PARK WOULD MEAN SACRIFICES FOR NATURALISTS TOO
Editor:
Re: Proposed National Park Reserve
We note that several people have asked what are the Naturalists giving up to make this area a National Park Reserve.
My answer to those people is the following:
1. I feel that I would be giving up the problem of explaining to visitors why there are a lot of invasive weeds near roads.
2. Why there are ATV tracks in riparian areas. Why there are ATV tracks going straight up hills in what was a pristine area. Why the trails are getting deeper every year.
3. Why there are no burrowing owls, jack rabbits and many other critters which used to inhabit this area.
4. Why are the reeds and other riparian plants all trampled into the mud around lakes. This prevents many species from using the riparian areas.
5. Why is the grass in some areas grazed right down to the bare soil so that invasive weeds can take over.
6. We may be giving up some free access that we currently have, just the same as those who are opposed. The restrictions that Parks Canada puts on the area are the same for all. Who said that naturalists are not hunters and vice versa. I know naturalists who hunt, but most of us buy our meat at the grocery store, therefore, supporting our ranchers.
7. Unfortunately, I may have to give up supplementing my OAP income because I won't have the chance to pick up empty beer cans left by hunters and bush parties.
8. We will all have to give up something to ensure the protection of this area but the benefits of these losses will be a huge gain for us and future generations to come.
We can get many answers to our questions by picking up the latest update of the National Park Reserve Feasibility Study in our local tourist bureaus and/or by calling National Parks at 1-877-490-2238 or email: [email][email protected][/email]
Harry Nielsen,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 27, 2008
SENATOR SHOULD STAY OUT OF PARK DEBATE
Editor:
Accountability is all-important, particularly when it relates to our un-elected Senator.
Clear proof was mailed to residents of the Southern Interior late last week.
Liberal Senator Ross Fitzpatrick, in the last days of his term, used the official emblem of the Senate on the outside of a large (unstamped) brown envelope containing his biased, one-sided promotion of the National Park Reserve proposed for the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.
Using the resources of an official office to promote an individual's personal aspirations violates the democratic and moral standards Canadians expect from government.
When Fitzpatrick refers privately to the proposal as his park, it removes all doubt that his desire to establish a National Park is based more on his personal legacy than the results of what should be an objective feasibility study.
Further proof of his bias in promoting his views is found in the text where he limits the challenges to a park to impacts to some trapping, hunting, and ranching opportunities.
He completely ignores the loss of ALR lands associated with heritage ranches, the loss of Canadian Helicopters training school and subsequent impact on the Penticton Airport, the added risk of catastrophic wildfire on family homes on the interface, and the huge impacts to traditional recreational areas.
He further ignores the consensus-based Provincial Land and Resource Management Plan which has already protected a good portion of the proposed area.
Fitzpatrick's abuse of government privileges will only result in tearing our communities apart and in so doing undermine Canadian's trust in a process that we all pay for and all deserve to have respected.
Mark Quaedvlieg, Southern Interior Stockmen, KeremeosrnJan Rustad, Canadian Helicopters, PentictonrnGreg Norton, interface resident, OliverrnJoan McKay, BC Wildlife Federation, Okanagan Region, OK Falls
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 27, 2008
ENHANCED LICENCES THREATEN PRIVACY
Editor:
Wake up people! Turn off your TVs and quit being spoon fed the hogwash that the media is being instructed to feed you.
It was not too long ago in 1964 that public outcry was heard throughout our good land over the imposition by our administration of a social insurance number being placed on each and every Canadian's head for the purposes of the pension plan. Just three years later in 1967 the government had already expanded the use of S.I.N. numbers to keep track of tax collection. The old adage of a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down sure is applicable here.
Well a new battle is looming on our immediate horizon and it is one that we should be very careful not to lose.
Our provincial administration is conducting a 500 person test group that will have Radio Frequency Identification Microchips embedded in their driver's licences. These microchips are capable of transmitting a vast array of vital personal information such as: home address, occupation, picture, fingerprints and S.I.N. numbers to name a few.
This information is then passed on remotely to chip readers where it can be viewed. The risks involved with having this sort of information revealed without our knowledge is truly disheartening from a civil liberties aspect and downright dangerous when considering our personal safety.
For instance, one of these chip readers could be walked through a political meeting, demonstration rally or prayer service collecting the information of all those in attendance.
The administration has revealed no efforts to encrypt or safeguard the information on the chips from unwanted scanning. The criminal element of our society is very sophisticated and will no doubt infiltrate the technology needed to develop chip readers of their own. We have seen similar usurpation of the Interac and ATM systems that have both been compromised by techno-savvy criminals.
I am concerned with the direction that our administration is taking with regards to the collection, safeguarding and monitoring of our personal information. I recall reading George Orwell's book 1984 years ago and how disturbing yet far-fetched the story seemed at the time.
The degree of paranoia that has been falsely created by the powers that be is extraordinary and to see our society falling prey to the outright lies that have been presented to us is pathetic. These are our rights and civil liberties as Canadians and as human beings that we are fighting for.
I urge you to open your eyes and look beyond the rose coloured lenses that have been placed before you and see the truth.
Ned Ludd,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 27, 2008
PARENTS NEED TO INFORM KIDS OF ICE DANGERS
Editor:
Please, parents of children who attend the elementary school, talk to your children about the dangers of playing on the ice. Almost every day there are young ones on the ice at Legion Beach, either on their way to school or after.
I have reported this numerous times, along with other people who live in the area.
The school tells me to call the police. Usually by the time the police arrive, the young ones are gone.
This past Thursday, two young girls, age approximately 7 or 8, were playing on the ice around 8 a.m. I went down to speak to them of the dangers.
I hope I made some kind of an impression on them. It would be a tragedy if something happened to one of these young people. Mothers, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc., please take the time to talk to your children.
Barbara Lodge,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 27, 2008
BEWARE OF THEFTS
Editor:
What is happening to our small town – thefts are on the rise!
I have lived in Osoyoos since 1993. I have seen many changes, most of which have been positive and some negative.
We have turned into a tourist mecca and our population base has grown. Unfortunately along with that comes the increase in crime.
Last year my son's mountain bike was stolen from outside a friend's house. We reported it to
the RCMP but of course it's gone.
Last night, my son left his new board shoes outside the front door because they were muddy.
This morning they are gone.
I don't live downtown – I live on a quiet cul-de-sac, and yet this happens.
It's petty and frustrating.
So I just wanted the residents of Osoyoos to be aware of what is happening and don't take it for granted that your neighbourhood is safe – it may not be.
J. Sloan,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 27, 2008
