RGS IS A MISTAKE FOR THE COMMUNITY
Editor:
Re: RGS (Regional Growth Strategy) Originally the shared brainchild of a few well-meaning, but not necessarily well-informed, people who had nothing better to do that day. (Subject to correction, about 55 people from the South Valley).
While weather prevented us from attending the RDOS' Open House of Feb. 5th at the Sonora Centre, I have obtained a blow by blow from those who did, as well as the bylaw, map and questionnaire.
My opinion of the RGS has not changed since I first countered David Arsenault's comment (made to us) that He had driven over Anarchist Mountain and could not see why anyone would want to live there. He replied to my letter in the Times via a personal letter in response. Not only do I deem that to be gutless, but I assure the RDOS Board that there are a lot of places that I have driven through, past and around, that I would not care to live in. Principally, jam-packed, elbow to elbow, stacked one atop the other, just to satisfy the municipal tax grab.
What about beyond the stated boundaries? i.e., Town stops where it hits ALR, and beyond ALR? Why not? Given rules followed and criteria met.
We are told This is what is good for you, so roll over and accept? No way!!
RDOS' Susanne Theurer (planning) admitted publicly that the existing OCPs (Official Community Plans) would be no longer relevant and would have to be re-done in light of the RGS' direction at another cost to the taxpayer of:
1) their fumbling, andrn2) us having to live with whatever the outcome.
Reference to Regal Ridge should include all of Anarchist Mountain as a growth area.
Personally I think the RDOS is in the process of self-destructing, and we are to pay for yet another search for talent to fill the three pair of shoes vacated in Penticton (Chad Ingram p. A-3, Feb. 6 Osoyoos Times.)
To the Board: As for B12/08P, I'd recommend the next step is to be to leave us alone!
Buryl Goodman,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 13, 2008
YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS NEED CONSIDERATION TOO
Editor:
It was with great interest that I watched the unveiling of the new brand for Osoyoos on TV the other day. I'm very happy for all involved that it is such a success. I must admit that as I was hearing about all these great developments, I felt more and more like one of the forgotten people of Osoyoos.
Possibly I should be writing directly to the town councillors but it was the TV program that urged me to put pen to paper.
We have lived in Osoyoos for over 40 years. We owned our own house for 30 of those years. Since we sold our house we have moved four times trying to find affordable housing. Unfortunately the rents keep going up and our pensions don't.
I do most of my shopping locally but it annoys me that I have to drive to Penticton to buy new shoes. It was a great loss when the Mercantile closed its doors. It would be a dream come true if another family clothing store opened in Osoyoos.
It's great that the tourism industry is such a success but how about some consideration for us, the forgotten people.
Beryl Blythe,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 13, 2008
IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS MAKING MESS OF TOWN
Editor:
As dog owners, my wife and I have greatly enjoyed walking our dog on the streets, parks, playgrounds and high-school grounds of Osoyoos. As responsible dog owners, we always carry poop bags and diligently pick up as required. We are, however, appalled to note that many irresponsible dog owners do not even make a pretense of picking up after their dogs.
At Haynes Point Park it has become a hazard to walking with the piles of feces along the trail and on the roadway.
Even many of the campsites have been befouled by dogs with inconsiderate and irresponsible owners.
The school playground has become a hazard to walking, let alone a hazard to the students wishing to use it for recreation.
The baseball parks and surrounding playgrounds are literally covered with great mounds of feces.
Even our town's streets have been irresponsibly befouled as have the sidewalk gutters in the downtown area.
What is wrong with these irresponsible owners?
Do they think it is up to someone else to clean up their dogs' messes?
Do they think that it is proper to have students and athletes wallowing in their dogs' waste?
It is not the dogs' fault-they are simply doing their natural functions-but it is the fault of the irresponsible owners who are too lazy or otherwise disinclined to accept their responsibility.
There are, fortunately, many responsible dog owners who not only clean up after their own animals, but also clean up after the pets of others.
Some replace the garbage bags in the park's garbage cans, and others place supplies of baggies in the park's dispenser.
But this cannot make up for the irresponsible owners who blithely ignore both regulations and common courtesy.
It is time for all of those thoughtless people to smarten up and pick up.
Bob Hyslop,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 13, 2008
PLEASE PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG IN TOWN PARKS
Editor:
Desert Park is an excellent place to exercise dogs.
Members of the Desert Dogs Agility club use it often and enjoy walking and socializing our dogs.
We are very conscientious about picking up after our dogs.
However, there are many who don't! We ask that all dog owners please do so, not only at Desert Park but all parks.
Those of you who make a bad name for the rest of us will be the very ones complaining when dogs are not allowed in parks.
Please clean up after your dogs!
Claudia Sauder,rnOsoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-February 13, 2008
