Dear Editor:
This is an open letter to Boundary Similkameen MLA Linda Larson.
We believe that Larson needs to make a public apology to her constituents, in particular Doreen Olson and anyone who has written a letter to the editor in the past, for the vitriolic, harmful, and untrue comments that she has made repeatedly in the media throughout the region over the past week.
Her personal attacks on citizens in the Boundary-Similkameen constituency are completely unacceptable behavior for a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Her disparaging remarks were made on CBC radio, the Penticton Herald, Penticton Western News and the Oliver Daily News, and her behaviour was the topic of Gary Mason’s article in the Globe & Mail.
Her actions and comments have been broadcast over the entire province.
Larson claims that Olson called CBC and asked that they produce a story about Larson’s secret ‘focus group’.
She also insinuated that Olson decided the focus group was slanted and was the one that “started this whole process.”
Olson was acting entirely within her rights as a citizen to bring attention to an improper, non-transparent and unfair process relating to the focus group.
The general tenor of the large amount of public discussion in the last week confirms that Larson’s constituents share Olson’s concerns about the secret committee and have serious issues with Larson interfering in the consultative process implemented by the Environment Ministry.
Larson insults her constituents by saying that she wanted to protect committee members from lobbying or other harassment from members of the public, such as Doreen Olson.
If this was a legitimate committee, its members should welcome input from the community.
Larson calls her constituents “extremists” and “crazy people.” She defines “extremist” to mean “anyone who wrote frequent letters to the editor expressing their views.”
She states that, “the crazy people out there have managed to put enough pressure on that we throw the whole thing out.”
These quotes are insulting to her constituents and are very damaging to Olson’s reputation, while causing her significant and unwarranted stress.
As the co-ordinator for the South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Network (SOSNPN) Olson has put forward the position of the network in a very professional and open way, asking questions about the mandate and membership of the secret focus group.
Larson says Olson represents “only a handful of people” and “does not represent the majority of the community.”
This is so far from the truth that we are incredulous.
Every regional district, tourism association and chamber of commerce has passed formal resolutions supporting, or showing strong interest, in the national park.
Several public opinion polls run by different professional agencies show that there is majority support for the park.
The First Nations and all of their bands have supported – unanimously – a return to negotiations with Parks Canada.
Are all of these organizations and individuals crazy people? Extremists?
Larson’s behaviour reflects poorly on the government of this province and is damaging to the citizens of her constituency, Doreen Olson, and anyone who chooses to exercise their democratic right to write a letter to the editor.
It is time that she publicly apologized.
Thank you for allowing us this opportunity.
Eva Durance, Penticton
Bob Handfield, Kaleden
Bob Parker, Oliver
Chris Purton,
Farley Lake
Doug & Susan Lychak, Okanagan Falls
Harry Nielsen,
Penticton
Jim Bryan, Penticton
John Lewall, Penticton
Phillip Elliott, Osoyoos
Tim Birmingham, Cawston
