Immigrant workers in Osoyoos. rnThis year marks the second year the province has looked to Mexico to recruit farm workers.The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) was established in order to allow the hiring of foreign workers to meet the seasonal needs of Canadian agricultural producers.Traditionally, there has been a shortage of qualified Canadian workers to fill [...] [...more]
“White Sand Beach” signage needed. A recent incident on the Osoyoos Indian Band's white sands beach illustrates the need for understanding of land rights and usage.Earlier this month, several non-Native beach users were confronted by a few Native youths and were told to get off our beach and this is Native land.Then, according to witnesses, the [...] [...more]
Out of retirement A year's retirement was enough.Ex-RCMP Sergeant Ted Cronmiller rejoined the force as a Reserve Constable in July, after retiring in April of 2004.He had already accumulated 34 years of service, the last five of which were in Osoyoos, but when a part-time casual opportunity came up, Cronmiller was ready to go back to [...] [...more]
BCCPAC looks forward to consultation Editor:Recently considerable attention has been given to both the B.C. Court of Appeal decision to uphold an arbitrator's ruling that allowed teachers to discuss politics during parent-teacher interviews; and the ensuing possibility of labour action on behalf of BC Teachers' Federation. As such, many parents are not confident that when their [...] [...more]
Paying the price of our energy-burning spending spree Driving up the Okanagan Valley today reveals a truly shocking sight: Gasoline at $1.08 per litre! Could that be $1.08 a GALLON? No, indeed it is $1.08 for every little litre pumped. And all predictions point to further increases.So the question becomes: As shocking as that figure is, [...] [...more]
Are by-laws enforced? Renters are giving some residents at a condo development on Main Street a headache.Lorne Merritt and his wife purchased and moved to a condo in the 48-unit Desert Mirage in March of 2004.The developer, Jack Dacyk, had it all figured out and was telling people how much they could make a day. Ken [...] [...more]
Full moon & an orchestra When a full moon rising over the mountains can upstage a class act like the Hotel Ritz-Melodia Orchesrta, it can only mean one thing - Romancing the Desert 2005 was the place to be in Osoyoos last Saturday night.Under a perfect evening sky, a great crowd came out to the annual [...] [...more]
Prcedures followed? An Osoyoos couple's dream home came to a nightmarish impasse last month.The couple, who did not want to be identified for this story, paid a large sum of money to their builder on a Friday only to discover that on the following Monday, the company had filed insolvency.The couple said they tried to [...] [...more]
Writer objects to encroachment Editor:rnAfter attending the August 10 meeting of Osoyoos Now I went to Land and Water BC's website and filed a complaint against the Casa Del Lago application for the Crown Land to put up their marina. While on the LWBC's website I did a little exploring; lo and behold under pending [...] [...more]
Tackling the thorny issue of illegal drug sales in their neighbourhood Our hats are off to the local RCMP and to the residents of Harbour Key Drive.Residents on that street banded together, and then worked hand in hand with RCMP to tackle the thorny issue of a drug house in their neighbourhood.While judging the success of [...] [...more]
