FILE PHOTO

Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

Following are emailed reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the third week of June 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. 

Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca.

—

West Kelowna mother finally gets her dying son transferred

I was so happy to read that the West Kelowna mother is finally getting her dying son transferred here so she can see him. It made me tear up to read this. It was the right thing for them to do. Why did it take them so long to make this happen? I enjoy reading all the stories you write about. I think you are doing a great job and service to our community! — Lawrie Sutton

Thank you for printing her story that finally woke up the bureaucrats. — Louise Crowston Bennett

—

Man shoots bear, bear attacks man in Summerland

Gotta like a bear that gives it back a little after being shot. — William Mastop

—

JONESIE: Just kill the problem deer, already

Marshall Jones, I couldn't agree more. If something isn't done they'll be taking over sidewalks in towns an cities. Saw it in Chetwyn, B.C. Freaking deer with zero fear of humans in the middle of town, on the sidewalks, blocking traffic. Kill them and use the meat to send to food banks and soup kitchens for the less advantaged. —  Lori Cailin Brahdsheagh

I read with interest your thoughtless and lack of research commentary on killing problem deer. Obvious and clear through your story was the real problem: humans. Deer are wild animals and dumb ass humans must be encouraged to be wildlife aware as we exist in a wildlife urban interface. People need to avoid wildlife and scare it not encourage it. Your regional district office should have information for citizens to reduce continued ignorance with wildlife including bears. Another stupid story with video of a backyard zoo experience for an hour, again, no deference to wildlife to stay away. What happens when the bears come back and eat the kid? There is more than one angle to the story and I’d rather see problem humans put down than habituated wildlife. You can’t have it both ways. — Tracy Lawlor

I believe that in nature if a creature cannot coexist in its environment then it will become extinct. Like deer that jump in front of moving vehicles don’t get to procreate anymore and so that line of genetics is eliminated. I say this because long ago it was quite common to have wild creatures that didn’t understand the dangers of fast moving vehicles. But on many recent trips I’ve observed deer and other creatures waiting to cross the road. They have either learned from example or their genetic makeup makes them cautious to the point that they survive to procreate and teach their young of the dangers of civilization.

So goes for aggressive animals living in civilized areas. If they can’t coexist then their genetic line should end. Individually not the entire species. That is for those that choose the safety of civilization over the deadly freedom of the wild.

We domesticated many wild animals this way from dogs to cows. It’s called animal husbandry. I am not a hunter and don’t support sport hunting in any way. But for food or safety I can easily support culling of problem creatures. Like we do with rodents and other infestations that enter our home. — Anthony Plourde

—

Rough rollout out for feds new dental care plan in Kamloops, Okanagan

We need a socialist government to accomplish this and unfortunately this will not happen in the Interior. — Devon Johnstone

I have as much confidence in the dental plan being a resounding, enduring success as I do in the budget balancing itself, and the 67 per cent capital gains tax only affecting the tiniest weeniest of Canadians sparking flight of professionals entrepreneurs and successful people to greener shores. — Leo Steen

Why have a headline like that. No different for us, who have it, than any other insurance plan! — Karen Peterson

—

Home builder in Penticton insists on non-disclosure agreement before repairing damage

Absolutely, stick it to her company if she refuses to fix the damages that her company caused. Steinburg, you really aren't the sharpest ball in the box, or the brightest bulb in the pack. You yourself have now given your company a bad rep, just by your admission here. Ah jeez, how long will it take, 6 months, a year maybe even as long as 18 months, for your company to go in the toilet? Do the right thing, you can still come out of this not looking like such a bad woman. Steinburg, social media can make you or break you, and you stubbed your toe on this one. How many more people did you make sign this agreement over the years, to have this contract agreement so readily available? Brad Schedel good luck bud, and I know that you won't give in. Have a great day. — Laurie Stinson

Good, stick it to that company! Too many of them getting away with crap like this. — James Penner-power

—

JONESIE: How Canadian news became victims in its own story

Hello Marshall,

I sympathize and empathize with you regarding that website (Facebook) that won't allow newspapers to be shared because of the federal government. My circumstances aren't the same but I have had issues with the site for a long time starting with how they handled messaging, then how they handled the photo albums. Now, I have trouble accessing memories, messages, and notifications due to the interplay between the apps for Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. Instagram Threads is the worst of the whole bunch though.

Sincerely,
Patrick Longworth

—

iN RESPONSE to Marshall Jones' newsletter editorial. Go here to subscribe to the iNFOnews.ca newsletter.

Hello Marshall,

Thank you for sharing and writing. I used to be a hockey happy kid but never played ice hockey really. I played road hockey with friends or electronic hockey. I have never been a good ice skater and was better at roller skating. I used to be a heartbroken Canucks fan who liked Bobby Orr for some reason as well as Guy Lafeur among others. I disliked hockey dynasties though, whether the Islanders or? I stopped caring about the NHL long ago after the strike and after repeated wins by American teams. I did get lukewarmly into the recent Oiler and Panther game but became peeved by both teams.

Hockey and other sports are too expensive. I was an amateur soccer-football player and was even a referee for a time. I have lost interest in nearly all male sports and only care about female sports as they get reported more and more. I do sympathize with you and your dilemma.

Patrick Longworth

—

No jail for violent attack; judge cites Indigenous Vernon man's past

What is missing in all of this, is the requirement for this person to go through a program which both detoxes and teaches the person how to cope with daily tasks. A years house arrest is a joke. — Dianne Jackson

—

Four-year-old Kamloops cherry orchard not producing after cold snap

Can I just mention that Kamloops was never an area used to grow cherries due to the weather? Living in the Okanagan for 74 years; Penticton and Osoyoos grew peaches, Kelowna and Lake Country grew cherries and Vernon grew apples. Sure, it’s great to push to borders on what fruit will grow where but I also think you have to look at the history of growing. Did you know that Armstrong used to be the celery capital of Canada? — Marti Giroux

—

Kelowna mayor's crime task force falls flat in Rutland

On June 13, Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and several city councillors met with members of the Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) to officially announce the introduction of Rutland’s new on-call patrol team.

Dyas said the goal of the team is to assist Rutland businesses, residents and tourists, and to bring a greater sense of security to the Rutland area.

On June 14, I sent an email to ask@kelowna.ca, inquiring about Rutland's new team.

What follows is a copy of my email:

Last evening, June 13, on the Global Okanagan News at 11 p.m., there was a story on Rutland’s new safety team.

The report stated it was a one year pilot project.

1. How many team members will be on duty per shift to patrol Rutland?

2. How long is each shift? 8 hours?

3. How many shifts per 24 hours? Not counting on-call situations.

4. What is the total amount of the funding for one year?

5. Is the cost 100% funded by the city, or is the provincial government contributing a percentage of the cost? If so, what percentage?

On June 19, I resent the email to ask@kelowna.ca, but this time included the email addresses of each member of Kelowna city council, plus Laura Bentley, the city clerk, Joe Sass, the city's divisional director of financial services, and Karen Beaubier, URBA's executive director.

To date, I haven't received a reply from any of them.

From the Mayor's April community column: "For council, transparency and accountability are cornerstones for how we make decisions…”

Several years ago Rutland residents used to operate a volunteer citizens' patrol. Some members would patrol the streets in their cars, in the wee hours of the morning. I have no idea why the patrol came to an end. Perhaps some long-time Rutland residents could offer an explanation in a letter to iNFOnews.

In April 2022, a news article mentioned that there were over 60 volunteers in the Peachland, West Kelowna, and Lake Country citizens' patrol groups. They have marked vehicles provided by the municipalities, and go out on patrol most days of the week, in teams, acting as extra eyes and ears for the RCMP.

— David Buckna

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones or call 250-718-2724 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

News from © iNFOnews, 2024