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Following are a collection of reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the first week of November 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.

Why city staff wouldn't let the Kamloops mayor speak at a council meeting

Is this an editorial opinion or a news report? You've made several legal assertions but failed to support them, making this an opinion piece rather than neutral reporting. The mayor claimed a conflict of interest in a previous encounter with Knaak but does that previous issue carry over to future issues? Ought not the city or in this case corporate officer Mazzotta, sought legal advice to support the city's position? She's just guessing that it carries over but if it doesn't she's put the city in jeopardy of litigation which is not protecting the city. The prudent thing to do would have been to postpone this portion of the meeting.

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It clearly would not be illegal for the mayor to stay in the room, as you've stated, rather quite the contrary. Because it was a open meeting, by denying him the right to stay in the room she stripped him of his right as a citizen and the right to participate as a free citizen, this put the city at risk of further legal recourse. Moreover, she denied him the opportunity to appoint a representative to speak on his behalf, which again put the city in a potential legal issue.

The story is not about the mayor being obstinate, but rather how Mazzotta exerted her authority absent of any legal advice to force the mayor out of a meeting. This is a story of administrative overreach without due diligence putting "the corporation" in jeopardy. What you wrote was a sleazy hatchet job and completely missed the story. — Mac Gordon, via iNFOnews.ca

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I've lived here in Kamloops for well over 30 years and this is the first time I have felt like our city is out of control, literally. It just seems as though everyone including the mayor for sure, the eight councillors and even some members of senior staff, are looking after themselves but there is no one actually looking after the rank and file citizen's interest. Acrimony, lawsuits, reprisals, bullying and personal agendas - these are not characteristics of good governance. — Ron Watt, via email

JONESIE: The lessons of free-range children long forgotten

Great article, reminds me of my childhood memories. — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

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I’m with you. An immigrant family asked me if I thought it was wrong that their two boys were out somewhere on their bikes in our small town and I said “no” which apparently was not the usual response they got. I was sad. Best time of our lives tearing around. — Nancy Strachan, via iNFOnews.ca

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I remember "no rules" and it was scary at times. Somehow I remember feeling safe, always somewhere to go. I’m a whole bunch of years older than you, Marshall. I still feel mostly safe. — Janis Joanne Thompson, via iNOFnews.ca

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This made me laugh. I grew up in the 60s, so much of what you said brought out such memories. We didn't have 'guns' but we did make gunpowder, that would smoke a lot and that's about it. We let air out of tires, played street hockey and had rock fights. Maybe not the smartest. We had to be home for supper or it would be cold (dad had to eat at 5:15). We tobogganed till we near froze to death and filled our boots with snow. Ah, the good old days my friend. Thanks for the memories. — Dave Ellington, via email 

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Great story, and those children all grew up to be hard working, well adjusted adults. A lot of the children growing up now have anxiety, no social life, low self esteem and can't function without technology. — Kathleen Myshrall, via iNFOnews.ca

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I grew up on a government farm up north. There were a lot of kids on that farm. One winter day we all banded together and decided to go to a forbidden spot, the river. So through the woods we went down to the icy frozen Bulkley River. An intrepid young lad did the unthinkable. He went out onto the ice, and he fell through and disappeared. We were in panic mode when we heard yelling about 50 feet down from us. That kid had been carried downstream and popped up through some broken ice. We ran down and hauled him ashore. And then we wouldn’t let him go home because he was all wet and our parents would find out we had gone to the river. Love your story, Mr. Jones! — Helen Price, via iNFOnews.ca

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Love your story and it sure brings back memories, so thank you. — Nel DeWit Mitchell-Kloubek Sarrasin, via iNFOnews.ca

JONESIE: BC Conservatives are already clearing decks for another election

It must also be noted that Scott Anderson ran as a Conservative in 2013 against Eric Foster. Similar circumstance. The only difference is he wasn’t able to conjure up enough votes to be an actual threat. Politicians who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks — Janet Green, via iNFOnews.ca

Steep fine for Kelowna pub that sold teen a can of stout

Maybe if authorities were remotely as stringent and tough when it comes to fentanyl and other far more dangerous and illicit drugs, we’d be getting somewhere. — Sandy Walker, via iNFOnews.ca

B.C. judge urgently halts assisted death of Alberta woman, day before MAID procedure

Glad to hear that MAID has persons on alert for abuse and over stretch. We need to safeguard the boundaries of this program. Thanks to all on watch. — Judith Doreen Buckler, via iNFOnews.ca

Kamloops podcaster gives controversial mayor chance to air grievances

What I got out of this is that an ill mannered dog is still barking and ill mannered. — George Fraser @FraserGeorg, via X.com

Popular spots to enjoy ramen in Okanagan, Kamloops

Not many options in Kamloops for Ramen. Ramen Time is closed and theirs was the best. — lshumanitysucks, via X.com

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Thank you. Great food article and review. — Deborah Podurgiel, via iNFOnews.ca

Special interlocutor calls for 20-year probe into missing Indigenous children

Dear Editor,

The following essence and abstracts of two interviews and an article in the Western Standard News are toxic examples of just how far away from the truth we have come in our pursuit of reconciliation.

In an interview with an interlocutor, CBC reporter Brett Forester, Oct. 30 2024 ‘Indigenous leaders praise report on Canada's 'disappeared residential school children,’ interlocutor Kimberly Murray calls for reparations, new legislation, criminal code changes and a new commission of investigation.

During her interview with Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press, Oct. 29 2024 ‘The Special Interlocutor also calls for 20 year probe into missing Indigenous children’.

That would also be an open invitation for the Chiefs and their lawyers to continue to milk Canadian taxpayers.

It's been three years since an Indigenous leader in Kamloops stated there were two hundred and 15 unmarked graves on the sites of a former residential school orchard/septic system/grave yard, ignoring the well known fact those ground penetrating radar machines can only tell if the soil may have been disturbed.

According to an article in the Western Standard by Cory Morgan, Oct. 27., 2024 ‘MORGAN: Money can't solve Canada's Indigenous crisis’, there is currently an estimated 40 thousand Indigenous children in Canada's child welfare system.

The Federal Liberal government recently wanted to give $47.8 billion to the Indigenous people for child welfare programs on reserves. This is after the government already settled with Indigenous people for $23.3 billion in 2023, to compensate them for having taken children into its care in the past.

That is a total of 70 billion dollars, 1.77 million dollars for each and every Indigenous child in government care right now, that should be the exclusive responsibility of their parents.

It’s no wonder federal and provincial spending is spiralling out of control and Canada is on the edge of a financial failure. What we desperately need is an evidence based forensic audit, before this becomes the scam of the century, and we need that now.

Andy Thomsen, via email 

Defiant and controversial: Kamloops mayor digs in with half of term left

Great journalism, Levi. I look forward to reading more of your articles. — Robert Bishop

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At least he try to make change. The last mayor just took the money and was a "Yes" man. — Kim Young, via iNFOnews.ca

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An absolute mess inside and out. — Angela Lawrence, via iNFOnews.ca 

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Maybe you shouldn’t have walked into city hall like a hurricane acting like Boss Hog saying you would get rid of people and harassing staff — lVal L @logan_val, via X.com

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Stupid slob says what? Pretend rebel is useless to Kamloops. — david son @davidsonin343, via X.com

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You have to earn respect, it isn’t handed to you. And you, dear mayor, have not done that at all. This town is worse than when you were elected on empty promises. — Lisa L @cdnlisa2, via X.com

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This is a funny article. I particularly like "On a bookcase near the door he keeps a pile for confidential reports..." — T.Ruth @t_ruth49851, via X.com

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He isn't wrong. Like it or not, he is piloting the plane and council is behaving like they want the plane to crash, not caring that the council themselves and rest of Kamloops will crash too. — Poodlemama @Kamloopsmama77, via X.com

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They should all be fired. All of them are acting like children. GTFO. — Cheri Fulsebakke, via X.com

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Discount Donald just keeps trying to wave that victim card he got off Temu eh? Does this douche-canoe not realize anyone who refuses to learn how to do their job would have been fired by now? Oh that’s right … being mayor is more about his ego than working for the city. — The_Draconian, via X.com

B.C. port employers to launch lockout at terminals as labour disruption begins

It's time that Ports Service delivery designated an essential service. Enough that a small work force has the ability to hold Canada ransom to demands that not only limit technology and advancement but disrupt the country’s economy. Continuous disruption will impact future international investment and growth for Canada. Joke to the world recently.

Canada Post as a Crown corporation has outlived its usefulness and financial ability in today’s world of alternative service delivery of consumer purchases. Put it up for sale and let’s get on with. No need to financially bail out another Crown Corporation

The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Respectfully, Robert (Bob) Gray, Kamloops, via email

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No signs of end to mayor's year-long legal spats with non-profits

Couldn't go a week without sticking our mayor in the news I see. Homeless up, crime up, we just want to focus on the mayor. — Chris Webster, via iNFOnews.ca

BC nurse swiped narcotics from work, then worked while high

This nurse should have been fired and charges laid against her for theft. Why is the nurse's union protecting her? What happens if she's working and put a patient or patients lives in danger? She clearly has a drug issue, needs help, and the government and authorities need to be held accountable for their lack of concern and holding that nurse accountable for her actions. — Tony Oostendarp, via iNFOnews.ca

 

Letter to the editor - OMG the elections

My hubby and I moved from Penticton, but our hearts are still there, including a lot of good friends.

We are all elected out. Saskatchewan just finished their elections and we are so new here that we don't have anything to compare it to. But It was definitely a loud and clear message to the Sask Party. The Rural community voted for Sask Party but the large centres of Regina and Saskatoon went NDP.  We have four years on this rocking horse.

All the while, we are of course watching the United States. I can't believe the dog eat dog race. With the unprofessional behaviour on the side of Trump, it is a miracle to me that anyone would want to vote for him. But they will and they are. I am worried about how this election will go and how it will affect Canadians.

I so appreciate and look forward to your Informational Newsletter.

L.J. Hamill, via email

Legal action likely solution for thousands of Lake Okanagan Resort timeshare owners

I relinquished my unit at Lake Okanagan Resort more than 15 years ago and paid the appropriate cancellation fees. After more than 10 years and after an ownership change I started receiving invoices for maintenance fees. I refused and asked them to provide a signed contract. There were no further communications but they did against my credit report. —Michail Rozak, via iNFOnews.ca

Court action launched to oust Kamloops councillor over new arena

The the distance from the most western corner of the proposed multiplex site is one kilometre from the most eastern corner of the councillor Mike O’Reilly’s property, not six kilometres. — Mac Gordon, via iNFOnews.ca

OPEN LETTER: Kamloops health-care crisis

Editors note: This letter was sent to iNFOnews.ca along with Premier David Eby, Health Minister Adrian Dixand several other media outlets.

I have written before, no reply so far, but I have to raise the issue again. Kamloops healthcare is in many ways in crisis.

I'm a 78-year-old senior, living on my own. I work part time at one of the local hardware stores until a couple of months ago when I suddenly became very sick. I am still very ill. I don't like being sick, I'd far rather be enjoying my work or outdoors with exercise, photography, etc. I don't have a family doctor, like too many here in Kamloops. I've been here 4 1/2 years.

My most reliable medical resources are my pharmacist and a telehealth service with Nurse Practitioners through Telus. I get this through my work extended health program.

We don't have a walk-in clinic here. Some local pharmacies advertise a walk-in doctor, but that is usually to talk to an on-line doctor, which imposes all sorts of restrictions on what they can handle.

We do have one, possibly two Urgent Primary Care Clinics. The older one is located in front of the Royal Interior Hospital on Columbia Street, but only by appointment.

It's very taxing or a failure to get an appointment; one must phone promptly at 10:00 am, repeatedly dialling to try to get through to request an appointment, often there are no appointments left, try again tomorrow. Success usually means being on the phone for 45 minutes or more.

The impression is that it is too small and very under-resourced. Often when I do get an appointment, the waiting room is almost empty. Maybe a staff staff shortage?

Difficult to ever see the same doctor, and their computers don't appear to be connected to Interior Health's Patient Portal or other hospital records. I have not tried to go to the other clinic in the North Hills Mall.

If you cannot get through on the phone, the message says: go to emergency at the RIH.

The Urgent Primary Care Clinic seems to be significantly underfunded, and has great difficulty getting physicians to work there.

They do not have integrated access to either the hospital's or Interior Health patient data. Why?

But then the next problem. RIH emergency has been undergoing rebuilding of its hopelessly outdated Emergency Department. For several years now, going to continue until 2026 according to the hospital, that's when the rebuild is going to be completed.

They seem to have a high staff turnover too, usually not working with a full staff complement.

Waiting time after triage, but before entering emergency itself are usually 3 to 5 hours waiting in an overcrowded waiting area, often in the company of people experiencing drug-withdrawal. There is NO security presence.

Last week a new part of the department was opened up including the entrance, triage, waiting rooms and treatment rooms. It's certainly bigger, but it's too early to say how well it's working.

But there is some kind of war going on between the Emergency Department and the Urgent Primary Care Clinic. Trying to get help often involves being ignored or outright told I'm abusing Emergency Department resources, I should be at the clinic, and the physician I saw last Friday, October 31 at the Emergency department stated that very clearly in the corridor. She made it clear that my inability to get an appointment to the clinic was not her concern.

I know all this because I have been trying, with not much success, to find help to get well again.

Why is there an open 'battle' between these two resources about who should be not helping the public who needs medical care? There are constant rumours about hospital medical staff being underpaid, forced to work hours for free (called pro bono) and NEVER answering anyone's questions about working conditions there. And why is there such a high staff turnover?

Occasionally, there are rumours about Interior Health always redirecting funding to Kelowna rather than Kamloops, about their disinterest in Kamloops. I can only say what I hear.

And it is clear that neither the hospital or Interior Health is open to questions or criticism. Try finding an email address or phone number of someone to talk to.

RIH has so many great staff, but the buildings are out grown as soon as they are opened, it's building design is more of a happening, very difficult to navigate. Parking is mostly full, and the hospital services a very large catchment area, people can only get there one way, by car. A lot of the patients are elderly. Having to park up to a kilometre away from the hospital is cruel.

Honourable Messrs Eby and Dix, you just said "we must do better". How about now in Kamloops by taking control of this mess and helping us because neither the hospital or Interior Health is capable or inclined.

Respectfully, Robin Andrew Dunn

iN VIDEO: Mayor abruptly leaves council meeting over proposed Kamloops shelter

I don’t live in Kamloops anymore. I wonder, did you folks elect a child for mayor? — Helen Price, via iNFOnews.ca

'It's scary' what a semi truck passenger sees out her window driving through BC

Thank you for this article. It's a good warning to all. When it's possible get licence plate numbers of bad drivers and report them to police. — Robert Bishop, via iNFOnews.ca

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. 

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