Stephen Fuhr’s successful record

Dear Editor: Does Renee Wasylyk know what is going on or does she prefer to ignore facts (Herald, Aug. 11).

I read with interest Renee Wasylyk’s comment “there is no representation for Kelowna-Lake Country in Ottawa.” I find this ignorant and outrageous. Among other things, MP Stephen Fuhr has raised some $90 million in federal grants to benefit a wide range of local organizations. To name but a few achievements:

• A $26.5-million federal grant to the integrated water project.

• $1.3-million funding for the Okanagan Rail Trail.

• $86,000 for the New Horizons for seniors program.

• $794,000 for youth employment under the YMCA Jumpstart Employment Essentials program. • Reopening of the veterans’ office. • Federal government investment of up to $8.4 million in the Canadian Grapevine Certification project. • and many others. All this in just over a couple of years. Has Wasylyk looked at Fuhr’s website to see what he has accomplished? If this is not representing the interest of Kelowna- Lake Country, what is?

As far as I can see, neither Fuhr’s Conservative predecessor nor his neighbouring MP, Conservative Dan Albas, have achieved anything like this in such a time frame.

We have seen the problems that sweeping statements and inaccurate information causes, south of the border. In Canada we need political debate focussed on key issues, facts and reliable information. Sadly, given the “tone from the top” of the Conservative party, I am not at all optimistic that we will see this.

I am a former and severely disillusioned Conservative. John Bailey Kelowna ‘licence to use’ in effect until the end of the year?” Why was the payout to end the contract, not the official end of any business deals involving Trio?

The next question to be asked is “when our $80,000 for marina maintenance is completed, why should Trio derive any revenue from it?” Another question to be asked is, “If the contract was paid out to Trio, why is it that a former Trio partner’s company has been awarded a contract to do said maintenance?”

Once again, has the contract with Trio really ended with the $200,000 (plus legal fees, et al) of taxpayer money that was paid out? It seems that the jury is still out on that one. Was the payout really the finale or was it the city’s way of saying, in the words of former Highways Minister Phil Gagliardi, on highway signs, “Sorry for the inconvenience, folks.” It almost sounds like a “mea culpa” or “my bad.”

It has been said many times before that this council is not known for its transparency, openness, fiscal responsibility or accountability. Yet, we sit back and take this. I ask why? If we continue to be what I term “slacktivists,” we’ll take what the city feeds us.

Election time is not far away. It’s time to shed the “slacktivist” coat and put on the “activist” coat and prepare yourself to vote your conscience, not your heart, on voting day. Your vote can make a difference! Ron Barillaro Penticton