DESTINATION OSOYOOS IS VALUABLE TO THE COMMUNITYrn

Editor:

I want to reply to David Eastbury's letter published in the Dec. 10 Osoyoos Times, to correct some misinformation.

Mr. Eastbury alleges that local residents, the Town of Osoyoos and tourism operators don't get any value from the Town's funding to Destination Osoyoos.

The facts don't agree with him.

Not only that “ it seems that the Town of Osoyoos, local tourism operators, and many others in our community don't agree with Mr. Eastbury either.

For a number of years, Osoyoos Town Council has decided that local residents and businesses have a real need for programs and services that it wants Destination Osoyoos to provide.

Each year, Town councillors vote to invest approximately $220,000 (not $320,000 as Mr. Eastbury states) in tourism and economic development services that they want Destination Osoyoos to provide.

In return, working closely with the Town, Destination Osoyoos has provided dozens of initiatives which have brought tangible benefits to Osoyoos and which have brought millions of dollars of additional investment to our community.

In fact, this work has earned public praise from both the Town and the Osoyoos Hotel and Motel Association (OHMA).

Destination Osoyoos' activities are 100-per-cent directed at enhancing tourism services, investment and quality of life in Osoyoos “ yet only about one-third of its budget comes from the Town, despite Mr. Eastbury's suggestion that local taxpayers are paying for everything.

Just one-third.

Destination Osoyoos attracts the majority of its funding from other sources, such as provincial government programs and grants, operating funding for the Visitor Centre, Greyhound bus service fees, the Regional District, and other organizations.

Mr. Eastbury says Destination Osoyoos produces no local benefits.

What about these:

Attracting four new doctors within the past year, providing medical service for residents.

Obtaining a new beach-cleaning machine, paid for largely by provincial resort municipality funding. Destination Osoyoos played a key role in getting resort status for Osoyoos, which brings $200,000 in provincial funding each year to our community. I think tourism operators will be very happy to offer cleaner, groomed beaches for their guests next summer.

A big extension to our local hiking trails for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, paid for largely by federal, provincial and regional funding.

Development of a professional new community brand “ Osoyoos: Canada's Warmest Welcome “ that local businesses can use for their benefit.

Arranging for $200,000 in additional tourism marketing for Osoyoos each year “ to be paid for not by local taxpayers, but by the hotel room tax. The president of the Osoyoos Hotel and Motel Association publicly praised Destination Osoyoos for this new program.

Improved services for the Osoyoos Airport, for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Providing world-class hospitality training for local businesses.

Generating hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of free publicity and news-media coverage for Osoyoos across the country.

Helping to attract film companies to shoot movies and commercials in Osoyoos, attracting hundreds of thousands of dollars for local hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

I guess Mr. Eastbury doesn't think these things are benefits for our residents and businesses “ but I do “ and I think Town Council, the Osoyoos Hotel and Motel Association, and many businesses and residents do.

He also doesn't seem to like the flyer recently sent in the Osoyoos Times to explain these programs to everyone.

Destination Osoyoos believes in being open and accountable, and the flyer provided a lot of information “ because Osoyoos residents and businesses have the right to know about all these initiatives on their behalf.

Destination Osoyoos is overseen by a volunteer local board of directors who are enthused about helping their community grow and develop, for everyone's benefit.

In reply to Mr. Eastbury, we think that by paying just one-third of the Destination Osoyoos budget, the Town of Osoyoos is making a great investment and is creating many direct benefits for our citizens and our businesses.

Chris BowerrnChairman, Destination Osoyoos Board of Directors

OSOYOOS TIMES-December 17, 2008

COALITION GOVERNMENT NOT A BAD IDEA

Editor:

What a contrast between the two letters regarding a possible coalition in the last issue of the Osoyoos Times.

One seeks to educate, the other vilifies those who have a differing point of view.

I, for one, was looking forward to a coalition government for two reasons.

A coalition would better reflect the wants and needs of a greater number of Canadians and would work towards that end.

Secondly, I took a good look at the legacies of several Conservative majority governments.

John Diefenbaker gave us the scrapping of the Avro Arrow, the best engineered airplane of our time.

The prototype, as well as all working plans, was destroyed, much to the astonishment of the engineers and many others.

I suppose that Boeing was applauding.

Brian Mulroney gave us the GST and Free (not to be confused with Fair) Trade.

Well-paying jobs that supported many Canadian families went south and then east.

He also gave us the, as part of the Free Trade Agreement, disbanding of Canada's energy profile.

We now must commit 60 per cent of all the oil and natural gas extracted in Canada to the U.S.

In a super cold winter, if our supplies get short, we will have to go south to get warm or to freeze if we can't afford the trip.

Stephen Harper, even with a minority government, is also continuing the war in Afghanistan.

Billions of dollars (maybe more) as well as the public relations staff hired expressly to sell the WAR to Canadians.

That this has irreparably damaged the reputations of Canadians abroad is mere fluff.

With an economic meltdown, couldn't that money be better spent?

What about the 2004 election promise to introduce a pharmacare program?

What are we doing about child poverty, homelessness, the deterioration of medicare, the shameful infrastructure, the dismantling of the CBC, global climate change?

In closing, good letter, Bill.

I hope that there aren't too many people out there saying Don't mess with my mind-set by giving me a bunch of facts.

V. Watson,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-December 17, 2008

AN OPEN LETTER TO ROB ZANDEE

Dear Mr. Zandee:

In your advertisement you ask for comments regarding …the plotting by the NDP-Liberal-Bloc Coalition in Ottawa.

Sir, as a candidate in the last election, you must be aware that no one votes directly for the federal government in Canada (our vote only decides whom we want to represent us in the House of Commons) - the Governor General names the prime minister and his cabinet after the election.

Whether these are from the party with the largest group of elected members in the House, or from a second group should the first group lose the confidence of the House, only duly elected members may legally form the government.

That is the Westminster form of parliamentary government to which our 'constitution' adheres.

So, if a coalition of elected members is willing and able to form a government, after the first group loses the confidence of the House, a new government could be formed which would be every bit as legal, and in accordance with Canadian precedent, as was the first group.

So, an NDP-Liberal-Bloc coalition government, in the event that Mr. Harper loses a vote of confidence, would be as 'constitutional', as Mr. Harper's original government - and as legal.

What is not in keeping with Canadian precedent, and is absolutely undemocratic, is the padlocking of parliament which Mr. Harper achieved by asking the Governor General for prorogation in order to avoid a vote of confidence.

It is absolutely dangerous for the future of democracy in Canada.

Bill Watamaniuk,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-December 17, 2008

PRAISE FOR THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Editor:

I attended The Sound of Music in Osoyoos (on Nov. 29) and can't remember when I enjoyed a theatre production more.

The acting was superb, even the children were professionals.

The scenery and costuming were outstanding.

The detail was incredible and of course there was the beautiful music.

It was obvious much time, thought and love was put into such a grand event by many, many good people.

Thank you all for your gift to our communities, be assured it was greatly appreciated by everyone I've spoken to.

Ethel Van Duzee,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-December 17, 2008





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