Following are a collection of reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the fourth 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.

COAST JAPS? The story behind this infamous Kelowna sign from 80 years ago

The Federal Government of Canada had the same exclusion policy regarding Jewish people wanting to come to Canada after the First World War and the holocaust. Politicians of the day declared ‘even one Jew is too many’. Ugly stuff. — Robert Bishop, via iNFOnews.ca

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Another wonderful piece of Canadian history. I need to sit down and discuss with my Japanese-Canadian daughters. Apologizing for racist Canadians gets a bit tiring. — Gary Kirkpatrick, via iNFOnews.ca

Penticton man brings love and compassion to hospice patients

What a beautiful story. — Shirley Beasse, via iNFOnews.ca 

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Compassion and love in action. — CraigPam Whitehouse, via iNFOnews.ca

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I just wanted to say this man is a beautiful soul. I actually heard about him last week as my mother-in-law went to visit her brother in the home. She said how kind this man was and how amazing he was. How he showed so much care and love with every person. We need more people like this man in the world. Such a beautiful thing and we are so glad to come across this news article, after I heard about him. We are from Alberta so to hear it this far was pretty cool! Take care and all the best to this man and everything he is doing. — Kasey Quinn, via email 

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I have so much respect for this man and knowledge of what matters to people in their last days. Good job, just simply good job. — Richard Benjamin Veldhuis, via iNFOnews.ca

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Kudos to this generous Tim Bowley! It would be nice to have an example of how Bowley goes about having patients feel love and connection. Is there training provided for volunteers wanting to bring about some brightening up the day for these hospice patients? — Marie-paule Lacasse, via iNFOnews.ca

'It's inhumane': Vernon woman with dementia hopeful for medically assisted dying

I fully support advanced MAID requests. I have always been a strong advocate for quality of life, and in the cases of dementia, people should be allowed to make that decision while they still have capacity. I know if I received a diagnosis of dementia, I would make the request. — Savannah Smith, via iNFOnews.ca

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I wish the best for you Christine. Only you really understand how you feel, so you should be listened to. A lot of people with PTSD and other emotional and physical pain should also qualify for help to end their lives. Suicide is much more dramatic for everyone. The government should have no say on this as it’s not their pain. — Debra Kerkkonen, via iNFOnews.ca

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I am with Mrs. Aitken. It is not only the patient who suffers, but all the caregivers who suffer with the patient for many years. My husband passed away this year, after six years of gradually diminishing mental abilities. For a very long time he didn’t want to live anymore. But MAID was not possible. The brain is not considered in the health care world the same way as, for instance, cancer. Why is that? — Hanny Kooyman, via iNFOnews.ca

The dark energy pushing our universe apart may not be what it seems, scientists say

Very interesting. It’s the inclusion of articles like this that keeps me coming to iNFOnews.ca daily. — Robert Bishop, via iNFOnews.ca

iN PHOTOS: These edible mushrooms in Okanagan, Kamloops dissolve into ink

You can completely eat them when they start to go inky. They will not make you sick or taste gross. This forager doesn’t know what he’s talking about. — Juan Fernando Runnells, via iNFOnews.ca

Peachland widow wins legal fights after ICBC refuse to pay

Good for her for fighting ICBC’s decision. — Wendy Williams, via iNFOnews.ca

Vernon arborist working without a permit fined $1,000

Justice was done. Good to see for a change. — Linda Maclean, via iNFOnews.ca 

House of Commons debate over Kelowna housing data reveals the art of the spin

One-hundred per cent data and stats can be manipulated to present a picture that is more in line with the authors narrative. Federal housing minister Sean Fraser, federal immigration minister Marc Miller, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland are experts at it. — Leo Steen, via iNFOnews.ca

Court action to quash $275M in Build Kamloops loans gets January date with judge

Why are homeowners stuck with the bill? What about the rest of Kamloops that works? This isn’t fair. It is always thrown on the backs of homeowners. Enough! — John Walsh, via iNFOnews.ca

THOMPSON: Gene Kelly became more famous but his brother Fred got the last laugh

I just read that great article written by Don Thompson. I didn’t even know Gene Kelly had a brother. I’m also a journalist so I especially appreciate the written word, and when an article speaks to me, I just have to acknowledge it. The article was fun and informative. The more you know! — Sally Luckett, via iNFOnews.ca

iN RESPONSE to Friday, Nov. 22 newsletter editorial

I think safety wise it makes sense. Only up once on the ladder vs. multiple times. Sometimes the weather in December is not safe. However, I believe we need to remember and honour Remembrance Day. Sure, switch up the lights and decor, but don't light or blow up the Christmas inflatables until after Nov. 11. — Maureen J, via email

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We keep old pots and spoons near doors so we can scare the bejesus out of the deer, raccoons, JWs and Conservative door pounders. It works, and it is also fun on New Year's Eve. Deer are tasty, indeed. I would love to have them in the freezer and on the table. Lights and other decorations need to be up and lit up only around the occasion being celebrated. My darling hubby is slowly putting Christmas decorations up, but only lighting them to test the effect. Good man. — Janis Thompson, via email

iN RESPONSE to Monday, Nov. 25 newsletter editorial

Hi Marshall, I haven't been to a movie for years. I have 60 kilometres of travel to go to one. I'm a little apprehensive because everyone buys tickets online. I don't do online purchases. — Debbie Oakland, via email

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My friend and I love going to the movie theatre (and live theatre) and don't do streaming, but tend to watch movies on TV such as Saturday Night Cinema on PBS Spokane. Being past 80 years old, our tastes don't always match what is being offered. — John Pinter, via email 

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We love to go to movies, we’re retired and usually go on Sunday matinees. We go if it’s not cartoons or sci-fi or monster movies. There are few and far between movies that are worth seeing. We go for the popcorn and pop, something we rarely do at home. The seats are recliners which makes it so nice. — Therese Smortchevsky, via email

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Interesting comment and question today Mr. Jones. This will be short. Money, noise and the in your face picture in movie theatres is now annoying, since I have become a fan of watching on my little laptop. The biggest reason? I happen to live in Butt F*** BC, otherwise know as Port Alberni, where the choice of movie is pretty sad. The other day when I drove by the one and only theatre, I glanced at the playbill and it was a Spider-Man movie. Really? It’s like our used book store, full of Harold Robbins and James A. Michener. Sigh. But thank goodness, Port is full of awesome people and beautiful scenery! — Helen Price, via email

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They cost way too much! — Madma Davy, via email 

Mother orca and her children make 'grocery shopping' trip near downtown Vancouver

What fun! —Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

Paul Bernardo denied parole after victims' families plead he be kept behind bars

This is definitely a case where life needs to be “life”. Not 25 years. This monster, just like Robert Pickton, will never be rehabilitated. We don’t need to spend money and torment the families over and over. — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

UBCO downtown Kelowna highrise debacle casts doubt on new 40-storey tower

How many iNFOnews.ca readers recall what former Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran said on July 26, 2022?

"Again this [UBCO tower] is an exception. I don't see us approving many more at this height.... There is going to be heat island effect." 

Maybe we should just cut to the chase. 

A modest proposal: 

1. Kelowna's 1905 motto, "Fruitful in Unity" is just too old-fashioned for the Kelowna of the 21st century. Scrap the motto in favour of the forward-thinking "Fruitful in Mega Towers". 

2. Change “Kelowna city council” to "Kelowna city planners and developers council". 

3. Pass a motion to make "Time To Go Outdoors" by Hot Hot Heat the official song of Kelowna. 

4. In the foyer of Kelowna City Hall, install a large television screen that continuously plays the 10-minute 1968 animated film "Boomsville" from Canada's National Film Board. "Boomsville" is an ironic view of city planning, or rather, the lack of it, and what's happened to our cities as a result. 

The lasting legacy of Kelowna city councils, city planners and developers will be their collective contribution to Kelowna's “heat island” effect.

For a deep dive on the subject of urban heat island effect, read: The Urban Heat Island: A Guidebook (2021) by Iain D. Stewart and Gerald Mills

— David Buckna, via email 

iN PHOTOS: Why rockhounding in Kamloops rocks

Great article. Interesting and informative. It was nice to see an article that highlighted the Kamloops area. — Mike Margot Waithe, via email

Blackwell Dairy in Kamloops slapped with $15,000 environmental fine

Is this another nail in the coffin of a very needed local industry? Our citizens must show support for Blackwell Dairy by increasing the purchase of its products. Can't the BC government find something better with which to occupy its time? How about a greater focus on cleaning up our streets (rather than targeting a rural landfill) by providing proper immediate treatment for those suffering from addiction? — Tonia Howell, via iNFOnews.ca

iN RESPONSE to Friday, Nov. 29 newsletter editorial

I feel the people that could really use this tax break will miss out. They can't afford to eat out or buy wine or beer. It's great for baby and kids items. Seems not enough of a handout to turn the tide of negativity towards Justin Trudeau. — Debbie Oakland, via email

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I find the whole GST thing annoying. I also noted that the provinces that have it combined in the HST will have it off. What about BC and PST. How is that going to work? Most people have shopped already, and from what I am seeing, they don’t seem to care about waiting to shop. They would have been better to take the tax off hydro or heating. Shop owners are going to lose their minds. I looked at the items on the government site, and it’s going to be impossible for businesses to catch everything. They have created another expense for shop owners, who will then pass the cost of this fiasco onto the consumer. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland must have been on some trip when they thought this scheme up. It will not get them votes. The Conservatives and the Bloc were the only ones with sense to not vote for it. — Linda Dahn, via email

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Thank you for your article. I am a small restaurant owner in Kelowna. Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of his "re gift", I have been noticeably slower. I believe people are now waiting until mid-December to "save" the tax on restaurant outings. This industry is very sensitive and the decline in business is real. We count on a steady flow of customers, new and old, all the time. This is another unplanned and poor move from Trudeau. — Identity removed by request, via email

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Just not worth it. Take the Carbon Tax off and do something to create both jobs and homes, then we’ll talk about the future, and it won’t be with a Liberal government, if my acquaintances have anything to say about it. — Janice Crape, via email

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It is election ploy and going to be very difficult for small businesses to deal with. It is a stupid idea and will cost all taxpayers. The money is not a gift. — Sue McFetridge, via email 

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I agree that it will come in handy for some folks, but unfortunately what the Liberal government is giving with one hand, it will take with the other hand. Also, is this an attempt to capture more votes in the pending Federal election in 2025? — Lawrence Beaton, via email

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My understanding is that the PST in Ontario and BC will also be waived. I may have that wrong.That is going to be a great combined saving as the PST is more than the GST for us in BC. Hope I have this right? — Patti Connolly, via email 

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This is a definite hardship on businesses, having the extra cost to reprogram point of sale to accommodate their inventory. What is to be excluded from GST is going to be an issue, and only for two months. Our Prime Minister and his support staff definitely have their heads in the sand when it comes to running a business. — Ken Ganden, via email

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.

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