Angry over planned closure

Editor:rnOldtimer…mad as hell!!rnAfter hearing the news this past Thursday that Sagebrush Lodge would be closing its doors, I'm furious, disgusted and angry to the point that I feel we need to fight a decision obviously made without any thought to our citizens of Osoyoos.
I read a news item quoting our mayor and CEO of Interior Health and I would like to refute some of their statements.
1. Sagebrush Lodge is only 23 years old – hardly can it be considered aging! A new Alzheimer's unit was completed only 5 years ago – definitely a unit we should be proud of. A $50,000 brick wall encompasses a brand new landscaped patio walkway – finished only last summer. Last week a new roofing project was completed. Upgrading to the A/C system was completed in 2005. So all in all were these upgrades being done so the building might be sold?rn2. A new van arrived at Sagebrush Lodge in December 2005, much of the funding coming from Osoyoos Service Clubs. Where will this van end up?rn3. Besides being the home to 52 residents, Sagebrush Lodge also prepares meals for the Meals On Wheels program, has an adult day care program, and provides bathing facilities for many of our town's seniors. These are not going to continue in a private facility.
4. Before becoming a part of Interior Health, under a governing board, Sagebrush Lodge was always highlighted as a facility that always operated under budget. Now we are being told Sagebrush Lodge is too expensive to run. How did that happen Interior Health?rnYes, there are 75 employees who are very concerned about losing their jobs but more so the staff is worried about where their residents will go and the type of care they will receive. They can't believe this facility will close.
Private facilities referred to by Mr. Mazurkewich ie. Village By the Station keep wages and benefits at minimal levels and do not provide hands-on
/LPN care.
In closing I ask for the support of the whole town of Osoyoos in trying to save one of the finest long term care facilities in B.C. Shame on you Interior Health!rnMarlene EvansrnOsoyoos

Editor:rnIt has truly been an energizing and enriching experience traveling this diverse riding and meeting so many wonderful people while on the campaign trail.
I would first like to thank all those who worked so hard during the election. It is truly an honour for me to be associated with such a committed and dedicated group of individuals.
Now with the election over, I will do my best to represent everyone in BC Southern Interior and look forward to working with our MLAs, local elected officials and others to that end. Together we can make sure that communities in all parts of this huge riding prosper while continuing to reflect that rural quality of life which we all cherish. My main office will be in Castlegar, but I am also working to ensure that there is a strong presence in the western part of the riding.
Once again, thanks to Jim Gouk and his staff for all of their hard work over the years, and thanks to all of you for your support.
Alex Atamanenko, MP BC Southern Interior

rnEditor:rnIn these times of fiscal restraint including medical cut backs, it is refreshing to find a doctor who truly cares for the welfare of her patients.
Osoyoos can be very proud of their Dr. Lorraine Kane – a doctor with a difference. She certainly made a huge contribution to my quality of life. After a year of serious, life-threatening illness, when many other doctors had given up on me, Dr. Kane took on the challenge of finding out how to best help me. She used her resources to learn from various sources how to best treat me and I credit her with saving my life. She wastes no time, produces positive results, knows how to handle frightened and sometimes difficult patients and does it all with an understanding smile and caring attitude.
We need more doctors like Dr. Kane. She gives her patients hope and the feeling that they are not alone with their struggles because she is on their team.
In the world of sports there is always an MVP (Most Valuable Player) and I think there should be an equivalent in the world of medicine (Most Valuable Doctor) MVD. Besides being an MVD, Dr. L. Kane is also a very nice lady.
Thank you Dr. Kane from the bottom of my heart.
Judith Johnsen

Dear civic leaders:rnMy husband and I just returned to our home in Grand Forks, after a visit to Osoyoos which was a favourite haunt of our family when we were raising children.
On an afternoon walk yesterday we were horrified to find that this walk was not possible around the lake shore due to huge condos going up around the lake.
We were determined to go as far as we could and discovered signs saying private beach claiming that the lake shore was the private beach of the condo owners.
How is this possible when, as I understand it, the lake shore belongs to all of us?
Huge boulders have been thrown down from the condo sites making any walk impossible unless you are a mountain goat.
Surely, in a town that is interested in attracting tourists, and attracting citizens that would enjoy a walk near the lake, there is something seriously wrong with the planning of these complexes.
These condos are for the rich and famous no doubt.
As municipal leaders you would think a walk way around the major part of the town site near the lake would be a priority and as far around the lake as possible giving people the joy of the beauty of the surrounding area, one of the few deserts in Canada.
It is unimaginable that any thought aside from greed and profits have entered into the planning and approval of these condos. Also unbelievable that a town advertised as a tourist place would have such a small stretch of the lake as a public park.
The town seems to have no vision of safe strolling places or bike paths. It is worth one's life to cross the busy highway to get to that small pathway near the lagoon.
We are most distressed at this short-sighted planning, and amazed that, in this day and age when even the biggest cities and the smallest towns are looking for ways to improve their surroun-dings, a town like Osoyoos could allow such an outrage to happen.
In so many towns and cities now one can bike and walk for hours without repeating a route; condos yes along the rivers and lakes perhaps, but paths in front for everyone including, I am sure, the condo owners who would enjoy the paths too.
Sincerely and with hope that this terrible travesty can be righted.
Bob and Trisha PurdyrnGrand Forks

Editor:rnThe Salvation Army Penticton would like to take this opportunity to extend sincere thanks to everyone who contri-buted in any way during our Christmas Cam-paign.
Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated.
We look forward to serving the South Okanagan in 2006.
Thank you for helping us help others.
Christine SimmonsrnDirectorrnCommunity & Family Services