Dear Editor:
In the October 29 edition of the Osoyoos Times, Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells states that the night he removed my “Buyer Beware” signs, that “more than 15 signs” had been posted along the route to an Osoyoos Mountain Estates (OME) show home.
He goes on to say that it was like “they had been posted to interfere with the open house” and implies that the signs were the reason no lots had been sold in the area in a year.
The mayor’s comments are categorically untrue.
There were two small signs and a graphic on my driveway gateposts. The signs, though replaced over the years, had been there since long before the show home was built.
To suggest that my signs were responsible for the lack of sales is ludicrous, especially given that my property isn’t even in one of the three neighbourhoods where OME is selling lots.
When asked about my signs, I have unfailingly indicated to buyers that it is a beautiful neighbourhood and simply suggest that they should verify promises before buying.
In the same article, Wells states that he was motivated to take my signs because of what the article called a “warped sense of civic pride” and that he wanted the development to move forward.
So civic pride motivates a mayor to remove signs meant to protect citizens, in favour of helping a developer make more sales?
That is warped indeed.
An underlying reason that over 100 properties in the development remain without utilities is because the Regional District (for which the Mayor is a director) did not comply with their own bylaw which states they must collect utility securities from the developer at the approval stage.
Rather than channelling his civic pride to break the law while assisting a developer, he might have instead channelled his civic duty as Mayor and RDOS director to work on a solution to the utility issues for his citizens.
Kind regards and thanks for allowing me to forward this letter.
Oliver Betz,
Osoyoos, B.C.
