To the Editor:
Until today, I was extremely proud of the community I live in. I have always seen our community as a diverse family where, while we might not always agree and sometime our different opinions result in heated discussions, in the end we always find a way to work together to do the best we can for our community.
Recently, this view has been severely shaken with the debate over fire protection for the West Creston area. Regardless of whether you are for or against this issue, there are lines in a democratic society that should never be crossed when expressing your views on any issue and those lines have definitely now been crossed in this situation.
It started with information posters being ripped off mailboxes, then moved on to garbage being strewn on the property of Regional District of Central Kootenay Area C director Larry Binks. From there it escalated to anonymous emails containing profanity and threats being sent to several of the supporters of the fire service, and the latest, and by far most disturbing action, has been the deliberate poisoning of Mr. Binks’s family dog. This is a man who, whether you agree with his politics or not, has worked to do what he thinks is best for the community and he is repaid by having his family viciously attacked in such a manner.
I want to personally send my condolences to Larry and his wife, Susan, for the terrible loss they have endured as a result of this situation getting out of control, and ask the public that if they know anything that might assist the police in determining who committed this cowardly crime that they please come forward. We need to calm down, take a breath, and reclaim our community from these people whose actions have crossed the line.
Rachel Beck
West Creston