Dear Editor:
We fully support calls for the Summerland council to be more proactive regarding the temporary closure of the Summerland Lab. If the council is to be viewed as accountable, credible, and transparent, we would ask for a public response to the following:
1. Has the mayor met directly with senior Interior Health officials regarding this closure?
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2. Has the council received a written commitment from Interior Health that the closure is in fact “temporary” due to staff shortages and is not permanent due to “budget cuts? Further, has Interior Health clarified projected timelines for hiring lab staff, and where the Summerland lab is in a priority list when staff become available?
3. Has council actively sought input from other key community organizations e.g. churches, Seniors Drop-in Centre, Food Bank, Thrift Store on the impact of the lab closure on their client groups?
We look forward to the mayor and council’s response. Summerland citizens deserve to know what actions our elected officials have taken to date to ensure the future of the Summerland lab.
John and Chris Lewis
Summerland
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