Ongoing concerns with how the Central Okanagan’s elected officials are dealing with live-in park contractors has prompted another serving of social activism.
Nancy Holmes has organized the second instalment of the Burbridge Dinner, a potluck dinner named after Jim and Joan Burbridge who helped save Kelowna’s Woodhaven Nature Conservancy in the early 1970s and who stewarded the park over the next 30 years.
“There’s a lot of frustration around what council in Kelowna and the Central Okangan Regional District are doing,” said Holmes.
“People feel like they’re not listening to legitimate concerns and responding appropriately — that was the message that I took away from the last Burbridge dinner.”
That dinner was held in Kelowna and attracted 17 participants who talked about their plans to raise attention for live-in park contractors. It’s an issue they feel will cause wide ranging issues in the years ahead, so they intend to keep working toward a solution at the Lake Country dinner planned for Wednesday.
“People feel there’s a serious cut in services here,” said Holmes.
“I had a call from a neighbour who saw people trampling through an un-gated back entrance to Woodhaven. I said ‘call the bylaw officer now.’”
They then looked online and couldn’t find a phone number.
“It’s really, really not good,” said Holmes, adding that because Woodhaven has been closed down for the season not even the contracted Commissionaires are driving by.
Those who would like to attend are asked to bring a potluck dish that could feed four or five people.
If you can donate anything to help cover the rental of the hall, that would be most welcome, but this is not essential. RSVP to to nancyholmes.nh@gmail.com
The event will be held Wednesday, February 22, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Okanagan Centre Hall, 11099 Maddock Ave.