Currently browsing Letters to the Editor
Can’t trust government
Dear Editor:
Nowadays, we rarely bump into government politicians who aren’t feeling high principles, who make the depressing pretense of sincerity. As we look closer, it is clearly a resemblance that holds up only from the distance. As an outward show, they may agree to go along with the people, but they haven’t the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice. Artless deception seems to serve the ruling power-brokers better than honesty.
Unfortunately, many elected officials are politicians whose long exposure to the legislature has warped their respectability, and with whom …
We need to create gross local happiness
Dear Editor:
The term gross national happiness was coined in 1972 by Bhutan’s then King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. I believe we could learn from Bhutan and create our own gross local happiness to try improve the economic and social wellness in the Columbia Valley.
With the elections coming and unfortunately some positions taken unopposed, there needs to be a change. Those elected need to hear the voice of the people; not just before the election, but after they win their seats. How close are these candidates to the valley population’s wants and …
Resident’s picks for council
Dear Editor:
Quite a few people attended the all candidates forum at the high school on Monday, November 7th, to see for themselves these brave souls vying for a position on council. In attending I was able to justify my picks by watching the candidates in action. Here are my choices:
Mayor: Gerry Taft. His motives are not selfish, he is honest, a good listener, not afraid to make hard decisions, and he has successfully been mayor through difficult economic times. His biggest accomplishment is negotiating the reopening of the helipad at …
It’s time to get involved in the future of your town
Dear Editor:
Congratulations to all of the candidates who have let their names stand for the upcoming elections. You have a conviction that many of us only talk about, complain about, but do not let our own names stand for a variety of reasons, some even valid.
To those who are successful in their bid to represent the community, especially in the District of Invermere, I hope that you are ready to earn the new salaries just approved on your behalf. In the past all we have heard was “we’ll talk to …
Don’t trust the global warming farce
Dear Editor:
The leader of Germany and other politicians have decided the temperature of the planet will not be allowed to rise any more than two degrees — like they can control the weather! They will accomplish this by taking the living daylights out of their citizens.
This kind of reminds me of King Kanut of Saxony, who thought he ruled by divine providence and so took his throne down to the seashore and commanded the tide not to come in. It did not work out too well for him!
The Premier of …
Jumbo is not the only local issue
Dear Editor:
To the Invermere election candidates: thank you for the commitment you have made to our town by running in the election. By now, I am sure you have all been asked for your opinion on the Jumbo Glacier Resort. Before you place too much focus on this question, please be aware that I, as a voter, am not interested in hearing your opinion on the resort.
I believe you are as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. However, I also believe this question has no place …
Watersports Association clarifies objectives
Dear Editor:
I would like to thank Ms. Campbell for her letter in The Pioneer on October 28th and for the opportunity to better clarify the objectives of The Lake Windermere Watersports Association (LWWA).
In her letter, Ms. Campbell mentioned that the “lack of engagement (by second homeowners) can only be due to the failure of responsible participation … over the past several years.” I could not agree more.
I had the opportunity to attend my first Lake Windermere Management Committee (LWMC) meeting recently and one of the board members, a long-time …
The province’s tax system works
Dear Editor:
Norm Macdonald and the New Democratic Party continue to try and fool people into believing that the tax system in B.C. is not fair, which clearly shows that neither he nor his party have any understanding of the tax facts achieved by the BC Liberals in this province, and furthermore demonstrates a disturbing and growing trend on his part to omit the truth in his rhetoric.
Since forming government, the BC Liberal policy has been clear. We believe in putting money where it belongs — back in people’s pockets — …
Welcome news about Lot 4616
Dear Editor:
I would like to congratulate Invermere’s Mayor, Gerry Taft, and council on their persistence on Lot 4616. Thanks to their hard work, it looks as though one year from now, Invermere will have a very large park within our boundaries.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to protect our public lands for all to enjoy. My hope is that future councils will continue to represent this community in the same manner.
Although developing the land may have provided short term gain for some individuals, protection of this …
The unspoken truth about Smart Meters
Dear Editor:
Here is what Christy Clark and the media haven’t told you about Smart Meters. Gordon Campbell campaigned that he would not privatize BC Hydro, but a few months after taking power in 2001, he split departments of BC Hydro into separate companies — these he began privatizing.
Billing, human resources, office management, payroll, purchasing and IT, along with 1600 employees, were “outsourced” to a newly-created company under the parent Accenture. Accenture is a US “global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company.”
They peddle Smart Grid Solutions. Accenture has headquarters …
Why give the deer free rein?
Dear Editor:
I was having a coffee with my friend Depacp, a gentleman of East Indian origin, and we got to talking about different beliefs and customs of people around the world.
When we got to the holy cows of India, he explained to me how some people believe these cows are sacred and they are allowed to go wherever they want in the towns and villages.
These animals can do whatever they want, without fear of being harmed because some people consider them to be holy or a reincarnation of …
Thanks for supporting our cross country team!
Dear Editor:
The DTSS Cross-Country Running Team would like to thank all the people who came out to support us with the Swansea Scramble Fundraiser on Saturday, October 15th.
We were very surprised at the turnout of hikers, bikers and runners. There was a total of 42 people who participated in all three of these events.
The idea of the Scramble came from one of our coaches Jakub Sumbera, who is continuously pushing us to our best. This fundraiser was a great success, raising over $670 to go towards uniforms and …
Vote result is a letdown
Dear Editor:
The October 7th decision of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) against supporting a Lake Windermere Management Plan open house in Calgary was disappointing to the Lake Windermere Watersports Association. Although the information from the open houses is now more complete and up-to-date online, the lack of engagement with lakefront property owners and avid boaters from Calgary has been identified as a problem since the original workshops in 2009.
Representatives from the RDEK, working in conjunction with the Lake Windermere Management Plan, have always maintained that the notice …
Relationship is a healthy one
Dear Editor:
Regarding the article from the September 23rd edition about the approved Lake Windermere Management Plan, and some residents’ concerns:
The group quoted was the Lake Windermere Watersports Association. I wonder how many of the members of this new organization have worked over the past five years toward the improvement of the lake? This planning and research, with published results, is now recognized internationally as an exceptional and valuable piece of research.
Cheryl Willard, who is a member of the Lake Windermere Watersports Association, said she could not sit upon the …
Former resident speaks out against homophobia
Dear Editor:
Despite having moved to the distant city of Victoria, I still care about the little town I grew up in. David Thompson Secondary School is the place where my love of writing was discovered and developed. It was an environment of safe experimentation that allowed me to grow as a writer. With the confidence I gained from my teachers and classmates, I have been pursuing a writing degree with a minor in journalism. Lamentably, my experience is not standard.
I think everybody can conjure up a moment where they felt …
Salmon festival united community
Dear Editor:
The Columbia Salmon Festival last Saturday brought together the community, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, from near and far. The Shushwap and Ktunaxa Elders spoke clearly of our imperative to respect water, nature and each other. Their wisdom comes from a long history of living close to the land — and of losing out.
While many people have unquestionably benefitted from the hydroelectric power and irrigation created by the completion of the Grand Coulee Dam 70 years ago, the salmon fishery that had existed for at least 10,000 years and …
Autonomous or not?
Dear Editor:
With regard to Mr. Christy’s letter of September 30th, 2011, I would like to bring forward the following information:
Mr. Christy mentions that the Lake Windermere Ambassadors are “autonomous.” The definition of autonomous is “self-governing” or “undertaken or carried on without outside control.” As mentioned the Lake Windermere Ambassadors have signed an agency agreement (provided to me by the Ambassadors) in which it is stated that Wildsight “Shall have and maintain full and complete direction, control and supervision over the application of all the charity’s funds.”
In this case …
Wings wants your input
Dear Editor:
The Wings Over the Rockies Festival, which celebrated its 15th anniversary this May, provides participants with a week filled with birding and nature trips, walking, paddling, kayaking, animal observation, cycling, photography, and more.
Wings Over the Rockies is conducting an online survey to help plan for next year’s festival. If you are a past participant, please fill out this short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/FBXVLCW. The survey ends on October 15th.
We also encourage those interested in Wings Over the Rockies Festival to attend our AGM in November/December. Watch for details in the …
Resident questions democratic process at work
Dear Editor:
The Lake Windermere Management Plan open house offered a good first review of what government is moving towards, as a result of many months of public input. I came away with the thought it is not a bad start except in one area — the Lake Windermere Management Committee.
The Regional District of East Kootenay and the District of Invermere have decided for the first five years of the plan to allow one group act as the sole committee — the Lake Windermere Ambassadors Society. I bear no malice towards …
Lake Ambassadors are autonomous
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your article on the Lake Windermere Management Plan and water surface zoning. However, there are some inaccuracies about the Lake Windermere Ambassadors that I would like to correct.
The Lake Windermere Ambassadors were formed in 2009, not 2005, and were formed by a diverse group of citizens concerned about the lake, not through Wildsight. Also, the statement, “The Ambassadors have applied for non-charitable status to become an autonomous entity,” is confusing and incorrect. While we have recently started the process to achieve our own charitable status, the …