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Post by omanju44 on Oct 15, 2003 16:02:39 GMT -5
A while back I had posted my opinions of this subject since my girlfriend's house in the lower Mission burn to the ground.We were very upset but voicing my say to the "Lookey-Loos" I must now say I am sorry for my comments.But the viewers MUST understand that my girlfriend just lost her sister to a massive heart attack just before the fire then lose her house which was built last Dec.So you must know what she was going thru when the lookey loos were on her property without her permission taken pics with her upset. We wish to ask not to come on the property when we are there or not.There has been theft up there already. Leave a tree or a twoonie so we can buys one or two.All the trees in that area are totally gone.I mean gone all of them.For the lookey loos which left some trees and money for her we really want to thank you very very much,We do appreciate the gifts.Many thanks. On thanks giving there was a lot of them driving sooooooooooooooooooo slow but now I have learnt to deal with it and be patient.But if any viewer reading this and you do feel you need to go up there,please remember there are a lot of residents trying to get on with their lives and please pull over and let us go by. Thanks.........................
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Post by MyParentsHouse on Oct 16, 2003 0:37:53 GMT -5
difficult time. People are coping such as you and it is nice that so many people are showing compassion even now.....Good luck to you guys....
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Joe
New Member
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Post by Joe on Oct 20, 2003 9:48:01 GMT -5
I live on Chute Lake Road. I understand people feel they need to see the burned areas. Some people feel this will provide them with the 'closure' they want and others want to see something historic. In talking to some people who have now driven up in this area, and they tell me they don't really feel the closure they thought they would. I think everyone wants to understand the fire and how it behaved, but it is just something that cannot be totally comprehended.
I don't mind people driving up here to have a look, but I do have some recommendations. First, if you can come up on a week day when children are in school, then you will be noticed a little less and impact fewer normal weekend activities for families. Second, it is hard to see anything from your vehicle. Find somewhere to park and go for a walk. You will see more and be less likely to miss a soccer ball that is accidentally kicked in front of your vehicle. If you have a dog, take your dog for a walk.
The most annoying thing I have found with the traffic is the slow speed of it. I drive up here every day, and when I am behind you, I just want to get home. Please do not drive 20-30 kph, as this will just frustrate residents.
Thank you
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Mac
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by Mac on Oct 20, 2003 15:27:31 GMT -5
I do not live in the affected areas nor do I understand the need to drive through them.I have had friends lose their homes to fires and lived across the street from a house that burned. What I've learned is that I wouldn't want anyone to go through that.I've stayed out of the areas until last week when I had to go there for work,it looks like I thought it would,peoples lives turned upside down and devastated.Why would you want to go out of your way too see how badly families homes were destroyed? Driving through I just got that same sick feeling I had on that terrible friday as I watched from my home wishing I didn't have such a view.Some people say they're looking for closure,I do not believe you will find it there.Go to church if that helps you or help in the rebuilding, that is where we will find whatever "closure" there is to be found. I wish you all the best. Just my 2 cents.
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Post by omanju44 on Oct 20, 2003 15:44:29 GMT -5
Over the past two weeks now at my girlfriend's property we had notice the increase traffic up and down the street with the lookey loos.Majority of them are nice and do not bother us nor they get out of their vehicles.Last week someone came up in this burn area and went onto the burn property two doors down and stole a firestove out of the burnt remains of one of the neighbour's yard.The owner was really upset that someone would have the nerve to do this.The rest of the neighbourhood are now watching the traffic since there has been two thefts in this area. I can not believe someone in this town and go to someone's burnt property and siff thru the remains and steal something. Now!Another issue also,about half of the traffic that drives up the street actually drive up the driveways and walk onto the owners property without their permission. Can I ask the viewers "Why some people do these stupids things?"Can you see why the neighbours in my girlfriends area are very touchy when lookey loos come up and down the street? There was a senior couple in a red van with their daughter which was in the area a week before,They were up last Wed,to drop off a cotton wood tree for my girlfriend.Their daughter was visiting from Prince George and saw the destruction of this beautiful area.My girlfriend and I appreciate the kind gesture. We hope the viewers can truly understand this situation up there with the theft.The neighbours are near the breaking point,please DO NOT DRIVE UP THEIR Driveways,or their property.My girlfriend is busy now re-buildling but she will notcontinue to be pleasant to strangers that are walking onto her property without her permission. Try and Learn to respect their privicy,That's all they need at this time.And maybe they will be more patience with the lookey loos driving very slow.
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Post by SherryL on Oct 24, 2003 18:39:30 GMT -5
I lost my home to the fire and I sit on the fence on both sides of the argument of the lookey loos - while I understand that we that lost our homes need our privacy to grieve our losses we must also be compassionate to those who have and continue to support us in our community. I ask that if you didn't lose your home in the fire and want to drive through the areas please don't stop and walk on my property when you see us on our property - go to the next property - one where the owners aren't there - or if you do come on our property to snap a photo - please please ask us first. I cannot begin to count how many people have walked onto our property, ignored us standing there and have snapped photos. When we have asked them why don't they ask us they get mad at us like we have no business to expect them to ask permission. Remember this is our private property - we still pay our mortgage, our taxes etc. We are very private people but we are also nice people - we are everyday people - we have normal lives with normal problems and on top of our day to day problems we also have to deal with the loss of our very special family heirlooms that only our hearts can put a value to. I do appreciate the generosity of all that have expressed compassion and all that have made donations but it doesn't mean you have 'purchased' the right to walk on my property and loot through my rubble or take photos without my consent. Please be sensitive. When you see us on our property give us our space to grieve our loss - let us cry - let us say goodbye - let us let go of our precious memories. We appreciate your curiousity - we would be curious too if this happened to you - but at the same time let us be your teachers - let us teach you how to let others overcome this horrific loss and remember that not all of us will deal with our loss in the same way. For some it is over and done with for others the pain is still very fresh and raw in our hearts and minds. Be Kind - We All Mean Well - Lets Stick Together Kelowna!!
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Post by missinghome on Oct 25, 2003 2:10:49 GMT -5
You expressed yourself beautifully SherryL. We too lost our home and have absolutely no problem with people coming up to the site to see for themselves what has happened - as long as they respect our time and our memories with our personal property, whether we are there or not. Personally, we have been comforted by the fact that people still feel the need to be close to the after-effects of the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire. Too often these days, it seems that the attitude is 'its over - move on'. For us, it is very, very far from being over. As we struggle to re-establish a semblance of "home", although we no longer have a tangible address to designate the title, going back to the site, as primitive as it still remains, continues to offer us the greatest sense of belonging. When we are there, it is our time, our space, our home; as if the walls that used to physically exist still stand, if only for a little while. We reminisce, we mourne, and we force ourselves to be positive as we try to envision what will be. What we have found ironic is, that at times, we ourselves have almost been made to feel like intruders on our own property by other community members in the area who, as they pass by, do not recognize us as the people who lived there. The impatient looks and disgusted glances have given us a whole new perspective on the innocent "looky-loo's" who, for the most part, are caring people who just need to be close to the evidence of the devastation the fire caused. What we don't understand, and what has disgusted us more, are the few bad apples who, in our opion, are the slime of the "looky-loos" - morbid, profit-seeking vultures just waiting for the rebuilding task and emotional toil to become too much for existing owners to handle. They wander onto the property, blatantly take thier photos, then saunter up to you and perform their intimidation tactics as they view you as possible bidding competition without knowing who you are. These are the people(?!) who are ready to pouce with pockets full of dirty money, hoping to acquire a 'great deal' of prime real estate from vulnerable citizens in emotional crisis. Yes, we have encountered a couple of these sub-humans who thought we too, were mere 'looky-loos' when we were at the property - only found out because my husband played along as a potential competing investor. So, in our opinion, welcome looky-loo! Vulture - be ware. Has anyone else who lost their home encountered this scenario - that they are aware of?!
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