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.

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THOMPSON: Why it's good to be a kid growing up in Canada, and not the US

Perhaps instead of hyperventilating about American Republicans, you should turn your spleen on Canadian progressives who perpetuate and even make worse an addiction pandemic here in Canada. — Scott Anderson

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People are capable of writing about more than one problem in more than one country. This article was well written and informative. It does in no way detract from Canadian and world wide drug addiction. Perhaps that will be his next "hyperventilation." — Lynn Crassweller

WE DO RECOVER: Kamloops mother leaves life of crime and drugs behind

An incredible story of recovery. Wow. She is an amazing person, mother and advocate. She lost everything and then against all the odds she got everything back. That takes strength and courage and love. — Tanya Ruthie

16-year-old Vernon girl avoids detention after 'cowardly' assault

Three on one. Wow. That is cowardly to say the least. Disgustingly so. — William Mastop

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What a joke! This teaches nothing to that kid and reinforces she can act how she wants without repercussions. Plus why was only one of three kids charged? Why is our justice system so useless now? — Dick Dawson

After numerous delays and $22.8 million West Kelowna’s new city hall is officially open

Of course it went way over budget. Remember, in all government projects the money does not come out of any government employees, including the decision makers. It comes from you and me and all taxpayers. There is no reason to administer costs or oversee costs as the money does not come out of the pockets of any government decision makers. They don't care. It's been this way for a long time. — Robert Bishop

$19,000 fine and house arrest for Lake Country man who defrauded EI

The man should have his account flagged so that if he ever goes on EI again, his employer has to confirm his status with each and every new claim. — Dianne Jackson

STONEWALLED: Break-in victim does her own police work after Vernon RCMP inaction

I think that Croatian word is pretty accurate. Pathetic. This kind of apathy and lazy unprofessional behaviour is why people end up packing their own guns. Such a dysfunctional lazy society, even the police you are supposed to turn to, that you have to end up fending for yourself. The real angering irony is that when you do, these same cops get off their buttons and go after you! — Noah Liguori

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I learned a long time ago that the RCMP are not here to protect the public. Rob a bank or threaten a politician and they’ll be all over it. — AJ Plourde

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Both the police and the courts don't seem to care anymore, well unless we take matters into our own hands and then I bet we would get in trouble. The inaction is so frustrating especially when you see the signs around town these days that say "if you see something, say something." Why, when not a single person cares? How hard is it for the police to follow up at 7-Eleven and get all the info? What is going on? — Dick Dawson

iN VIDEO: Production company points out the 'ridiculous' at Kamloops city hall

I really enjoyed this video as it certainly represents fairly well what is going on in the Mayor and Council office. However, I would like to see greater focus on the council members and how they have managed to the Mayor we elected of his right to do his job.

The Braun Report oft cited by Katie Neustaeter as the bible of what is wrong with the Mayor, but which does not, in any real sense, dig into the role of Council in the whole cesspool that is our Council.

But here is the thing, when you have a researcher that comes a research project with a belief that the Mayor is definitely at fault for everything wrong with our Council then you better believe that that is exactly what he will find and nothing else. I believe that the Braun report falls into this category. First, although Braun has experience in the area, but I will bet my bottom dollar that he knows nothing about conducting unbiased research. If he were, his report would not skim over the role of Council and its detrimental effect on the office of Mayor and Council.

I would like to see the people of Kamloops submit a report of no confidence in the present Mayor and Council thus demanding a new election. This would best be done before Council commits our tax payers money and a City debt into the millions of dollars for an Arts Centre that no one can afford in light of the current economic state of our society. — Linda Wilson

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Linda Wilson, thank you. I feel that both the mayor and the city council are all to blame for the sorry state of affairs that the City finds itself in. Everyone is acting like children and I also believe that some of the "adults" in the background are contributing to the chaos. I believe that the councillors' are not being held accountable for the role they continue to play in escalating and making things worse. They are definitely not taking the high road.

At this point I don't believe it matters who started it or who did what to who. Just stop already before you do any more damage to the city and those of us who call it home! I think my former business partner recently said it best, and I quote: "I’m neither a politician nor have political aspirations but I’m aghast at what’s happening at city hall. I know Reid Hammer Jackson and he’s not a political orator or tactician but he was voted in as mayor. I don’t care that some politician from outside of Kamloops ruled there is justification to muzzle him or what ever term they wish to use. It was the people of Kamloops who voted him in and they should make the decision to remove him by way of signatories for a byelection or vote him out at the next election. That is the democratic way. City council took an oath to work together including the mayor that was elected by the citizens of Kamloops. Nobody is above the process of democracy." — Peter J. Cameron-Inglis

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Cringey - Joey Jack

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Joey Jack, I'm not certain of who the word "cringey" is directed towards. We certainly do not feel awkward or embarrassed by what we said. Admittedly we have not been known for producing comedy in the past and we definitely stepped outside of our comfort zone. We knew that we would not please everyone but we took a risk and said something, and dared to be different, rather than just stay quiet in fear and not express what our conscience was telling us. In short, we were trying to express that we feel that both the mayor and the city council are all culpable in the current tribulation and that it is becoming ridiculous. — Peter J. Cameron-Inglis

Vernon's new $4.4 million wading pool set to open

To Ben Bulmer,

I really appreciated your article in iNFOnews.ca regarding the new wading pool where the Peanut Pool used to be.

I sincerely appreciated your pointing out the cost as well as the removal of trees.

As someone with a child who loves playgrounds and who experiences four months of constant heatstroke during these debilitating hot, Okanagan summers I can not live without shade and trees.

I am so horrified by the endless removal of trees at our parks and playgrounds.

The latest fashion trend is “native species only” and all other flora and fauna are butchered out of existence if they don’t fit into this new model.

When the trees were removed from Lakeview Park years ago we just stopped coming, even though we live in this neighbourhood. When they cut all the trees at Kin Beach, it was sickening, watching birds homes being destroyed because they didn’t fit the latest agenda, was so sad. We don’t go to any parks in the summer due to the unbearable heat and lack of shade.

And how many taxpayers dollars are supporting the never ending destruction of trees and plastic playgrounds? Now Polson Park is the latest in the plan of destroying one ecosystem to build another.

I’ve lived all over the world and never saw a playground without trees and shade. And here Vernon is the hottest city and they can’t even protect the current trees.

I am at the Peanut Pool right now. When I arrived, I noticed the unattractive, metal fencing surrounding the pool. Parents can no longer even sit close to their child. Instead they sit between two black, dark fences and remain in their little prison on the grass with no shade at all.

The bathrooms have no privacy. I hope people aren’t shy to use them, I know I never could.

Is there no creativity in this council whatsoever? Could they not find a way to preserve the trees and build a structure around the pool?

The spray park is made for toddlers without any layers interesting structures for older kids.

This was so disappointing. We were so happy to finally have a pool close to us again. We can’t swim in any of the lakes as we get swimmers itch every time.

Vernon is one of the most uncreative, and tree-hating towns I’ve ever seen. What a waste of money. But the council doesn’t care what the taxpayers want. They just build.

Thank you
Ariel Rose

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