To the Editor:
I disagree with Lee McFadyen’s letter in the June 21 issue of the Keremeos Review. She has written an accusatory letter with no apparent foundation in fact.
She has insinuated that the honourable members of the LRMP, the Grasslands Coalition, the Cattlemen’s Association, the Keremeos Gun Club and hundreds of private citizens in the Simikameen and Okanagan valleys - all respectable organizations and individuals that do not support the development of a national park, would waste their valuable time and energy to deface a pro park sign.
She has stated that none of the “No Park” signs have been vandalized. Of the dozens of “No Park” signs, there have been at least five signs in the Similkameen valley that have been defaced. I know this for a fact as I was personally involved in repainting them.
Two other signs have been stolen, and another in Oliver, making eight in total vandalized. The “No Park” signs are quietly maintained. Welcome, Ms. McFadyen, to a consequences of exercising a democratic right.
I am insulted by Ms. McFadyen’s blatant insinuation that those of us “who do not support the national park also do not support the concept of free speech, democratic rights and the acceptance of differing opinions.”
The hard won democratic right to freedom of speech has been used in a cavelier manner by Ms. McFadyen. All democratic rights come with a caveat of responsibilities. When the democratic right to freedom of speech is targetting any individuals or groups of individuals, that speech should be supported by facts, not unfounded assumptions, and should be delivered in such a manner that attend to those responsibilities.
Respectfully, Mary Nash, Ca