Editor:
You recent editorial about a no idling in Osoyoos bylaw is right on the money almost!
This bylaw is right up there with declaring Osoyoos a Nuclear Free Zone or Drug Free Zone or any other completely unenforceable zone you care to name.
Personally I will ignore it unless I see a bylaw officer with a stopwatch beside my car.
Unless you have a bylaw officer provided with a properly calibrated time piece that records the start and stop time of the offence, I’ll see you in court.
Anecdotal evidence is usually thrown out.
Council needs to get back in touch with reality again and stop this foolishness.
Maybe they should go outside and look around during burning season.
Now there is a problem looking for an answer.
David Eastbury,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 24, 2010

ANTI-HST PETITION CAN BE SUCCESSFUL

Editor:
I am encouraged by the effort of Bill Vander Zalm and his Anti-HST group.
I believe the petition to reverse the B.C. government’s decision to introduce this new tax can be successful.
All levels of governments have an unquenchable thirst for new tax money from the electorate instead of budgeting the programs and services to their current income.
More taxes are continually requisitioned.
Our governments continue to exercise their ability to tax at ever-increasing rates instead of holding the line on spending as each of us do with our household budgets.
The imposition of the HST is particularly despicable as the Liberal’s platform in the recent provincial election did not include moving to the HST and the Premier denied such a change was afoot.
I am humoured by the Liberal’s notion that the HST will be revenue neutral for consumers.
The theory being that the offsetting reduction of taxes for manufacturers and others in the business stream will reduce the price of the goods and services to consumers.
Does this have a familiar ring?
The same notion was used to gloss over the effect of GST.
I don’t recall the price of the GST-applicable goods and services falling seven per cent when that tax was introduced.
If you don’t favour the HST, signing the Anti-HST Petition is one of the rare opportunities in our society to directly exercise your right to meaningfully protest the imposition of legislation.
It is imperative to note that signatories to the petition must be ‘registered voters.’
That means your name must be registered with Elections BC.
If not, then your signature on the petition will be struck.
Please ensure you are registered by accessing the website at www.elections.bc.ca or by phoning 1-800-661-8683.
Don Rudzcki,
Area C, Oliver

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 24, 2010

WRITER APPLAUDS PIANO STUDENTS

Editor:
Kudos to Jan Marcotte and her very talented music students who performed recently at the piano recital (Feb. 8).
There’s a lot of potential amongst the students and I just know Dorothy Fraser would be proud of all of you.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for a great evening.
Beryl Blythe,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 24, 2010