Editor:
As I write this letter (Aug. 10), I have just returned from a trip to the USA.
I sat for nearly 45 minutes in a lineup that was just as long when I got to the head of it as it was when I was the last vehicle in the lineup.
I couldn’t believe that only one of the five lanes was open to traffic.
It seems to me that in these times of high unemployment it would perhaps be a good idea to open up an extra lane or two, creating employment and aiding the flow of traffic.
If every port of entry into Canada is as short staffed as the one appears to be at Osoyoos, then there must be a lot of openings for manpower.
Other fringe benefits would certainly include fewer frustrated tourists, less exhaust fumes polluting our atmosphere, fewer EI payments to be made and better use of the impressive construction at our border crossing.
M. A. Menzies,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-August 12, 2009

WRITER SHARES CONCERNS ABOUT UNDER-AGED DRINKING ON LAKE

Editor:
We own a recreation property on Osoyoos Lake.
While vacationing there on July 27, 2009, we observed a group of under-aged teens in a wake-board/ski boat drinking alcohol.
Further, the boat size allowed for six to eight passengers and this boat had at least 14.
We took down the boat’s I.D. number and called the RCMP to report this matter.
A member of the RCMP (Osoyoos division?) asked if we had observed drugs being used on board.
We said “not that we could see.”
He then advised us that there was nothing he could do about the drinking.
Only if we had observed drugs being used on the boat could the RCMP investigate.
The RCMP member went on to say that according to the Liquor Control Act, there was nothing they could do about people (even under-aged teens) drinking while operating boats.
What?!?
It has always been our understanding that:
DRINKING UNDER AGE IS ILLEGAL
DRINKING WHILE DRIVING IS ILLEGAL (EVEN BOATS)
OVERCROWDING OF ANY VEHICLE IS ILLEGAL
Boy, do I feel safe having my children out and about on Osoyoos Lake!
Maybe the Town of Osoyoos should erect a sign boasting, “Osoyoos Lake, where drinking and boating go hand in hand.”
I’m sure it would be great for tourism.
L. McGaire,
Osoyoos/ Langley

Editor’s Note:
This was the response to this letter from the Osoyoos RCMP:
On July 27, 2009, we received a report of a group of 13 people drinking in a boat on Osoyoos Lake.
Our members attended and took all of the details down regarding the incident.
What type of boat, make, colour, etc.
The complainant was able to provide this in great detail even down to the boat’s registration numbers.
Under-age drinking is illegal.
Drinking in public is illegal.
Having open liquor in a vehicle (this includes a vessel) is illegal.
Our members are well-versed in the law and I can assure you they take this type of behavior seriously.
Therefore throughout their shift the members tried several times to locate this boat and its occupants.
Unfortunately they were not able to locate it to confirm and deal with the issues reported on.
Cpl. Jason Bayda

OSOYOOS TIMES-August 12, 2009

LIBERALS WILL HURT B.C. WITH HST

Editor:
Re: HST
What the hell is this?
No mention of this in the last election.
Your government keeps raising the cost of living and doing business in BC— HST, carbon tax, continuance of the property transfer tax, outrageous ICBC basic car insurance.
The housing market is in the doldrums— this HST will raise the price of a new house two-to-four per cent, that’s at least $20,000 on a $400,000 house.
Why kick the industry when it is down?
Don’t you realize your B.C. residents already relish trips to Alberta or the U.S.?
Not only is the basic cost of large ticket items less than in B.C. but the taxes are less.
You are driving business and tourism out of the province.
Residents buy the necessities of daily living in B.C. but the big ticket items are generally bought elsewhere— note the two-to-three hour lineups in the Lower Mainland to enter Washington on the weekends.
B.C. stands for Bring Cash.
Again you are hurting the tourism industry by the imposition of the HST.
Tourists will continue to go elsewhere where their dollar will buy more— you are pricing the province out of the market for not only the residents, but the visitors.
How much more do you think people will take?
Yes congratulations, to try to appeal to the tree huggers you beat the NDP to the carbon tax idea, foisting unnecessary costs of travel on both residents and visitors, and now you steal from all again with a general tax increase.
I used to think of the Liberals as a viable alternative to the tax loving NDP but now you have proved to be worse in this regard.
The only reason the Liberals succeeded in the last election is the weakness of the opposition— be advised this will not last forever.
Your party represents almost none of your constituents with its carbon tax and HST.
Government is to serve the people; you do us little service.
Don Rudzcki,
Oliver

OSOYOOS TIMES-August 12, 2009