iN DISCUSSION: Hot takes on cold facts
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 May 26. 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 TimerThat’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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iN PHOTOS: Six stunning waterfalls to see in Kamloops, Okanagan
The falls in Harold Park just west of SalmonArm is spectacular. There’s a trail that gets you to the top of the falls, crosses it then bringing you down the river. — Janice Crape, via email
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Plan for electric passenger train from Osoyoos to Kamloops still alive
I would love to see that train idea take off. We need fewer cars on the road and this is a novel idea that would be good for tourism and locals alike. — Joan R. Pustey, via iNFOnews.ca
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Dispute between Vernon neighbours over tree pruning ends with legal challenge
Wrong, wrong, wrong. Your trees, your responsibility. — Randi Marie Maygard, via iNFOnews.ca
Branches touching buildings and roofs are a documented fire hazard due to our wildfire frequencies. Insurance companies actually outline that in the event of wildfires they will come and remove trees branches etc. that are too close to the building themselves. The neighbour is completely responsible for his branches touching their roof. Shame on him. — Cyndi Lou, via iNFOnews.ca
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Fine issued to North Okanagan driver who caused fatal crash
No fault is completely useless. Tell me that when someone crosses the centreline and hits another vehicle, they aren’t at fault. All this revamp did was make sure victims are being told “oh well” after being injured. ICBC never paid out more than they made. They were never in the red. This is just more greed. My driving record is perfect. Zero accidents. I commute over 50 km a day for work. I’m 63 years old. With no fault insurance, none of that matters. Someone leaves late, drives too fast and hits me, then what?No fault? Young people showing off hits someone. No fault?
More appropriate to call it BS insurance. — MaryAnn Kowalski, via email
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iN RESPONSE to Wednesday’s newsletter editorial on the continuing issues at Kamloops council
Not to give any slack to the rabble rousers in the gallery, but the council needs to set the example of civility and diligence. Not to mention our members in the legislatures, public politics is not inspiring. What to do about it? Personally I would suggest that people have to register to attend a meeting, and if they disrupt the meeting, their name will be published as part of the minutes as being banned from the gallery. A lot of the behaviour is done under the assumption that nothing will happen to them. A mischief charge at most. Public notice of their behaviour and banning would give them second thoughts. — Alex McGilvery, Kamloops, via email
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iN RESPONSE to Monday’s newsletter editorial on public confidence in the justice system
You are so right about our justice system. It needs a major overhaul from the top down. The police can’t do much about the people committing a crime last night and having to release them within 24 hours. There are no consequences for them so why wouldn’t they keep committing crimes? Thank you for your honest comments and I look forward to them every day! — Nel Sarrasin, via email
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Trump says it will cost Canada $61B to join ‘Golden Dome’
Trump is a known pathological liar and criminal. There’s no reason to believe anything he says. — Robert Bishop, iNFOnews.ca
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Number of City of Vernon staff making $100,000 doubled in 5 years
This is why are taxes going up when those people are making that kind of money. Let’s face the facts here guys, taxes aren’t providing anything but more expensive toys for those people. It’s not acceptable. Those jobs aren’t that hard to do. Fire them all, drop the wage and get fresh blood in those positions. — Edward Lee, iNFOnews.ca
How about $0 in expenses? — Shane Plaskett, iNFOnews.ca
Yes, that’s why property taxes are out of this world. They and the new activity/pool development. I for one am sick of the self-serving that the City of Vernon and Coldstream are known for. Basically, they’re robbing the hard workers that employ them. Soon they’ll be scrambling for the last nickel because they out paid themselves. Time to put a halter on this group of ponies. — Natashia Brown, via iNFOnews.ca
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Penticton mayor and newly elected MLA in war of words over homeless encampment
I urge all municipal members in the Okanagan to read the 3 page article in the Sat. May 24th Globe & Mail about Victoria when the local council allowed free drug use and encampments in downtown Victoria over the past few years. I urge all citizens of the Okanagan to read this article about what happens when we turn our backs on the communities we live in and think the people in charge will take care of everything. Be careful who you vote for. Read the quotes from members of Victoria council members. Shocking. We have to be careful in the Okanagan. — Robert Bishop, via iNFOnews.ca
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Union says CFIA staff facing intimidation and threats over planned B.C. ostrich cull
Well if Kennedy thought his opinion was going to make a difference he needs his head examined. This is the man who took his grandchildren swimming in a sewer on Mother’s Day. It’s all about herd immunity. — Bonnie Derry, iNFOnews.ca
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BC lawyer who inadvertently double-dipped for decades reprimanded
What’s the point if there are no consequences? — Brenda V. Wesley
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Okanagan school board latest to take aim at MLA Tara Armstrong
Honestly it’s so heartbreaking to see the traction racism gets in comparison to basic human rights issues. Attempting to strip those who’ve been oppressed and those who deal with that oppression generationally, of aforementioned rights historically, can very quickly turn into emotional and physical wounds. Wounds we as a country should be very mindful of as they are still fresh. Thankfully we understand that education is the only way to combat prejudice. Good on the school district for once again showing understanding and compassion in the face of hatred. — Erica Thomas Schulenburg, via iNFOnews.ca
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Penticton MLA kicked out of budget hearing at legislature has no regrets
I still don’t agree with Amelia’s decision to not finish her council term and stand for the reprehensible BC Conservatives but I admit, she is admirable, and clearly she wants to make a difference, I think she would be a better party leader than the present BC Conservative leader. — Patrick Longworth, via iNFOnews.ca
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Kelowna landlord to pay $27,000 for wrongfully evicting tenants
How dare Jane Li not move her mother in exactly on schedule, clearly she deserves to hand over $27,000 for such a crime. She missed the 6 month window, probably from the stress of dealing with this tenant worshipping circus and now gets to fund someone’s early retirement. In BC, being a landlord means you’re evil, and being a tenant means you’re entitled to cash for doing absolutely nothing. Welcome to the new economy! — Henry Wilson, via iNFOnews.ca
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Area businesses struggle in wake of North Kamloops shelter opening
I think as a resident we’ve been put in second place, and the homeless can do and go wherever they want. My friend’s daughter can’t even play in the backyard because they’re everywhere with propane torches, homemade weapons, and yes lots of needles. I think it’s time we as law abiding resident’s take care of the issue and then maybe someone will listen. — Billy Ginter, via iNFOnews.ca
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BC prison guard bitten by colleague claims incident caused PTSD
I work in healthcare. I think this is so unsupportive and dismissive for the individual on all levels in the system. I’d be fuming with this treatment after an event like that. There’s no excuse for someone to bite their coworker in an exercise in training. Hoping she finds healing and a better workplace in future. — Kristin Fedoruk, via iNFOnews.ca
