Letters to the Editor

Editor:rnRegarding your story on Band-Town partner on multi-million dollar eco-tourist centre in Osoyoos (Feb. 16 edition).
Excuse me, but what in the world is going on here. According to Glenn Mandziuk, the Osoyoos Indian Band identified a source of funding through Infrastructure Canada, but only a municipality can apply for it? So our leaders apply on behalf of the indian band? How is a new cultural tourist centre considered to be infrastructure?rnWhy didn't the Town apply for the 1.5 million for the town? Just think what we could have done with our own Desert Interpretive Centre, or our Museum, or the new Sonora Community Centre. Will Mandziuk and the Osoyoos Indian Band get us $1.5 million in funding from the Federal Government? I don't think so.
Mandziuk is quoted as saying that it would be hard to overstate the impact this centre will have and that Osoyoos will see a critical benefit from this project. Perhaps the Osoyoos Times could interview Mandziuk and he can expound on this theory.
While you're at it, ask him if he's so sure that this is an investment that needs to happen more in our province, why isn't he and Destination Osoyoos getting this kind of funding for the Town? Aren't they supposed to be working for us?rnAnd who made the stupid statement that this project won't cost the town any money? What about when we need real infrastructure funding and the powers to be decline because we already got 1.5 million.
And then there are the grunt comments by members of Council.
This just shows you what can de done (Flintoft). Or, this will have a huge economic benefit (Shields).
Property owners in town should reread the February 16 paper on page 3 and ask themselves how they could have benefited from a 1.5 million grant.
This is not a band-town partnership, but a continuation of the very successful three-year marriage between Destination Osoyoos and the Osoyoos Indian Band and their ability to manipulate council like puppets.
Most of you councillors I know personally and I hope it isn't too late for you to stand up and say we were elected to make decisions on behalf of the Town of Osoyoos and we will!
This is an election year and I for one am very disappointed so far in the lack of leadership of this council.
There is nothing wrong with a band-town partnership, but the partnership should benefit both parties and should not be manipulated by Destination Osoyoos.

D. BrunnerrnOsoyoos

Editor:rnI am writing regarding an article in your Wednesday, February 9, 2005 issue on page 27.
It was about the town turning down the regional district emergency services. That is not what concerns me. What I am extremely disappointed about is the misinformation on the Anarchist Mountain fire of 2003.
The fire started on July 16, 2003. Hardly late summer as was stated in the article.
What really upset me was the comment that there was minimal damage to property. Two homes were burned to the ground, another home suffered over $200,000 damage and several other homes had varying degrees of damage, including our own. There were also several outbuildings and personal property (such as snowmobiles) damaged or destroyed. On top of that, many hectares of trees were destroyed. The comments made it seem as if the fire was a minor inconvenience which does a great disservice to all the firefighters, local and forestry, who spent weeks taming the blaze.rnDonna Redekopp, Osoyoos

Editor:rnDesert Park would be a super venue for kite flying, even kite competitions.
I hear that Victoria has kite pulling carts equipped with nothing but brakes.
Also, kite flying is a great Asian tradition and we have a large Asian community. I have mentioned this idea to one or two of them. They looked interested.
We also have a number of local people whose hobby is renovating antique trucks and cars. Imagine a parade of antique vehicles. Tourists would love it.
Everyone who has happy memories of taking summer visitors to see horse racing there and who would miss the place if it got 'developed' some other way should realize that now is the critical time to support The Friends of Desert Park.
Mary Aitken
Osoyoosrn