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Letter: The real issue of Skaha Park

The idea of waterslides in the park has “supposedly” been taken off the table. The real question here is why?

The mayor has made a statement as to the agreement re: waterslides and restaurant/marina development.

The idea of waterslides in the park has “supposedly” been taken off the table. The real question here is why?

Maybe it’s the mayor and City of Penticton trying to save face, de-emphasizing the fact of the cost of legal fees. It could be that there was too much heat and this is a way for mayor and council to stay in the “proverbial kitchen.” Finally, mayor and council might be thinking by acting in a conciliatory way it might lessen the negativity of a recent poll. Take your pick. It seems to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors hidden by the mayor’s statement “that we’re out for business.”

Balderdash! If you believe that, Donald Trump will sell you one of his hotels for $1.

This agreement is at best a feeble attempt to show accountability that was promised in pre-election mode. It’s a token joke. It makes as much sense as washing one’s feet with the socks on hoping that both get clean.

The other two promises of feasibility or transparency are non-existent and will remain so, given what has come down the pipe so far.

Who ever heard of leopards changing their spots? Remember the old saying, “beware of strangers bearing gifts.” Also remember what P.T. Barnum said “there’s a sucker born every minute.”

Where do we as taxpayers sit? That depends on our resolve to keep what is from becoming — what was!

The real issues here seem to be somewhat convoluted. On the one hand, it seems to be a waterslide issue. There is another side to things as well. There are those that feel that there should be no marina/restaurant development. What people should be looking at is the combination of waterslide and restaurant development as a package that threatens the very essence of what Skaha Park is and must remain.

We, the taxpayers, not the City of Penticton must make a difference. The old standby song from Peter Pan summarizes the city’s latest action re: the park. “Never smile at a crocodile. No, you can’t get friendly with a crocodile. Don’t be taken in by his welcome grin. He’s imagining how well you’d fit within his skin.” Don’t be taken in by smoke and mirrors.

Ron Barillaro

Penticton