Opinion

With two little kids, we’re always trying to do something fun, to stay healthy, and to keep them and us active. I feel that there is a real lack of recreational facilities and activities in North Okanagan Regional District. So I did a bit of research to compare other areas in B.C. and found that NORD (Vernon, Armstrong, Spallumcheen, Enderby, Lumby, and Coldstream) has a population of 77,301, which is comparable to Comox Valley’s population of 64,084.

As the Liberal leadership race gets down to its final days, and the new premier is selected by party members, B.C. residents should contemplate the provincial budget, which was released to a collective yawn.

It’s increasingly difficult to know if the original reasons for Greater Vernon’s parks and recreation debate still stand, or if the conflict itself has become the end goal.

Sometimes I feel all alone, then I read the letter by Sharon Burton and I am thankful there is still some sanity out there.

Recently, I had one of the worst bus experiences on the #90. For those of you not familiar with this bus, it is the one that departs from downtown Safeway, stops at the Vernon OC campus, then makes a stop in Oyama and Winfield respectively before arriving at UBC-O in Kelowna. From there, non-UBCO students may transfer from another bus to their work; the mall; or another post-secondary campus in Kelowna.

Like any good cause, it shouldn’t take a proclamation to make people aware of the problem but the anti-bullying message is certainly one worth rallying around.

It’s supposed to be sunny this weekend but I’m still patiently waiting for that first sign of spring, even though it’s nearing the end of February.

Hard-working Canadians who contribute to the system and play by the rules deserve government benefits such as Old Age Security (OAS). The purpose of the OAS program, consisting of the OAS basic pension, the GIS and the Allowances, provides income support to Canadian seniors and is meant as a measure of partial income security in recognition of the contributions seniors have made to Canadian society, the economy and their communities.

I know the time for New Year's Resolutions has passed. In fact, if you made one, you've likely broken it by now. But I would like to suggest a resolution it appears most of Vernon needs. Now, repeat after me: "I resolve to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks."

With childhood obesity rates reaching alarming levels, parents across the country are frantically scrambling to pry their kids away from their iPods and computer screens to engage in more active lifestyles.