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This is where cold facts yield to the hottest of takes. Here you'll find reader responses to stories, letters to the editor and newsletter editorials, or letters to the editor for the week. They may have been edited slightly for readability.

Electric skateboarding is a crime in BC but enforcement in Kelowna is inconsistent

It's not a crime and does not lead to a criminal record. But it is an offence and still has serious consequences.

— Donald Skogstad, via iNFOnews.ca

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Reid Hamer-Jackson's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad summer

Scrap it all and let the city vote in mayor and councilors again. This is getting weird.

— Rayanna Henry, via iNFOnews.ca

Hammer just tried to call out the cartel known as Kamloops city council. No way were the councillors and lifer bureaucrats going to let go of their high salaries, long holidays and golden pensions.

— John Stevens

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Why green hard hats hang from power lines in BC

I have wondered for years what these were as I always thought they were hard hats but figured they probably just looked like them and had something to do with the lines.
Coincidentally, I was wondering this a couple of days ago while watching a video that explained what the balls were that hung off the line for stability, but it didn't mention the hard hats and it made me wonder about them. I see them quite often on Vancouver Island.

— Paul Sture

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Anger over $11M lake-to-lake bike lanes in Penticton dominates public meeting

It sounds as if "senior government grants" are out of touch with more important needs of the local people. So, it is asked, whose palm is getting greased?

— Michael Lehman, via iNFOnews.ca

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THOMPSON: Don't speak ill of the dead; speak the truth

Well written and fair comment, sir. We are not somehow absolved of our actions, and our comments, merely because we have died. Those actions and words can stick around a long time after we have passed.

— William Mastop, Vernon, via iNFOnews.ca

Matthew Dowd just got fired for saying essentially the same as Don Thompson just did. Apparently, freedom of speech applies only to Republicans. I can only imagine that now Don will have a problem with going back to Florida.

— Cam Villeneuve, via iNFOnews.ca

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'He's so far gone:' Kelowna woman fights for addicted brother

Very good article, hopefully the BC government does something soon before someone gets hurt or worse. I know Dylan from the past and he was caring and loving, now if he hurts himself or really hurts someone else or worse the system is to blame as his sister has pleaded with the courts and yet still nothing. It's on them when it happens, as his little sister been trying so hard to get him off the streets so he can get the help he needs so he doesn't hurt anyone else. Our government is not doing what they can we should be doing what Alberta is, shame on our so-called government.

— Michael G. Conlin, via iNFOnews.ca

I too have a family member who is struggling with several issues and lives on the streets. I have the same fear as this young lady with her brother. I’m praying for anything to intervene in their lives to help them find their way back to their families and to Jesus.

My heart breaks for all the prodigals so I ask God right now in the name of Jesus to intervene in our prodigal lives and save them and bring them home.

— Brenda Spooner, via email

I just read the article about Ben Bulmer and I completely agree with the issues. My son has been on the street in Kelowna for nearly 10 years now. He grew up in a loving home with all of the opportunities I could give him but mental health struggles appeared in full when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 15. He started using drugs shortly after and the spiral began from there.

He has been in and out of hospital more times than I can count and as many treatment programs over the years too.

He was incarcerated at OCC for 5 months while on full psychosis and then discharged back to the street with no shelter or housing options. He remains at the mercy of a grossly overcrowded shelter system with limiting regulations. Sadly he is just one of many who bounce around with little to no hope of safety and a new start.

Complex housing will not be available in Kelowna until 2028 and most other housing options have strict regulations around mental health, drug use, and behaviour. This keeps my son and so many others stuck right where they are.

— Holli Broomfield, via email

So very sad... and it can happen to anyone.

— Deborah Podurgiel, via iNFOnews.ca

Sad but well written article on how society has really turned a blind eye on drug addictions and mental health issues. 

The best thing that can happen in the eyes of society, the health care system and the police is that Dana’s brother just dies. End of problem.

Unfortunately drug addiction is a disease that too many people really don’t want cured. It’s a money-maker, job-creator and it’s out of control. We step in and help someone who is having a heart attack or who is drowning or who is overdosing and we help them without asking - but for someone who is using drugs - we ask them if they want help. Of course they don’t want help - they can’t help themselves - so we ignore them.

I totally understand the plight of Dana - I have a mentally challenged nephew who lives and functions on his own. I help him with his paperwork and bill-paying and help navigate him through life but when I die he will have no one. He will fall into the system, he will lose his home, he will be arrested (fighting because he is scared) he will end up on the streets lonely, afraid and drug addicted because no one cares. He will become another of Dana’s brothers.

Just like the opium epidemic in the 1800’s - society looks the other way.

We have many people with a little help that can navigate this world, we just need the system to help them not hinder them. Easy - no because we have gone too far and our excuse is there are too many factors to consider so we turn a blind eye. We just have to start really helping in every community - we need to come together.

Thanks for the heartfelt article!

— Wendy Clarke, via email

I believe involuntary care must be tried. We have tried everything else, this actually might work.

But it has to go much further than just bringing them in, they need to be placed in a different environment, away from the friends, provided a job and constant monitoring to help them on their way.

— Marti Giroux, via email

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Vernon man who threatened to kill cops, soup kitchen staff gets jail time

Oh boy. Can't see how this could go wrong? He is banned from setting foot in OKIB land and then makes clear he owns land there and will contact them right away? Yep. That's not going to work out.

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Two day suspension for BC nurse who fiddled with expenses

Not enough suspension. What about charges of fraud?

— Theodore Pedersen

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'Very low odds': Top court expert says B.C. ostrich case will struggle to get hearing

I will be very surprised if the Supreme Court of Canada chooses to hear this case. The Supreme Court is not there because you didn't like the answers from all the levels of court you previously appeared before. Given that the rulings have been the same in each case, there is zero controversy, and zero national interest in the Supreme Court doing a "re-hearing".

— William Mastop, Vernon, via iNFOnews.ca

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