The teachers of Okanagan Skaha congratulate the graduating students of 2009. They must be commended for their diligence and energy, their commitment to their schools, and their contributions to our communities.

We wish them well in the future, be it entering the workforce, going on to post-secondary training in vocational or trades programs, or heading on to a university to continue their academic studies. There are many challenges they will have to face and they will be confronting the challenges of an increasingly complex world.

However, we can be confident that these young citizens have the knowledge, the creativity, the inventiveness, the skills, the talents and the optimism to bring about constructive and positive change that will allow the global community to continue to develop, grow and achieve the values of peace, harmony and prosperity. This is the gift they will give the world and these young men and women are the gift that our public education system in Okanagan Skaha and around our province give to us.

We would also like to congratulate all students and their parents for another year of successful endeavour. Each and every student has progressed, to the best of their ability, and benefited from the experiences, learning and care provided by their teachers and their parents. As a community, we must never forget or neglect to value, support, encourage and praise our children and youth as they learn to make our world a better place as a result of their enthusiasm, energy, curiosity and sense of adventure.

As summer arrives I would encourage families to take the time to be together, to enjoy the fellowship of family in play, in recreation and in sharing the duties and responsibilities of home and family. It is important that we nurture and instill the value of family in our children and grandchildren by valuing the time that we can spend together.

In closing I would encourage everyone when they happen to meet a teacher to take a moment to thank them for their dedication, commitment and hard work in helping to prepare our young people for the future. The teachers of Okanagan Skaha wish one and all a very happy, safe, family-oriented summer.

Terry Green, president

Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union

Fundraisers shut out

For years, Wal-Mart and McDonald’s at their location 120 Green Ave. have provided a wonderful service to the community of Penticton. That smell of onions when you walk out the doors where you have the opportunity to donate to a charity cause or continue on your way.

The recent enforcement of a contract by the new owner of the McDonald’s in town has caused several community groups to be sent elsewhere for a venue to host hot dog fundraisers after many years of support. I personally find it unsettling how a business owner who’s new in town thinks that during a recession, the reason for his sales being lower than the previous year are due to the culprit of the local fundraising groups, who’ve been here through all the ups and downs. I can speak personally from retail experience and I know that sales are down across the country in general and I can say I strongly assume that sales have not gone up substantially at our local Wal-Mart since the new enforcement of no-outside group hot-dog sales.

I would think that a manager of a restaurant which has staff comprised more than 50 per cent of employees under 19 would support youth community groups and their fundraising ventures. Unfortunately, I do not think so. The silence to the public proves that the business answer is to hope their decision simply goes unnoticed, but talk behind closed doors is great, believe me.

If there are any ideas from community members for these fundraising groups (which mostly are comprised of children) as to how they can make up the funds, I urge you to write to the paper or perhaps give some suggestions to McDonald’s management so they can give these groups somewhere to go after they’ve been kicked out. And for our local McDonald’s manager, I urge you to go with your heart on this one. Community is really the only thing that you can always count on when the economy isn’t going your way. We can forgive and forget, but right now you’ve left a lot of us in the cold and we won’t forget out here.

From a concerned community member and the proud organizer of Princess Margaret’s Hands on Help Campaign.

Brandon Chapman

Penticton

Hospital care appreciated

Re: The letter “There in time of need” in the June 17 Penticton Western News.

It’s very pleasant to read a letter of acknowledgement and thanks written on behalf of medical personnel for a change instead of complaints and verbal abuse. My family, friends and I applaud you, Marlene Critch. I too, would like to give these people a standing ovation and a big thank you.

I had to go to the emergency ward in Penticton Regional Hospital a little while ago, not by ambulance, but by car. I was taken in for tests right away. The medical technicians, the nurses and the doctor who looked after me were wonderful, cheerful and kind.

Instead of complaining about the great service they carry out, we should all be appreciative that they are there for us.

Thank you to the wonderful staff and doctors of Penticton Regional Hospital.

Kathleen Carrier

Summerland

Game on

Kelly David is right when saying the infrastructure left behind after the Olympic Games will benefit generations.

Yes, Calgary was one Olympic venue — then there was the other thing in Montreal that left generations paying through the nose.

Yes Kelly, people can have all the infrastructure they like if you’re willing to pay for it over and over again, with the Coquihalla Highway a prime example and the new Golden Ears Bridge soon singing how the bull tolls.

Kelly, do remember what P.T. Barnum said, something about a sucker being born every minute. As for the bet, I take my coffee black, please, and at the price charged at the Olympic Games of future pain, where politicians and company go free and the rest pay an exorbitant fee.

Tom Isherwood

Olalla