Writer says he can't wait to leave Osoyoos

Editor:rnTo the People of Osoyoos. Wake up.
When I first saw Osoyoos from the Richter Pass in 1992, I was struck with the beauty of Osoyoos, so much so that I couldn't wait to move here. Retiring in 2003, I bought a house here and really enjoyed the first year here. I was kept busy renovating the house, buying supplies and services locally.
Now I can't wait to leave. Osoyoos still looks beautiful from Richter or Anarchist but the closer you get to town the uglier it gets; from the east down Hwy. 3 with its billboards it reminds one of Las Vegas in its tacky days, from the south up Hwy. 97 right after the border on the left it looks like a junkyard, from the north down hwy 97 on the right an open mine gravel pit greets visitors. Napa of the North, don't make me laugh. This is one ugly little town. Most single family neighborhoods have been destroyed by plopping four storey condos in the middle of them. You're dreaming if you think the people buying these are going to retire here. Besides the lake and golf in the summer there's nothing here for them any other season. But since they own property here they can vote in municipal elections. Do you think they'll allow tax increases for schools etc. when they only use the place in the summer? Most of what they buy (furniture, etc) comes in from other places.
There is very little land left to develop. So go ahead and fill it with cheap ugly buildings, then construction will collapse totally and you'll be left with a gated ghost town 10 months of the year.
Myself and several of my longtime fulltime resident neighbors are leaving. Good Luck. You've done a great job of trashing a beautiful place.
Dave Rehberg
Osoyoos

Editor:rnI find it exciting that Osoyoos is growing, but I have some concerns about our local service providers.
I called a local electrician, who wired my entire new house as well as done various other jobs for me, to do a small job. I was in no rush, as I know that small jobs are not huge money makers, so was happy to have him come when he was in the area (which is now Oliver).
I waited three months or so, called again. Saw one of his trucks, so asked again. It's now been about 9 months, and he still hasn't shown up or called.
I called a plumber recently to fix a drain at our business. Got a call back 3 days later saying they don't want to do it because they are too busy. I called another company and they were there within a few hours and it took them 30 minutes . . . and I know they are busy, too.
I think the trades people need to remember the people that live here all year round, because once these condos are built, we are the ones you will rely on for your income.
Bonnie ThompsonrnOsoyoos

rnEditor:rnOn behalf of the local Royal Canadian Legion, K. Knudston Branch, I wish to thank the Editor and staff of the Osoyoos Times for their excellent printed and photographic coverage of the Remembrance Day Services and our Poppy campaign.
Your efforts are that much more appreciated because this year we are commemorating 2005 as the Year of the Veteran, which in turn reminds all Canadians of the need to be ever vigilant in the protection of our values and our freedomrnBrian LobbrnPresidentrnK. Knudston BranchrnRoyal Canadian Legion

Editor:rnA legacy in the making. The same Nov. 14th evening when a rezoning application was the subject of the council meeting here an all candidates meeting took place in Squamish, B.C.
Osoyoos in Squamish was described by a recent visitor to our town as a place where the type of development ought to be avoided because it adds nothing positive to the nature of Osoyoos.
Destination can be in any direction, can it not?rnLuke KurversrnOsoyoos

Editor:rnAs you are aware FortisBC is planning to build a new substation with a connecting transmission line. In the application before the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) FortisBC evaluated three options for the interconnecting transmission line be-tween the West Sub-station (adjacent to 89th Street) and the planned Nk'Mip substation on eastern site of Osoyoos. FortisBC is preferring Option 1. Within this Option 1 two options are being considered: Option A: route exiting West Substation from Kingfisher Drive to Highway 3 to Lakeshore Drive, with the final section from Lakeshore Drive along Highway 3, past 82nd Avenue to the proposed Nk'Mip Substation; Option B: route exiting West Substation at the junction of 87th Avenue/Kingfisher Drive, then north on 87th Avenue in front of School District No.53 (5806-68th Avenue) property to 68th Avenue junction, then along 68th Avenue to Highway 3 to the intersection of Kingfisher Drive, thereafter following the route as per Option A.
Resident and property owners along those routes should be aware about the possible impacts of the new 63 kiloVolt transmission line, ranging from adverse biological effects due to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emanating from the transmission line, property devaluation, property insurance increase, visual impacts, just to name a few.
EMR is not confined to the right of way of the power line, but can travel a long way from the center of the transmission line past the R/W border depending upon load and configuration of the line. These impacts are not at all addressed in the Application, however should be. Already in the 1998 hearing, at a time of then proposed West Kootenay Power TL 44 rebuilt from Oliver to Osoyoos, intervenors suggested a new substation being built on Eastside of Osoyoos, because of the adverse impacts mentioned above. However, BCUC decided for the cheapest solution. FortisBC and BCUC do not care about the health and well being of citizens near electric facilities, as I personally have experienced when I intervened in 1998. I have been intervening in a few other powerline applications since then, and I am intervening in the subject case as well.
So far as I studied the application I would be in favor of Option 2, building the new Nk'Mip substation fed with a new transmission line running east of Osoyoos Lake.
May I suggest that affected persons along the two routes as described above contact the BCUC and apply for registered intervenorship, no later than November 30, 2005. Once you are an intervenor your arguments will be considered and you will be fully informed during the whole hearing process. All submitted documents to/from BCUC, including the FortisBC Application will be forwarded to you, charge-free. With these documents on hand you will get information first-hand and then you may decide whether you want to submit your personal arguments. By being registered as intervenor you are not obligated to any financial charges at all.
It is to be noted that you should submit your application and concerns in writing either via e-mail, fax or postal service.
BCUC's address: Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street, Box 250, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2N3rne-mail: Commission.Secretary @bcuc.com ; Fax: (604) 660-1102; Tel: (604) 660-4700.
To read all submission so far (daily updated) go to BCUC's direct link: http://www.bcuc.com/ApplicationView.asp x?ApplicationId=93rnHans Karowrnreg. intervenor Coalition to Reduce Electropollution (CORE)