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This is where cold facts yield to the hottest of takes.

Here you'll find reader responses to stories and newsletter editorials, or letters to the editor for the week of June 30. They may have been edited slightly for readability. The opinions expressed are not those of iNFOnews.ca, unless we occasionally add our own style, like this:

Countdown Timer

That's our official Recall Tara Armstrong Countdown Clock!

Tara Armstrong is currently the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. She rode the coattails of the BC Conservative Party, got elected, then rejected and left the party to serve as an Independent because the Conservatives were too left wing. Now she gets to spout moronic, hateful rhetoric and claim that her riding supports her.

Elections BC says you can recall an MLA if 40% of eligible voters in the riding sign a recall petition — but not for the first 18 months after an election. Some people started an online petition calling for a byelection once she made a shift to Independent, but it won't mean anything until the countdown clock hits zero.

So let the countdown begin!

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

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iN PHOTOS: Six delicious berries growing in Okanagan, Kamloops

You probably already know this but just in case, there are also huckleberries, salmonberries, loganberries, and thimbleberries. 
My childhood was ripe with feasting on these delicious berries. 

Thanks for your article!

— Diane Courneyeur, via email

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RE: Friday, July 4 newsletter editorial on 'tipflation'

In my opinion, tips are a weird societal flaw. Everything about them feels outdated, unfair, and/or awkward. Customers aren't expected to tip a business's employees, other than in restaurants, spa-type businesses, and very few others. The garage doesn't expect me to tip their mechanics, nor should they, as they are paid by their employers, which makes sense. This is the case with almost all North American businesses.

Although I do tip based on quality-of-service, while doing so I often wonder why I'm paying for both my product and/or service AND also expected to subsidize the servers, cooks, bartenders, manicurists, etc on top of that, simply because these business owners do not pay their workers adequately. Additionally, if the owners work on-site, they also expect to be tipped, no matter how well their venture is doing financially.
 
Wouldn't it make more sense and be fairer for all employers to pay their employees well and leave patrons to pay only for the service or product they've received?

— Karen Klein, Kamloops, via email

I'm at the point where I will not tip anyone for anything anymore. People and society have got to the place where it's believed to be their right to expect to be 'paid' by customers for doing what they are already paid to do. I'm already paying for my purchase once, I'm not going to pay twice anymore. Service providers don't seem to provide very good service with regard to respect, dignity or good grace as in the past. Why should I pay twice for it?
Just my personal opinion.

— Nancydawn Ashberry, via email

What’s the deal with the billboards next to the bridge in West Kelowna?

I remember thinking how ugly the billboards were when I first came to Kelowna, now 9 years later I’ve grown used to them. They are an eyesore and have never prompted me to contact any of those advertising on them. Do they actually work for advertising?

— Therese Smortchevsky, via email

Ugly as hell.

— Mike Geddes, via iNFOnews.ca

My suggestion is that advertisers boycott the business which advertise with Jimmy Pattison, who surely doesn't need yet more money. If those companies who advertise lost business and continued to have to pay him close to $1,500 a month, they'd surely cancel their contracts. Hopefully no more advertising. And, of course, the Province doesn't have jurisdiction over Indian Band or locatee owned lands - another bee in my bonnet. They are undoubtedly a distraction for drivers, and especially those which have illuminated signs which periodically change to reflect a different advertiser. Same applies on Okanagan Indian Band lands between Summerland and Penticton - that band is getting rich from Pattison and his ilk.

— Bob Mason, Summerland, via iNFOnews.ca

Those billboards are a disgrace to our beautiful land. I do not know who owns them but they should be ashamed of themselves. They have no respect for our province and its beauty. We have them between Salmon Arm and Vernon too.
It is so gross what lazy lengths people will go through to rake in money. Not to mention the religious and political ones are offensive. Why do we need that ruining a beautiful drive?
I wish we could ban the things. We have enough ads everywhere else!

— Carol Greene, via iNFOnews.ca

I remember the controversy about the Squamish Nation putting up billboards on the Burrard Street bridge but not sure if anything happened. Also a big to-do about the highrise they were going to build under the bridge which I don't think has happened (yet). After all it is their land, the little bit the government gives them, considering all the land belongs to them.

— Devon Johnstone, via iNFOnews.ca

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Vernon woman dies in family fight; suspect arrested

I can imagine how disturbing this would have been for the senior residents in the other units in this seniors' housing. I do hope the police or city has made provision for counselling for the elder neighbours who might want to receive counselling and true assurance that they are safe. This must have been terrifying for vulnerable senior residents who heard the fighting and the resultant assault that ended up in death of one of their neighbours. — Cynthia Rempel Zirkwitz, via iNFOnews.ca

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Eyewitness account tells story of crew trapped by devastating 2023 Shuswap wildfire

Wow, for those on the ground that must have been intense beyond words.

— William Mastop, via iNFOnews.ca

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'Lived on love': Couple called Penticton encampment home for a year

So they kick them out, not giving them a place to go or housing, so that the more fortunate don't have to see them.

— Laural Harris Eacott, via iNFOnews.ca

It is sad to see people either good or bad living like this. Where is the support from our government? They do not care because it has never been their head hitting the pillow outside on the ground. We say we are a compassionate country.

— Terry-Lynne Schlosser, via iNFOnews.ca

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Kamloops mom gets new lease on life with controversial weight loss drug

Congratulations to Brandie Bugg on her huge weight loss success with Ozempic! You must feel so much healthier and happier.
Ignore the haters. Whatever it takes, right?

— Karen Klein, Kamloops, via email

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'Expensive umbrella': Musicians disappointed with new $1.6M stage in Kelowna's city park

Figures. Look at our vandalized $800,000 public washroom in city park. It's a disgrace. Kelowna has so much to apologize for.

— Alexander Friedman, via iNFOnews.ca

I'll play there. Just gotta remember my shades.

— John Richards, via iNFOnews.ca

As someone who played for years professionally I can tell you NOT having a place not seen to "get ready" really sucks. Not one person designing this asked one person who plays live. Not to mention looking into the sunset hahaha.

— Dick Dawson, via iNFOnews.ca

I'm very disappointed in Anna Jacyszyn's comments about city workers. She doesn't like the new stage at Waterfront Park and because of that, she assumes a city worker made money, a kickback, off the structure. I agree there should be dressing rooms and other amenities for musicians and actors but, money is not always available for 'the very best'. Deal with it, Anna. We'll still come down to enjoy our town and what it has to offer.

— Janis Joanne Thompson, via iNFOnews.ca

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Kelowna curling club fights $7,000 fine after serving beer to undercover teen

It’s a sad, sad world we live in. Government control that feeds their greedy hands. $7,000 fine for serving a beer to young adult!

— Terri Carter, via iNFOnews.ca

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Canada cancelled its digital services tax. What was it and why did the U.S. hate it?

I wondered a couple of weeks ago if this tax was left "active" on purpose. Part of Prime Minister Carney's plan to use it as a negotiating tool. OK, we'll drop it as a good will gesture, now back to negotiations. — Wendy Tuttle, via iNFOnews.ca

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Amid calls for separation, Alberta's new referendum rules set to formally take effect

Well then, maybe it does need to backfire on her government.

— Deborah Podurgiel, via iNFOnews.ca

Good luck. Just how does a landlocked province expect to export or import anything without paying duties and taxes as everything they use passes a foreign border? Oh and no more federal money for anything people. Guess Danielle will get her wish, enjoy being the 51st state.

— Dianne Jackson, 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.

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