Letters to the Editor: Sept. 5, 2026

Respect Canada's armed forces Dear Editor: A response to 'US defense secretary faces backlash for attempting to mock Canada's armed forces amid trade war'. These two women that were pictured in this post are cadet trailers and leaders at the Vernon Army(summer) Camp. A training camp which began even before the 1st world war in 1912. This camp also instructed soldiers for the D Day landing which we were first in obtaining our objectives in. These cadets are being led by these two women, the cadets who will get free training not limited to outdoor survival, leadership, and marksmanship funded by the Department of National Defence. As a former cadet officer and reservist (Regina Rifles). I taught civics 'the study of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens in a society, as well as how government works.' It is obvious that Mr Hegseth has no knowledge of Civics or about how government works or how to treat his own soldiers when many of them are resigning or being fired. We support our members regardless of race color, creed or gender. In Canada we get things done by agreeing with each other. Dwight Carroll Kelowna Queen's Park Referendum Dear Editor: Until we are faced with a very serious decision it is easy to take things in our community for granted. The definition of a park in B.C. is a publicly owned or managed piece of land within a municipality that provides open green space, recreation, and natural environment for community use. A park can also include everything from sport fields, playgrounds, and manicure gardens or waterfronts. The community is being asked to allow the covenant protecting the only green space left in Queen's Park to be removed so that a hotel can be built. Many of those casting their vote may not realize that Queen's Park is the land that houses Memorial Arena, the Community Centre, the SOEC and the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, parking lots and a baseball field known as Bambino Field. What was once a community pasture for the town's livestock was dedicated in perpetuity by the Shatford Brothers South Okanagan Land Company as a recreation ground for public use and enjoyment. Over the years the space making up Queen's Park has been whittled away and the green space replaced with buildings and parking. We are told that this is an opportunity to redefine parkland and open space to align with the North Gateway Plan, land readiness and a land use amendment. Replacing the only green space left in Queen's Park with a hotel redefines parkland and open space? This isn't just about a hotel. The Council decided that Bambino Field was done. Council has already passed a motion to relocate the ball field. We are told that the ball field has outlived its usefulness but if a vote for 'a hotel in the future maybe' fails it will be used as a public park. The Vancouver Convention Centre is home to over 500 events a year but so is Penticton without a hotel attached to the PTCC.The current hotel room availability within walking distance of the PTCC includes; the Lakeside Resort 273,Four Points Sheraton on Westminster 121,Hotel Penticton on Westminster 88, Fairfield Marriott on Eckhardt 98, Balcomo on Eckhardt 158, Days Inn on Riverside 104, for a total of 942 rooms. There is also the Sandman on Westminster and Slumber Lodge on Lakeshore Drive as well as a number of motels within the area. I am sure they are all so busy that a few more rooms would be welcome. R. Manuel Penticton