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Letter: Highway interchanges needed in West Kelowna

The prevention of many motor vehicle accidents and the loss of life occurring at these intersections should be a priority.

To the editor:

As a [West Kelowna] resident I certainly don’t [oppose proposed interchanges on Hwy. 97 through West Kelowna].

In fact, we welcome it. The sooner the better.

I reside in the Hwy. 97 and Boucherie/Horizon Drive area, which is also near the Westlake/Hudson Road intersection. These intersections handle high traffic volumes and major accidents occur as a result.

I welcome the Westbank First Nation and their vision of interchanges to handle the high traffic and make these intersections safer. The prevention of many motor vehicle accidents and the loss of life occurring at these intersections should be a priority. If we wait for West Kelowna council to act, we may never live to see this necessary construction.

Our mayor and council are so busy trying to justify and promote development in downtown Westbank, their pet project, they are ignoring a large part of West Kelowna to get this accomplished. But, if we are being honest with ourselves, most of us knew this would happen following incorporation which occurred in December 2007, and changed us into a Westside District Municipality. There was and still is animosity over the result.

The mayor and most councillors have done little, to nothing to alleviate the concerns of many, possibly even a majority, other than to hope time would allow forgetfulness, or that other issues may become more important. No, a slow simmer will keep things up-front and cooking.

I understand West Kelowna council decided to seek public endorsement for the required $10.5 million borrowing bylaw through the Alternate Approval Process rather than hold a referendum. Mayor Findlater did not vote and one councillor voted against.

Taxpayers, don’t be fooled, the mayor didn’t vote only because he has already done all the personal politicking he feels necessary to gather support! Ask yourselves: Will development in downtown Westbank benefit me or my family? Your answer should help you through this process.

David W. Kuhn, West Kelowna