Penticton has succumbed to the universal error that progress means change. A desire to compete with what is now viewed as social convention, has cost this community not only millions in misplaced dollars, but the very unique and very abundant harvest for which the Okanagan was known in decades past.
We once were the welcome garden of fresh fruit for millions of visiting families from all across Canada. Every household had a variety of trees awaiting families and friends from the Prairies to help harvest this free booty presented on a silver platter by Mother Nature herself. All this happening as these visiting families enjoy a one or two-week holiday on our exceptionally beautiful sunny beaches.
It is very sad that our politicians have killed this source of higher living. It is very sad that they constantly search to push white elephants such as the South Okanagan Events Centre, and now a black elephant such as a penitentiary, as examples of being open to change in the name of progress. Instead of shoving exorbitant costs with oppressive rules onto citizens with a half dozen fruit trees, Penticton should have instituted a program that would enhance and encourage this unique source of harvest. Now we will seek to find ways to encourage families to come and visit their friends and family members that are incarcerated just a few miles down from our nice beaches.
We leave it to our economic development and city councils to maintain their reputations and provide us with the definition of progress as they give us their reasoning for success.
Laurent Jubinville
Penticton
Thoughts on a prison
How do I feel about a prison in Penticton? My first question is, is the prison privately or government owned?
Not that it would make much of a difference these days, since governments farm out all services at the prison to contractors, but it makes a difference if a prison is a good idea or not.
A privately owned prison opens the door for kickbacks to law enforcement. This happened in the country to the south, where the judges received bribes to put as many prisoners behind bars as possible, even for technical reasons.
Having a prison in Penticton just for the sake of creating jobs and business opportunities, is a step in the wrong direction. We have a fine example with the gambling casinos in Canada. It seemed to be a good thing at the time, when certain criminals convinced the government about the unlimited source of revenue for the government in gambling casinos.
I do not know if at that time, some cash changed hands, but I could imagine that there were some benefits for some of our elected officials. Now we see that the same crooks that convinced the government about gambling use the casinos to launder their proceeds from illegal drug trade and prostitution.
From an economic point of view, gambling is not a good source for government revenues. Just imagine, instead of our government siphoning off the cash in the casino, they would leave the money in circulation. This money then would create jobs and these jobs create business and businesses create tax revenues, equal to the money that now flows directly into the treasury at the casino.
After having a prison, the same crooks that convinced the government about gambling will convince the government again, because they own the prison, to change some laws so that more prisoners get their free lunch in prison. The results will be such laws as putting the wrong garbage in our garbage can; watering our lawn on the wrong day; having a good time and drinking over the legal limit; smoking in the wrong places; letting your car idle when parking, because of the idiotic carbon footprint and other laws. We may not go to jail the first time, but eventually we will, if we do not comply or do not pay the imposed fines.
Some people may say that we already have some of these laws. Yes, I know and now you know why we have such ridiculous laws for which people end up in the clink, without having done anyone any harm. Prevention is no reason to lock up someone who has done no harm. Instead of building prisons, governments should stop making such stupid and ridiculous laws.
Pumping the excess carbon below ground, was also a good idea at the time, but now we already see the results, with animals dying from the carbon seeping out of the ground. It is only a matter of time and we will see another disaster like that in India with 200 deaths.
Otto Sturhahn
Penticton
Prison not a good fit
Seems no one at City Hall has any foresight. If you put a prison in a remote area or away from larger populations, there is nowhere for them to stay or crime to commit when released.
If you release them in one of the busiest tourist areas of Western Canada with bountiful seniors and tourists to prey on, there will be a percentage staying not only for the crime, but weather. Seniors should especially be concerned as they will be prime targets.
Each year as more and more criminals stay, the crime rate will also rise dramatically, and yes they have friends. What will happen to tourism as crime statistics say it is not a safe place to go. Who will pay the increased cost of policing?
Sure we need jobs, but quality jobs. Try lowering the tax rate if you want to attract new business. That would never happen. City Hall needs to be made accountable for such ridiculous ideas, like the South Okanagan Events Centre that was going to make money hand over fist. City Hall can no longer be trusted in decisions for its community. They should try and improve what they have instead of trying to make it a large city as fast as they can. A bad case of small man syndrome exists at City Hall.
With a prison in Penticton or area, it is us who will become the prisoners in our own homes. Officials should look to remote communities where forestry or mining closures necessitates a prison for survival, not in a tourist capital, not in Penticton.
If you are a senior, have children or actually care what happens to Penticton, you need to attend the prison proposal meeting Jan. 31 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre at 6 p.m. Bring your own protest sign. Your absence will be the excuse the city needs to ram another bad idea into the community
Clifford (John) Martin
Penticton
Military spending soars
Until I became computer literate, I believed almost everything that was written or heard from the government. Now, Mr. Harper threatens that we will miss out on jobs and billions coming into the economy. Now that ‘I are smarter’ I did some surfing on the issue of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.
The government of the day, when purchasing the new F-18 Hornet (CF-188), entered into an agreement with the American government to help fund the R&D and give us a ‘great price’ when we purchased our fleet of aircraft. The aircraft platform had proven technology behind it, so not many people spoke out against it. The jobs and billions to be made I do not believe met the expectation of the day. Sounding familiar?
This type of aircraft is all new technology, unproven, expensive and demanding, not to mention, it only has a single engine. This is curious as most aircraft purchased over the years are twin engine. The premise here that while out over the ‘bad lands’, if one engine fails you can still limp home. This has also applied to helicopter requests for some time, with the same thinking.
While it would be nice to play with the big boys and their toys, I question strongly why we have to spend in excess of $30 billion just to keep the Americans happy in their protective bubble of fear? There is no longer a Cold War scenario threatening.
Not to mention that, I assume, in preparation of the new aircraft the Canadian government has given loans to Pratt & Whitney Canada for $300 million and a further multi-million contract to another aerospace/avionics company. No doubt this will cover off further R&D and production of parts for the F-35. The other possible replacement for our aging fleet would be to purchase the newer updated F-18 E/F Hornet, which is a larger variant which is proven, It has a larger full capacity, updated technology and our military personnel are more that familiar with its workings. Therefore, the learning curve on supporting this would be greatly reduced and cost a hell of a lot less.
The federal government, in my opinion, is not looking after the Canadian public’s interest in even considering this purchase. How many times have they jumped into a situation that blew up in front of them on helicopters, not to mention the four submarines purchased from Britain. Can they submerge yet?
I, for one, would prefer to see the government spend that $30 billion-plus on the real need of our great country. For too long now we, the people, have seen taxes rise, programs cut and a failing economy — much to do with scenarios of this nature being allowed to go ahead and put us further behind the eight ball of life. I see that Mr. Harper has given $640 million to a Quebec firm for servicing of another aging helicopter It just goes on and on.
In this current economy, why do these cost overruns almost double? Sign agreements and contracts that lock in a company to what the job is going to cost, not the profit margin they wish to establish just because it is a federal contract. Come on Mr. Harper, you and your cronies are not doing Canadians any favours here. Pick up on your responsibilities or pack your bags.
Roy West
Penticton
Lunch raises support
The BC Schizophrenia Society — Penticton Branch thanks everyone who attended the Lunch with Santa Nov. 27, sponsored by Sprott-Shaw College staff and students.
This family event was busy all day. Thank you to all community organizations that provided door prizes and raffle baskets.
This day was amazing and has provided a generous $905.35 toward the family support programs of the branch.
Sharon Evans, president
BC Schizophrenia Society — Penticton Branch
