Dear Editor:
I have read numerous letters concerning the land swap in Summerland, some for and some against. I am in the against camp, not because the plan as far as the town is concerned is not good, of course it would be easier and less expensive for housing to sprawl over flat land. However, we cannot lose any more fruit growing land.
We have been decimating this industry left and right. On one hand, we are advocating for industry. On the other hand we are bent on destroying a perfectly good industry, which fruit growing has been and still is.
My husband and I live on Blair Street. We own 61/2 acres of land there and the last thing we want to see is houses on that land. We also do not want to see this sprawl in this direction because Jones Flat is the next step. It may be 30 to 50 years from now but take my word, it will come.
Keep housing on the hillside. Yes, it is more costly but in the long run well worth it. After all, farm land was not meant for one or two generations. It has to be kept intact for growing crops in perpetuity.
As far as the swap is concerned, please do not insult my intelligence. That land that is slated to be included in ALR has been fought over to exclude it from ALR on the strength of its worthlessness for growing crops. And now the decision makers are saying it has miraculously transformed itself into land capable of supporting agriculture.
As far as the town stagnating, you can chalk that up to beautiful highways and snappy vehicles. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to Penticton or 45 minutes to Kelowna and huge selections of everything that your heart desires.
Mary Leardo
Summerland
