Enforcing beach access will be difficult jobrn

Editor:rnRegarding your March 8, 2006 article BEACH ACCESS “ Council Wades In: I hate to be negative, however, I find it somewhat unbelievable that the Osoyoos Town Council is going to do anything more than pay lip service to ensure public access to our beaches. It is one thing to post signs for designated public access points, however, the ongoing policing to ensure compliance will be another story.
A couple of years ago my wife and I, along with a friend, tried to go for a walk along the foreshore of Lake Osoyoos. The access roads were blocked with vehicles, boat trailers, travel trailers etc., which obviously belonged to the homes that adjoined the access roads. The foreshore was blocked with fences, fire pits, boats, tow ropes, downed trees, private docks and numerous miscellaneous debris to hinder the public from being able to stroll along our beaches. (And as well, numerous lakeshore homeowners have taken to illegally roping off sections of the lake for their own personal use.) We were threatened by home owners and at one point came close to getting into a physical fight with three young men who felt we were trespassing on their private beach.
At this time, I contacted the Land and Water British Columbia Incorporated as well as the Town of Osoyoos, for some clarification on public access to the foreshore. The LWBC assured me that the public indeed has the right of access to the foreshore, nevertheless, they stated, that they lacked personnel to police the matter. The Town of Osoyoos did not bother to respond to my letter.
The point of the matter is: If I unilaterally decided that I did not want the public using the road out in front of my house so therefore barricaded it, and threatened the people who insisted on using the road, it would only be a matter of minutes before the Town would have the R.C.M.P. at my door demanding me to remove the barriers and to cease and desist interfering with the public's right of access.
Why should the public not expect the same action from our officials over access to our publicly owned beaches?
Rece KreinrnOsoyoos

Why not honour soldiers by lowering flag?

Editor:rnThe other day after the loss of Master Corporal Timothy Wilson and Corporal Paul Davis in Afghanistan, I went to the local Legion to ask why they had not lowered their flag to half-mast.
I was told that they had not had any instruction from Command and that it was being left to the discretion of the local Branches.
Apparently this Branch has decided that they will only show this respect to a fallen servicemen if he/she happens to come from this local area.
Seems a little strange for an organization that is supposedly to be devoted to the well being of Veterans and Service people regardless of their hometown.
Speaking of flags, the one flown over the local post office is in tatters. Surely Canada Post is doing well enough to make sure that all offices have a clean, undamaged flag flying.
Of course I suppose that organization is all about money now. No pride of country.
Yours truly,rnLawrence CrosthwaiternOsoyoos

Thanks for the festival support

Editor:rnI would like to thank you very much for supporting our Multicultural Festival. Non profit organisations, like ours, are indebted to you, for giving exposure to our event.
On behalf of the Penticton and District Multicultural Society, thank you very much.
Anna McIvorrnFestival ChairmanrnPenticton

Protect mobile home owners

Editor:rnFollowing is an open letter to the Osoyoos Mayor & Council:rnI am enclosing, below, a copy of a message from the Penticton & District Mobile Home Association.
As you know there are not that many places for the Mobile Homes to go in this town. This letter has upset a lot of people, mainly seniors, that have no other place to go or the money to invest into another home.
So I would like to know if the Town of Osoyoos has a policy about the existing mobile home parks.
If not, is it possible to have one put in place?rnIt seems like the developers are trying to buy everything up. It would ease a lot of people's minds if these mobile home parks stay as is.
Know that we could not move our place like a few others, as they are the older types of mobile homes.
Please send an answer back to me. Thank you.
June ClarkernOsoyoosrn _____________

An Important Message to All Mobile Home Owners From the Pentiction & District Manufactured Home Owners Association (abridged):

Residents living in mobile homes in B.C. are coming under attack … Developable land in the Okanagan is becoming scarce. Developers are looking to purchase any large parcels of land on which to build high rises and condominiums. Campgrounds and mobile home parks are looking increasingly attractive for these purposes. Developers need only to convince the park owner to sell the land and reap the profit … it is occurring right now in Lake Country …
Should your mobile home park be sold and re-zoned to allow such development, you will be evicted from the park. The only compensation you can expect, according to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, is the equivalent of one year's free rent … Where would you move to? Most parks, if you can find one with a vacant pad, will only accept newer mobiles …
Some local councils have passed policies stating, in part, That any rezoning of existing mobile home parks where non-CSA approved or older mobile or manufactured homes are located will not be considered for rezoning until a viable relocation plan for affected units is in place. Coquitlam, Surrey, Kelowna and Peachland have passed such policies. Penticton is in the process of developing a similar policy … What is your council doing?rnThe Penticton & District Manufactured Home Owners Association would like to see all mobile homeowners in the southern Okanagan receive, as a minimum, the same degree of protection that Peachland and Kelowna currently have. To achieve this we offer assistance to mobile home owners who wish to approach their local council to encourage them to address this issue by enacting a similar bylaw or policy …
For more information on the P&DMHOA you may contact: Sheila Matheson, (250) 498-0875, or Bob Cartwright, (250) 486-2258.

Court case & beach access draw opinions

Editor:rnI find it very strange that Beach Access in your paper of March 8th deserves the whole front page while spending another $10,000, Mayor Slater's estimate, to try to recover a previous loss of $22,850 (?) is relegated to the third page.
Perhaps Slater and Council have been watching too much Texas Hold Em, where the experts do not play with their own money, and feel they are entitled to do likewise. Shouldn't they use a bit of common sense and drop the appeal as it is a too 'high risk gamble'? Hopefully since Elsie Lemke, CAO, who appears to have a vendetta against Rattlesnake Canyon, will soon be gone and should no longer be able to influence council, then our newly elected councillors can do the job we elected them for.
Now back to 'Beach Access. While I lived in Oliver about 45 years ago the SOSA (South Okanagan Sportsman's Association) forced an Osoyoos lakefront resident to move a garage he had built on a gazetted lake access easement. After some further negotiations he was allotted an easement beside the garage which was satisfactory to all concerned.
Since Osoyoos Lake falls under the Navigable Waters Act (one of the oldest in Canada) there are numerous gazetted accesses which were necessary in the early days; also, there is no private land below the high-water mark. Although this appears to be a joke now, as there is encroachment everywherernHowever, unless this Act has been repealed, the laws under it must still be in effect and only need to be enforced “ not really a job for council except for requesting enforcement of infractions. Yours truly,rnFred FoutyrnOsoyoos

Parked trucks by Tim Hortons no worse than elsewhere

Editor:rnIn Support of Truck Drivers Parking on Main Street “rnAt times these drivers have come all the way from Grand Forks or possibly Castlegar with no business open (from living in Greenwood for 30 years I know this is a fact) and are ready for a coffee refill.
Why should they have to go to the Husky Truck Stop if they want a Tim Hortons coffee?rnThese trucks are not parked long as time is money.
The left hand turn onto Main Street from Avalon Inn is no more dangerous than a left hand turn by Home Hardware can be or from a motel further out.
Any left hand turn across a street or highway puts you in a dangerous situation.
Have you tried backing out of a parking space on Main Street with a large pickup on your right hand side? This is dangerous also.
Perhaps all left hand turns should be banned or all trucks of any size could be banned!rnLet's welcome these drivers and the support given to any Osoyoos business; they are year-round customers, not tourists here for a short stay.
Alyce CogganrnOsoyoos

Newcomers like Osoyoos, but concerned over orchard burning

Editor:rnWe are purchasing a new home in Osoyoos this summer.
We compliment the people of Osoyoos on the beautiful town and district that you have developed over the years and look forward with great anticipation to joining you in this little paradise.
Nothing is more important to young and old than a healthy environment.
With this in mind we would like to add our voice to those concerned with the burning of orchard cuttings that takes place in the spring and fall.
Surely it is possible to adopt methods of dealing with orchard waste that do not threaten the health of residents.
We encourage the Town of Osoyoos to seek assistance from all levels of government to help local growers develop safe alternatives to this practice.
Jack & JunernJohnston

Residents urged to remember Fortis meeting

Editor:
I hope you and residents of the Town of Osoyoos remember the important meeting March 20/21, 2006 in regards to FORTIS Nk'Mip Substation and Transmission Line, East Osoyoos. It will be at the Senior's Hall at 8:30 a.m.
Remember Osoyoos residents: EMF health, property devaluation, legal issue such as trespass nuisance without knowledge and permission, aesthetics.
All residents in the area of Kingfisher, 89th, 66th, 68th, etc. should be aware of what is happening in Osoyoos.
You cannot complain after the decision has been made for you.
Barb Smithrn(Intervenor)rnOsoyoos

Be thorough when choosing elder care

Editor:rnI understand that Desert Valley Care Facility will soon be opened again in Osoyoos . While this may appear to be a positive move for the community I have reservations and concerns.
Prior to closing its doors I had voiced questions as to whether the facility provided adequate care and attention to its clients' needs.
Having had an elderly Aunt, Eleanor Wheeler, in the care of this facility I felt that the service did not have the best interests of the client at heart. I made my concerns known to the Social Worker for the South Okanagan Hospital Region and Mr. Don Millward, one of the owner managers of the facility. These concerns were in the areas of charting, medication administration, documentation, communication and accountability. Before I could get any answers to my questions the facility shut down citing financial difficulties.
I was assured by the social worker that my concerns would be reviewed as soon as the doors reopened. To my knowledge this has not taken place and I have not heard from Mr. Millward.
It is ironic and a real shame that my Aunt, who was a dedicated advocate for facilites such as these and someone who worked tirelessly to build Sagebrush Lodge, had to endure questionable treatment in her final days.
Even though my questions have not been answered the government has provided the dollars to help this facility reopen its doors. Are we so desperate for care facilities that we would disregard the kind of care our loved ones receive? Has this facility proved to the government and the community that it has and will meet the standards that are required to provide quality care to the elderly?rnI want to warn the consumer for elder care to beware. Although you may feel desperate, take time to thoroughly research the facility of your choice and do the following: Review the policies and procedures (make sure that there is in fact a set of these); ask questions about accountability (if there is a problem, how is it handled); review how they handle medical administration (ensure you are familiar with your elder's medications); communication (how is this handled in emergency situations); documentation and charting (ask to see how notes are kept and how are funds handled, eg. Comfort funds); and ask when the facility was last inspected and accredited (who should you go to if you are worried about your loved one's care?).
Keep a daily diary regarding any concerns you have for your elderly loved one.
But above all, visit on a regular basis so you will know how your loved one is being treated.
Linda ChubatyrnAdvocate for quality care for the elderly, and niece to the late Eleanor Wheeler.
Ottawa

Lacrosse a growing sport in province

Editor:rnThe B.C. Lacrosse Association has seen tremendous growth in the past 10 years. The number of registered lacrosse players in B.C. has gone from 5,984 in 1994 to 16,085 in 2005. More and more athletes are discovering Canada's National Summer Sport.
Part of the most recent growth has been as a direct result of the B.C. Lacrosse Association's Development Program. The Program is made up of a dedicated group of volunteer coaches, officials and organizers from around the province.
This group of volunteers will come to your community to work with athletes and parents in order to get a lacrosse program off the ground.
The only cost to the community is the use of a sport facility (such as a gymnasium or arena, once the ice is out), a meeting room for the group to meet with the parents, and those interested in developing lacrosse in their area. Equipment is provided for these sessions, if required. Sessions generally run 2-3 hours.
Lacrosse has many benefits. As a game, it is unparalled in developing skill, speed, intelligence, fitness and endurance. Lacrosse has an infectious quality that captivates players and fans alike.
We know there are many former lacrosse players living throughout the province who would truly love to have lacrosse in their community.
Most recently, lacrosse programs have started in Williams Lake, Fort St John, Powell River, Elk Valley and Gold River as well as Grande Prairie, Alberta. Prince George has a strong lacrosse program in central northern B.C. that has been established for many years.
The B.C. Lacrosse Development Program is available to come to your community. If you are interested in learning how and desire more information, please feel free to contact me.
You can also visit the B.C. Lacrosse Association's website at www.bclacrosse.com for general information.
Corinne AlmasrnVP DevelopmentrnBC Lacrosse