COUNCIL SHOULD LISTEN — AND SAVE DESERT PARK

Editor:

[b]Re: Desert Park Equestrian Centre, Osoyoos, B.C. “ Gaming Location[/b]rnYes, we have a horse race track in Osoyoos but ¦ NO!  Desert Park is NOT open to horse training.
I have been asked endless times about Desert Park Equestrian Centre and when races and horse-related activities were going to start and the answer is ¦ when the Town Council and the Osoyoos Indian Band in their in-camera meetings decide the future of our equine park.
I find it very frustrating that we, the people of Osoyoos, are held ransom to outsiders and non-taxpayers of the area. The Town initiated a VOTE regarding the facility and the voters gave the town a  resounding YES to the RACINO. Rural people of Osoyoos who did not have a vote indicated their approval by signing a petition and writing letters. Everyone assumed it was a 'GO' for Desert Park!rnWhat has the town done with the results of the vote? Nothing, except get involved with the Osoyoos Indian Band and hire another consulting firm to tell us what to do and how to operate OUR park! The Council has sold the locals short by once again calling upon outsiders to investigate this scenario.
Why are we so involved with the Osoyoos Indian Band? Why are there no formal applications in to the Gaming Commission for a licence for Desert Park? Why are the Town and other B.C. government officials afraid to take a stand on the issue at hand?rnFurther, if the placement of slot machines is an underlying issue creating the delay in decision making, could slots be distributed among the two proposed casino sites?rnThe Town must listen to the people and they should be committed to their original agreement with the Blue Sage Riders and Desert Park Exhibition Society, who gave the Town the land with the understanding that the property would remain for equine use.
More recently, when the Town made a commitment to the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, it  needs to keep its agreement and do everything possible to get gaming at Desert Park. Race tracks were the only gaming outlets at one time, and with the greater trend in lotteries, etc., we need the 'slots' to help subsidize the facility and sports endeavors associated with the Osoyoos area.  Precedents have been set all over this country as gaming and horse racing must go hand-in-hand as evidenced in most horse racing provinces in Canada.
Remember, Councillors, you were elected by the people for the people of Osoyoos; if there is a need to make a choice between the Osoyoos Indian Band and Desert Park, it is obvious that you, representing taxpayers, must ultimately advocate Desert Park improvement and development. The Osoyoos Indian Band will succeed on its own, but Desert Park will not!rnAs a long-time resident of Osoyoos, I am scared of what has happened to our Town under the guise of politics! Please, do what you have been elected to do and see yourselves representing Osoyoos residents and what is best for Desert Park. A RACINO at Desert Park will impact the entire area and make Osoyoos a recreational 'jewel' in providing a race track, sports complex and some green space for all residents.
The OIB have their horse at the BC Info Centre! Let us keep our live horses at Desert Park!

Gail HochsteinerrnOsoyoos

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — April 11, 2007)


[b]RDOS NEEDS PUBLIC INPUT[/b]

Editor:

I would like to address this to my 'fellow meeting attendees' at the Feb. 28th RDOS Rural OCP meeting, held at the Sonora Centre (who were visibly upset!) “ Page 12, April 4 issue: 'Residents' cries heard on rural OCP changes'.
Sorry “ heard only to a point.
Director (Mark) Pendergraft tells you that there is a real lack of understanding by a large percentage of the general public about the OCP and the process of local government. Further, he says he plans to rescind the proposals to allow more time to INFORM people about the OCP, (and will do so through his 'Rural Report').
In my opinion, any 'misunderstanding' resides with Director Pendergraft and the well-paid minions of the RDOS.
What the meeting-goers clearly demanded was INPUT, clear and simple. Input from the public!rnAgain, in my opinion a Director should represent his (or her) electors and not the 'RDOS'.
In order to do this he must meet with the electors and obtain a clear understanding of what they need and desire, and why they are so disenchanted with the RDOS.

Buryl (Slack) JonasrnOsoyoos

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — April 11, 2007)


[b]HELPFUL STAFF IMPRESSES VISITOR[/b]

Editor:

I felt it important to tell you how comforting it is to find such great service and people in your community.
I was travelling through Osoyoos and accidentally left my purse at the local McDonalds. As soon as I realized it was missing I phoned the restaurant and the young man was very polite and said they had my purse.
What a relief. Anyone could have taken that purse or employees could have chosen to lie.
The fact that the manager answered my e-mail personally and assured me he would take care of it was truly amazing.
Again I felt it important to let others know Greg Kenzie and his staff need to be recognized for setting an excellent example of how to take care of visitors to your community.  I am sharing my story with others.
I would encourage everyone to visit your community.
 rnFay WheelerrnNelson, B.C.

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — April 11, 2007)


[b]ALTERNATIVES TO BURNING GET SILENT RESPONSE[/b]

Editor:

[b]Re: your article March 14 concerning wood stoves and air quality, and the recent letter from Janice Robinson “ [/b]rnThe phasing out of inefficient wood burning stoves and the reduction to date of 43 tonnes of smoke particulate in the valley is good news. rnHowever, a general interest in cleaner air, our concerns about second-hand tobacco smoke and the prevalence of cancers, respiratory ailments and allergies, is leaving some of us wondering what can be done for the healthier management and control of orchard burning. rnIs this significant contribution to air pollution tolerated because of tradition, and because changes and solutions would be too expensive or difficult to implement in what I understand is sometimes a marginal market environment? rnI can appreciate that the cost and availability of shredding equipment and the inconvenience of drying wood before it is burned might make these solutions unattractive, but if shredding and mulching were implemented, the reduced demand for irrigation would be a positive step toward the conservation of water which is a valuable and pressured resource. If wood was properly dried, the toxins released by burning would be significantly reduced.
If the weight of the remaining ash and the released water vapour was to be subtracted from the total weight after a mere ten acres have been burned, the resulting tonnage of particulate and poisons released into our air and lungs might make an interesting, if deadly, comparison with the savings from stoves referred to above.
This time last year I wrote to Osoyoos Mayor and Council and RDOS Board expressing my concern and asking about safer and better alternatives.
Thinking that the situation would be of interest to those promoting Osoyoos as a destination I also copied The Chamber of Commerce, Destination Osoyoos, the OCP Committee and Osoyoos Now. A deafening silence ensued, broken only by a supportive email from Osoyoos Now.

Roger HortonrnOsoyoos

– (OSOYOOS TIMES — April 11, 2007)