I have been coming to Penticton from Burnaby since the early 1970s to water ski at the beach in front of the airport.
It was a friendly area to gather and a busy beach. In the last few years it has become a disgrace and eye sore to
Penticton. The beach is not kept clean and last year the washrooms were not even in operation. I have been informed by staff at the City of Penticton that the Penticton Indian Band prevents the city from looking after the beach and from my observation does nothing about cleaning the beach. The garbage is not picked up and one third of the beach is being over run by weeds and now has to be fenced off due to silt build up that could be removed by dredging. The entry to the city is being turned into a slum area because no one in the PIB is prepared to take the initiative to clean the beach. I understand that the weeds along the road on both sides are in the RDOS control and I shall contact them.
First Nations have complained about being poorly treated and not getting respect, but it is hard to be respectful when they allow situations that they should look after to deteriorate and reflect on the rest of the city residents. The land beside the canal use to have camping etc. and now it is also allowed to be an unattractive entry to the city.
It is time that the PIB Chief Kruger, joined with the City and took some direction and interest in the city. I was taught that respect has to be earned and cannot be demanded and at present the PIB is not earning respect.
John Soutter
Burnaby
