Dear Editor:
In response to Mr. John Jelich’s letter outlining his concerns with respect to an aquatic centre in the community, I would like to further elaborate.
First of all, I applaud Mr. Jelich for his concerns about my original proposal. At least a dialogue has begun to fetter out the pros and cons of said indoor recreation area. I have always believed in the expression that thesis plus antithesis leads to some form of synthesis in any democratic endeavour.
As well, I also understand that Elkford, the community I used as an example, has a thriving coal industry. I wouldn’t have used it as an example without having done my due diligence. The demographics there definitively reflect a younger, working population.
Finally, as a pensioner, I understand that any increase in taxes can be detrimental to my own standard of living as well as others in the community. What needs to be addressed is Mr. Jelich’s assertion that “people can’t forget that (Osoyoos) is a retirement town” which seems to have desultory implications.
The people I associate with in town are mostly people on pensions, it’s true, but I would argue that they are years away from being “retired.”
Most are active golfers, bowlers, curlers, slo-pitch baseball players, lawn bowlers, concert goers, fans of the Coyotes, travellers, volunteers, part-time workers, creative artists, amateur thespians, and overall socializers to varying degrees.
If Mr. Jelich’s perception of Osoyoos is correct, and we’re all here in “retirement” waiting, I presume, to move to Penticton to be closer to a major hospital in our later years, then I deeply apologize for proposing something that may add a few years to our enjoyment of this little piece of heaven on earth.
Retirement can ultimately be whatever we want it to be, I suppose, but by focussing only on those of us that are fortunate enough to be enjoying these “golden years” does a tremendous disservice to those in this community that deserve a growing, vibrant place to raise their children. Thanks again, Mr. Jelich. Hopefully this dialogue will encourage others to “join the fray.”
Brian Rothwell,
Osoyoos, B.C.
