LAST WEEK'S EDITORIAL UNFAIRrn

Editor:

Shame on you for last week's editorial about Destination Osoyoos and its CEO, Glenn Mandziuk.

You said that Destination Osoyoos (DO) is not on the right track with economic development.

In fact DO has always done what the Town asked it to do.

Because the Town funds a portion of DO's budget, it asks DO to accomplish certain economic development projects in the upcoming year, and each year DO has accomplished these projects successfully.

If you think that Osoyoos is on the wrong track, you should be pointing the finger at Osoyoos town council, not at DO.

The downtown small businesses that you claim have been under-served by DO are the same ones that have been invited repeatedly by DO to attend business improvement seminars, training sessions and trade shows.

DO is not responsible for their attendance or lack thereof at these functions.

 It is possible to retain Osoyoos' small town flavour while simultaneously making it commercially successful and Glenn understands that.

His expertise allows him to see the long term picture, unlike many of the amateur local politicians he has had to deal with over the years.

Glenn has found a new job where he will be recognized for the extraordinary work that he does.

He has been snapped up by an organization that recognizes his skills.

Short-sighted people have finally pushed him to a better job in another town where he will shine, and now Osoyoos will have one less asset in its arsenal.

Osoyoos is the only loser here.

Following university graduation Glenn wanted to return to his hometown and make it a better place.

After spending the last 15 years pouring his blood, sweat and tears into Osoyoos, Glenn Mandziuk has helped to make it a better place for all of us.

All he gets from you is a wave of dismissal and not a word of thanks.

Shame on you.

Even if you disagree with DO's vision of what should happen in Osoyoos, the least you could do is thank him for his selfless dedication to this town over the years.

Thank you, Glenn for the superior job you have done to promote Osoyoos and help it to be a better place.

Godspeed.

Alison Anderson-Gilmour, (Treasurer, Destination Osoyoos)rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 1, 2009

MANDZIUK ACHIEVED 'AMAZING RECORD'

Editor:

As a director of Destination Osoyoos over the last four years it has been my privilege and honour to work towards the betterment of my community.

I feel if you don't put your shoulder to the wheel and try to help out in a positive way then you have no right to complain about things.

That is why I decided to join DO as a board member.

It is with sadness that I have viewed the negative commentary surrounding our organization in the past and especially the unfolding events of the last few weeks.

They say that you can't be a hero in your own home town and it seems to be very true in this case as Glenn Mandziuk's success has made him become a very big target.

The other day I heard something that rings very true in this circumstance.

If you want to understand a person's true intentions look at the record of their actions, what they have done, not what they say they are going to do. 

Glenn Mandziuk, with the support of many previous board members over the last 15 years, has achieved a truly amazing record of positive accomplishments that speaks for itself.

In fact, we have gained provincial, national and international recognition for our model of economic development as being the very best. 

It has become the model that is now used province-wide.

Representatives from a town in Scotland came here several years ago to study what we have done.

Imagine that.

Someone halfway around the world recognized the value of our economic model and came here to see it.

But yet there are some here with lack of vision and vindictive heart that clearly don't seem to understand what has been achieved.

The Talk of a small group of people have shown their true intention, that is the complete destruction of DO. 

Now the investment of 15 years of hard work and expense is about to be thrown out onto the scrap heap.

I really wonder despite all of the negative talk what kind of positive plans or ideas are in place to improve economic development in Osoyoos.  

What do They intend to replace it with if anything?

I am very curious to see by future Action what it is that these detractors of DO will come up with to replace what currently exists.

In light of the current uncertain economic times we now face I am afraid that what will come, will be what is to be deserved. 

Rob Webster,rnFormer Director,
Destination Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 1, 2009

MOTIVE BEHIND CONFLICT ALLEGATIONS SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC

Editor:

I am happy that the investigation into alleged conflict on the part of Mayor Wells has been aired and looks like it's being put to rest.

If only by clearing the Mayor's good name it has highlighted the dangers and risks facing all elected persons, both in government and other forms of governance from serious as well as flippant actions.

However, there is one piece of information that should belong in the public domain and that is the motive behind these charges.

Media reports leave one wondering if the motive of this small group of disaffected citizens was pure altruism, the righting of wrongs for the sake of the public good, or merely a personal matter.

If the former, then the good has been done.

If the latter then the taxpayers who footed the bill for all this deserve to know without reading between the lines. 

Reported comments made by one of the group after the Council meeting refer to how little it cost to make the allegations compared to the cost of preparing for a defence.

Well, duh, it's cheap to accuse someone but inevitably takes more to defend against that accusation.

Councillor Rhodes was spot on when he commented on the cost to us for this public tantrum. 

The charges having been made had to be defended and it was necessary to spend money to get rid of the smell and get on with business, though I suspect that the money has only gone toward feeding the neediness of the accusers.

Roger Horton,rnOsoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 1, 2009