Stephen Fuhr’s successful record

Dear Editor: Does Renee Wasylyk know what is going on or does she prefer to ignore facts (Courier, Aug. 10).

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, member of Parliament 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