This “new prison” issue, with its panoply of opinions, makes for some pretty interesting reading. Lumby’s mayor wants it; some (very vocal) Lumbyites don’t. Penticton wants it and Lumby Chamber of Commerce sees a potential battle with that city. Enderby has said “no thanks” but “good on you, Lumby; we’re behind you 100 per cent”.
The province’s chosen site, in Lake Country, was abandoned after strong opposition from the Okanagan Indian Band and Lake Country council itself.
Many on the “no” side have voiced concerns about the increase in the “criminal element” – an article in The Vancouver Sun (speaks about exactly that.
The article states that when a prisoner is placed on “day parole”, it is in a “halfway house” situated in the the community nearest the prison. When that prisoner is released on “full parole” it is natural for him or her to gravitate towards the safety of that same “house”, using it as a base to look for work, further their education, re-integrate into society. The figures in The Sun article show that the heaviest concentrations of parolees are to be found in the cities in which the prisons are located.
The question that Lumby (or any would-be provincial prison host) needs to ask themselves is this: Are there economic advantages to increasing the population with parolees and, if there are, are they in any way outweighed by the potential in increased crime? I’m straddling the fence perfectly on this one, but I seem to recall Vernon being subjected to some pretty unpleasant actions carried out by recent parolees.
It behooves Lumby council to get all the facts and all the input it possibly can before committing its citizens to many, many years of a potentially unpleasant and dangerous situation – I doubt if they build prisons for the short term.
Mark Levey
PRISON CONSIDERATION
I have been listening to the yea and nay people for several months now and I simply want to offer an observation regarding living in a community co-existing with a prison.
I lived very near Wilkinson Road Prison (“Wilkie”) in Victoria for 35 years. I know of absolutely no negative impact to the area. The prison was in the middle of our community and we drove by it every day. It is far more visible than the proposed facility in Lumby. I know people who have good careers there. Our property values were unaffected and the area is a desirable middle to upper middle class neighbourhood with schools, churches and the Interurban campus of Camosun College.
I feel that this opportunity is ours to lose and I would hate to see that happen because of what I feel could be unfounded fears or some underlying snob effect.
Don Nelson
WATER FAIRNESS
I read with interest the letter submitted by Jim Bodkin who articulates very well the issue at hand with the proposed increase in water rates by municipal officials. I wish to add my voice to this discussion.
Through the newspaper and television coverage, I’m learning about proposed increases in water rates in Vernon, as in other areas of the Okanagan.
Firstly, let me say that I am willing to pay an equitable price for the water I use.
Secondly, I strongly support water ‘appreciation’ policies, that is, retrieval, proper use and re-use of water.
Thirdly, I do not buy the over-used refrain of ‘adding to the burden of future generations’ as justification for front-loading the long-term costing of any utility. This generation should not have to pay for the entire cost of any public utility, roadway, etc.
As such, I want mayor and council to:
– determine the amortization period for our water utilities (treatment, infrastructure, etc.) and charge a fair/equitable measure for each year through that period;
– use the meters that are in place to charge users for what they use (not only is this equitable…it preserves the principle of water conservation and fosters an appreciation or respect for water in general). Why should someone who, through their initiative or reclamation efforts, uses only 15 cubic metres of water be penalized by being charged the same rate as someone who uses more water and/or does not practise such conservation methods?
It also continues to puzzle me why Vernon has water restrictions imposed when Kelowna (south and warmer) does not. I hope our mayor and council take some initiative through whatever body, to develop a more coherent, coordinated and equitable water appreciation policy for the entire Okanagan, upon which each municipality can then configure any needed address of unique local issues.
I hope other citizens of Vernon and the surrounding area will add their voices to this discussion in the hopes that we send a loud and clear message to ensure water utility fairness for all.
V. A. Liske
