Letters

Dear editor,

My name is Lesley Tarasoff and I grew up in the Slocan Valley, BC but now I live in Toronto, ON. This weekend, as you are aware, the G8 and G20 summits took place in Huntsville and Toronto. I am sure you saw the mainstream media's interpretation of the summits and what was happening on the streets. However, a lot was not reported and needs to be made public.

Dear Editor,

I'm writing in light of concerns expressed in Kootenay Boundary communities about the future of the Critical Care Transport Team. I know there was interest when our President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Halpenny spoke about our strategic direction for transportation at the recent West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District Board meeting.

Interior Health Authority (IH) has made addressing challenges in patient transportation across the health authority a top priority and doing so is vital in a rural-remote health authority like ours.

Dear Editor;

I am sure you have heard that the School Board has voted to begin the process for the possible closure of Beaverdell Elementary.

Most of the parents that I have spoken with, in both the east and west end of the district, believe that keeping the elementary school open in Beaverdell is extremely important for both the families and community.

Please talk to the parents at your school and ask them if they have an opinion, and let the school board know by email, telephoning or writing.

The Chamber of Commerce of the City of Grand Forks, the largest chamber group in the Boundary region, was first off the mark to agree to look at how the Boundary region businesses could create a region-wide chamber. The third meeting of the regional groups and local government representatives, hosted by the Boundary Economic Development Committee (BEDC) in Greenwood last Thursday, Apr. 1, to discuss moving forward with amalgamation saw an agreement between the area’s business organizations to take the next step.

Aquilini Renewable Energy failed to meet the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary’s (RDKB) deadline for the company’s Christina Lake rezoning application. Although they submitted a feeble “technical report” at the last minute, Aquilini did not follow the RDKB’s directive to meet with the community by Mar. 11.

To the residents of the Kootenay Boundary;

There has been significant attention around the changes Interior Health is making to the Operating Room at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. These changes are going forward next month and will ensure Interior Health is equitably distributing the resources available in the Kootenay Boundary for the range of core services provided.

The huge issue of school closures (Beaverdell and Midway Elementary schools) is facing the people of the West Boundary. The Board does have some valid points supporting these closures; school populations are declining as are the funds required to support the local schools. However, there are other funding sources available; meaningful financial assistance to support the continued operation of these and other schools throughout BC should be forthcoming from the Provincial Government and/or Federal Governments.

People have been asking “Why the Boundary Education Alliance?” They are wondering what the need is for this group to form and exist. To help answer this question we want to invite you to look through the window of what we observed in one specific example.

As a parent (boys gr 1 and 4) and an experienced consultant on the governance of not-for-profit organizations I wanted to thank you very much for your article: Parents break out of apathetic attitudes to challenge educational institutions.