Strangers helping someone in need
Editor:rnWhen disaster strikes on the road, it's easy to forever remember the town where it happens as the epicentre of bad luck.
On Labour Day, our minivan decided Osoyoos was where it would grind to a halt.
But for us, your town will always be remembered as a place where strangers went far out of their way to help someone in need.
We were on our way home to the coast after a sun-filled weekend exploring the hiking trails at Mount Baldy, and drove through town when all of a sudden, it sounded like everything in the engine was being thrown in on itself.
The van had voiced its disapproval all weekend. But this time, we knew it was serious, pulled over and shut off the ignition.
It was time to get help. Since it was a holiday weekend, we didn't hold out much hope.
We walked over to the nearest gas station, the Shell station, and related our predicament to the man behind the counter.
He was sympathetic, but warned it was unlikely anyone in town would be able to look at our vehicle until the following day.
Then, he spotted some loyal customers in line ” Ed Allan and his wife Marguerite. Ed, he said, knew a lot about cars and might be able to help us.
It turned out he was right. Without a moment's hestitation, Ed volunteered to take a look. It sounded like a broken belt, he suggested. He offered to take a closer look ” once we'd dropped Margerite off at home, Ed had changed into a work shirt and found his tools. After ferrying us four times to Home Hardware for fan belts of various lengths and several hot, frustrating hours under the Osoyoos sun, Ed had fixed our van. She purred like a (large) kitten.
He refused payment before we'd even had a chance to bring it up. Instead, Ed said, we were to repay his kindness by helping someone else in need down the road.
Stunned and relieved, we thanked him and hit the road. We made White Rock a few hours later, safe and sound, and terribly grateful.
We'd just like to express our profound thanks to Ed and Margerite for their unquestioning kindness to two strangers on Sept. 4. We'll try to return the favour to someone else, as you suggested.
Jennifer Lang and Jeff Nagel
Editor:rnRecently there have been a number of thefts in our area that we find quite unacceptable. However we should be used to thieves in our lives. Governments have been stealing from us as long as they have existed.
The minute we start working we are penalized with income tax and when we spend what is left in most cases there is 50% or more tax on our purchases and from there on this tax theft continues.
When we buy or build our homes the gov't comes up with another tax for us living in our own homes. In the last issue of G.F. Gazette there were 21 homes listed up for tax sale. I consider this about as low as a thief can get. Who gives this mob of civil servants the right to tax us out of our homes and go on an endless spending spree? In my opinion this is a case of extortion and using our homes for ransom.
Where are these people supposed to go when their homes have been taken from them by civil servants that have given themselves the authority to steal at will and be above the law? Nothing on any ballot says that we agree to having our homes seized or our income or any of our possessions. It is little wonder that thefts and crime are flourishing in this country and it will only get worse as governments continue to steal from us and penalize us for doing honest work.
Something has to change or I can only see bigger problems ahead.
Vern Rexin
Editor:rnI feel that the letter which was written by Mr. Rod Kerr was way out of line and he should not have written it. Chief Clarence Louie is the elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band and First Nations People. Any comment he might have wanted to express should have been written with much more respect. Rudi Richter, Osoyoos
