Desert Park a hot topic
Editor:rnRe: In Support of Friends of Desert ParkrnThere is nothing more valuable to its citizens than the community parks. I lived in Burnaby for 17 years in the Sperling Duthie area which is surrounded by beautiful parks. Deer Lake, Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby Lake, Squint Lake, and many small playground parks, baseball and soccer fields.
I moved to the Surrey/White Rock area two years ago and although it has the water and beaches, the one thing I miss most are those parks.
I bless all those that participated in resisting the developers by saving and developing the land for the people of Burnaby to enjoy. Regularly seeing the wildlife and vast variety of birds always made me feel that I had chosen a healthy environment for my children to grow up in. So much nature in such a small area. A place where the citizens took pride in developing a liveable and sustainable environment.
With the stressful lives we all lead today the public, especially the children, need somewhere in the community where they can come together. I grew up in the east end of Vancouver, very close to the PNE, and have so many fond memories attending almost everyday during the two weeks it was open. Everyone loved to go and see the horses, cows, all the animals.
During the rest of the year it offered so many other forms of entertainment, roller and ice skating arenas, concerts, etc. They have even developed park space within the PNE grounds in recent years.
The PNE has been leaving town for as long as I can remember, but personally I don't think the people of Vancouver would ever let it go, it would be like giving up Stanley Park. I know the community of Osoyoos is considerably smaller but it's growing and wouldn't it be nice for the people of Osoyoos to develop something that serves all the public. Something for everyone. A special place for your children and grandchildren, and the tourists.
We only come there twice a year so it may not have as much importance to me. But as a taxpayer I want to give my support to the Friends of Desert Park and encourage you all to choose wisely when determining the use for those lands. I say the the 52 acre Public Park should remain and hope that you see the value in keeping it as such for the benefit of all, now and for the future.
Osoyoos is so unique and beautiful, the Tuscany Valley of British Columbia.
It would be such a shame to not respect and enhance what mother nature has already provided.
As for the almighty dollar, well I can only see it encouraging more tourism and more development for Osoyoos. There's not a whole lot to do in Osoyoos remember.
Leslie & Randall McLeodrnWhite Rock
Editor:rnI retired from the RCMP in 1985 after serving more than 26 years. My reaction to the recent murders of four Officers in Alberta is difficult to put into words. It was so unexpected and senseless. Although I consider them my brothers, I didn't know them. I wish I had.
It is not easy to comprehend the devastation felt by surviving Officers at the small detachments of Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt. Their families and friends are shattered.
Rage and sorrow will prevail during these darkest days but eventually most of them will get through this and return to normal lives. Some may not. Their brothers will continue to serve and protect while a major inquiry probes the events of this tragedy. Everyone involved will second guess themselves and others through sleepless nights, wondering what could or should have been done differently.
The internal investigations that must come will force them to relive the ugliness of it many times. Although there is probably enough blame involved for all to share, this is not the time. This is a time for us, the citizens of this great country, to be grateful for the men and women who serve and to give them our full support. They both need and deserve it.
All members of the RCMP and police officers around the world feel their pain. The fallen Officers paid the highest price while dealing with a worthless career criminal that preyed on those around him. Although others will die in the line of duty, their brothers will continue to stand on the wall so we may rest out of harm's way.
These young men will be remembered with gratitude and honour.
Aubrey G. White, S/Sgt. (retired)rnOsoyoos, B.C.
Editor:rnAs a director of a previous Society that held the contract for drug and alcohol counselling, I was greatly disappointed and saddened to read that a grand in aid application by Desert Sun Counselling had been turned down on the pre-text that it would not benefit everyone.
The committee must have taken the narrowest view of a pervasive and serious problem that society faces today.
Obviously not everyone has to consult a counsellor but a reduction in the effects caused by some of his clients would have great benefits to the community.
Consider the reduction in costs of policing, medical services, social service costs and insurance costs to name a few. Desert Sun Counselling is a very important part of a range of interventions for addicts.
In my experience the contracts run on a minimal budget for hours that can never be adequate to meet the need.
So much for the value of our Drug Awareness programmes when they evoke such a poor response from our council.
Oh well, light the blue touch paper and hope the problem fades in the $2,000 worth of firework smoke, publicly funded of course!rnBill YellandrnOsoyoos
Editor:rnRe: Friends of Desert ParkrnI am a recently retired
who is now proud to live in this town (prev. Victoria & Kelowna). My parents have also purchased here, as well as my brother and wife from Winnipeg, (for their upcoming retirement).
We all fully support the plan that the Friends of Desert Park are proposing. Public parkland is designated for all to enjoy. The 52 acres (off Hwy. 97, just below the golf course) is a beautiful, precious property. Much of it is preserved as natural (eco-friendly).
Presently there is a small recreational facility, a race track & barns for horses, a grandstand, and walking, cycling trails, plus a sports field.
The Friends of Desert Park are proposing a multi-use centre ie: for shows, fairs, music festivals, horse and dog events, etc. The racetrack, cycling and jogging paths, and preservation of the desert eco-system are well thought out. If we lose this, (ie: commercial) it's gone.
There are no other proposals on the board. Please come to the Open House at Town Hall on March 17th from 3-8 p.m. and get informed before it's too late.
L. SniderrnOsoyoos
Editor:rnThank you for the newspaper of February 2 which arrived at my residence two days later, February 4 which was my 82nd birthday.
I was so pleased to see on page 10 – In History, from January 31, 1996 the article about my bringing the BC Senior Games to Osoyoos in 1995 and that I had been a resident of Osoyoos since 1980.
I moved to White Rock four years ago to be close to my son in Maple Ridge and my daughter and grandchildren in Coquitlam. I have subscribed to your paper since moving here. The icing on my cake this birthday was your article about me.
Thanks again very much.
Marjorie E. MacLean, White Rock
Editor:rnCongratulations to the Osoyoos Times and its new reporter, Julie Turner, for the front page coverage and excellent article on the Not just for old guys hockey group. She captured the spirit of the players so well with her emphasis on fun, camaraderie, exercise and love of the sport. We always welcome new players and spectators 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Many thanks for letting more people in the community know about us.
Bob Sherwood, Osoyoos Seniors' Hockey Spokesman
Editor:rnThe friends of Desert Park meeting was very positive and enlightening. It left me with a lot of questions about the city's plans.
Although I have lived in Osoyoos for 12 years I have never had an interest in golf nor an interest in laying on the beach. I do, however, enjoy watching horse competitions and activities at the Park. I am not an owner of a horse nor am I a rider.
What surprised me most was that the horse part of the park has always paid for itself. The stadium building does not as it has been very underutilized.
This area of Osoyoos has been popular for walkers as it is away from traffic. Adding an oval within the existing horse track could only be of benefit for local schools and runners or marathoners.
Many activities such as trainers with too few horses, dog competitions, riding groups and extreme sports have been turned away. I would like to know why.
The park and its barns would be a welcome addition to our town's advertising of tourist attractions.
I have heard a rumour that the town councillors want to demolish the barns and put in a trailer park for the golf course. Supposedly, they would move the barns. Would they really? This is an unreasonable exchange for the green space. The town has very little space for parks. We could have developed this area into a world class cross country equestrian course as so many are being permanently closed down, but it seems that our town council would like to put golf first. I think that it is time that our town focus on other interests to add to the tourist value of our town.
We have riders from age five to eighty-five in the community and outlying areas. These people should also be taken into consideration.
This community has many activities to proclaim it a wonderful place to visit and maybe stay, we should not undervalue Desert Park Race track and fields because the potential is massive and the area is already partially developed. Why rip it down and start fresh when there is so much more possibility in what is already begun?
M. SiebringrnOsoyoos
Editor:rnWhat additional things are going to happen to our health situation in the coming years. Yes, perhaps it is really nice to have the 2010 Winter Olympics, but, I really believe we are being jeopardized because of the fact there is so much money being poured or flowing into all things concerning the Olympics.
I was told last August that I would have to wait a year and a half for a hip replacement. I phoned last week and found out I might have to wait longer.
It seems that most of us waiting for these kind of operations are 80 years or more – it does not matter, we are supposed to be old!! Well I certainly do not feel old and still want to participate in golfing and bowling and all things our age enjoys. Why should we have to wait and wait and wait? It seems that something should seriously be considered and constructively implemented concerning this really intolerable, bad situation. Like most people I do not look forward to this operation, but it has to be done or we just keep on suffering.
Please can we not have some intelligent action concerning matters like this.
I am a homekeeper, retired, and artist and lover of sports. Have played school sports, softball, field sports, basketball and later bowling curling and golfing. I am interested in all sports. A born in B.C. 81-year-old veteranrnMrs. Evelyn NewrnOliver, BC
