At least we have a Housing office

Dear editor: Re: Can’t ‘glass’ over expensive digs, Herald, Letters, Sept. 6

Whether the long delays before the move from Brunswick Street to Winnipeg Street had anything to do with rising costs, plan changes, or awaiting a new fiscal year of BC NDP, nothing changes the fact that, under the circumstances, the accommodation of a larger staff had been determined by BC Housing, which is responsible for a growing number of developments.

Credit the Penticton Herald on past vision in using freedom of information to delve into costs of above renos.

But, as noted in local news, MLA Dan Ashton and the BC Liberals first approved the move in 2016. They did not however, approve specifics.

Two years later, the eye-grabber headline in the Herald, partially based upon two Vancouver quotes, gave this city a giant black-eye, comparing studs and drywall with glass partitions, and labelling us as caviarloving over canned tuna fish (neither of which I favour). I previously had questioned validity of those comments, but my criticism didn’t make the cut.

Figuratively speaking, whether studs and drywall had been used or not, the aging building on Winnipeg Street did definitely require and did receive massive renovations. Not only that, the improvements over the previous office are both obvious and welcomed. (Especially the automatic sliding double doors and handicapped washroom.)

If Joy Lang feels the cost of those renovations is somehow detrimental to hospital employees or teachers, she really needs to take her grievances to the province. She’s barking up the wrong tree chastising me, playing civil servants or professionals one against the other. I don’t play that silly game. Never have, never will. There’s good reason why provincial estimates are dealt with ministry by ministry.

At least BC Housing is open for business! We’re fortunate we haven’t lost that office to Kelowna too. And for the record, one doesn’t have to be a socialist to require social housing. Jean Mitchell Penticton