A town gone wild

Editor:rnOn August 3, 2005, we attended a very poorly advertised public information meeting concerning a rezoning application to allow a huge new development on Lakeshore Drive. The sites in question are the former Desert Springs Par 3 Golf Course and the adjacent walnut grove. These properties are presently zoned Park / Recreation and Agricultural. The proposal shows about 550 dwelling units including two hotel-type condos. This development alone would add another 1000 to 2000 residents to the Town.
Why would the Town Council consider allowing more of the community's greenspace to be developed to such a high density when we barely have enough infrastructure and parkland in Osoyoos now? Does the develop everything RIGHT NOW mentality have no boundaries?
Lakeshore Drive is very narrow – imagine the hundreds of vehicles added to the traffic already there. Residents on the east bench obtain their drinking water directly from the lake via a pipe which is directly northwest of the proposed development. Imagine the added sediments and pollution caused by boats and swimmers which will be added to their water. Try to imagine that the pleasant small town atmosphere, the beautiful lakeviews, and the peaceful neighbourhoods will continue to exist. Or try to imagine that developers really do have the best interests of Osoyoos in mind. Not bloody likely!rnThe development proposal described above is just one example of a Town Gone Wild. New high density condo developments are springing up throughout the Town. A group of concerned citizens, known as Osoyoos Now, has already been organized. Residents of the Town and Rural Area 'A' are urged to attend the next meeting on Wednesday, August 10th, at 7 p.m. at the Osoyoos High School Mini Theatre. This group has hard-working members who feel it is time to let the citizens' voices be heard. You don't have to join the executive. You don't even have to get up and speak to the crowd. Just be there to show your support!rnSincerely,rnDenis and Maureen Potter

Editor:rnSince its construction Cottonwood Park has been a beautiful place to have a picnic or enjoy a walk in the summer, unfortunately that has begun to change. For five years we have kept Cottonwood Park in excellent condition, We notified town hall last year that we could not keep it up any longer. This year the park has taken a turn for the worst, what is needed now is a Professional Landscaper to bring the park back up to par. We would think with our beautiful town growing by leaps and bounds they should have the funds availiable for proper upkeep. Right now the park is a mess, not only in our eyes but also in the eyes of the tourists and other locals. Last year our park was chosen to be the background for numerous weddings and wedding photos, this year we have not seen even one bride choose Cottonwood Park for her special day.
Sincerely, Peter and Margaret Fatels

Editor:rnAttention: RCMP Staff Sergeant MakepeacernThe residents of Harbour Key Drive wish to extend our thanks for the fantastic support we have received from the RCMP over this long weekend. This was the first step in the fight to regain our quiet and peaceful neighbourhood.
Thank you to all the Members and a special thank you to Walter Makepeace for standing by all day while the Town maintenance crew cleared the brush and trees. Your suggestions and support have boosted our confidence and determination to see this campaign to a positive result.
We are proceeding with more actions and will be keeping you informed.
Thanks again,rnThe United Residents of Harbour Key Drive

Editor:rnWhatever happened to the skateboard park? I haven't heard any mention of it lately. The kids I talked to were expecting to use it at the last Spring Break. When was that? Didn't even arrive on April Fools Day. Were we all fools to chip in?rnCome on you guys, get busy and build the park and let the kids have some fun. With drugs and guns and all kinds of crime around we need to think of ways to keep the kids out of mischief. We will be old some day and these kids will have our jobs. Let's hope that they don't promise us things that they don't intend to give to us. Remember we are their teachers.
Sincerely,rnEvelyn Valentine

Editor:rnAs one who has been lucky enough to become a property owner in Osoyoos I follow the news regarding the town closely through the internet and specifically through the osoyoostimes.com website.
I thank the residents of Osoyoos for taking the matter of drugs pervading the town seriously and actively doing something about it rather than just complaining and hoping that it will go away. Believe me, if the invasion of drugs and the related criminal activity that comes along with it is allowed to take a foothold in the community then we will see the rapid decline of the town as a whole.
The legalization of drugs isn't the way to go. Once we go down that road and open that pandora's box we can say goodbye to any control, even the meagre one we now have, over the criminal activity in our communities. More addicts means more crime to feed their habit, that is a proven fact.
The town needs more official eyes on the street to combat criminal activity in conjunction with the RCMP. Bylaw enforcement by other than a town based, dedicated compliance officer or officers is not the way to assist the RCMP and citizens to combat crime and maintain the communities' integrity.
Tony Wilson

Editor:rnAlthough I'm philosophically opposed to the use of violence ” especially violence against massive amounts of innocent civilians ” I nonetheless feel that everyone should perhaps look beyond the violent act and at the violent offender's motivation for committing the act, however abhorrent.
But it seems that all we get from the media are reasons why we should hate the person (e.g., a mass murderer) who commits the violence. What I'm saying is: could the offender actually despise what he does but feel compelled ” and perhaps even without real choice ” by his religion or moral values? Or is he just plain evil and simply wants naught but to do evil against his target?rnAnd, of course, both sides should try to understand what might sincerely motivate one to violence: Could one side perhaps be performing what they truly feel is best? Or are they simply evil, as many of us in the West profess? Of course, such thought as mine could extend to the genocidal maniac, who sincerely believes he's doing what's best overall for the human race.
Furthermore, does/will our Creator (for those of us who believe in Him/Her/It) judge the genocidal maniac according to his/her motive(s), a factor that our courts often (if not always) consider?rnNonetheless, contemporary society's general mentality is to mostly react according to the criminal act itself and to mostly disregard any possible motive(s).
Frank G. Sterle, Jr.
White Rock, B.C.

Editor:rn As a candidate for the Conservative Party nomination in BC Southern Interior, I'd like to congratulate Alex Atamanenko on his recent acclamation as NDP candidate in the next federal election.
Although the Conservatives are still some time away from choosing their own candidate, I do not think it out of place for me to send along my best wishes to Alex. He has a reputation as an intelligent and thoughtful man; I think we need more people in politics with his level-headed disposition.
Alex and I even agree on some of the major issues facing our nation, such as the need for a strong and independent Canada, the need to provide secure and accessible health care to young and old alike, and the need to promote technological access and innovation in our rural communities ” communities that have been badly neglected by the Chretien-Martin governments, as I think Alex would agree.
It is good to see that the Conservatives and NDP occupy a certain amount of common ground politically. If anything, it is a reminder that no party enjoys a monopoly on common sense and good intentions.
Having said that, Alex and I obviously disagree on many other vitally important issues facing the Canadian people.
Alex remains stubbornly opposed to the idea that free trade has brought any good to Canada, despite 15 years of clear evidence that points to an explosion of Canadian exports, and a wealth of new jobs, since Canada made the decision to become a full player in the world economic community.
Alex is an ardent supporter of the United Nations, without acknowledging the urgent need for major UN reforms to root out corruption, reduce rash bureaucracy, and prevent wholesale genocide in places where the UN is woefully unprepared to fulfill its peacekeeping mandate.
And he praises the NDP's recent backroom budget deal with the Liberals, which made for great political theatre, but contains so little content, so few details, and so many loopholes as to be virtually worthless.
Clearly, what separates our two parties ideologically is far greater than what unites us under a common cause. Nevertheless, Alex is a worthy opponent.
Should I emerge successful in my bid for the Conservative nomination, I will look forward to an election campaign filled with interesting ideas and thoughtful debate ” a campaign in which exaggeration and half-truths are kept to a bare minimum by all candidates, regardless of party affiliation.
I think the citizens of BC Southern Interior deserve nothing less.
Derek Zeisman