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Live within means

Having recently read the latest edition of the Similkameen Spotlight I am compelled to write and express my shock at the one sided sensationalized journalism displayed therein. Obviously, the concept of balanced reporting is not a concept endorsed by your editorial board.

Dear Editor,

Having recently read the latest edition of the Similkameen Spotlight I am compelled to write and express my shock at the one sided sensationalized journalism displayed therein.  Obviously, the concept of balanced reporting is not a concept endorsed by your editorial board.

The paper contained  many inflammatory statements including inflammatory, inaccurate headlines, opinion  pieces stated as News, inflammatory  quotes from Charles Weber and aquatic committee members with no chance for rebuttal, unsigned hate letters, nasty letters from the community , etc. It is hard to know what to respond to.  Unfortunately, reporting like that serves to divide a community, not make it a better place.

I have been a  member of the area H ‘OCP’ committee that has been working to develop a community plan over the past five years during the terms of two Regional Directors (currently under Brad Hope as director).  I am hoping Charles Weber will retract his statement regarding the timing of the community plan open house and the pool referendum.  It is true that the dates were not changed as per the aquatic committees request but the reason for that is committee members, including myself, want to get the plan we have worked long and hard on finalized before another election.  That discussion happened on email and Charles Weber received those emails.  Brad Hope merely followed committee member requests.

I also signed the petition circulating through the actions of local citizens regarding splitting the vote.    Do you realize that if the vote is not split that permanent resident taxpayers have two votes whereas non permanent residents have only one and yet the money we are being asked to spend is the same.  How is that fair?  Thank you Brad for being a politician willing to stand up for fairness in voting even under tremendous pressure.

The pool/ recreation concept is a great idea-the amount of increase in taxes and the treating each parcel the same is not.  Have the members of the committee realized this is a 300% tax increase for some down to a 20% tax increase for others?   And this increase is permanent-at least 25 years out.

As for the letters saying Brad Hope is an undemocratic politician.  In our area and in my experience on the OCP I have found Brad to be honest, hardworking , supportive and a person who gets things done.  For aquatic committee members to say that they had not heard concerns through May to July when they know that Brad was very ill is despicable and underhanded.

I grew up in Princeton and have been a taxpayer  for over thirty years in area H.  I have been a non permanent resident enjoying recreating at my cabin throughout these years.  I rarely come to the town of Princeton, rarely use any of the services in the community and would never use the pool or other amenities provided by it.  While I admire the fact Princeton is working towards improving facilities for its citizens I think it is important the town of Princeton lives within its means.

Yours truly,

Susan Dixon