I was very moved upon learning that Muriel Franck’s niece who lives in Niagara Falls is upset.
It seems a bench to be placed in honour of Muriel may not happen as hoped. “Much to my dismay,” she wrote, “I was informed that the City of Penticton had received only $1,400 and the bench cost $2,500 so the bench would not be purchased. The money is still sitting in an account at City Hall and it is my belief that if the $2,500 was not raised in six months it never will be.”
Many people wish there were more people around like Muriel, doing what she did. She passed last December at the age of 92. For many years Muriel was a “watchdog” of the city, a fiery fixture at Penticton City Council meetings who would take politicians to task on issues ranging from development to the environment. Even the formerly watched mayor, Jake Kimberley, said of her, “Despite our differences on city affairs, I had, and still have, a great deal of respect for that dear lady and the way she watched over city council and bringing forward her never-ending interest in what was happening in Penticton ....”
Maybe those of us who respect watchdogs of the city, like Muriel was, can help get that bench. Please help and contact me at email letscommunicate123@gmail.com.
Hannah Hyland
Penticton