PROGRESS IN THE CUSTOMS LANES?
Editor:
I enjoyed your picture of the customs building 'May 26, 1937', in your November 22nd issue of the Times. The picture was taken the same year I was born in Osoyoos.
I remember the building and Mr. Simpson, the customs officer. Sixty-nine years ago there was only one lane of traffic. We now have a multi-million-dollar building and multi customs officers working there, and still only one lane open! I hope our government is not calling this progress! I have noticed they do open that second lane when the traffic line is down past the Duty Free store!rnThe other complaint that I have is why do they have all the transport trucks in the same lane as the cars? I think there is more traffic now in one hour than there was sixty-nine years ago in a month.
Don BrunnerrnOsoyoos
— (OSOYOOS TIMES — Nov. 29, 2006)
[b]STUDIES OFFER HOPE FOR LAKE[/b]
Editor:
In response to the Nov. 22 Times headline concerning the International Joint Commission's (IJC) announcement with respect to Zosel Dam and Osoyoos Lake “
Finally! Somebody woke up and is heeding the cries in the wilderness from the Osoyoos Oxbows Restoration Society (OORS) and Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) “ two sister organizations whose major purpose is to enhance and sustain our precious waterways.
The IJC, the international regulator who manages our reservoir/lake operations and control seasonal water storage levels by means of Zosel Dam, and whose local orders are coming up for renewal, is starting to understand why water quality issues are Number 1 for the local residents and all Osoyoos Lake users. Following an exhaustive preliminary examination by Glenfir Resources, a Canadian environmental consultant firm of high repute, and many heated public discussions and hearings with the IJC Board, Chris Bull's final report to this international tribunal strongly recommended that water quality issues become the Number 1 item on their prioritized list of concerns for the next round of Osoyoos Lake negotiations.
Over the past four years, we have repeatedly voiced our concerns to the IJC and we had Oroville, Washington's support as well. We strongly stated that without water quality getting on the table, the Board would lose credibility and find it difficult to ram through a new set of Orders that ignored the mainly Canadian concerns for our waterway.
We are obliged to give our southern neighbours storage rights and controlled flows of river and lake water for their irrigation needs. In return, we want help in developing and enforcing programs to clean up the lake and get water quality standards incorporated into the agreement involving this Dam and Osoyoos Lake.
The studies proposed and funded internationally by the IJC, if done properly with scientific rigor, should clearly identify and quantify the long-term consequences of not only the dam, but also of allowing the uncontrolled rapidly accelerated upstream inflow via the channelized Okanagan River into this reservoir lake. Upstream reconnection of the oxbows and old river meanders with rehabilitation measures and other mitigation clean-up initiatives should naturally become funded following these absolutely essential and timely sanctioned studies.
Hurray for the IJC for stepping outside of their long-professed politically-controlled box! Hats off to all those people that spoke out publicly at the international hearings! And thank you to Mr. Bull for listening carefully and articulating so well our real concerns in the written report to the international tribunals and experts.
Now it is time for everyone to keep a vigilant eye on the studies and the results. Politicians and decision makers will not be able to ignore the cries from Osoyoos Lake for help in the future. Everyone's voice of support will count.
Coincidentally, Mr. Bull, a respected experienced ecologist, will be the guest speaker at the OORS Annual General Meeting on December 7th. Everyone is invited to come and hear what is being accomplished and what still needs to happen to secure our valuable waterway resources into the future. See you at 7:30 p.m. on the 7th at the Best Western Sunrise Inn!
Eike SchefflerrnOsoyoos
— (OSOYOOS TIMES — Nov. 29, 2006)
[b]WATER PARK GETS SUPPORT[/b]
Editor:
I am writing this letter in support for a Water Park in Osoyoos.
The Osoyoos climate produces very hot and dry days which is one very important reason why we need a water park here. We do not have a public pool in our community and a water park would be a welcomed alternative for the residents of this town.
Osoyoos is a major tourist town and it would give all families another option for spending time together in a cost-free and safe environment. A water park would promote family, physical exercise, friends, and a safe, highly interactive environment for children as an alternative to swimming in the lake.
Osoyoos is a growing community with many new families moving in and we have noticed an increase in the daycare enrollments. Many parents/guardians have expressed a need for alternate ways for children to spend their time in the warmer months.
A water park would eliminate parents' fears of drowning and would provide a cool down for those hot arid days. People of all ages can take part in the fun, accessible for those who are physically challenged (wheelchair accessible) and unable to go into the lake to cool down. A meeting place for our own community to meet and greet those who come to visit our town in the summer months and best of all it is free! It will enhance the tourism industry when a water park is part of our advertising when promoting Osoyoos.
We feel that the Jack Shaw Gardens would be an ideal spot and central to all people in Osoyoos. The location is close to the water/lake, washrooms readily available and an existing building for possible concession stand. There is accessible parking nearby with a safe route to Jack Shaw Gardens under the roadway and a grassy area with trees and picnic tables. This location would bring people into town and would eliminate congestion around Rattlesnake Canyon, campsite row and community beach.
We highly recommend a water park be installed in Osoyoos.
There is nothing more powerful than a community finding out what it cares about. “ Margaret Wheatley
Paddy Pearson, Erin Shields, Cheryl Smith & Deb HoloboffrnOsoyoos Child Care Centre Staff
— (OSOYOOS TIMES — Nov. 29, 2006)
