Loneliness and poverty related

Dear editor: First, the opioid crisis, (Herald, A1, Jan. 19) This is a big issue, and yet we are opening the door for more. With weed or pot becoming legal, we all know one drug gets you going and you want a better high, so you try something else that can kill you,

The laws have to hit hard and be increased to where you will not do the drugs. Plus, poverty plays a big role. Lots sell and do drugs just to get by, and nothing is being done.

Second, the loneliness study (Herald, A1, Jan. 19).

I do not want pity, but yes, loneliness affects many young and old. Here in this city it seems to hard hit.

If you have no family and are not born here, you are alone. You try to reach out and say hi, but lots just keep walking. Sure in the summer I do the yard work, like cutting the grass and make sure the rose bush is doing good, plus planting things to watch them grow, all for free because I do get some people walking by who stop to talk.

Then comes the poverty. Lots do not fit in because of low income or no income. If you were a bit rich it might help, but then you are buying your friends. James Readman Penticton

All this might sound very NIMBY but its reality, and how many residents of Summerland on quiet rural streets would welcome this scenario?

Apart from personal concerns there are real concerns that affect all of Summerland. The most alarming is the threat to the 100year-old fish hatchery that provides fish to provincial lakes for locals and tourists to enjoy. None of the reports have been able to unequivocally state there will no impact to the water source as the aquifer has never been mapped.

For Summerland to become more vibrant and a place to attract young families, the town desperately needs affordable housing for all demographics close to the schools and amenities. Building 415 expensive market housing units (townhouses and apartments) in an isolated ravine on steep, windy roads, does not fit with the recent affordable housing report submitted to council, or the green initiative report (reducing carbon footprint), or the current cultural plan or the Official Community Plan (medium density housing).

Taking in all the recommendations from these official documents, how would council in all good conscience reconcile and approve this development.

The developer has continued to increase the number of units, change the type of units and amenities, all driven by their bottom line, not in the best interests of Summerland residents. Without affordable housing (rental or owned) neither construction workers nor the potential staff for the assisted living will live in Summerland . Diana Smith Summerland