Another sad day in Penticton politics was evident in the council chambers.
Several long-time neighbourhood residents spoke in strong opposition to deaf ears of council and city staff regarding amending the OCP and rezoning of agricultural land to R2 housing developments.
I pity the fools who purchase these lots that are on decades of out of sight, out of mind, poor practice filling of clay ravines.
Lead pipes, sewer pipes, plastics, toilets, old furniture, concrete sidewalks, decomposing wood and rubber tires have all been hidden under back fill.
Council approved 11 lots to be built directly on top of this fill.
Unfortunately there will be no buyer beware signs and unaware residents will purchase this clay swamp land.
It appears that backdoor political decisions may be made prior to public hearings.
Residents are merely pawns of the process with decisions all but done before the words of the public taxpayers are heard in the hearings.
I now join the growing, long list of residents who have lost faith in council and the Penticton political process.
It will be a long time before I ever take the time to vote again.
The elected officials I voted for did not represent the many people who spoke but rather chose to pad the pocket of the developers.
So long Penticton council?you have lost the faith and support of this taxpaying resident.
I hope there are enough developers around to elect you back in next time as I will choose to not vote.
John Buckley
Penticton