I am writing this open letter to Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff to express my concern for the marginalized people of Penticton. I am requesting your assistance in helping them. I am a member of a not-for-profit organization which receives gaming funds to help the socially wounded people of Penticton.

The Knights of Columbus organization with which I am affiliated receives gaming funds from the government which we disseminate to needy people. We have assisted with health and dental bills, and provided food for people who could not afford their next meal. We have assisted with bursaries for students to further their education, paid bills for families who have found themselves in dire circumstances, and helped people with drug and alcohol problems.

Before the last provincial election we were instructed by the B.C. government gaming commission to apply for a three-year licence. However, we received a one-year extension and given notice we would be advised regarding the following two years. To date, we have heard nothing.

If the provincial government discontinues the provision of gaming funds, the impact upon the needy people of Penticton will be dramatic and serious. It is laudable Penticton city council reversed its decision to tax non-profit organizations. This might be seen as a manifestation of divine intervention, maybe not, but it was a sound decision anyway. You have functioned respectably assisting and supporting with building the sporting and recreational complexes in Penticton. But the people who have fallen through the social cracks also need your assistance. They are still your constituents and need your support.

If funds from gaming discontinue to be provided to service clubs in Penticton to assist those in need, someone will have to pick up the pieces. Usually the people whom service clubs assist, gravitate to and seek government services when in need. If the game plan is to save money, I do not need to remind you that the wages and benefits paid to government workers who will be expected to step in, far exceed the funds you provide service clubs.

I sincerely hope you can use your vast influence to make sure that non-profit organizations in Penticton continue to receive gaming funds. I would appreciate a response to this letter.

Jim Calvert

Penticton

Letter over the line

I refer to the letter from Randy Manuel in the Western News of Oct. 21, “Let them play tennis.” A little research by the writer would have been beneficial and allowed him to present a more realistic and balanced point of view.

As a former city councilor he must surely be aware that a soccer field, two ball diamonds and the coverall indoor tennis facility were displaced to make room for the SOEC. Nearly $18 million was allocated for relocating and upgrading the soccer and ball fields but the indoor tennis courts are still “on the drawing board.”

Mr Manuel’s estimate of a cost of $250,000 is probably wildly inaccurate and his assertion that it would serve only a few members of a club is ridiculous. The indoor tennis courts, like the pool and the gym etc., were available to all for healthy exercise during the winter months. The promised relocation is long overdue.

Finally, Mr Manuel, some tennis players may appear to be well-heeled because the activity causes the toes of their tennis shoes to wear out more quickly.

Maurice Ogden

Penticton

Appreciation in store

The directors and staff of the Care Closet Thrift Store, at 574 Main St., would like to thank the volunteers and patrons for their ongoing support and generous donations. The profits from the Care Closet are equally divided between the SOS Medical Foundation, the Auxiliary to PRH, and the Penticton and District Hospice Society. Last year, we donated a total of $69,000 to these charities.

We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and welcome your donations of gently used clothing, books, jewelry, collectables, craft items, small furniture items, household appliances, kitchenware, linens and materials. Due to lack of space, we cannot accept large pieces of furniture, computers, large TVs and skis.

Volunteers are always needed, so if you have four hours a week to spare, please drop by and talk to Alison or Kola, our supervisors, and fill out a resume. We would appreciate your contribution to the staff of dedicated volunteers. Without the volunteers and generous donations from the community, we would not be able to offer our services.

Thanks again, and drop by and see our store, and check out our ongoing silent auction. There is always something for everyone.

Patti Skinner, on behalf of the Care Closet

Penticton

Visual pollution

In a recent letter to the Western News (Oct. 16), Sheldon Hansen correctly refers to Penticton as a “small city in a natural jewel setting.”

Penticton is a tourist centre and one of the main reasons our visitors come is the beautiful setting. For this reason I find it strange that city officials permit the visual pollution which faces visitors entering on Highway 97 from either direction. I refer to the unsightly collections of advertisements.

This untidy mess of advertisements is not appropriate for a city which aims to attract visitors to enjoy our natural beauty. Not only are these hoardings ugly, they serve no useful purpose unless they are read.

People who are simply driving through are unlikely to attempt to read a large number of advertisements situated at a very sharp bend in the highway. Visitors who are staying will find plenty of information and advertisements in the city and those of us fortunate enough to live here, already know where to find the services we need.

Advertising may be an important part of modern life but it should not be done in such an ugly fashion on our highways at the expense of the scenic beauty which attracts our tourists here in the first place.

Ralph Keeler

Penticton

A healthy debate

Silly me — here I thought that one had to produce a resume and proof of qualifications and experience to hold jobs of power?

After watching rookie Health Minister Kevin Falcon blow somebody else’s horn on topics of health care, I give up. The man looks and acts like a fish out of water and I can only hope Doctor Kevin has to go through something like the 40-year-old fireman stroke victim and all those people that rely on handy darts who have to suffer more due to Falcon cutbacks.

Where are we the people, who united, can stop this Liberal wheel of doom and gloom from spinning once and for all? One loud voice shouting out in the world’s biggest protest (we’ve had enough of this regime of incompetents and portfolio misfits). But that ain’t gonna happen and they know it.

Tom Isherwood

Olalla