Dear Editor:
I agree wholeheartedly with the editorial written last week in the January 21 edition of the Osoyoos Times regarding the presentation made to the town council from the Osoyoos Airport Development Committee.
The committee deserves the opportunity to demonstrate the feasibility of retaining the airport and developing it in to an economic generator for Osoyoos.
The committee is comprised of seasoned business professionals and while the economic aspect of the airport would benefit not only their businesses and the rest of the business community, I know from first hand knowledge that, without exception, there is also the desire on the part of this group to give back to their community.
While I can agree with the town’s chief administrative officer Barry Romanko that there is probably not much push back from the community on the re-purposing of the airport, from my experience that is mainly due to lack of information and understanding on the part of the average Osoyoos resident on what this development of the airport could mean to each of us as taxpayers.
By attracting new businesses and residents, it serves to broaden the tax base which allows us to provide services to the community such as the new fire hall without drastically increasing our individual tax load.
It is incumbent on our town council to represent its electors and utilize the expertise that is available to them.
While the optics of allowing the Airport Committee to present a proposed plan and then proceeding with application to the provincial government to re-purpose the airport immediately following, is not good, I very much hope council is sincere in giving this proposal the attention it deserves. Realistically what does a few more months mean?
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Derek Noske
Osoyoos, B.C.
