Teachers misrepresented
I have contemplated whether or not to comment on the job action that is being executed by the B. C. Teachers Federation through striking.
I was involved on more than one occasion in this practice as a last resort standing against government restraint.
And I know full well I will be damned by my ex-comrades for my input.
As a former School District 67 employee I feel I am living a fairly comfortable retirement, thanks to the many hardships and negotiations we endured through the 70s and 80s,
I can honestly say the tactics and strategy currently being undertaken by the powers that be are underhanded to say the least.
Teachers have always had the short end of the stick as far as being misrepresented in the public eye, as working eight hours a day, and just nine months out the year.
As a former custodian I have to beg to differ and set the record straight regarding that misconception.
Teachers are so dedicated as to label them habitual workaholics.
In the 28 years of my job experience, whether waxing floors, refurbishing gym floors, shampooing carpets, etc., there was no way of deterring the teachers from their workplace.
Some of them were obsessed with class preparation and last minute details.
So for all those frustrated parents whose so-called baby-sitters are on strike, don’t be so selfish.
Is it that long ago you had that extra half hour with your teacher because you were hung up on a subject or problem?
How soon we forget.
Andy Homan
Penticton
*****
World Cup win a matter of papal influence
The World Cup win by Germany over Argentina proves German Pope Benedict has greater influence with the higher authorities than Argentine Pope Francis. Is this seniority?
We shouldn’t be surprised if we hear Pope Francis playing his guitar and softly singing, “Don’t cry Argentina, every one enjoyed the ball.”
He’s that kind of a sport.
Joe Schwarz
Penticton
*****
Tips for the farmers market
We spent last winter in South Africa and spent a Saturday at the Stellenbosch Slow Food Market. Stellenbosch is an old administrative and university city in a region famous for its wines.
A feature of their market was that everyone made a point of having brunch or lunch there. The market was organized so that this was easy and enjoyable.
All the food vendors were located together and next to them were plenty of picnic tables under cover. Necessary in South Africa to provide shade.
A large tent with the sides up would be suitable here.
There was a huge variety of good foods available; quiche, paella, pies, salads, sandwiches, wraps, pitas, etc. of may types. The local beer was available in old wine barrels filled with ice and you could buy the local wine by the glass.
The food vendors were all busy. The guy making the egg and bacon muffins had run out by noon.
Organizing the Penticton Farmer’s Market like this would be popular and benefit the food vendors.
Graham Tungate
Penticton
*****
Penticton Stamp Club thanks donors
The generosity in this community is overwhelming and it serves several purposes.
Charities receive the proceeds of donated stamp material from our auctions and recycling is practiced as these stamps do not go to the landfill, among others.
This summer a retired minister donated his and his dad’s entire stamp collection (five large bags), a lady in the community with failing eyesight gave her life-long collection.
We intend to add another charity to our group of three by donating proceeds of the latter collection to the CNIB.
Also, an elderly gentleman living in a senior’s home read my letter to the editor and asked his daughter to bring his collection to the stamp club, and a number of people from the surrounding communities have donated bags of stamps.
We welcome one and all to our club meetings, the next one being Sept. 7 at the United Church.
Gus Boersma, President
Penticton
*****
Sign out of place
Council has spent thousands of our tax dollars on electronic signs to advertise upcoming events and direct visitors to our downtown.
Why then, is the current message reading Live, Work, Stay, Play while right next to it is an obnoxious Mickey Mouse sign advertising the farmer’s market?
All of this within spitting distance of our visitor information centre?
Louise Thomsen
Summerland
*****
Brown should be new green
If the Okanagan has half the water available and twice the average water use per person compared to the rest of Canada, plus a quarter of that water used for lawns and landscaping, shouldn’t we adjust our expectations and aesthetic values and let brown and xeriscaping be our new green?
Merle Kindred
Penticton