RATTLESNAKE CANYON BRINGS COMPLAINTS

Editor:

Since 2003 Rattlesnake Canyon has severely disturbed a quality of life the nearby residents were accustomed to.
The noise and stench of 22 go-carts is rightfully not acceptable and so are the screams of induced panic by gyrations of rotating equipment holding people captive. Such screams will justify 911 calls anywhere else in a civil society. Noise of that nature and intensity just 70 metres away from Sonora Ridge, Cottonwood Drive or any residential area would be considered out of place.
Should there be exceptions to that? I don't think so. Construction noise, always of a temporary nature, ceases in residential areas after 5 p.m. and does not start too early in the morning. The racket of a 911 dimension should be no different.
The majority of nearby residents have lived most of the years allotted to them and should be allowed to live without unnecessary disturbance for their remaining years. Much of a senior's energy is needed to deal with the frailties of advanced age on a daily basis and perhaps or likely the loss of a husband or wife. This deserves to be respected and certainly in a town which is set on attracting retirees.
These residents were not asked to relinquish their way of existence; it was 'hijacked' from them by the then mayor and council, supported by the present mayor and council. Rattlesnake Canyon is a cancer on this neighbourhood and as such must be removed in total.
I have filed with the town noise complaints and received no response. On another recent inquiry I was informed that the present and former noise bylaw is in force, but I have not experienced it in action. I have seen a sign by the town of Osoyoos on the fence of 
Kinsmen Park indicating that no amplified noise is allowed in the park, however I experienced amplified noise coming from Rattlesnake Canyon overwhelming Kinsmen Park and my residence. Now I have observed that this sign has been removed by the town. Who was served by that move? What was the motivation? I filed a complaint with the RCMP and enclosed a photo of this sign. No problem receiving a response, however, as the noise is generated on public grounds there is nothing they do about it.
We read in this paper that the former owner of Rattlesnake Canyon spent $125,000 to ameliorate the noise export and this indicates that there was a problem to be dealt with and we also know that it accomplished nothing except that it probably aided the sale to the current owner. I am not accepting the dollar figure quoted.
It is strange for a town to permit a business to start up with just 23 parking spaces. Just the go-carts alone number 22 and then there are all those other customer facilities. It is strange that the town spent $20,000 in the court to defend itself. Does a parent go to court because the child is not listening? At any rate the town lost and the mayor and council celebrated by 
garnishing Rattlesnake's service entrance with blacktop and seven paved parking spaces so that the place looks nicer. That too was a $20,000 bill. Thanks again.

Luke KurversrnOsoyoos

— (OSOYOOS TIMES — September 12, 2007)