NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN
www.pentictonwesternnews.com
3
news
Cullen comes to town with antipipeline message
VOL. 48 ISSUE 40
10
Briana Jacques grooms way into Top 40
16 page
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2014
entertainment Timewalkers ready for twonight stand at Dream Café
13
sports Rogers selected to Team BC lacrosse squad
CHURCH TAGGED WITH RACIST GRAFFITI Kristi Patton
Western News Staff
NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN
RACIST GRAFFITI on local Christian church has a teacher concerned anti-Semitism and hate are on the rise.
Contributed photo
A Penticton woman is disgusted by a senseless act of graffiti found on the back door of Cheers the Church. “I was pretty horrified to see it actually because it is a hate crime,” said Rena Groot, a teacher at Penticton Christian School who attends Cheers the Church. “Maybe the person didn’t know that or realize all the stuff behind the statement they made on the wall.” It was while out on a class walk last week that Groot and her students came across the graffiti with the words “burnt jew,” a star of David drawn with flames surrounding it and an arrow pointing towards where the charred outline of a mattress remains. Groot said she was taken back when she walked by with her class to see the vandalism taken to another level with the graffiti. “It was really sad. Immediately one of the kids noticed it and pointed it out because there was also some course language,” said Groot. “I have been to the Holocaust museum and have relatives of Jewish descent so this has a lot of meaning to me. I have heard of these types of actions in other parts of the world, but to see it in Penticton it is so chilling.” Groot said she has noticed a rise in anti-Semetic crimes around the world, but never believed she would find it in Penticton, which she has always viewed as a safe place. “I wouldn’t want to see something like that against
any group or person. I really don’t think it is fair and that is why I am standing up to speak about it. People in the Second World War that hid Jewish people weren’t afraid to stand up for what is right and some died for it. If they are willing to do that then I have to be willing to not care that my name is now out there and stand up for what is right here.” Groot said she hopes that if someone is caught that it will turn into a learning lesson for them. “We need people’s consciousness to be awakened. I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. I hope we can teach whoever did this about what their actions truly mean. This could be a learning lesson rather than a punishment and maybe they could clean it up or do some community service instead of community messing up,” said Groot. RCMP confirmed they are dealing with a rash of graffiti recently but it has mostly been individuals tagging their nickname around the city. It isn’t the first time they have seen degrading remarks in spray paint, including at a cemetery and more recently in the summer of 2012 when buildings, road signs and vehicles were painted with racist graffiti. Those individuals were caught and sentenced in court. “People out there know who did this and we start getting calls and tips when it crosses that threshold of taggers to something more serious,” said Sgt. Rick Dellebuur. “Depending on what was written or what they did, they could be charged with a hate crime and not just mischief.”
One-day teacher strike hits Okanagan Skaha schools next Monday Joe Fries
Western News Staff
Nearly 6,000 students in the Penticton area will get another long weekend when teachers erect picket lines throughout the Okanagan Skaha School District next Monday. Sixteen districts around B.C. will be targeted on the first day of rotating, one-day strikes, which were announced this week by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation. Other school districts will be hit next Tuesday through Thursday; Okanagan Similkameen will shut down on Wednesday.
Teachers have been without a contract since June 2013 and are trying to pressure the B.C. government to reach a new agreement. “This is a fight that’s not just a teachers’ fight, but a fight for public education,” said Leslea Woodward, president of the Okanagan Skaha Teachers’ Union. The B.C. government backed off last week from an earlier demand for a 10-year deal with teachers, and instead offered a six-year pact and $1,200 signing bonus. However, the government also threatened to cut teachers’ pay by up to 10 per cent if they proceed with rotating strikes.
THE PLANT PLACE IS
NOW OPEN SHRUBS, FRUIT TREES, HEARTY PLANTERS, CITRUS PLANTS IN STOCK, COME IN AND SEE!
INSTALLS DESIGN & INSTALLATION
150 FAIRVIEW PLACE PENTICTON 250-493-1233
That angered teachers, said Woodward, as did a proposed seven per cent wage increase over the life of the deal and perceived lack of improvement on class size and composition. Teachers recognize the strike will be tough on some parents, she added, “but we have to look at the big picture here ... When we’re off on strike, it’s because we’re fighting for a better education system for your kids.” Penticton MLA Dan Ashton noted his Liberal government has demonstrated a willingness to bargain by proposing the compromise six-year contract and signing another agreement last week with health-care workers.
“I think teachers should remain at school until the end of the year, and then let’s get a deal done,” Ashton said. Derek Hurst, president of the Okanagan Skaha district parent advisory council, said he was “disappointed” to learn of the strike, which will present “a challenge for parents, especially coming off a short week.” Okanagan Skaha School District superintendent Wendy Hyer said non-unionized staff will keep schools open Monday, but will be unable to provide instruction or guarantee students’ safety, so parents are asked to keep their kids home.
GOING OUT FOR BUSINESS Save 20% 30% 40% and up to 50% off
DOWNTOWN on 70 BACKSTREET BOULEVARD with FREE PARKING
TOLL FREE: 1-877-404-2950 • PH: 250-492-8104 • WWW.GUERARDS.COM