Editor:
As a taxpayer I wanted to applaud the protest staged by the high school students regarding the cost of the Olympics to the taxpayers, students and others of this province.
Personally I think their article showed a good grasp of the issues when discussing the plight of the homeless and how they will be treated during the games, the future and ongoing burgeoning costs to students already paying huge fees for post-secondary education in this province and the fact that there will be little if any benefit to the average British Columbian.
A huge party courtesy of the Provincial Government at a time when they are telling us they can’t even afford to maintain our current standard of health care!!!
It is unfortunate that our government chooses not to listen…
Robert J. Dunn,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 3, 2010

WRITER DISAGREES WITH CANDIDATE’S COMMENTS

Editor:
Who does Conservative candidate Stephen Hill think he is?
The people are clearly — and rightly — incensed about Stephen Harper closing Parliament for purely partisan reasons (and possibly to avoid an investigation into war crimes allegedly committed by his government).
His response to this is to basically tell his would-be constituents to get stuffed?
Maybe he should give up his candidacy right now — he clearly doesn’t understand (or doesn’t care) what democracy is.
Stephen Bryce,
Stoney Creek, Ont.

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 3, 2010

PROROGATION AND ENJOYING OLYMPICS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER

Editor:
What does enjoying the Olympics have to do with the “prorogation” of Parliament?
Absolutely nothing!
The reason given by the Conservative Government of the day was that it was so screwed up that it had to take extra time to “recalibrate” itself!
Does it really take 22 extra days to “recalibrate” a screwdriver?
Mr. Stephen Hill, Federal Conservative Candidate, seems to think that most Canadians can’t enjoy the Olympics and work at the same time.
Wrong, Mr. Hill, and thank heavens because someone has to work.
Most of them do not get paid for long vacations, I would assume.
Mr. Atamanenko has done a great job for his constituents, in spite of the Conservatives, and would never do anything to “embarrass” Canada as Mr. Hill suggests.
Mr. Atamanenko has proved to be a thoughtful, hard working gentleman.
When, and if, Mr. Hill becomes more than just a “candidate” I hope I will be able to say the same for him.
Stand Up For Democracy.
Our Soldiers are dying for it!
Mary Hopkins,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 3, 2010

B.C. SHOULDN’T PARTY WHEN IT FACES SO MANY PROBLEMS

Editor:
Re: Stephen Hill’s letter of January 27, 2010.
In reading Stephen Hill’s letter, it seemed to me that a course in character assassination is a prerequisite to becoming a Conservative candidate.
In my almost 50 years of following Canadian politics, I can’t recall another time when Parliament was prorogued, let alone twice in one term.
When were the other 102 times?
Were there tens of thousands of Canadians who had lost their jobs and were having difficulties or finding it impossible to access EI benefits, a fund that many had paid into for years?
Are their shortened benefit periods running out?
Avoid the issue – have a party.
On a more local level, B.C. has the highest rate of child poverty, the lowest minimum wage and the highest number of homeless in all of Canada (and growing) yet we have hundreds of millions to spend on venues, making snow and adding an untold number of security forces.
All that may, perhaps, be necessary, BUT is it necessary to spend millions on choice tickets for some unnamed V.I.P.s when surgeries are being cancelled (some 600 in Surrey), teachers are being laid off, and students can’t access sports programs because their parents can’t afford the uniforms and equipment.
Tax breaks for sports programs become a cruel joke when you haven’t enough income to pay taxes or to feed your family.
I could cite many more examples, but I’ll leave those for another time.
Let’s have a party!
Did anyone invite Nero?
A fiddle would be a nice touch!
V. Watson,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 3, 2010

CANADIANS HAVE MUCH TO BE WORRIED ABOUT

Editor:
Re: Reply to Mr. Hill’s Letter to the Editor in Jan. 27th edition
Get your head “out of the sand” and open your eyes and ears!
Start looking around, start listening to Canadians and start trying to understand what their concerns are all about.
Canadians are concerned about the thousands who are unemployed across Canada.
They are concerned about the homeless people and worry about meeting their next mortgage payment.
Canadians are concerned about the huge reductions and dramatic cutbacks in medical services and the education of our children and grandchildren.
They are deeply concerned about all of the Canadian children who live below the poverty line and either go to bed hungry or go to school hungry.
Canadians are concerned about our military forces and how many more will return to Canada in caskets.
We worry about the threats of terrorists and wonder where the face of terrorism will show its ugly face again.
Canadians worry about our seniors who live on a small income, struggling with the decision of what else they could eliminate from their daily diet, medications and physical activities in order to make ends meet.
We worry about our economy and the rising costs of all amenities.
Some Canadians are compelled to visit food banks.
With the increase of global warming and world-wide pollution, what kind of a legacy are we going to leave for our grandchildren and all future generations?
Canadians worry about our honesty, integrity and sincerity on the “world scene.”
Our reputation is important to us.
As British Columbians, we wonder what the final costs will be for hosting the 2010 Olympics.
And, we wonder as taxpayers how long it will take us to clear the massive debt.
Like more than 90 per cent of all Canadians, I’ll enjoy some of the Olympic events on TV at home.
How many Canadians can afford to attend Olympic events in Vancouver?
Now, why did Mr. Harper prorogue Parliament?
Who knows?
His reasons and explanations to the public remind me of a piece of Swiss cheese… “full of holes!”
Mr. Harper has not been completely honest and forthright with Canadians.
Personally, I think he’s “running scared…” and hiding, just like a puppy dog does when he has done something and knows he’s in big trouble!
I don’t think Mr. Harper is capable nor qualified to be the Prime Minister of this great country of ours, called Canada.
It also gets increasingly more difficult to actually find voters who will admit to voting for the man.
And, Mr. Hill, I feel that you owe Mr. Atamanenko an apology.
Joanne J. Mepham,
Osoyoos

OSOYOOS TIMES-February 3, 2010