Coun. Mike Pearce is probably the only current member of Penticton council that has the ability and guts to take the negative flack that will be bestowed upon him in order to try and solve the deer problem in our town. Coun. Garry Litke will probably take up the cause for the Bambi lovers in hopes of promoting his chances of being elected mayor.
Coun. Pearce, there is only one solution or possibly two solutions to solve the deer problem. Many Penticton residents will not appreciate my solution to the deer problem. I challenge these individuals that do not want to kill the deer to come up with a reasonable cost-effective solution.
Solution number one: A well-placed shot between the eyes by a marksman with a high-powered rifle. Solution number two: A well-placed arrow to the heart by an archery expert.
My solutions will probably incite rage among many of the individuals that love to see the deer roaming throughout the city.
Something needs to be done now in order to reduce the number of deer living in the residential areas of our city. Act now before it is too late for some innocent individual that is injured or killed by one of these wild animals.
I can guarantee that no decision will be made until after the next municipal election. No individuals running for election will tip their hands as to how they would like to see the deer problem solved. Any candidate that will step forward with a solution to the deer problem prior to the election will get my vote. Coun. Litke would probably like to see the deer that are to be slaughtered, eaten by the inmates at the local prison to be constructed in Penticton, Summerland or Osoyoos.
We will soon have a new wave of flower and garden eaters, that is, if nothing is done to contain the probable invasion of the ground hogs (marmots). I noted eight marmots in our neighbourhood recently and one was munching in my yard.
Also, I fear for my pocketbook if Coun. Litke decides to run for mayor and is elected. With two of the group of three big spenders (Litke, Sentes with Jakubeit unknown) confirming their intention to seek re-election, it will only take the election of one additional big spender to take control of council. Once that happens, taxpayers can expect yearly property tax increases in the 10 to 15 per cent range.
Taxpayers need to think carefully on how they cast their vote in the next election. Take the time to go back over Council tapes for the previous three years and note how the group of three have voted on money matters. Don’t cry about increasing property taxes in the future if you don’t take the time to understand the candidates prior to the next election. Once you cast your vote, you are stuck with the results for three years before you can amend and correct your vote.
It will take a property tax revolt to make an impression on the group of three if they are successful in taking voting control of council.
Taxpayers, make the deer problem an election issue, you need to know where the candidates stand prior to voting in the next election. Force the candidates to vote on the deer issue before you vote in the municipal election and before an innocent party is injured or killed.
Ted Wiltse
Penticton