It is with sadness that I write this week’s report as the South Okanagan has lost a true heritage landmark with the burning of the South Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver.
As both a former student and a parent of three boys who were proud to graduate from SOSS, I am certain that many current and former staff and students join me in lamenting the loss of SOSS.
As a community I know that Oliver will overcome and rebuild but the many memories will always remain.
I would also like to recognize the valiant efforts of the Oliver and area firefighting community who battled this intense blaze for many hours.
I will be working in full support with area MLA John Slater and members of the school district to help ensure that students and staff can continue the school year as quickly as possible.
Parliament will also be back in session in the near future as the provincial legislature resumes sitting on Monday, Oct. 3 when the house will be briefly prorogued before the fourth session of the 39th Parliaments begins later in the afternoon.
As a new session of parliament will begin , there will also be a speech from the Throne to lay out the agenda of government moving forward as is the customary tradition for a new session.
The speech from the Throne is expected to define government initiatives with respect to job creation and a continued focus on families.
As is the parliamentary tradition, the opposition will also have an opportunity to respond to the speech from the Throne and outline an alternative agenda.
I urge all citizens to follow this process closely as these are serious economic times for British Columbia.
For those of you who watch provincial politics closely, you may be aware that as the Speaker of the House, I sit on an advisory council that selects Order of British Columbia honourees.
While the advisory council does not make the actual nominations, we do accept nominations from British Columbians and ultimately make recommendations to the Lieutenant-Governor in council.
Among this years honourees a level of controversy has been generated due to the political unpopularity of one of the recommendations put forward by the advisory council.
While it is understandable that there are citizens who will disagree with this decision, it is disappointing the level of vulgarity being conveyed by some who take issue with this decision.
While disagreement and debate are common attributes in a democratic society, the use of profanity and threats is simply uncalled for.
On a more positive note, some citizens have rightfully asked why other prominent British Columbians have been absent from the Order of British Columbia.
I would encourage citizens to take advantage of the nominations process for the Order of British Columbia. If there is a citizen you would like to nominate as a potential Order of British Columbia Honouree please visit www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca/.
Nominations for 2012 will close on March 10, 2012.
Lastly this week I would like to congratulate the many competing teams and volunteers who participated and organized last weekends Raymond James Dragon Boat Festival.
This has been an important event to recognize the survivors of breast cancer and also to help increase awareness on the importance to undergo screening mammography exams.
Bill Barisoff is the MLA for Penticton.