SPURS BOYS OK

Editor:

[b]Open Letter to the Town of Osoyoos Regarding the Osoyoos Spurs of the WHA “[/b]
I have been involved with hockey for approximately 18 years, as a minor official for both the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association (SOMHA) and the various junior hockey clubs that we have been fortunate to have in our small town.
Through my experiences with the Rebels, the Heat, the Storm and this past season's Spurs, I have always seen many volunteers from Osoyoos 'step up to the plate' to get involved and help the team succeed. I worked as a scorekeeper/timekeeper throughout the years, and in the last 2 years I was the Education Advisor/School Liaison for the players who were attending high school. I worked closely with coaching staff, students, teachers and parents/billets who were concerned about the players' success in education. It has been a worthwhile experience for me, and I enjoy volunteering!rnI'd just like to say that not all of the experiences from the WHA team being in Osoyoos were negative ones.
The players that I worked with were quite respectful young men. These young men moved away from their families in order to play junior hockey. This is not an easy thing to do when you are a 16-17 year old. For many of the boys, this was a final opportunity to play hockey at a higher level from that of minor hockey.
It is very unfortunate that the league ended the season the way it did. Although we need to remember that this was a new organization moving to a new town and a town who was devastated when their former Osoyoos Storm left to Kamloops, the fans from Osoyoos still gave the new team a chance.
Kudos to the fans that we have in Osoyoos, who have continued to be loyal and supportive because they love the game of hockey. We are fortunate to have great volunteers!rnThe boys gained a great deal of experience in Osoyoos and many memories which they will have for a lifetime. They got to be part of a team and that in itself will be a valuable learning experience, as the boys made new friends and learned new skills and hopefully they are able to continue to grow and mature and learn from a positive stay in Osoyoos.
I hope that Osoyoos gains another junior hockey club, because this is a great hockey town.
I'd like to thank all of the Spurs boys for giving Osoyoos a chance and wish them all the very best of luck in their future endeavours.
I'd also like to thank all of the teachers and staff of Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) for their continued support, and the parents of the boys, who are always so supportive. Remember volunteers, that, without you, there would be no team! You should all give yourselves a pat on the back. Thanks so much to all of you!

Cathy MartinsrnTOC/Education Advisor, Osoyoos Spurs

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — March 21, 2007)


[b]BAN A GOOD MOVE[/b]

Editor:

On March 6, the provincial government got it right by introducing legislation to ban smoking in indoor public places, on school grounds, and to restrict where tobacco products are sold.
The best part of the legislation is the restrictions placed on the display of tobacco products in retail outlets accessible to youth under 19.
In 2005, the tobacco industry spent over $100 million nationally sponsoring promotional activities, such as point-of-sale advertising that includes countertop displays and the wall of tobacco products found behind the checkout counter.
Children and youth are susceptible to advertising, and since over 80% of all adult smokers start before the age of 18, this makes advertising restrictions so important.
Further, smokers who have recently quit will no longer have the last minute trigger of buying cigarettes when they go to pay for their retail items. The Out of Sight “ Out of Mind concept is very important.
There are aspects of the legislation that could be strengthened, such as a ban on smoking on patios and sales in pharmacies “ however, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon and the BC Lung Association, which make up the Clean Air Coalition of BC, want to congratulate the provincial government for taking these positive steps to improve the health of British Columbians.

Jack BoomerrnDirector, Clean Air Coalition of BCrnVictoria

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — March 21, 2007)


[b]TILMA SUPPORT[/b]

Editor:

I write to lend support for the B.C.-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) which comes into effect at the beginning of April this year.
If you ask small business owners (and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has done just that) they have the most to gain by eliminating interprovincial trade barriers. Complying with multiple sets of regulations, licensing requirements, labour mobility barriers and local procurement requirements not only adds costs for larger firms, but prevents smaller ones from expanding beyond our provincial borders.
TILMA is a step in the right direction. The two governments have pledged to discuss their overlapping and duplicate regulations, keep the ones that make sense and eliminate the ones that are unnecessary. At the same time, TILMA preserves governments' responsibilities to their citizens in areas like taxation, social policy and environment. The result will be less red tape, fewer duplicate costs for workers and businesses, and a stronger economic foundation.
TILMA's labour mobility provisions will make it much easier for employers to attract skilled labour, as the provinces have agreed to reconcile or mutually recognize accreditation standards for all workers.
B.C. and Alberta should be congratulated for showing leadership by negotiating TILMA.

John R. WinterrnPresident & CEOrnBritish Columbia Chamber of CommercernVancouver

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — March 21, 2007)