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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - November 8, 2005
To The Editor;
I would like to thank the many individuals and organizations that have sent their congratulations to me on my third term as Director of Area H. That you took the time means a lot to me and I thank you all. I would also like to thank the residents of Area H for the past six years; it has been a pleasure and an honor to serve
you at the Regional District Level.
Without a doubt Princeton and Area is changing and I believe that in the next three to five years our population will continue to grow. We must welcome change but at the same time be able to manage and maintain our integrity.
That is why this next year myself, the RDOS staff and selected residents of Area H will be taking on the task of preparing a new and improved Official Community Plan that is going to guide us through the next decade and provide us with the security of knowing where we are going and what we want our rural home to look like.
Our water, our air, the services that we provide will be our top priorities along with proper land use management. They say that time changes everything but the thing that I worry about the most are the slow changes, the ones that we miss because we are not paying close enough attention. Letıs be careful about what we ask for, letıs make sure
there are opportunities that we do not miss and above all letıs protect what we have.
I had to think long and hard about throwing my name in the ring this time due to some personal commitments but one of the things that made me come back was the way I have been treated by the people that I come in contact with and what I have learned, I appreciate it more than you know. In the end I also decided that there were too many projects
that I am working on and a few that I want to add to the list to retire at this stage in the game so you have me for another term and I am excited about that. Many of you may realize that I am employed at WorkZone during the week and it has been difficult for people to talk with me.
So remember that I do have my message phone and email, which are (250) 295-7898 and gerri@nethop.net. Please contact me whenever you need to. I am also hoping to volunteer some of my time at our new Riverside Wellness Community Centre and if I am allowed I will
have a small office up there with certain hours that folks can drop in just to talk.
I must also make mention of the RDOS staff that backs me up in the Penticton office. They are simply the brightest and the best and they are the people that make things happen. If I refer you to anyone at the Penticton office I know that you will be treated with respect and that your needs will be addressed. To each and every one of them I send my
thanks for everything that they do.
And my warmest thanks to Lyle Thomas who has become a valuable partner of mine. Not only does he lend his expert management to our Arena and Recreation Department he also devotes considerable personal time to many clubs and organizations in this town. He really is the man behind the Riverside Wellness Centre; I only acted as the political end of
things.
This was his dream for his community and he has poured immense time and energy into this project. He lends his support and time over and beyond to this community so if you see Lyle anywhere in your travels will you please extend your thanks, he deserves it.
And sadly I must now say goodbye to someone who I have relied heavily on for the past six years, our Building Inspector Extraordinaire Mr. Ray Coates. Ray is going to be leaving us for the calmer days of retirement. Thanks Ray for always taking time for me, for your integrity and hard work, for your wisdom and for truly caring about the people you
work with and for.
You have really earned your retirement in the last few hectic years here and served us well. Best of everything Ray, we going to miss you.
- Gerri Logan, Area H Director
