Editor:
Re: Conduct of RCMP member Constable Amit Goyal.
Professional, honest, dedicated, fair, decent and committed come to mind when I think of Constable Amit Goyal of the Osoyoos RCMP detachment.
Constable Amit Goyal is an asset to our community with his faithful and dedicated service.
He is a good man doing a very difficult job for our safety and security.
He has my complete confidence and support.
I am confident that the investigation will come to the same conclusion.
Andreas Weiss,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 9, 2010
TOWN MAKING A MISTAKE WITH MARINA CONCEPT
Editor:
Following concerns expressed against a planned commercial marina at a public hearing on May 17, the Town has scheduled an information meeting for June 10 to justify the proposed marina.
By the simple expedient of passing a bylaw to add “marina” as a permitted use in an area zoned as Parks and Recreation, the Town gives itself permission to develop a major commercial enterprise in a sensitive foreshore area.
The marina plan as outlined contradicts a number of the Town’s own bylaws regarding allowed developments.
Further, details about inclusions or restrictions about the proposed commercial marina have not been made available to the public.
Further still, the lagoon area site in question was part of a free Crown grant to the Town for public recreation use.
Why would the provincial Environment and Lands ministries consider giving approval for a commercial marina on foreshore land given as a free land grant to benefit the general public?
What chance would a private developer have in getting approval to build a major commercial enterprise on land within an area zoned as Parks and Recreation?
Would that developer be allowed to ignore a number of the Town bylaws to proceed with building the commercial project?
I would hope a number of Osoyoos citizens will take the time to attend the information session at the Sonora Centre on June 10 to learn what is really happening with the marina proposal, and to learn why the Town plans to proceed with a major commercial development in an area where no private developer proposal would get even minimal consideration.
Tony Brummet,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 9, 2010
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WILLOW BEACH PARTY COMPLAINTS
Editor:
I feel compelled to set the record straight regarding the recent ‘noise’ complaints from Willow Beach.
The “house party” was a HIGH SCHOOL “GRAD” PARTY for K.P.S. in Surrey.
It was conducted outside the residence.
It was hosted by the parents of one of the Grads, who do not live here.
There were seven-plus tents, 20-plus kids (many were minors), 12-plus vehicles and a non-stop bonfire in that yard.
The party began Thursday, (May 20) and continued WITHOUT STOPPING until Monday, (May 23), when our caretaker finally got around to evicting some of them.
I called the RCMP around 1:50 a.m. Saturday morning because the party had escalated to a “blast your stereos competition.”
While I was on the phone with an RCMP member, 911 received a second call from a different neighbour.
The RCMP attended the scene.
Saturday, my grandson’s first birthday party was ruined by their disgusting behavior.
The RCMP were called again and attended.
At about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, the RCMP were called again and attended.
That evening, the RCMP patrolled through here several times.
On Monday, May 23, by 3 p.m. the last of the partiers had left, leaving in their wake a vacuum of quiet that actually made my ears ache.
Let me be very clear.
What happened at Willow Beach on this May long weekend, was not some “little house party” gone a little over the top.
And let me be equally clear when I say that the numerous requests we made for help resulted in no relief for any of us.
This, despite the fact that we are afforded by law, by the Manufactured Home Owner’s Act, the Residential Tenancy Act, and our own Rent/Lease Agreements, the “Right of: the ‘Quiet Enjoyment’ of our homes and neighbourhood.”
It is outrageous that people, who would not dare do such a thing in their own neighbourhood, were allowed to disrupt my neighbourhood, at their discretion.
It is unconscionable, that this “event” was allowed to continue for four days.
It is unacceptable that the public record will reflect how a “local party spot” was shut down easily, while those of us who begged for help repeatedly were not afforded the same consideration.
All we get is a brief and inaccurate mention in the Police Briefs.
I wonder what the outcome would have been had this happened in the neighbourhoods where my landlords live?
Susan Shendaruk,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 9, 2010
CHAMBER APPRECIATES LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS’ RECENT EFFORTS
Editor:
What a loss to the community of Oliver the fires at both the Mesa Hotel and the Oliver Auto Recycling have created.
Fortunately for all affected, behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining.
With tragedy comes opportunity: opportunity to learn, opportunity to grow and opportunity to succeed.
We sincerely hope that Don and Lisa (of the Mesa Hotel) and Darcy and Misty (of the Oliver Auto Recycling) are able to persevere and come out on top of the rubble: strong and in command of whatever their futures may hold.
We are behind you 100 per cent and on behalf of the entire South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce we would like to offer our condolences to you and your families.
We wish you the best with all your future endeavors.
We would also like to congratulate the Oliver, Okanagan Falls and Osoyoos fire departments, under the direction of Fire Chief Dave Janzen for a job well done.
Your hard work is truly appreciated; thanks to your efforts the devastating Mesa Fire was contained and both the Cooper’s building to the north and the Eby’s building and business to the south were spared major damage.
Thank you for all your hard work!
South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
OSOYOOS TIMES-June 9, 2010
