Editor:
If one could ask the question NO TAX or YES TAX, one would simply select the first option because it sounds easier to explain.
Digging deeper to explore the real benefits of HST, one would be surprised how HST would benefit the majority of British Columbians.
We already benefit from the lowest personal income tax in the nation, and from a low provincial sales tax.
As a result of HST taking effect, Liquor Sales Tax would be removed which would be beneficial to the sale of our region’s wines in our restaurants.
While we can never judge a book by its cover, it seems NO is easier than YES, but Yes might just be the solution to ensure that we don’t see serious cuts to our education and health services.
It’s foolish to see the likes of (Bill) Vander Zalm and Carole James willing to risk needed funding to our essential systems for personal gain and a few extra cents on the dollar in their pockets.
Our future needs tough decisions today to ensure we come out stronger as a Province in the future.
Although unpopular, Gordon Campbell is willing to take that risk to keep us healthy and educated.
Zachary Poturica,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-August 26, 2009

COUPLE GRATEFUL FOR RESCUE OF CANOE WITH LOCAL HISTORY

Editor:
Last week a sudden storm picked up our canoe on the west side of Osoyoos Lake and tossed it far over into the lake, right-side up.
Travelling broadside it almost reached the far shore.
Another gust drove the canoe northwest and out of our sight.
The craft must have met the river current which possibly sent it southwest where it finally came to rest in the bay where the old mill used to stand only about a mile north of the take-off point and the front of our beach.
Mike Mortimer, our neighbour, and Al von Hayking, our son-in-law, gallantly rescued our runaway, still upright and undamaged canoe.
This canoe has an interesting past, built in the 60s with other canoes as a high school project by the Industrial Arts teacher and his students.
Alf and Mildred Downing,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-August 26, 2009

FAIRNESS SHOULD BE EXERCISED WHEN IT COMES TO RESOURCES

Editor:
I read with almost disbelief your story about the Okanagan Nation Alliance fisheries program stealing 600 salmon from Lake Osoyoos.
Sir, this story fails the test of common sense.
Apparently the fish were sent to a cannery in Lytton for processing to test the quality of the meat.
To publish this garbage, you must think your readers are mentally defective.
It begs the question, how many cans of finished product were produced and who got paid?
This is simply blatant poaching of a common resource owned by all Canadians.
When can I bring my friends to get our 600 salmon with our purse seine commercial fish boat?
Don’t bother to tell me Indians are entitled to food fish.
This far exceeds any reasonable food fishing.
I think it’s time we made all Canadians equal, no matter how much they protest, whether they like it or not.
Enough of this racial nonsense stripping our resources.
David Eastbury,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-August 26, 2009