Appalled by
ESS transition
Dear Editor
Seven months ago, the City of Penticton celebrated the provincially and federally recognized achievements of Penticton Emergency Support Services.
However, on Nov. 7, we learned that the RDOS would be taking over the management of Penticton ESS. I am deeply appalled by how this transition has been handled, particularly the treatment of our outstanding management team.
They were given minimal notice, no clear explanation, and were swiftly informed that our space at the Bus Barn and Fire Hall would be dismantled, with equipment removed. Over the years, this team has worked tirelessly to build a group of capable and dedicated volunteers, always ready to assist evacuees in times of need.
It was disheartening to hear about the resignations of some members of our management team, who have been the cornerstone of this organizationB次元官网网址 success and the reason volunteering has been such a rewarding experience. They, and all of us, deserve answers.
As of Dec. 4, there has been no response from the City of Penticton.
Valerie Fenn
Penticton ESS Volunteer
Best thing of all, it didn鈥檛 work
Dear Editor:
Well the U.S. election is over and looks like 鈥淭he Orange Man Bad鈥 achieved a full electoral sweep. President Donald J. Trump won, the House, the Senate, the presidency, the popular vote, and all seven Swing States. He beat Kamala Harris by 7 million votes in the popular vote.
Considering he was labeled as the next Hitler by the leftist legacy media and his political opponents, this is indeed, a remarkable feat. The insane liberal democrats have been handed a resounding beat down with their woke-crypto Marxist-Neocon/psychopath gaslighting of America. Americans were finished with being lied to, and voted accordingly. Canada is next. Nature is healing.
Several Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) writers to this paper felt the requirement to notify us of their very own inability to 鈥渞ead the room鈥, and endorsed Harris. Hollywood and media celebrities sold their careers and livelihoods to corporate political interests for millions of dollars and endorsed Harris, the media repeatedly lied showing skewed polls with Harris winning, and got paid for it. All of it, was one big fat propaganda exercise.
Best thing of all? It didn鈥檛 work.
The final piece of the jigsaw was our 鈥済lorious leader鈥 dropping everything on Friday afternoon and no notice, emergency flying down to Mar-a-Lago to kiss TrumpB次元官网网址 ring.
Dan Bitor
Penticton
Willing to give her a chance
Dear Editor
Re: 鈥淏oultbee needs stronger portfolio鈥 by Jean Mitchell (letters, Nov. 30).
I wish to join Jean Mitchell in her call for Amelia Boultbee to be considered, certainly in the near future, for a profile for which she has not just an interest, but knowledge of and experience that she can bring to the role.
The portfolio of Children and Families is indeed important but I have little doubt that she was given that portfolio as much for the fact that she is a woman rather than that she is uniquely qualified for the position. Why not give her the shadow role for legal affairs, she is a lawyer after all and as important as children and families are, we have a hundred-year old law that no government has updated or changed. We need someone determined like Amelia to hold the government to the fire for their failure to change a biased and dangerous law.
John Rustad is formerly of a government that failed to change that law so maybe he intentionally is stonewalling B次元官网网址 citizens in their quest for justice?
I would actually prefer Amelia as premier than a poor leader like John Rustad.
She lost some of my respect while on council, also in her jump to be an MLA especially that she chose to run for the awful Conservatives, however I will give her a chance to show that she has good plans to try and change B次元官网网址 for the better -- unlike Dave Eby or John Rustad.
Patrick Longworth
Penticton
Where our values lie in Penticton
Dear Editor:
A big thank you to Jean Mitchell for presenting a well-balanced and thoughtful request about Amelia BoutlbeeB次元官网网址 portfolio of MCFD critic (letters, Nov. 30).
ItB次元官网网址 refreshing to read the Herald and see nuance while still supporting a partisan viewpoint. This letter strikes the balance that this paper fails to adhere to daily.
However, in the spirit of debate. I must say I wholeheartedly disagree with JeanB次元官网网址 analysis.
Amelia reached out to me to encourage me to run in the 2022 general election. We became good friends and ultimately she was elected to the top of the polls. However, in the weeks and months since I have observed behaviours and actions towards me which are cause for concern.
I鈥檓 a former child care worker and current public servant. The MCFD, its impact, and the crucial role this institution plays in our lives is a passion of mine. I鈥檝e been following this ministry for over a decade.
I would never want Amelia Boutlbee running this ministry or frankly any office space. We are no longer friends, but I will not air dirty laundry. I just want to ensure people understand where I stand.
ItB次元官网网址 good she was given a critic role though, as anyone who follows our MLA on Facebook knows she is a star at complaining about nothing. But sheB次元官网网址 our duly elected MLA. Despite my feelings about that personally, I think Penticton has shown where their values lie as a community.
I鈥檓 committed to continue the fight to upend that notion, one letter and conversation at a time.
Ajeet Brar
Penticton
HereB次元官网网址 definition of word 鈥榖roken鈥
Dear Editor:
In his letter in the Nov. 30 Penticton Herald, David Buckma asks the definition of 鈥榖roken鈥. I can help him with that.
Broken: When a Canadian PM has so many scandals in nine years that thereB次元官网网址 not enough room to list them in a letter (Google it) and Parliament is stalled as Liberals attempt to hide insider corruption in the green slush fund.
Broken: When the middle class is shrinking due to overtaxing, rampant inflation and economic malaise.
Broken: When food bank use is at record levels and homelessness is rampant.
Broken: When the criminal justice system cares more about the rights of criminals than law abiding citizens.
Broken: When to fix the deaths and chaos of the illegal drug crisis, the government legalizes hard drugs, taking away one more deterrent from someone considering taking that path, and even giving out 鈥榮afe supply鈥 drugs.
Broken: When a government divides Canadians based on ethnicity for political gain.
Broken: When a government caves to radicals and woke activists destroying the fabric of our nation. The list goes on forever. Buckma, also accuses Poilievre of politicking with clicheB次元官网网址.
But a cliche鈥 is no longer a cliche鈥 when itB次元官网网址 real. While Poilievre asks Canadians what we鈥檙e feeling, and like a good politician uses that, Trudeau tells Canadians what we鈥檙e feeling. 鈥淚tB次元官网网址 just a vibe.鈥
Andy Richards
Summerland
Canada Post strike gets nasty
Dear Editor:
Once again, due to a failure of the Board of Canada Post and its letter carriers鈥 Union to reach an agreement on the renewal of the carrierB次元官网网址 contract which expired over one year ago, Canadians have had no mail delivery in more than three weeks.
Negotiations between the Crown Corporation and the union have stalled, and Canada Post has apparently laid off some of the striking workers, in violation of the Canadian Labour Code. Given the rate of inflation since the previous contract was implemented, the demands of the union seem reasonable, yet the Corporation will not meet union demands.
Apart from the disruption to individuals, wanting to mail out cheques in payment of their bills or Christmas greetings, many businesses are suffering considerable damage.
Many are unable to get supplies which they require or must pay significantly more to use private carriers. This results in increased expenses which could mean that the business has to close, leaving its employees out of work.
The latest travesty is that the Corporation has cancelled medical benefits of carriers and it is reported that one carrier recently had recurrence of cancer which had in 2022 and now that benefits have been cancelled, has daily expense of $2,000 for medications.
This is outrageous, and should be addressed immediately, with those who have already paid for medications being refunded the entire amount. If necessary, the government must order the corporation to make amends to its employees.
Further, and assuming that the CEO and the board leave much of the day-to-day operation with Canada Post bureaucrats, whoever made the decision that benefits would be terminated should be given the required notice of termination of employment and let go.
In my opinion, one reason why losses are occurring is the sale of 鈥淧鈥 stamps, introduced in 2006, when domestic mailing cost was 51 cents.
Today, if someone had those stamps, they could use them, even though the current domestic rate is twice that.
I know of no other jurisdiction where permanent stamps are used. Perhaps itB次元官网网址 time they were discontinued.
Robert Mason
Summerland
Look to Europe for trade deals
Dear Editor
LetB次元官网网址 not sweat Donald TrumpB次元官网网址 threatened tariffs, itB次元官网网址 just another Trump ploy to scare us.
What he intends is likely a 10-12% tariff so heB次元官网网址 giving himself negotiating room. Regardless, even if he applies a lesser tariff, we should immediately cancel deals with U.S. companies and start dealing with Europe.
Maybe a bit more expensive but offset by not paying his bullying tax, and mostly better quality and service.
Michael Holt
Victoria