Opinion

Students returned to school earlier this week, but an unresolved dispute between the teachers and the province hangs over the classrooms.

As the summer soon comes to a close and youth sports again get underway another round of gaming grants has been announced that will help support the Penticton Curling Club, the Penticton Minor Fastball Soft Pitch Association, Penticton and District Minor Hockey, Penticton and Summerland Ringette Associations and the South Okanagan Youth Soccer Association. Close to $200,000 in funding will be allocated for youth and disabled sport programs throughout the regions these organizations serve.

The sky is not falling, and for those who are concerned the B.C. government will lose much needed tax revenues as the HST is being phased out, have no fear.

The importance of the decision on whether a prison will be located in Summerland cannot be understated. The impact on our community will be profound and long lasting. There are positive and negative impacts.

Switching sales taxes isn't as simple as Bill Vander Zalm believes. There are already thousands of businesses that have never had to collect it, and thousands more who didn't anticipate having to go back to the PST.

Over the past few weeks I have greatly appreciated hearing from many citizens who have taken the time share concerns with me.

The residents of the Dr. Andrew Pavilion would like to send out a big thank you to all the groups who made possible the Spirit Square at Peach Orchard Beach. (Province of B.C., District of Summerland, Summerland Rotary, Summerland Lions, and the Summerland Credit Union.)

The past several months have seen a number of improvements to Summerland.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thank you for the service received on the evening of Aug. 26 concerning a water leak and the development of a sink hole.

As a additional comment to this article, Summerland Middle School and Summerland Secondary School will indeed be quieter this year as enrollment continues to decline however both Giant’s Head Elementary and Trout Creek Elementary are at or over full capacity due to a number of factors; a growing Kindergarten population, a Strong Start Centre and a before and after Day Care Centre located in these schools.