This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

I had a chance to go up in a Snowbirds jet once.

I was working in Comox and Canada’s air force aerobatics team was training and allowing media tours. Unfortunately, regulations had just changed and they couldn’t take anyone heavier than 180 pounds and I… was.

We all have special moments with the Snowbirds at events across the country, I imagine. The bond with Kamloops, thankfully, is unique and special and tragic.

Capt. Jenn Casey died in a crash in 2020 after taking a bird strike on takeoff during a cross-country rally for Canadians mired in the pandemic.

There’s a permanent reminder at Fulton Field and that must suffice for now because the team is being grounded.

Canada has deemed the risks of using the 1960s-era tutor jets too great. They are expected to return with a new fleet in “the early 2030s”.

Catch them this summer — only three BC events in August — or you might not see them again.

I’d love to know your thoughts on this development. Should they find a way to continue? Is that worth the risk? The expense? Is this an old fashioned nationalistic notion whose time has passed? Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

iN RESPONSE

iN NUMBERS: Majority in B.C. want higher fines for interfering with emergency vehicles

I live in a condo with a view of 27th St in Vernon. I hear and see emergency vehicles go by at least 3 times a day!! I CANNOT believe how totally ignorant people and drivers are!!! I have seen drivers take left hand turns in front of the ER vehicles, not stopping cuz the other lane is free, people running crosswalks, etc. all because traffic is stopped for the ER vehicles. You bet the fines should be higher!!!

— Sandy Calder via email

iN RESPONSE to Monday’s newsletter opinion-editorial on the grounding of the Snowbirds

It’s unfortunate that the Snowbirds need to wind down their shows. The Tutor aircraft is just too old and we need to see something newer. It is going to be very difficult because the Tutor was a slower aircraft, and for the audiences, it made for easy viewing. I can re-call having the Blue Angels here in Kelowna and they were great, except one aircraft was playing “Catch Up”and broke the sound barrier, which broke the Sears plate glass windows. That was awhile ago when Sears was on the corner of Bernard Ave. and Bertram, the good old days.

— Denis Aubrey via email

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