Dear Editor:
I say shame, shame and more shame on the Penticton city council.
Shame on you for even thinking of commercializing one of Penticton’s best public park gems.
All elected officials should realize and protect the fact that public parkland is sacred.
It belongs to the people to be played upon, enjoyed and loved year round as part of the heritage of this city.
Shame on you Penticton council for even thinking about cutting down the majestic Ponderosa pines that grace Skaha’s lakeside park and replacing them with plastic waterslides that members of the public would have to pay to use.
Shame on you for even thinking of removing a perfectly delightful Splash Park that was paid for by a generous and benevolent service club (Rotary) that is free for all to use.
Shame on you city council for neglecting to remember that you were elected to be the stewards of our beautiful city so that generations to come could enjoy the natural beauty that inspired the name Penticton — A Place to Stay Forever.
Shame on you for having no sense of our community – a Community thoughtfully created that honours its natural attributes and its own needs will be a place that visitors will flock to. Shame on you for even thinking of removing this beautiful public space and placing it in the hands of a seasonal business that will only be open three months of the year and can only be enjoyed by those willing to pay.
Shame on you for voting to allow a gross plastic eyesore to erase this lovely public family space and contaminate the visual impact of Skaha Lake’s beautiful shoreline. I am heartsick at the thought of it. What a disappointment you are Penticton city council.
(Editor’s note: The issue of selling off public park land near Skaha Lake’s lakeside park has resulted in two major public protests over the past three weeks. Thousands of local residents have signed petitions voicing their displeasure and many are calling for this issue to be settled once and for all through a local referendum. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit and five of six councillors have continued to show strong support for the project and insist it will proceed.
Suzie Anderson
Penticton, B.C.
