CCOO SAYS ONLY AGENDA WAS TO DEFEND PUBLIC TRUST

Editor:

In response to Roger Horton, Letter to the Editor on April 1, 2009 in the Osoyoos Times.

We, the undersigned, again have a need to set the record straight.

At a time we were part of a group who spearheaded the Concerned Citizens of Osoyoos (CCOO), to shed light into incorrect processes performed by Stu Wells, who subsequently was found to be in a Conflict of Interest on the Northwest Sewer Project, although the present Council chose to forgive him by the way they voted on March 23, 2009 at a Special Meeting.

As we see it, they had no choice as one member of Council was conspicuous by his absence, i.e. Councillor Cronmiller, who was present at the meeting when the Conflict of Interest occurred.

The actions by CCOO was met with written, verbal abuse and slander, inferring that lies and innuendoes were fabricated, physically harassed and even threatened with legal action, and all for reporting facts that were available to anyone who took the time to research the appropriate websites.

We have cause to sue those individuals; however, a public apology would be accepted and very much appreciated.

The research that CCOO was involved in was all volunteer work; it required obtaining an in-depth knowledge of the Charters, and all Policies and Procedures relating to elected officials.

It appears, the Council, on the other hand chose to be elected to office before familiarizing themselves with these processes, consequently their research was at the taxpayers' time and money.

Also, the documentation presented to the Council was drafted and finalized within a few hours by CCOO; it appears that it took a very experienced law firm, paid for by the taxpayer, more than three weeks to formulate a technical dismissal on all but one allegation of Conflict of Interest, the one mentioned above.

We, the people elect officials in trust, confidence and in a democratic way.

We pay them with our tax monies, then, we allow them to spend and/or play with our very hard earned tax dollars, and just hope they get it right.

Do we have the right to question inconsistencies in their performance?

Yes, we do, that is our democratic right, and the only reason we did this was on behalf of ALL the taxpayers of Osoyoos.

Please note that we, the undersigned, will not be pursuing this issue further at this time.

We feel that Mayor Stu Wells may have learned a very valuable lesson.

Ray Vandenberg and Jean Clarke,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 8, 2009

FIREHALL SHOULD STAY PUT

Editor:

I don't want the fire hall moved.

It would be better if Town Hall moved, even 50 feet to the east.

Using a site on 74th Avenue would mean fire trucks would have to go to the other side of the lake.

This would mean possibly having to put stop signs up for the cross streets in between.

Small people going to school cross Main Street already.

If 74th Avenue becomes another busy artery in Osoyoos, little folks would have another busy road to cross.

Walter Parker,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 8, 2009

CONSERVATIVES MADE GOOD CHOICE

Editor:

The B.C. Conservative Party is fortunate, and exhibits wisdom and common sense, in their choice of Joe Cardoso as a candidate in the upcoming election.

Joe will bring to the task, as he has in his former and present endeavours “ honesty, fairness, dedication, experience and hard work.

I wish him luck!

Buryl Jonas (Slack) Goodman,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 8, 2009