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 2. 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. As far as we can tell, she has never lived there, never showed her face or said anything in the election campaign where 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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RE: Wednesday June 4 newsletter editorial on Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee

Hi, Marshall.

Like you, I'm convinced that we'll be hearing a lot more from Ms. Boultbee. Unfortunately, I think she's doing it solely to make a name for herself. She thinks she's Marjorie Taylor Greene. I found Ms. Boultbee offensive on the Penticton Facebook page back when she was on council. I watched her bullying people, both in person and on that page. I'm afraid that I don't find her actions, even in regards to the homeless camp on the Channel, laudable. —Kate Alexander, Penticton, via email

I admit, I voted for her for council and was disappointed by things she said or did, that she stepped down to run as an MLA. I think she is showing us how to make a difference in those areas, maybe not the best ways but she is admirable, and I was opposed to her to an extent due to her being a lawyer but then a lawyer will know how laws affect people.  I wish she had completed her term as councillor but then we can blame the NDP for the election timing. I didn't vote for her or the BC Conservatives but I might just vote for her while holding my nose at the smell of the BC Conservative Party and for me that is saying something profound. — Patrick Longworth, Penticton, via email

I love your take on the Penticton MLA. We need more people to speak up against the status quo or else be prepared to get the same results. — Sergei Tashlikowich, via email

You are perfectly correct. I think most people are fed up with our elected official and want someone to show up on our behalf and not rattle off the party line.  — Marti Giroux

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Strawberry dilemma: Buy cheap American or more pricey Okanagan grown

American berries (and produce, dairy, meat) can rot on the shelf - I'll pay more or do without. — Marlene Rusk, via iNFOnews.ca

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BC SPCA calls for regulation after 34 Bengal cats rescued from Vernon breeder

I wonder if these Bengals are from the breeder in Coldstream in Vernon. I had two cats from there before. — Lorraine Stang, via iNFOnews.ca

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Staff shortage means disabled Kamloops student excluded from school activities

Yearly budget cuts can't continue. It has been happening for years and keeps getting worse. Parents will have to unite into a very large group and make themselves heard loudly before this will stop. My son is 18 and on the autism spectrum and we gave up in grade 6 and switched to home schooling because the school system just isn't equipped. A big part of this is funding for a child with autism as the schools don't receive enough to pay or a one-on-one personal assistant so the school has to pony up out of their budget as well and they simply DON'T have the cash. The educational system has to figure this out soon or it will become ugly with arguing, fighting, lawsuits and so on. — Dick Dawson, via iNFOnews.ca

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Kamloops mom ousted from BC legislature for bottle feeding baby

Whomever made the decision needs to be publicly reprimanded, the mother’s name was made public as so should the bureaucrat who made this error. — Mac Gordon, via iNFOnews.ca

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After 30 years in Canada prolific Vernon drunk driver faces deportation

“He has now been sober for nine months...," his sister said in a letter.
"... Gurinder made a commitment to stop drinking over a year ago and he has stayed true to his word," another letter said.
So, he gave a commitment over a year (12 months) ago and has been sober for (only) nine months and that is staying "true to his word?!”
I know that addiction to alcohol is difficult, but what's equally (or maybe difficult) hard is losing a loved one to a drink driver. (I know of what I speak.)
He made the decision to drink and drive, and was cognizant enough of the consequences to try to pin one event on his wife. Too bad. He needs to be sent back after his sentence. We need immigrants - and lots of them, from all over - but productive ones.
Also... he should have taken out Canadian citizenship if he wanted to start here so badly. I know that for Indians that means losing your Indian citizenship, but that's a choice he made, and now he's paying the (very high) price. — John Merzetti, via iNFOnews.ca

Keep in mind that driving after dark, the type of car you drive, and even going just 5 km/h over the limit can draw police attention. Those 33 infractions since 1993 could easily be minor nighttime violations. I know from experience, driving a red car with a hood scoop, I was hit with plenty of questionable tickets. Ask yourself how many times have you gone over the speed limit or had a glass of wine since 1993 and never been ticketed? The fact that he’s a permanent resident is just a technicality. — Henry Wilson, via iNFOnews.ca

Tough love! Sorry for him but he's had opportunity to get his life organized and didn't do it. — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

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TD financial advisor in BC accused of swiping $150,000 of client's cash

This is very sad. I always wonder why you are working for any company and stealing from the same company where get your bread and butter. I am too old to steal. Never did and never will. — Beverley Pinto, iNFOnews.ca

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Shuttered Kelowna distillery loses another appeal over $60K unpaid wages

As a business owner, it is their responsibility to be on top of all day to day routines. Payroll, employee schedules and work delegation are all things I would want to be 100% involved in. I own 2 businesses and I know every angle of what my people are doing and what they are getting paid every month. If you have someone that is putting in the time, you have to pay them, regardless of how involved you are. Times are tough enough as it is, but to short change employees, that is unacceptable. — Lance Wehrhahn, via iNFOnews.ca

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RE: Monday, June 2 newsletter editorial on the, er, passion of sports fans

Hi Marshall, Just had to comment about the outrageous vitriol emanating from people these days when they’re on the computer. Would they have the guts to be so offensive directly to your face? I very much doubt it. These spineless morons hide behind the protection of a computer. Talk about a dangerous weapon! I just don’t understand why anyone would get their knickers in a such a twist just because someone disagrees with what or who they support. It’s only a game — get over it! — Tamara Clarke, Kamloops, via email

Dear Mr. Jones, I loved your editorial today! I go through the same thing verbally, on Facebook or in my blog. In 1957, I was five years old. My family of five each picked a team. No one picked Boston. I picked Detroit Red Wings. Now at that moment they were on top but by the next year they sank to the basement and for most of my life have stayed there. But that was my pick and to this day I am as loyal to them as possible. GO WINGS GO! And if the local BCers give me any grief over this, and boy do they ever, I just ask them: “What rhymes with Canucks? That would be SUCKS!” So much fun! — Helen Price, via email

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Kelowna pub fined after serving 18-year-old in sting operation

It takes a long, long time selling food and rinks to have $7,000 in your pocket for a fine. It takes a really long time. — William Mastop, via iNFOnews.ca

"Waiting for his wife" is a deliberate setup of the pub and is way outside the bounds. What's next, fake beards? — Robert Bishop, via iNFOnews.ca

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Plan for electric passenger train from Osoyoos to Kamloops still alive

What a great idea! I'll be on board, often. Make it happen! The inhabitants will benefit. This project will bring new businesses and many visitors too. — Dorothy Abrav, via iNFOnews.ca

That would be fantastic! — Deborah Podurgiel, via iNFOnews.ca

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BC prison guard bitten by colleague claims incident caused PTSD

I am glad I didn't follow through on advice to become a corrections officer though Walmart, Safeway-Sobeys and Save-on-Foods also have their issues when it comes to workplace violence and bullying. — Patrick Longworth, via iNFOnews.ca

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iN NUMBERS: Ministry gets 'progress report' on Kamloops mayor, state of council

Loving the fart joke count. — Todd Sullivan, via iNFOnews.ca

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