Editor:
Having spoken at the public hearing related to the Oasis development, I’m writing to correct an error attributed to me in the Sept. 8 edition of the Osoyoos Times, as well as to comment on the Sept. 7 public hearing.
Contrary to what was written in the article, I do not support the current size or scope of the proposed development.
I did use the phrase “guarded support” but added that was only with respect to the medical-professional building.
My guarded support comes from the fact that this aspect of the development is hinged on the motto “build it and they will come,” which raises the question:  What if they don’t come?
If the development cannot attract new professionals or new businesses, I fear that it will only end up poaching established businesses from elsewhere in town – not a healthy prospect for our downtown core.
Obviously my comments were not fresh in Coun. Cronmiller’s mind when he made the motion to waive the 24-hour notice requirement.
He would like to believe that there is overwhelming support for this project, but he was obviously not swayed when I spoke to council and pointed out that the supportive petition preamble was vague and did not even mention the proposed development, but instead asked people to support the “initiative of advancing the health care services in Osoyoos, including the concept of a professional centre catering to all aspects of health.”
Who of us would not have signed a petition like that?
I also mentioned that the form letters of support, a change adopted by the developer after being encouraged to do so by the Town’s planning department, were not much better as they did not mention any specific information related to the development (i.e. building height, medical building uses, green space, etc.)
The form letter does make reference to the property currently being zoned for 237 units, but fails to mention that the number of units would have to be reduced by roughly 90 units with the construction of the medical professional building unless the development is granted the density bonus.
I’m not so naïve as to believe that the development will not go forward as is.
Nevertheless, I do hope that council would be willing to discuss with the developer the possibility of downsizing the entire project.
I applaud councillors Ryan and Rhodes for voting against the motion to rush the process.
Why have second and third readings without time to digest what was said at the public hearing?
The developers were given the opportunity at the end of the public hearing to respond to questions raised by the audience.
Although a few were answered, their final speaker argued that many of the questions were speculative and therefore could not be answered.
I would counter that this entire development is based on speculation.
Peter Gajda,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-September 15, 2010

LOCAL MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS HAVE RIGHT IDEA ABOUT OASIS DEVELOPMENT

Editor:
I read with interest Mr. Searcy’s letter to you, in last week’s Osoyoos Times, regarding his thoughts on the Oasis Development and more specifically the Professional Medical Centre component.
With all due respect to Mr. Searcy and his stated extensive experience in the health field, his observations are typical of people who arrive in a new environment and endeavour to apply standards and practices that prevailed in other areas.
To dismiss, out of hand, the extensive experience regarding local conditions that our medical community possesses, especially as it relates to doctor recruitment, is out of line.
Each of our medical professionals, in addition to their everyday daunting work load, has given freely of their time to encourage other physicians to relocate to our beautiful community.
While we could always aspire to greater results, the fact is that in concert with the mayor and town council, along with support of many people in the community, our medical professionals have been successful in attracting four well-qualified doctors to our town.
If you apply the average of 1,000 to 1,600 patients per physician you can quickly see that at a minimum of 4,000 people in our Town and the surrounding area have a family doctor that they would not otherwise have.
While in Mr. Searcy’s former world, free rent, free cars etc., etc., couldn’t get the job done, that does not, thank goodness, apply here.
The doctors locating here recognized the quality of life for them and their families as well as a community that fully supports and appreciates them.
At the same time, a modern first-class professional centre is an important tool in the recruitment arsenal.
Why else would Dr. Garnett Tarr and Dr. Fred Hamilton, long-time local family practitioners, express their support for this project?
It is because they, and their associates, care about this community and its people.
They are prepared to give of their precious time to make our community a better place to work and live.
Derek Noske,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-September 15, 2010

POLICING, NOT CROSSWALKS NEED TO BE FIXED

Editor:
I read your article on page A-6 regarding the time to fix crosswalks and I do not agree at all. The crosswalks in this town are clear, well posted and usually in the right place.
One of the problems is the fact that the highway runs right through Main Street and people in a hurry don’t care about crosswalks, stopping at stop signs or jaywalkers.
I and my wife have been in these crosswalks and had our heels clipped by people who do not stop, but licence plate numbers and phone calls did not even make it to the officer’s desk.
The biggest problem as far as I can see is that there is no police officer who will stand and watch these crosswalks long enough to write out tickets to offenders.
It is much easier to have a bunch of officers stopping seatbelt offenders than it is to watch crosswalks, and though that is necessary, the crosswalks are much more dangerous.
For a small town, the Town has done wonders with the crosswalks!
It is the policing that requires the attention and until this situation is addressed all the crosswalks in the world will not spell safe crossing.
We all realize that budget cuts have reduced the availability of the officers to enforce such mundane matters, but I do think it is time our law-makers need to make fines much, much higher and enforcement much easier for our officers.
Mel James,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-September 15, 2010