Dear Editor:
This letter is written in regards to the proposed independent school in Osoyoos that would be affiliated with Good Shepherd Christian School.
Firstly, the town must have a referendum and let the tax paying citizens of Osoyoos decide if they town should allow the use of our community centre – the Sonora Community Centre – for the school.
It should also not be given freely as it will include a cost to local taxpayers.
We already pay taxes to the town and should not be paying more in the form of a subsidy.
If the local Osoyoos Independent School (OIS) committee wants to operate, they should rent a place and fund it themselves.
Why should the other citizens of this community give up our Sonora Centre?
Also, there is an excellent modern and top of the line secondary school in Oliver for which we pay school taxes.
They should utilize that facility.
If my memory serves we well, Canadian Tire wanted to come to Osoyoos, as did the regional helicopter company.
Why were they kept out of Osoyoos?
I would also like to state that building new houses does not fill seats in classrooms as has been suggested by the town with the proposed development of the Richter Property subdivision.
Schools are filled by students of parents who can work and make a decent wage while wanting to live in Osoyoos.
You reap what you sow and if you don’t seed properly, you get nothing in the end.
John Jelich
Osoyoos, B.C.
