I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the story about the national park in your January 25 issue. There are so many bits of misinformation or ‘Nortonisms’ in the article that there is not enough space to correct all.

As a supporter of a national park in the South Okanagan - Similkameen I would like to correct Mr. Norton on his notion about the motivation and leadership of the local group the South Okanagan - Similkameen National Park Network.

We (SOSNPN) are  a large group of area residents who have been joined by like minded organizations who work toward protecting nature and our wild landscapes. These groups include the membership-based non-governmental organization BCNature, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Nature Canada.

One would be hard pressed to call them “corporate environmentalist”! SOSNPN is very open about who we are and our goals. On the other hand, I gather from letters to the editor, newspaper quotes, online blogs etc. that Mr. Norton and the Grasslands Park Review Coalition have the support of the BC Wildlife Federation, the organization which most hunters belong to, the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association and Southern Interior Stockmen’s Association.

These groups are generally against national parks as a matter of principal. I am not certain if they represent the landowners and ranchers who are in conversation with Parks Canada since these people have not made public statements to my knowledge.

About the issue of forest fires, where does Mr. Norton get his “facts”? Out of a hat? I think so because they are not accurate.

Parks Canada is renowned for its fire management in a wide variety of landscapes. A national park reserve in the South Okanagan Similkameen would bring with it Parks Canada’s extensive experience and reduce the risk of wildfires both within the proposed park reserve, and outside, through working with adjacent landowners.

Fire protection is desperately needed since there is no effective current plan in place in these areas. In addition, Parks Canada co-ordinates its efforts with provincial staff, local communities and other participants to respond immediately with focused effort to fully suppress wildfires.

Mr. Norton has been raising these fears about risk of wild fires for years and he knows better or should.

In regards to the issue of the size of the proposed park, Parks Canada has agreed to exclude the Snowy Protected Area, thereby reducing the park from 650 square kilometres to 280, a reduction of 57 per cent.

Parks Canada has demonstrated its flexibility.

Excluding this area leaves Snowy Protected Area available for hunters, but Mr. Norton and his allies will not be content until there is no land protected for species at risk, new tourism or jobs for future generations.

First Nations have not had their say yet, their process is not complete. Mr. Norton and the B.C. government are being disrespectful of this process.

Sadly, Minister Lake in his recent statement, has chosen to anger many citizens by “thrilling” Mr. Norton and his allies.

Doreen Olson

Kaleden, B.C.

After years of observing local debate over the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen national park, we feel compelled to add our point of view on the issue.

We are Oliver born and raised and have enjoyed the land in question as long as we can remember. Our family has hunted, hiked, and fished throughout the area, and we have never missed a year finding Christmas trees there.

We value our access to the hills as much as anyone, and we worry that we will lose it - not because of the proposed park, but because of what will happen without it.

The question we would like to pose: if no park, what then?

We need only look to the mountains for an indication of where things are headed. Space in the valley bottom is nearing its limits, and private development is creeping further and further upward. The South Okanagan hills are looking ever more attractive to buyers- many foreign- as we have seen with the Regal Ridge development on Anarchist Mountain.

This valley is facing unprecedented pressure from population growth, climate change, and limited space and water. These risks will only increase with time, and we underestimate them at our peril. It will be anything but easy to balance positive development with the preservation of the natural character that makes living here so desirable. Our town in particular has a promising opportunity to address these issues in advance, because it hasn’t yet seen the same development as its neighbours.

The provincial government’s Land Resource Management Plan provides limited protection of some local areas, but governments change, and best intentions can be trumped by the promise of quick revenue from crown land sales and resource extraction- especially during deficit periods. We doubt that the LRMP can withstand the pressures listed above.

We have the privilege of living in one of the most beautiful areas in Canada. It is climactically and ecologically unique, delicate, and precious. It is why we chose to return here. Our responsibility to protect it and the challenges we face in doing so are therefore great. Despite their differing opinions, we believe people on both sides of the park issue share this view, which is why the debate has been so passionate.

The point of a national park is not to restrict our access to lands, but to preserve it. Yet as a tool for protecting lands, it can be a far reaching and, unfortunately, blunt instrument. If the park goes forward, the process must further involve public input while respecting ranchers’ livelihoods and the rights of First Nations.

We are very lucky to be able to head into the hills on foot, bike or ATV whenever we like, and yes, we will lose some of this freedom if a park is established.

Maintaining the status  quo, however, is at best a short-term luxury, and it will cost those of us who will be here      50, 40, 30 years from now - probably much sooner. If these lands are privatized or developed, they are lost to us all, whether we’re for or against the issue, forever. We must ask ourselves what outcome we are willing to accept, keeping well in mind what we stand to lose.

Tim Martiniuk

Jay Martiniuk

Oliver, B.C.

British Columbia’s population is expected to reach 4.6 million this year (2012). That’s 1.7 million more people living in this province than there were in 1984 when the last major hydro dam was built.

To put that population increase into perspective, it’s the same as adding three and a half new cities the size of Surrey in less than 30 years. And these people all need electricity to power their lives.

Back in 1984, B.C. had power to spare and the province was able to export power and generate revenue to help pay for public services like healthcare and education.

But that’s no longer the case a B.C. barely has enough generating capacity to meet demand now. And during most of the past decade the province has had to import power to supply the shortfall.

There’s no question energy efficient appliances and devices, and other energy conservation efforts, have helped ease the burden on the province’s hydro dams over the past 30 years.

But it should be obvious hydro dams built to supply three million people, with a bit extra for export, can’t supply the energy needs of 4.6 million people indefinitely regardless of how many conservation measures and energy efficiencies are implemented.

The time has, therefore, come to add a significant amount of new generating capacity to the legacy dams we received from previous generations and to avail ourselves of the many technological innovations that have occurred in the energy sector over the past three decades.

Wind, run-of-river, and solar energy have all made quantum leaps in recent years and all can help to meet B.C.’s power needs with increasingly negligible impacts.  B.C.’s population will undoubtedly continue to increase in the coming years, so the sooner we get on with things the sooner B.C. can get back to being a power exporter rather than a power importer.

Christopher Law

Coquitlam, B.C.

Climate change expert Mark Jaccard from Simon Fraser University says B.C. is on its way to blowing its emission reduction targets.

This concerns me on a number of levels, not the least of which is the fact B.C. has, up until now, been a world leader on environmental issues with the toughest greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in North America.

According to Jaccard, the only way for B.C. to meet its emission reduction targets is through a major move to renewable energy such as hydroelectricity, wind, solar, or run-of-river.

Fortunately, renewable energy is available in great abundance within B.C.’s borders and we merely need to develop it and put it into service for the province to maintain its environmental leadership.

In terms of job creation, I can’t think of anything that would produce more jobs throughout B.C. than a plan to massively expand the province’s renewable energy infrastructure on a scale similar to that of the massive hydro energy development projects that took place during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Jobs and the environment don’t need to cancel each other out. British Columbia can successfully lead on both.

Sincerely,

Yolanda Lora Vilchis

Surrey, B.C.

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, and this year the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is educating British Columbians on the benefits of early diagnosis.

Every five minutes, someone in Canada develops Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, yet there are still thousands of people who delay a visit to their doctor to talk about symptoms of dementia such as memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, and problems with language.

New research by the Alzheimer Society of Canada released this month reveals that a treatment gap has emerged nation-wide for people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

While Canadians recognize the symptoms of dementia, almost half of people with dementia delayed seeing their doctor and receiving treatment for longer than one year. In fact, 75 per cent of people with dementia who responded to our survey said they wished they had seen their doctor sooner about their symptoms.

For people living with dementia, one year can make a world of difference to their journey with the disease. Early diagnosis can spell relief from worry for people experiencing troubling symptoms. Early diagnosis means access to medication to minimize symptoms, as well as time to adjust to the diagnosis and prepare coping strategies.

Early diagnosis also allows time to plan the future with loved ones and build confidence that the person with dementia can maintain quality of life on the dementia journey.

“There is life after diagnosis,” is the refrain of Jim Mann, a retired public relations professional from Surrey, B.C. Mann was diagnosed in 2007 at age 58 when he was at the height of his career.

Mann recognized the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease when he started losing his way at airports despite being a seasoned traveler, and losing track of the conversation when interacting with colleagues.

Speaking to his doctor about his concerns led to an early diagnosis, which meant he had time to decide and a choice about how he would live with dementia.

Mann decided to make the most of his professional experience by becoming an Alzheimer’s advocate. Today, he is a nationally-recognized spokesperson who is active in his community, living life to the fullest and making a difference for people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

For Mann, having more time with the diagnosis meant having more control over his life.

Treatment, support and control - with all the benefits of early diagnosis, why do so many people delay a visit to the doctor about dementia symptoms?

Our survey of 400 caregivers for persons with dementia revealed 57 per cent of caregivers felt they (or their family member or friend) were reluctant to seek a diagnosis because they thought the symptoms were a part of normal aging, didn’t want to talk about it with anybody, didn’t want to see their doctor, or didn’t think anything could be done about it anyway.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging, and though there is no cure yet, there are treatment options available and there is help.

That’s why we’re asking British Columbians this month to know the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

If you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one, talk to your doctor to know for sure. Your family physician is best qualified to rule out a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or to refer you to other medical specialists if required.

Visit our campaign website at www.letsfaceitbc.ca to get more information about the warning signs and to download resources you can take with you to the doctor’s office.

If you are the one of two British Columbians who knows someone with dementia, we also have links to programs and support information that can help. If you’re interested in taking action and having an impact on the way we all live with Alzheimer’s disease, please take a look at our advocacy materials as well.

Together, Let’s Face It, B.C., and take steps to address Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Don’t wait. If you’re experiencing dementia symptoms, put your mind at ease and talk to your doctor now.

Jean Blake

CEO, Alzheimer Society of B.C.

The December 14 issue, on page 14, has a fine panoramic shot of Tundra Swans resting on Osoyoos Lake. Unfortunately, they got labeled as Snow Geese, which is “winging it” in the wrong direction. Routinely a flock of these magnificent birds winter over on the north end of Vaseux Lake where the river keeps the water open. It’s even possible that the swans in the photo could have been Trumpeter Swans, migrating from the B.C. coast to wintering grounds on the Yellowstone River, but that would have taken some on-site observation to be sure. Ask Dick Canning’s opinion on that. Keep up the good work! If this is the worst problem a bunch of us picky old readers can spot, things can’t be all that bad!

Len Andrews,
Osoyoos

I came down from Oliver last night to hear Lloyd and his Okanagan International Choir. This year’s performance has outdone all of Lloyd’s former performances. I needed a lift and I got it big time.
Lloyd seems to have all of this music in him [so] that he is just brimming over and each year he is able to direct his excellent choir to the tips of their ability.
This year Lloyd started off with the Twelve Days of Christmas. He intricately had each section do so many parts at different times and all blended [so] that one would think that they were in heaven listening to angels.
There was a moment [when] Lloyd asked the audience to participate in a few Christmas Carols. Then he signed us all up.
The auditorium was full, but I know that some of the community missed it and if they are on their toes they will be there next year.
Lloyd, I know that you and Carol and the sweet lady on the piano, Marlene Wiebe, enjoy putting this all together and presenting it to us, but you truly do show our community the ‘Spirit of Christmas.’ What Christmas is all about: giving something that is a treasure to you.
Thank you.

Evelyn Valentine,
Osoyoos

Doreen Olson,
On behalf of The South Okanagan-Similkameen National Network

M Joyce Hopkins,
Osoyoos