Let’s remain jewel of the Okanagan

Dear Editor:

Re: Opening drinking on the beaches (Herald, May 20).

Firstly, I would like to say I enjoy a cold beer or a glass or two of fine Okanagan wine. I’m very open to beer gardens, they have been very successful at many events and can be safely monitored. We do not need open drinking on our beaches. I appreciate it has been a struggle for many merchants, but opening the beach to alcohol is not the answer.

My wife and I have lived in Penticton for 11 years and walk or ride along the beach most days.

There have been a few occasions when people have been drinking and times where it has been quite loud and somewhat out of control, there have been some people injured badly due to fights. We do not have lifeguards or enough police to enforce proper behaviour. Penticton has suffered enough from petty crime and we do not have the funding to control poor behaviour.

The beaches are family-orientated and that is what is wonderful about our town. We are the jewel of the Okanagan.

This morning when we did our walk, there were beer cans and an empty whisky bottles on the beach and we haven’t even changed the bylaw yet.

Before the City OKs this change, some serious thought has to be given to whether this will be a decision we will all regret. We know 80% of the people would act responsibly, but it is the 15-20% I worry about. What will happen when a little one steps on broken glass and we are faced with liability suits plus all the other costs that may arise? Just saying.

I want merchants to recover and have lots of success and I am looking forward to all of our events returning, but we have already had bad press regarding crime in Penticton as compared to other municipalities.

Coun. Campbell Watt and the rest of city council, please do not jump too quickly in making this decision as it could very well backfire on all of us.

Mitch and Diane Netterfield

Penticton