I have been following the issue of the prison pursuit with interest.
Although I do not live directly in Lumby at this time, we did at one point. We chose to move to Vernon to raise our son as it had more to offer with club activities as well as opportunities within the school system, recreational activities for adults. Lumby has had school closures as well as mill closures due to the downturn in the economy.
It has been recently noted that the due to the downturn in the economy, people are moving from the Okanagan and for the first time in a long time, there has been a decline in population.
A prison may not be deemed suitable, but it would boost the economy, assist in keeping taxes at a reasonable level, and as noted by the article in the paper from the mayor of the Rocky Mountain community that has a prison, the prison would support the community in a variety of ways. If I could obtain a job within the prison system, I would. The opportunities are overwhelming.
The government pays its employees well. It is sustainable and not likely to close due to a downturn in the economy. It seems no one wants it in their own backyard. Well, I for one would support it, and if more opportunities and programs became abundant in Lumby, I would definitely move back there. It is time to think for the future. You can not sustain a community with nothing. The community will eventually fall apart as more and more people move to sustainable employment and leave behind poverty.
Sandra Wolfer
Vernon
