RECYCLING BIN NIGHTMARE

Editor: 

I am writing this out of pure frustration. It is in regards to the recycle bins behind our house located on the corner of 56th Avenue and East Lakeshore Drive. It is a disgusting mess most of the time. Everyday there is garbage strewn all over. They are in full view from our kitchen window. The garbage fellows I'm sure are overwhelmed.
I spoke with Cameron Baughen of the Regional District who said these bins are for the people who live on the east side of the bridge who are outside of the town. We who live on Bayview Cres. are not even entitled to use these bins as we live in the town. They are NOT, he assured me, for businesses in town. He said they should be renting their own recycle and garbage bins or taking their garbage and recyle stuff to the recycle bins at the Town Dump.
I told him he would be surprised at the number of town business owners I see everyday dumping here, as well as people who live in town limits. He told me the RDOS are looking into moving them but have nowhere to move them to. People are now dumping household waste, tree and yard clippings, air conditioners, house fans, ceiling fans, lumber, battery chargers, small household furniture, small appliances, weedeaters, TVs, sandbags and even luggage. I watched a businessman from town bring what looked like a years worth of bundled cardboard and dump it all on the side of the bins.
We are now getting rodents coming and going from the bins. Large rodents.You can see them now as road kill by the bins.We are also getting the smell of rotting garbage and on windy days we get a lot of the mess blowing around our neighbourhood. We woke up one morning to styrofoam strewn everywhere.
I know that our neighbour who owns the empty lot beside us gets a hefty fine when his lot gets overgrown and unsightly. This is a town bylaw. I'm checking into who governs the RDOS and if they have bylaws regarding such unsightly messes. Maybe they need to be fined on a weekly basis. This might motivate them to move the bins.
All my pictures are being emailed to the Town Council, as well as our MLA. We have had enough!  This is in our beautiful town and hundreds of tourists have to drive by these bins every day. What a disgrace it is. The town should be ashamed of having anybody see this kind of mess and should be raising all kinds of concerns, if not health issues! We dont want this in our backyard; would you?
I do applaud those folks who recycle properly and do take the time to keep the bins looking nice. Those of you who don't “ shame on you! If you're not sure and have not had the privilege of viewing the bins, contact me and I'll give you a personal tour of the site, as well as email you the pictures I have. They are truly an eye opener.

Star BradleyrnOsoyoos 

(OSOYOOS TIMES — July 12, 2006)


[b]OSOYOOS NOW HOPES PROJECT CONCERNS HEARD[/b]

Editor:

At the July 4th Public Hearing for the Packinghouse property the Mayor invited all interested parties to come voice their opinions on the proposed by-law.
As vice-president I was representing Osoyoos Now. Towards the end of my presentation the Mayor interrupted me. At that point I sat down.
This is what upset the Mayor:rnIn doing a title search of the packinghouse property, we discovered that the developers had purchased the property and registered title on June 19, 2006 “ the very day that the proposal went before Osoyoos Council for first reading and the setting of this Public Hearing. rnWe find it somewhat surprising that the developer would proceed with the purchase of the property prior to the public hearing and final approval. 
It appears to display a high degree of confidence in a positive outcome for their proposed development.
Is this public hearing merely an exercise in futility for the residents? rnWe sincerely hope not. 
We expect that Council will truly be listening to our concerns and will hear them and will make the changes required.
I pray that Council will listen to its citizens.

Wayne KnightrnOsoyoos

(OSOYOOS TIMES — July 12, 2006)


[b]MORE PRAISE FOR CHERRY FIESTA[/b]

Editor: 

First off, I would like to congratulate Mrs. Sue McKortoff for a wonderful and fun Cherry Fiesta this year. For 6 years that I've lived here, the Cherry Fiesta, to me, was a huge success.
And so was the parade. I was really shocked to find out there were floats from Oroville, Penticton, even Vernon, and I don't ever remember there being any boats past Oliver or Osoyoos.
The funniest part of the whole parade for teenagers like me and some youthful adults was the Osoyoos Fire Department float that wasn't even a float.
Some people found it hilarious as to how they set the float up, using an old GMC pick-up truck and stuck processed but old wood on, making it look last minute almost, and the costumes “ well, that's a different letter.
But the highlight of the whole Cherry Fiesta day was the presentations of the Pyromaniacs: the well known Cherry Fiesta Fireworks. I must say, Pyromaniacs are becoming more of the maniacs they're called, and I would like to congratulate them also on a well presented show.
I remember last year I was sort of disappointed by their presentation, but this year was a make-up for me, and for some people who thought last year's show was a bummer, no offense to the Pyromaniacs Group.
This was the most funny, fantastic Cherry Fiesta, and I congratulate everybody involved with the Cherry Fiesta, and I wish everyone, for next year, good luck.

Colten Pighinrn13 years oldrnOsoyoos

(OSOYOOS TIMES — July 12, 2006)