professional services adjacent to Cenotaph Park.
- Kay Hardy, Princeton
