Brenda Dorosz, chair of Save Our Schools, is asking people to cool their anger and set an example for our children. (Richard McGuire photo)
A sense of shock and despair is hitting Osoyoos following Wednesday night’s decision by out-of-town school trustees to close Osoyoos Secondary School.
While some are focused on moving forward with an independent school, others are lashing out in anger on social media.
Anger is directed at school board trustees – in particular the four out-of-town trustees who voted to close OSS, but also at Chair Marieze Tarr, an Osoyoos trustee, who voted against the motion, but is perceived not to have stood up for Osoyoos during the discussion in recent months.
Anger is also directed at the provincial government and MLA Linda Larson, who are perceived as having stood back and let this happen, while failing to provide adequate funding.
A few of the hotter heads have even called for a boycott of Oliver businesses, though no Osoyoos community leaders are calling for such action.
Brenda Dorosz, chair of Save Our Schools (SOS) posted a message on Facebook asking people to cool down and set an example for our children.
“The negative remarks and blaming need to STOP NOW please!!!” she wrote. “I will not have my hometown carry on in such a manner in front of the very kids I have worked so hard to protect!!!”
It takes a lot of energy to be angry and that energy could better be directed to moving forward and building something positive after this horrible experience.
Video of school closure meeting highlights and lowlights
In case you missed Wednesday night’s school board meeting – and we can’t blame you – we’ve put together a video of 38 minutes of highlights (and lowlights).
It’s posted on OsoyoosTimes.com.
Things to do this weekend
There are several events around the area this weekend.
The Osoyoos Desert Society is holding the last of its winter events series with a movie called Sagebrush Sea on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Watermark Beach Resort. Admission is by donation and the movie is followed by the local non-profit group’s AGM.
Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalists are doing a walk Saturday at Kilpoola Lake where leader Doug Brown will focus on birdwatching. Non-members are welcome. Meet at the Osoyoos Lake Plaza at 9 a.m.
Oroville Seniors invite the public to a pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Oroville Senior Center (16th and Golden St.) The buffet breakfast is $8 U.S.
And a reminder to those who have been invited, the Town of Osoyoos is holding its 15th annual volunteer appreciation awards and luncheon at noon Saturday at the Sonora Community Centre.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who have contributed so much to the Osoyoos community, whether they receive awards or not.
Great weather for the weekend
More great weather is in store over the weekend with sunshine clear through until Tuesday.
After a forecast high of 26 C today, Environment Canada says Saturday and Sunday will cool off to highs of 21 C and 20 C respectively.
Monday will be a mix of sun and cloud. The forecast for Tuesday is cloudy with 30 per cent chance of showers during the day.
