Exploitation of a tourist

Dear Editor: Re: “Float into danger,” Aug. 23).

Was it a slow news day on Wednesday? What I saw was shameful exploitation of a visitor to Penticton.

On the other hand, had this complainant and her offspring actually drowned on the Channel, that may have warranted some small space on The Herald’s front page.

Now this poor woman must return to Parksville, the laughing stock of her community.

Had her spawn actually drowned, she would have received, at least, sympathy. But, alas, no such luck. In the interview she decries the lack of more (quantity) of official warning signage along the Channel, yet fully admits to having read the City of Penticton’s very official-looking “CAUTION / Hazard Warning” sign, whilst tying her family's flotation devices together.

If two of these signs are not enough to warrant being taken seriously, just how numerous must they be, along the Channel, for her to have thought “Hey, just maybe there is a reason for all these signs blocking the view of nature?”

For some, a sign, such as the following may provoke their serious attention and thought as to what it refers, rather than trying to list all the possible pitfalls as the City of Penticton sign tries to do.

“FLOATING THIS CHANNEL MAY ENTAIL SERIOUS RISK OR INJURY OR DEATH.”

It’s been a slice. I know this will never see ink on paper, but I can now get on with some of the things I should have got on with much earlier today. Breakfast at McDonald’s? Tom Crawford

Penticton (Herald,