LOTS OF GOOD NEWS HAPPENING IN TOWN THIS SUMMER
(OSOYOOS TIMES — July 25, 2007) —
Today's Osoyoos Times contains a number of 'good news' items, and they deserve repeating in this space:
¢ Representatives of the federal, provincial, Town and regional district governments got together last week to announce $4.5 million funding to add 120 homes all the way up the west side of Osoyoos Lake to the Town's sewage treatment system.
That will go a long way towards addressing what has been the nagging problem of alleged leaky septic tanks near the lake. Everyone who cares about the quality of water for residents and visitors alike will be pleased with this move.
¢ So far this summer, testing of water near two of our main beaches shows they're within acceptable limits. That's reassuring, since in recent years there has been some suspicion that the water quality near Gyro and Legion Beaches might occasionally fall into the 'contaminated' category. We're all hoping the quality remains good as summer progresses.
¢ Hats off to Jim Baxter, the Osoyoos-based consultant who recently finished a study of the labour market situation in the South Okanagan.
Not only did he come up with a host of very practical measures to address the various problems in the area's agricultural, hotel/motel, and First Nations labour markets, but he has rolled up his sleeves and is helping to get some of those actions up-and-running.
¢ Kudos yet again to Frances and Larry Sologuk for putting on another set of fun-filled Street Dances for residents and tourists. They're always a highlight of the summer for hundreds of people, and we owe Frances and Larry a huge 'thank you'.
¢ And, while it's good news for local elementary school teacher Craig Bedard, it's sad for the rest of us. He's off to become assistant coach for the Prince Albert (Sask.) Raiders WHL hockey team. It's a great move for the super-talented hockey coach, but students, hockey players and many others in Osoyoos will miss Craig.
