Dear Editor:
It is amusing to me, that everyone assumes that it is fear behind the lack of support for this facility.
Most of us against this facility are capable of rational thought.
I don’t think that these prisoners are going to escape, and head straight for our house to seek shelter.
I am sure most of them do just go home, wherever that might be, after they are released.
I appreciate that you raised your children in Oakville, which quite frankly the only thing I know about Oakville is, that it is a prison town.
And that is my point. Summerland is currently known for its fruit and vegetables (which B.C. Corrections said at the town meeting, would not be considered for a contract with this facility,) wine, the Kettle Valley Railway, a number of inviting things that make Summerland a desirable tourist destination.
As our small town’s largest employer, this site would redefine us. Not all of us are comfortable with that.
I moved to Summerland for its quaintness, not to Slammerland for a shot at a job.
I assure you, because I have talked to many of them, that the young families everyone wants so desperately to move here will leave.
You should also not be blind to the fact that a lot of the people leaving these centres into our community, are of no fixed address.
Many of them are repeat offenders, with severe addictions.
As a mother of two young boys, I feel no shame in saying that this doesn’t appeal much to me. I only hope that should this go through, we can still sell our home for a reasonable amount, because I don’t know too many people lining up to move to a prison town.
Fingers crossed this does not go through.
K. Staley
Summerland
