Though not an immediate citizen of your community, I do spend much time and money in Penticton.
Thank you for the work you do.
It is with deep regret and a great measure of disgust that I read in the Penticton Western News that your council has removed preferred tax status from several groups.
In particular, my concern is for The Salvation Army food bank and thrift stores, since I know little of the others.
For any city council to make life more difficult for a long-time, highly-valued organization that consistently gives out as much as it takes in is appalling.
The most vulnerable in our society often only hang onto life by a thread because of the generous, ongoing, selfless giving of The Salvation Army, both through the food bank and the Army’s many other highly effective services, and there are no high-paid executives.
The Salvation Army is supported largely by the generous volunteer donations of your taxpayers.
Your city government is supported by the taxpayers.
The manner in which a governing agency treats its most vulnerable citizens shouts loudly of the quality of that agency.
Shame!
I beg you, council, to reconsider the repercussions of your recent decision.
Consider if The Salvation Army were no longer present in your community.
Dianne Holland
Okanagan Falls
