AN OPEN LETTER TO MARK PENDERGRAFT, RDOS
Dear Mark,
In a recent issue of the Osoyoos Times, I expressed my disappointment in the way development has evolved in the town of Osoyoos. I also made reference to the mega project planned for Willow Beach. I grew up on the lakeshore near Willow Beach and have watched the changes there since 1957. I listened to my father and others talk about the effect on bass fishing after an oxbow was modified. I've read about the sewage problems with the housing density there.
In my opinion, a day-use park and interpretive centre would be the best use of that land for the environment and for future generations. Those who support the Willow Beach Development on the basis of well at least they will pay for the sewer are not seeing the big picture in my opinion.
Before you were elected to your Area A position, I was a member of CPALO (CP adjacent landowners). CPALO members had granted a 10-year easement for the construction of sewer through our properties to service the North West Sector Red Zone. The 10-year easement was about to expire, and we were asked to sign an extension of another 10 years. Many of us signed a further five-year extension, not wanting another 10 years to go by without sewer.
My recollection of the information provided at that meeting is as follows.
A project that was being done jointly with the Town and Rural area was not a common approach and it had taken time to get the government funding onside. Only CPALO members who were in the red zone on the map would be connected. The pipe size would be to accommodate red zone housing only plus seven per cent.
There would be no increase for further development, and if the pipe was increased in size, the government would withdraw its funding.
When asked what would happen if we did not all sign extensions, we were told that there would have to be negotiations with individual property owners, or there was always the option of putting the sewer line along the foreshore of the lake.
Common sense has me wondering why the Willow Beach proposal has progressed this far, including second reading at the RDOS.
If one parks their car at Road 22 and the river channel, and walks along the dike toward the lake, listening to the wildlife, looking at the wetlands, one could imagine the area being even more special with enhancement and protection of habitat. A big chunk of housing doesn't fit the picture.
I am no longer a resident of Osoyoos Rural, and a recent article in the paper indicates that most of the opposition you have heard regarding Willow Beach has been from people outside the area. Resident or not, I have intimate knowledge of the lake, and concern for future generations.
The developer may well have proposed some impressive plans, however I believe that the land needs rehabilitation, not development.
Sandra Smith,rnOliver
OSOYOOS TIMES-May 7, 2008
DESERT PARK EDITORIAL PUTS INCORRECT SLANT ON REFERENDUM NUMBERS
Editor:
Your facts, and the wording of your editorial, should be checked before being published in your paper.
You stated that …88 per cent of Osoyoos's population that voted in favour of bringing horse racing back to Desert Park with the addition of slot machines…
This implies the wrong meaning to what actually occurred.
As I understand, from facts published in the Times, only 1,248 people voted, of which 88 per cent were in favour of the question.
Assuming a total population for Osoyoos of about 5,000 this amounts to only about 25 per cent in favour of restoring racing by the addition of slot machines.
This puts a slightly different slant on the results of the referendum.
M. Watamaniuk,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-May 7, 2008
GOOD DEED REVEALS OSOYOOS'S INTEGRITY
Editor:
Osoyoos has a Good Samaritan.
A young Osoyoos lady lost an envelope near the post office containing $380 of her hard-earned wages.
Mr. Neil Kennedy, a local resident and a Legion member, found the envelope from the Osoyoos Credit Union.
With the help of a staff member, Glenda, the money was returned to its owner.
A reward was offered to Mr. Kennedy but was not accepted.
His comment was, I have enough money to last me the rest of my life providing I die tomorrow morning.
Honesty and humour still exists in our little community.
Linda James,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-May 7, 2008
