Editor:
I recently signed the anti-HST petition  in Osoyoos myself, and am personally gratified to see the response of this community and the people of this province in general to this high-handed tax-grab by this government.
It is high time that the people of this province spoke up and said “enough is enough” to the politicians who continue to take more and more money out of our pockets and give us less and less services back for it.
As a senior citizen on a fixed income I can’t afford to keep giving the government more of my income, and I am certain that I am not the only person in this position!
A thinking person doesn’t have to look very far to see the erosion of the services that are happening around us… hospital bed closures, waiting times to see specialists or to have needed tests or medical procedures, and now the closure of schools around the province.
What’s next?
Will the government decide to spend our tax dollars to subsidize another sporting event?
Robert J. Dunn,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 28, 2010

PRO-HST LETTERS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO SENDER

Editor:
News is that our provincial government will be sending a letter to each household giving us the “skinny” on how well they are doing (for us) and how beneficial the HST will be.
Not only is there a question of sidestepping the process, but you can’t handle a piece of paper for nothing – and we will get the bill.
So, my suggestions are: when you get this letter, drop it off at your MLA’s office (John Slater, in Osoyoos), marked “return to sender,” or mail it back directly, marked “return to sender.”
To simply “deep six” it in file 13 of the post office is the least effective choice and would fail to deliver the message that we are ready to fight back.
Tax dollars could be spent more beneficially on many things.
Buryl Jones (Slack) Goodman
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 28, 2010

WRITER SHARES HER THANKS

Editor:
What a wonderful town we live in.
Not only do we have such natural beauty surrounding us, but we have some truly exceptional people living amongst us.
Whether it was one person or a group I don’t know, but no matter what, I would like to say “Thank you” to whoever paid the bylaw officer the debt so Vince could have his dog – his best friend – with him again.
I have to say that when they were reunited I wasn’t too far away and I heard the excited cries of his dog when he saw his master and the tears on Vince’s face.
I still get emotional just thinking of what I saw and heard and if anyone else witnessed that show of love between man and dog they too would have difficulty trying to hold back their tears.
As we know, Vince does have a few faults, but don’t we all?
And wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?
Vince doesn’t sit on the street begging for a hand-out, but is out there with a buggy cleaning up whatever is found and putting the waste where it belongs.
But his greatest gift is the smiles he shares with everyone.
I would like everyone who has helped Vince or others in whatever way they can that even if appreciation was not noted at the time they should feel wonderful for the kindness they gave.
Realizing our RCMP and ambulance staff have helped Vince and so many others through their traumas without a thank you, I hope they too know they are appreciated for their generous and giving ways.
All of this is just another reason for me to say how proud I am to be a part of Osoyoos.
After relating the story to friends, Ken, a kind gentleman from Okanagan Falls, gave me some money to buy Vince’s dog some food and treats, which I will be so happy to do.
It is heartwarming to see that compassion can be found in so many people.
Patricia McCulloch,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 28, 2010

MORE ANTI-HST SENTIMENT

Editor:
Caught a bit of the B. C. Legislature on TV this afternoon.
The topic of the day, of course, was the HST.
The Liberal members were poking fun at the NDP and “members of the public” who just don’t understand how beneficial the HST is going to be to B. C.
Part of the Liberal Party line is that the PST is terribly damaging for business in B. C.
How crippling the PST is for business in B. C.
They acknowledge that the HST is going to have to be paid on more items than the PST, but it will not be detrimental!
The Liberals also acknowledge that the HST, unlike the PST, will be controlled by Ottawa.
OK, a B. C. tax, which is totally under the control of the Government of B.C.
A tax which the Government of B. C. could change if they wished, is more damaging than a tax which will be controlled solely by Ottawa!
How is that possible?
Does the Liberal Party of B.C. actually believe that the public is so stupid as to believe that?
Guess that they do, why else would they be forcing this tax on us?
Teresa Calwell,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 28, 2010

A WRITTEN BOUQUET FOR THE CAST AND CREW OF RUMORS

Editor:
A bunch of us ladies went to the play Rumors on Friday night.
We absolutely loved it.
BOUQUETS (and I wish I had bought a whole bunch) to all involved.
The acting was absolutely superb which means the producer and director were excellent.
We were in stitches the whole time.
I had seasons tickets many years in Vancouver and this measured up to anything I ever saw there.
For those of you who missed it, your loss!
Congratulations and way to go S.O.A.P.
Carole McGhie,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 28, 2010