Gaiaeion momca oF copemenon tut, sxmelete Siliel Ser ea News Lid. ecsemrugeen tee ae SERRE That's damriocrticg Recent actions by Ald, Len Embree have raised some impor- tant questions about the role of a municipal politician. Ald. Embree has taken part in severat demonstrations on, behalf of organized labor, the most recent of which was last Saturday when he joined about SO others in picketing the new Sandman Inn over the use of non-union labor to build the hotel His part in the demonstration has been criticized in some quar- ters and sparked a letter to the editor (see elsewhere on this page) protesting his involvement because he is an elected official Both the criticism and letter are fair comment. Those residents do not want to see their politicians taking part in labor demon- strations. But the municipal politician's role is not the same as that of a federal or provincial politician. The municipal politician in most instan- ces must hold down a full-time job as well. In. Ald. Embree’s case, that happens to be business agent for Here's Here's hoping the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is successful in its bid to change from Junior B to Junior A status. The change could be crucial to the league's long term survival — or at the very least, the survival of some of its franchises. tlegar js managed to hold their own over the last few seasons, but it’s questionable just how long the club can keep it up. The problem is players. With a Junior A league as close as the Okanagan, the best hockey players from the Kootenays often opt to play there, rather than here. the focal carpenters Union. In that position he and his members have obviously felt called upon to stage protests. Not everyone may agree with their decision and some may feel the acfions harm the community, but that's the decision Ald. Embree and his pdarsll members have made — good or bad. The point is that just because Ald. Embree represents the city should not mean he must forego personal convictions. He should be entitled to take a stand on any issue — he does every day as our ive on council. he must be held ac- countable for his actions. If voters disagree with Ald. Embree and don't like the way he represents Ah. ; Pe Pik Hb Anning the community, they have the chance to make their feelings known at the next municipal elec- tion, That's the way a democracy works. If enough people disagree with a politician, he simply isn’t re- elected. But we don't muzzle politicians because we don't agree with their actions. hoping The reason is simple enough. The Okanagan league is a step up from Junior B and that much closer to the NHL. Any professional prospect will move out of the KIJHL as quickly. as possible in order to receive the recognition that comes from playing in a Junior A league. The KIJHL can solve that problem by changing their league from,Junior B to Junior A... change would: benefit? almost everyone. Castlegar fons — and fans throughout the KIJHL - would be able to see better quality players, and thus better hockey. ey. Better hockey in turn attracts more fans, ensuring stable fran- chises and a healthy league. Fred n Here again. I freely admit that I am biased. in favor of the United States of America. We have had the portunity to watch and attend the Lilac Parade in Spokane for the past several years. This year we returned to take in the Torchlight Parade and the Aerospace Day on the Sunday fol- lowing. This is a favorable report, not only of the events, but a tribute to those good Americans who tended to our needs and require- ments well beyond the call of duty. Item number one: our pleasant drive was interrupted jast past ‘Col- ville. It was determined later that we had taken on a tank of dirty gasoline and the fyel line filter clogged up. A small general repair shop tucked back in the trees near Deer Park solved our car problem with first-class personal service which included a 10-mile trip for a parts, a road service two and at least three cups of free coffee all for the low, low price of $12.36. I offered more, but this particular Yankee could not be bought. He was just being of service. Much more could be said about this enterpriser and how he in- cluded his side-kick helper in the project and spoke well of the man while he was away road testing the vehicle. He knew what he was doing be- cause the car has worked fine since then. Item number two: The parade was three hours long. The weather was inclement. There were nearly 200 marctting bands and floats. Any and all of them well worth seeing. Three incidents bear reporting; the Americans cheered the police. Merriman \ The marchers moved quickly and Letters to the Editor No reply on hatchery Editer, News: It had come t6 our attention that Ald. Bob MacBain madé reference at a recent council meeting to the Nelson Rod'and Gun Club's written resolution to the Regional District of Central Kootenay last February, on which Castlegar council has repre- sentation. MacBain was quoted as saying, “The Rod and Gun Club is very keen to see a hatchery built in Kootenay Lake. If we Now, ‘in both our In fact, we have spelled it out as the Arrow Lake Systems, Slocan River and“ Lake, Kootenay River and, Lake and pondage created by the proposed Murphy ‘Creek coy U |. Mi with Rai enhance fishery in the “West Kootenays”, it is discouraging to read incorrect, negative articles on this subject. aphtight ‘city council is elected by a m to run the city’s pon Soares Orsse at bs vanshaegc tac Wa me that he would speak to the council secretary about this and phone me back. He did not contact me further about this matter. Several days later, a letter was nveisfen Wy Che Cunigomae ot eee Rod oog say's ° Eisber ity press and regional board we have never stated that Kootenay _ should be the site for a pi expcing cut reslton andi for a corrected article to be placed in the chery, but have clearly pointed out me “West Kootenays.” Embree‘s picketing protested Editor, Castlegar News: As much as I often agree with the decision making of Ald, Len Embree and admire his energy in local affairs, when it comes to picketing in the use of non-union labor, | feel I have to protest. We choose our aldermen to first and foremost represent our city and by in this way, Ald. Embree under a.sidewalk decorator canopy. gentleman Ss ase. Sn So dilerts ta rettieve the errant balloon with the hook of hie is um- brella. The parade tors par- May I say: unequivocably that I am most grateful that we in Canada can sleep easy at night knowing that our safety and welfare is in fine and able ‘This Canadian said to those I met, “Keep tip the good work.” Each one teplied the same way, “Thank you.” loses credibility in his job representing our community. Margaret Pryce Castlegar Editer, News: In B.C. there. are roughly 250,000 people out of work, and the future does not look too promiging. -All the cutbacks the government made have not really Kelped the problem. Closing down schools and medical institutions, and laying (off hospital staff and thousands of government employees just put us deeper into the recession. The cutbacks in, welfare have not helped the unemployed people or the single parent because there are supposed. to be out lookiniy for a job. A single parent has been cut back $25 a month and js foreed to look for To this date there has been no reply or action by either MacBain or city After two years of exhausting efforts to try and work with other ‘groups ant business, but this does not give them members think of the Nelson Rod and Gun Club's effort towards a future maxi fish hatehery for the entire West Letter to. ici is a ‘personal attack’ Editor, Castlegar News: We would like to draw to the public’s attention a recent letter submitted to ‘the Village of New Denver couneil. We beliéve the contents of this. letter illustrate the lengths certain special interest groupe will go to in an effort to discredit the sincerity of a group of people trying to obtain true facts < regarding the impact of the‘ Slocan Valley Draft Plan. ‘The personal attack on a member of before, resulting in family fights. Some wives and children get beaten up badly and sometimes end up in the hospital because of beatings from their husbands. ¢ Men also turn to drinking and eriminal acts. They get so they don’t stop to think out their actions, and unfortunately a lot of families pay very dearly. . A wife loses her husband because he . has gone to jail for a crime he wouldn't éreation but does nothing about it. the New Denver council is unwarran- ted..An elected official who has the courage ‘of his convictions is to be admired not ‘criticized. "Like.