Please respect the Channel

Dear editor: The big ugly garbage dumps on the side of Green Mountain Road should never be used against Penticton Indian band members as a whole. Yes it’s on PIB reserve, no it does not mean that all people of the PIB should have to take ownership or responsibility of that pathetic mess.

It’s a huge eyesore, it smells and it’s a safety hazard in all aspects imaginable. We all agree with each other.

There are signs on the Channel Parkway that say dogs must be on a lease.Yes it’s on the PIB reserve, no it does not mean the PIB is hypocritical because we have nothing but wandering dogs on the reserve so why should anyone leash their dogs? The Channel Parkway, although on PIB reserve is a unique space that right now is available to pretty much anyone who wants to use it, unlike most other reserves. Like any other public space, keep your dog on a leash. Seems so simple?

Instead of keeping things simple, it’s escalated to the point where people would rather use these two issues for a reason to keep racism alive and strong.

We have much in common regarding these two issues. We all want the garbage gone and we all want to use the Channel Parkway safely and expect everyone to abide by the signs that are up no matter who you or your dog is. I would think that if these issues were on the other side of the channel we would all expect the same results there too. Carlene George Penticton