LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- November 25, 2008
To The Editor;
In reply to Mr. Dietz
Mr. Dietz;
How differently we see Princeton.
You see a town of run down buildings, overbearing real estate signs, rough trails and ineffective town councillors. I see a town of caring, responsible people working individually and together to the benefit of our small community.
Princeton is certainly not perfect. We need to promote sustainable, environmentally responsible businesses. We need to create strategies that encourage attainable housing.
We need to upgrade many buildings, especially in the downtown area. As a community volunteer, I had interactions with the last two town councils. While I sometimes disagreed with their decisions, I appreciate and respect the time and effort they gave to improving Princeton.
You see a town that could be vibrant, a word defined by the Oxford Dictionary to mean thrilling and lively.
I see a town that is dynamic which according to the same dictionary means energetic and active.
On occasion Princeton is, and will continue to be, thrilling and lively; for example, Racing Days and the Heritage Music Festival. But the Princeton I see is energetic and active every day.
To exemplify the energetic and active nature of our town, I have prepared a list of dynamic groups and activities.
I realize this list is not complete and I invite others to help complete it.
- Community Services Society - New Beginnings, home care, assisted living
- Princeton Crisis Assistance Society
- Princeton Accessibility Committee
- Princeton Volunteer Fire Department
- Princeton Ground Search and Rescue
- Programs for children and families - Princeton Child Care Society, Communities for Kids, Family Place, Little Folks Nursery School, Strong Start, Preschool Support Program, Literacy Now
- Seniors Centre
- Arts programs - drama, community band, singing, painting, potting, quilting, art gallery
- Recreation Programs - Riverside Centre, Princeton Arena, community and school sports, China Ridge Cross Country Ski Association, Curling Club
- Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists - Swan Lake reserve
- Vermilion Trails Society - Weyerhauser gazebo, Bridge of Dreams
- Sunflower Downs group - Fall Fair, Racing Days, Rodeo
- Hospital Auxiliary
- Museum Society
- Service Clubs - Legion, Lions, Rotary
- Church groups
- Community garden committee
- Posse Hockey Club
- Individuals who give their time and effort to paint or roof a building for a non-profit group, or drive an elderly neighbour to an appointment in Penticton, or volunteer in so many kind ways to help friends and others.
You see a town whose only long term asset is our heritage town and surrounding area. I see a town whose most important asset is the caring nature of the people that live here.
Princeton is not, and may never be, the most affluent small town, or the fastest growing small town, or the prettiest small town. But we are already an amazingly caring small town.
As we work to improve Princeton, we need to appreciate and nurture what we have that makes us such a caring place because that is why many of us choose to live here.
We don't have to live in Princeton.
We want to live in Princeton.
Yours truly,
Susan Hamilton, Princeton
To The Editor;
We now have a new Town Council and Mayor that have all promised good things.
I have a few suggestions as priorities (not necessarily in the order presented).
1) Safe and decent, foot, wheelchair and buggy access to downtown facilities from the Tunnel, Allison Flats/Deblyn areas and East Princeton.
2) Replace the decrepit and inadequate Brown Bridge.
3) Secure affordable shelter for pensioners and other low-income residents.
4) Surface and ballast our dykes before the ice tears the rest of the rip-rap away.
5) Promote Princeton nationally and internationally as a town with clean air and water, every kind of outdoor activity, a central location and an ideal place for an value-added industry.
6) Easy access to temporary parking, complete with water and sani-dump for RV's, close to shopping.
7) Lobby together with the other concerned towns to have major upgrading done to the Hope Princeton Highway.
8) Add a few more basketball/badminton courts and benches to the ball fields and playgrounds.
9) Devise a plan to get all the fruit picked around town so that the bear and deer are not attracted so much.
10) More disposal bins complete with doggie bag dispensers in problem areas.
There's more stuff, like noxious weeds, toxic chemicals, etc. that need attention and education, and enforcement of existing bylaws.
Respectfully,
J. W. Noppe, Princeton
Editor;
I was thinking of running myself in our city election but with a name like 'Joe' the opposition wouldn't have a chance and that's not very Christian or charitable.
Just imagine the negative advertising and slogans - Joe Who? Joe the Plumber? Joe the Bummer! That Joe - you don't get them much dumber.
Where is the perk when you vote for this Joe - a well-known jerk? It's really a Joe job but not any Joe can do it.
Remember, this Joe is compassionate, keeps his promises - such as cutting the taxes on those not working (easy one to keep when not paying taxes if not working). His common sense approach, this Joe wears pocketless pants. You never have to worry about this Joe filling his pockets with your hard-earned tax dollars.
An advocate of law and order, Joe would outsource all repeat criminal cases to Saudi Arabia and the savings used for a Princeton homeless deer shelter and bylaw officer.
Joe will not leave you disillusioned. He promises you nothing. You can be sure anything you get beyond that is a bonus.
As our ranchers, Joe's a strong believer in the use and accomplishments of the shovel.
Joe's a real brain when it's working - methane gas operated - is suffering a serious malfunction since being cut off in Princeton.
This Joe is not short-sighted, always wears tinted glasses and sees nothing but a rosy future for Princeton - VOTE JOE!!! (Joe Who?).
However, with so many candidates anxious to care for the happiness and well being of me - OJoe the Taxpayer' - I am so deeply humbled and filled with gratitude to all, that common decency and courtesy demands I not run and impede such a priceless process.
- Joe Schwarz, Princeton
To The Editor;
We are writing this to inform the citizens of Princeton and surrounding areas that Princeton Greyhound will be closing its doors December 31, 2008.
We regret to have to make this decision, but due to drastic cuts from Greyhound management, we are one of several small agencies unable to afford to keep open. We will be open longer hours in December to help with Christmas shipping and travelling which we will post at Greyhound in the following weeks.
We would like to take this time to thank all our loyal customers and apologize for this inconvenience to you.
We are guessing that passengers will continue to be picked up and able to buy their tickets at the next depot available but are unsure of where this bus stop will be.
Hopefully Greyhound gets back to us as soon as possible so we can relay this information on to you to make the travel changes as smooth as we can.
For all your freight and shipping needs in the new year or any other questions, please come in the Princeton Greyhound and speak to Lynette, who will try to get your answers from Greyhound.
Thank you!
- Curtis & Lynette Boyd
- Mike & Sarah Baines
To The Editor;
During the Mayors' All-Candidate Forum the question came up again about deer control.
As everyone is aware, we have a huge deer population in our area and it is such a problem. I forgot to tell you (during the Forum) my secret.
We purchased some organic deer spray and spray all the ornamentals and flowers around the yard. I haven't had ANY problems with the deer eating ANY of the sprayed flowers or bushes. It really works and I would recommend it.
You have to spray following a rain otherwise it lasts a long time. Good luck!
- Esther Donovan, Princeton
