Westside Naming Referendum

[Ranger66]

“Yes--after 100 years we have been demoted to just another neighbourhood”

We see it as equals among friends you see it as a demotion.

[the_zipper]

I do agree with you Steren. Westbank is just another subdivison, as is Lakeview Heights, Glenrosa, Casa Loma, etc. Everyone will still keep their sub names, however, when you see our municipal name on a map, or on our bills, or whatnot, I don't want to see Westbank. Westbank is a subdivison, not the entire Westside as a whole. This is why I believe we should not have Westbank as our town name. Okanagan Hills is nice because it's not saying we are part of Kelowna..which many people living in Westbank don't like, but it's also not saying we are living in Westbank..which would make many people in North Westside happy.

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I disagree that " Westbank is just another subdivison". Settler came here in the 1800 to farm the land. Most of Westbank was never a piece of property bought by a developer.

[CountryAtHeart]

Very well said Ranger...everyone from this side of the bridge to the Peachland Boundary should all be treated equally. It does not matter what neighbourhood you come from, everyone is the same.

When I look at Westbank (for the past 32 years) we definitely need some people in the area to take charge and make it more appealing. Sometimes when we live with something for so long we become blind to it's faults. And it is often necessary to listen to the newer residents, who may have new ideas, great ideas. To say they are unimportant compared to someone who has been here for longer is just wrong.
The long time residents have brought us this far, but we need everyone to take us into the future.


To the Zipper:
How about the first person to settle by Shannon Lake? Lakeview Heights? Glenrosa? West Kelowna? Everyone has a story, nobody has the right to negate anothers.

[canadman]

I do agree with you Steren. Westbank is just another subdivison, as is Lakeview Heights, Glenrosa, Casa Loma, etc. Everyone will still keep their sub names, however, when you see our municipal name on a map, or on our bills, or whatnot, I don't want to see Westbank. Westbank is a subdivison, not the entire Westside as a whole. This is why I believe we should not have Westbank as our town name. Okanagan Hills is nice because it's not saying we are part of Kelowna..which many people living in Westbank don't like, but it's also not saying we are living in Westbank..which would make many people in North Westside happy.

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I disagree that " Westbank is just another subdivison". Settler came here in the 1800 to farm the land. Most of Westbank was never a piece of property bought by a developer.

Right you are the_zipper, nor was it a piece of land owned by the settlers. They owned the land they owned and chose to 'adopt' other lands as their own calling it by whatever name they chose without actually having ownership rights to the land. Nor since that time has it ever been officially owned by the families of those settlers, hence the reason the whole municipality is not officially recognized in Victoria as Westbank, why it was not incorporated as Westbank and the reason others of us who actually have paid to own the land that we own that you claim is yours (Westbank's) feel we have a right to our name choice. Your pioneer ancestors did not own my land as far as I'm aware.

[the_zipper]

Electik Sky.. My point is Glenrosa, Lakeview etc. were parcels of land that was developed for housing, that not how Westbank began. For someone to say it simple a subdivison IMO that not true. Westbank has a completely different history. I'm not trying to disregard anyone opinions. I guess it irks me, when people don't want the name Westbank simply for the fact it is an embarrassment.

Lakeview girl wrote
I do agree with you Steren. Westbank is just another subdivison, as is Lakeview Heights, Glenrosa, Casa Loma, etc. Everyone will still keep their sub names, however, when you see our municipal name on a map, or on our bills, or whatnot, I don't want to see Westbank. Westbank is a subdivison, not the entire Westside as a whole. This is why I believe we should not have Westbank as our town name. Okanagan Hills is nice because it's not saying we are part of Kelowna..which many people living in Westbank don't like, but it's also not saying we are living in Westbank..which would make many people in North Westside happy.

[steren]

If all of this land was no where land --how do you explain the addresses Westbank B.C. that was in effect for all land that now encompasses our new municipality up until 30 years ago when Canada Post changed a portion of it to Kelowna addresses?? All of the kids that we went to school with--from Casa Loma, Bear Creek, Lakeview Heights had Westbank addresses--AND THAT IS A FACT. It can not be denied. They are still alive to tell you--I'm sure the post office archives would have the info. The land belonged to people that lived here, worked here and many are still here--it was not in the middle of nowhere --it was Westbank, B.C. --It doesn't matter whether we were incorporated or not--that is what this entire area was known as by all of the people who lived here and by the neighbouring towns.

[the_zipper]

I do agree with you Steren. Westbank is just another subdivison, as is Lakeview Heights, Glenrosa, Casa Loma, etc. Everyone will still keep their sub names, however, when you see our municipal name on a map, or on our bills, or whatnot, I don't want to see Westbank. Westbank is a subdivison, not the entire Westside as a whole. This is why I believe we should not have Westbank as our town name. Okanagan Hills is nice because it's not saying we are part of Kelowna..which many people living in Westbank don't like, but it's also not saying we are living in Westbank..which would make many people in North Westside happy.

\

I disagree that " Westbank is just another subdivison". Settler came here in the 1800 to farm the land. Most of Westbank was never a piece of property bought by a developer.

Right you are the_zipper, nor was it a piece of land owned by the settlers. They owned the land they owned and chose to 'adopt' other lands as their own calling it by whatever name they chose without actually having ownership rights to the land. Nor since that time has it ever been officially owned by the families of those settlers, hence the reason the whole municipality is not officially recognized in Victoria as Westbank, why it was not incorporated as Westbank and the reason others of us who actually have paid to own the land that we own that you claim is yours (Westbank's) feel we have a right to our name choice. Your pioneer ancestors did not own my land as far as I'm aware.

\

I don't know where you live but they just may have owned it previously. Anywho that wasn't my point any way of who owns what. My point is subdivisons names will remain. Westbank is not a subdivison, will the name Westbank still remain if another name is voted in? Also I have said before it irks me that some people are dead set against Westbank, b/c they find it embarrassing.

[canadman]

Yes Westbank will always remain Westbank. And I don't oppose Westbank because it's embarassing. I oppose it because I don't think it's as practical as West Kelowna for a municpal name for a municipality that must draw commercial revenue here, tourists here and future residents.

[occasional thoughts]

Read it in the D. Gellatly book; Westbank was originally a subdivision.

[the_zipper]

Read it in the D. Gellatly book; Westbank was originally a subdivision.

What page Rob? You're a writer aren't you? Please elaborate.

[lakeviewgirl]

It's not that I find it embarrassing. It's just simply not fair to the rest of Westside. Westbank is not all of the Westside. It's one area! That's it. It is a subdivision, it's not a town, Westside is our town. If it isn't a subdivision, and it's not a town, and it's part of Westside..which IS a town...what is Westbank? Lakeview Heights and West Kelowna Estates have history as well. I'm sure that Casa Loma, Shannon Lake and Glenrosa have history as well. If you get a chance to read the annual report of Okanagan History, check out volume 63, page 113; it has all the history of Lakeview Heights.

[lakeviewgirl]

Westbank will always be Westbank, just Lakeview Heights will always be Lakeview Heights, etc. But just as Canadaman said, Westbank is not an overly appealing name. If we want the same tourism as Kelowna, we are going to have to have a more desirable name. We have the wineries for the tourism, the hiking, the beautiful parks and the interesting stores; but really that's all Westbank has to offer at this point. We need a good council and a good mayor to get this town up and running to compete with Kelowna, and the name says a lot about a town.

[the_zipper]

It's not that I find it embarrassing. It's just simply not fair to the rest of Westside. Westbank is not all of the Westside. It's one area! That's it. It is a subdivision, it's not a town, Westside is our town. If it isn't a subdivision, and it's not a town, and it's part of Westside..which IS a town...what is Westbank? Lakeview Heights and West Kelowna Estates have history as well. I'm sure that Casa Loma, Shannon Lake and Glenrosa have history as well. If you get a chance to read the annual report of Okanagan History, check out volume 63, page 113; it has all the history of Lakeview Heights.

Your statement that it simple notfair can work both ways lakeview girl. Stern has pointed out all of those areas at one point in time had Westbank addresses. I'm just glad that I get to vote for the name I desire, the same as you. I will except the name the majority chooses. See Ya at the Polls.

[lakeviewgirl]

Okay. We will keep it at that, I voted to amalgamate with Kelowna last year, and even though we became our own town, I' am glad. I just wish all the communities could make some sacrifices. To me it seems like Westbank doesn't care to make the North side of Westside better, they just want to focus on Westbank, Glenrosa, Shannon Lake and Smith Creek. Some people in North Westside are bitter about last years election, and I understand why, I'm not one of those people, but I hope as a whole town, we vote in a good team this year. And may the best name win.

[angusog]

Read it in the D. Gellatly book; Westbank was originally a subdivision.

And if it was as you state a subdivision, then what was it subdivided from? Please tell us because we believe you are making this up!