DEFECTIONS TO CARDOSO'S CAMP ARE FACTS, NOT CLAIMS

Editor:

Re: Claims arise that Liberals are jumping ship to support Cardoso.

I must correct several errors that were made in this story.

Firstly, Joe Cardoso is not claiming that high numbers of local Liberals are leaving the Party to back him.

He is stating a fact.

I spoke with the reporter before this story was written and informed her that 108 BC Liberal Party memberships, with accompanying letters cancelling the memberships, were given to Cardoso to return to Liberal Party Headquarters.

I asked her if she would like to see photocopies of these 108 cancelled memberships but she declined.

Secondly, I know that, of the four people who resigned from the BC Liberal Party Riding Executive because of the Liberal Party's refusal to endorse Cardoso after he had won the nomination by a substantial majority, at least three of these past executive members have cancelled their memberships in the BC Liberal Party and have certainly not returned to the executive.

I have been a member of the BC Liberal Party for many years.

In fact I was President of the Riding when Gordon Campbell was elected leader and I invited him to Osoyoos for his first official visit as Leader of the Opposition, an invitation he accepted.

However, I can no longer support a Party that is so undemocratic that it will not allow anyone, even a person who has been democratically elected, to be its candidate because that person at some time criticized the Party.

Joe Cardoso is one of the most ethical, honest, trustworthy, moral and hardworking people I have ever known and that is why he is being supported by people from all across the political spectrum, and that is why, for the first time in my life, I will be voting Conservative.

Susan Cooper,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 15, 2009

CLARIFICATION ON LIBERAL BOARD RESIGNATIONS

Editor:

Re: Article; Claims arise that Liberals are jumping ship to support Cardoso

I am requesting this letter be printed acknowledging my personal disappointment in the reporting of the interview with the reporter from your paper.

At NO time during our interview did I allege that the entire (Liberal) Association Board from this riding broke up after Cardoso was ousted.

I did say that myself and three other directors resigned.

I also said that to my knowledge at no time did Party Headquarters contact the local Board of Directors with any concerns they might have had or to get input from this Association.

This phone interview was not reported as discussed.

Lorraine Kolodychuk,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 15, 2009

WELLS WASN'T WRONG FOR VOTING ON SEWER PROJECT

Editor:

CCOO claim they had no personal agenda, but why would they use the Northwest Sewer Project as conflict of interest.

Maybe it does increase the property value to some of the homes along the lake, but that was not its intent.

Its purpose was to keep the sewage out of the lake.

By tying it into the development at the head of the lake, it was to benefit all of the taxpayers at the best possible cost.

So why would the Mayor be obligated to excuse himself from a vote, when its sole purpose was to benefit the entire community.

Rudi Richter,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 15, 2009

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR WORKERS

Editor:

Thanks to Diane Zorn for raising questions about the need for foreign workers during difficult economic times.

The staff at the Penticton and Area Women's Centre is pleased to see the community of the South Okanagan discussing social justice issues in general, and there are concerns about the BC Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (BC SAWP).

The Women's Centre has been active in supporting farm workers since 1999, when we hired a social researcher to survey seasonal agricultural workers specifically on the issue of sexual harassment.

The study found that one in three female farm workers experienced sexual harassment or assault.

This led to the development of the Safe Harvest Project, co-ordinated by the Women's Centre throughout 2000, 2001, and 2002.

Some readers may be familiar with Safe Harvest, and how that initiative expanded, forming a non-profit society in 2004, addressing all issues faced by farm workers.

The Safe Harvest Coalition sought to engage the community in supporting farmers and improving workers' conditions.

Safe Harvest worked closely with the Women's Centre, and the staff and Board at the Women's Centre continue to strive towards equality and justice for all vulnerable people in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.

The Women's Centre's Legal Advocate, Alex MacRae, supports clients for free, in various situations.

Alex serves women and men, and speaks on their behalf in landlord/tenant disputes, income assistance concerns, human rights complaints, employment insurance issues, and others.

Our Advocacy Support program seeks to build relationships between regional service providers, and empower the rural community to better serve those most marginalized.

In the context of this letter, those considered most marginalized are Canadian farm workers (employed or unemployed), and Mexican BC SAWP workers.

How can we protect the rights of our skilled agricultural labourers?

Can we ensure that they have a liveable wage, safe working / living conditions, access to washing, laundry and transportation?

If we can offer this to Canadians, will we need to bring in foreign workers?rn
If we do need to bring foreign workers, what can our community do to ensure that they are safe and have access to everything they need during their stay?

Are we being mindful of the potential friction in the community, and concerns around racism / discrimination?

The Women's Centre invites readers to consider these questions.

During the coming months we will hold events where we can gather and discuss these topics, and others.

Readers are invited to contact the Women's Centre and let staff know what kinds of social justice issues you see in the rural communities around you.

Reasha Wolfe,rnAdvocacy Support Worker, PAWC

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 15, 2009

WRITER SHARES GOOD NEWS STORY ABOUT MAYOR

Editor:

We are often critical of our politicians, but sometimes they deserve our admiration.

During Spring Break, a man and his two little girls came into the museum.

We got into a spirited discussion about the Waldorf School's strengths and weaknesses. rn
He asked about the councillor who was going to run for Mayor, and wondered if he got in.

Why? I asked.

He explained how his car had broken down in Osoyoos on a hot summer day.

This kind man picked us up and drove us to where we had to go in Rock Creek.

Yes, I said, that would have been Stu Wells, and he is now our Mayor.

The father replied, That was such an incredible act of kindness!

Indeed, I replied. That's the kind of Mayor we have!

Gayle Cornish,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 15, 2009