Editor:
I would like to respond to Laurena Weninger’s article of January 13th, 2010, “Local MP feels prorogation…”
I find the word “prorogation” to be Canada’s newest piece of current vocabulary.
Mr. Atamanenko finds this to be “dictatorial” and a “real affront to democracy.”
So I guess the question that needs to be asked: “Why have Canadian governments prorogued parliament over 104 times before?”
Mr. Atamanenko would rather work towards embarrassing Canada when all the nations of the world will be celebrating the Vancouver Winter Games.
Why can’t Mr. Atamanenko work towards building up Canada during this period of celebration?
There will be plenty of time to bring Canada down to Mr. Atamanenko’s level after the games.
This week the Olympic torch arrives in Osoyoos and other communities in BC Southern Interior.
It will be interesting to see how many people are concerned about the prorogation of parliament?
I know the great citizens of this riding and their pride in Canada, British Columbia and Osoyoos will swell as those fine young Canadians bring the torch into town.
So let’s enjoy the extra 22 days that parliament is shut and concentrate on making Canada the envy of the world!
Stephen Hill,
Federal Conservative Candidate

OSOYOOS TIMES-January 27, 2010

WRITER HAS SOLUTIONS FOR GOOSE PROBLEM

Editor:
In response to the submitted article on the issue of the Canada geese in and around Osoyoos, I would propose, as a way to redistribute this goose population, the following:
Encourage the geese to graze in the orchards by planting certain species of broad-leafed and grass plants between the rows and on the edges of cultivated land and orchards.
This would be a valuable source of organic fertilizer and offer a significant degree of pest control in the orchards.
Further to this, it may be helpful to develop a “geese zone” somewhere along the lake, where there is good dilution of their feces and where it is more conducive to their needs than the beach.
This would effectively entice them away from the public beach areas.
When talking about the public good and pollution of our lake, let us keep this in perspective, remembering all sources of pollution, including the significant impact of motorized watercraft (one drop of boat oil pollutes several thousand litres of water.)
All I know is I would love to have three pounds of “goose-poop” for my garden!
Richard Walker,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-January 27, 2010

LOCAL GROUP RAISES MORE THAN $8,000 FOR HAITI RELIEF

Editor:
I am thankful that I woke up this morning and I knew where my children were.
The plight of Haiti appears to have captured the world’s imagination on a scale that few other calamities have.
Osoyoos has responded with great generosity.
As I sat in a local store over these past 10 days, I observed a young couple pay for their groceries and then approach to put a ten dollar bill in the pot for Haiti Relief.
They must have felt, as I do, that it is all we can do to help.
I do not know what causes each of us to feel so helpless over what occurred in Haiti, but we do.
We do what we can – and that is to give money.
My home is still standing.
My wife and I had our  coffee this morning and then sent the second remittance of $2,715 (total now is $8,465) on behalf of Development and Peace, and the generous people of Osoyoos, to be spent for food, blankets, tents and hygiene kits in Haiti.
Thanks to all the people of Osoyoos who helped us do this small deed, and especially to Super Valu, Buy Low and Home Hardware.
Wallace Murphy,
Osoyoos
Editor’s Note: Osoyoos residents also donated $3,040 to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Disaster Relief Fund through a promotion set up at Osoyoos’s Sunshine Valley Family Chiropractic clinic.

OSOYOOS TIMES-January 27, 2010