June 30, 1985 EE ESTABLISHED AUG 7. 1947 Lv CAMPBELL CosthgeNews INCORPORATING [HE MID: WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED St PUBLISHER AUG. 7. 1947-468. 15. 1975 ouausien — Burt Campbell — Ron Norman PLANT FOREMAN Peter Horvey OFFICE MANAGER — Lindo Kositsin ADVERTISING MANAGER — Carol Mogaw CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hodley TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4. 1980 112, 1978-AUG. 27. 1980 Fighting The federal Conservative gover- nment's decision to continue to fully index old age pensions to the inflation rate shows that you can fight city hall — and win. The government tried unsuc- cessfully to convince Canadians that reducing the deficit is everyone's responsibility, and that deindexing pensions was how seniors would help. The argument just didn't wash. Canadians made it clear over the last five weeks that they don't want the government reducing the deficit at the of seniors, city hall have to pay for full indexation hd by a one-cent crease in gasoline taxes sHtective Jan. 1, 1987. And because the business world dared to oppose the pension dein- dexing, there will be a six-month extension of the five-per-cent cor- porate surtax. Yet, despite the reversal on deindexing, Finance Minister Michael Wilson hasn't addressed the real problem: the whole pen- sion system. His attempt to cut down on the cost of the pension system by the poor and the unemployed. The government miscalculated the strength that feeling and with its annodncement this week, decided to cut its political losses and run — though perhaps a little late. Many seniors feel they were betrayed by the Mulroney gover- nment. The glow that surrounded the government in its early days in office has disappeared and the Tories are facing a public that is a little less trusting and a lot more wary. Still, there are positive aspects to the Tory reversal on deindexing. Politically, the government has removed the focus of anti-gover- nment groups. The pension issue had become a rallying point for opposition parties and for those who simply didn’t like the Conser- vative government. As well, the restoration of full indexing shows the Mulroney government is not deaf to public criticism — a notable change from the Trudeau days — and aimost unheard of in B.C., where the Social Credit government makes decisions and sticks to them no matter how ludicrous or how strong the outcry. However, the Tories didn't eat humble pie without dishing out a bit of their own. All Canadians will was like trying to save gas on an eight- cylinder car by taking out the iT n control equipment. The problem is the car. Our problem is the pension system — in effect universality — and not deindexing. That's the issue the government in Ottawa should be tackling. B.B. please call home Trying to get in touch with Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco is a lot like playing the lottery. In the lottery, you buy your ticket and hope for the best. With Mr. Brisco, you leave a message and hope for the best. Only you're more likely to win the lottery — at least that's the CasNews'’ recent experience. While there's no question our MP works hard for the constituency, it is clear he has a habit of failing to return telephone calls from the media. So if you see Mr. Brisco, tell him to call his office and they'll tell him to call us. Fred My teenager mentor informs me that we live in a reactive universe. If that is the fact — and I dare not question the lad — then we might be able to present an alternative strat- egy in reply to the present wave of terrorism and hostage-taking so common today. Alternative No. 1: Obey. Alter- native No. 2: Destroy the aircraft and its unfortunate occupants. These are both reactive alter natives. I propose a third alter. native: Ignore the demands and re quest the media to cease giving millions of dollars of free adver. tising to an organization whose cause is vague and methods entirely questionable. I also suggest that the hostage takers know that typically the U.S. will pay ransom money or ask Israel to accede to the demands. The word has passed through the circles of those who might be interested that certain countries are off limits in matters of hostage taking. Israel, West Germany, France, Italy, USSR, Belgium, Holland, Britain and even conservative Canada. Here are my reasons for sug: gesting alternative No. 3. All travel anywhere is at your own risk. Per sonally, I would not fly to Beirut if the trip was all-expenses paid, for the simple reason it is too risky We could go further and make the flat statement that all international flights are suspect with causes and death-wishers proliferating like dandelions in an unhealthy lawn. Some have said that we have only 2 50/50 chance of reaching Van couver by automobile in an incident free manner. Even that kind of travel should be at your own risk, which gives teeth to the concept of defensive driving and defensive living. (As an aside, I wouldn't attend a soceer game in dear olde England for the obyous reason that one could be trampled to death by drun- Merriman — | ken lemmings who would be more at home in the Coliseum of original name.) I offer the second reason as a truth. Lawbreakers seek a little at- tention. Give them no attention and they will of necessity learn that kindness rings louder than violence. Let me jab one more time at the media which, whether it can com prehend it or not, literally has the power of life or death over billions of people. An example is this little column suggesting international air travel is presently far too dan gerous. It will very likely cause at least several cancellations of planned trips abroad. That is not a smug statement. It simply repre sents and demonstrates the meas ure of responsibility that all of us who entertain, inform or discuss via the media must take to heart. The media can precipitate na tional conflagration or the downfall of a presi by the mish of Letters to the Editor Immersion class unique . Castlegar News: As the school system begins to shut down for two months, it seems approp- riate that reflection take place and credit be given. In September, with some reservation, we enrolled our daughter in the Russian Immersion Kindergarten class at Castlegar Pri mary School. We were not sure that she would learn the skills that kinder. garten is designed for (mainly orienting the child to attending school with large groups of children), or that we would be able to help her at home since we didn't have any knowledge of Russian. Our concern was unnecessary. By the end of September it was clear that Mrs. Alimkulov had established a warm and friendly atmosphere in her classroom. After a period of social adjustment, good relationships devel. oped among the students. The children Thanks for the editorial News: I write to thank you for your gen erous words about Islands ‘86 in the June 2 editorial entitled, “Let's Get Going.” It is truly rewarding to see our project conting together and know that in some small way our work is inspiring other commrumities to “get going.” Pat Deakin i aad Victoria learned the skills of kindergarten and also started to learn another language. A great deal of credit for this program goes to Mrs. Alimkulov but her efforts would not have been as beneficial without the support of Mrs. Archibald, the other staff members and the administrators at Castlegar Pri- mary. The Castlegar Parents for Rus- sian and Peter Evdokimoff also de- serve credit for promoting public sup- port for the program that, in turn, brought the acceptance and support from the trustees of Castlegar School District. This September our daughter has chosen to attend the half-day Russian Immersion Program for Grade 1 which is being assisted through external funding from such groups as the USCC, the BCTF, the federal government, and the Castlegar Parents for Russian. We appreciate this unique learning opportunity that so many people in the district have worked to provide. Thank you. Pat and Alan Sheppard Castlegar Sincerity of pro-life activists questioned News: As both a Catholic and as a woman who is strongly opposed to abortion for many reasons, I regret that I must question the sincerity of many local “pro-life” adherents and activists. During last September's federal election campaign, a prominent “pro life” group ran ads in local newspapers claiming that our then Kootenay West MP Lyle Kristiansen was res- ponsible for the many thousands of abortions (they used much more color. ful and inflammatory language) per- formed under Canada's present abor- tion laws, even though his party was not the government and he was not even our Member of Parliament when the abortion law to which we object was passed. Now that the Progressive Con servative Party that this group seemed to favor is in power, and local MP Bob a hostage-taking incident at a Beirut Airport. In final support of alter. native No. 3, it is my opinion that the United States is like a friendly giant with a rather naive, trusting and idealistic nature. Their presi dent actually does believe in God, mom and apple pie. As Jimmy Carter proved before him, most Americans would rather play than fight. The likeable giant can take a lot of abuse and lose much international face. Our large neighbor is not always right as evident in Central America. But please don’t get the United States of America angry or you will once again awaken that terrible re- solve. I rashly predict that the U.S. will negotiate the release of the hostages with cold hard cash and a little wheeling and dealing with its God-child, Israel. In the meantime, thank God that you live in a country where the biggest problem of the day is de indexing the old age pension. Quotable Quotes HEALTH MINISTER Jim Nielsen on why hospital patients sometimes have to wait on stretchers in corridors: “You cannot guarantee optimum con ditions in every circumstance. We're not running the Holiday Inn; we don't take reservations only.” THE LIBERAL RAT pack is in the news again (when isn’t it in the news?). The rat pack consists of Newfoundland MP Brian Tobin and Ontario MPs Sheila Copps, Don Boudria, and John Nunziata, with Sergio Marchi as sort of a guest member. Tory MP Arnold Malone told the Commons this week thi Boudria speaks like Picasso pain’ ziata were ever to play the violin “it would sound as if the strings were still in the cat"; Copps “sounds like an attempt to make her own perfume”; and Tobin “uses statistics like a drunk uses a lam; rt.” LIBERAL LEADER John Turner's observations of the Pack’s performance in the Commons: “Some of these younger kids think it’s guerrilla warfare in there . . . they're making public life an interesting career for a generation of young people who want to get into polities. “These kids are showing that — Nunziata who comes from nowhere! Sergio Marchi, who comes ‘from nowhere! — that these kids can stand up in the greatest court in the land and be somebody! Jesus! ACTOR CHARLTON Heston on tennis ace John McEnroe: “John McEnroe is a great player. He is also an unsuff bore who the game that made him a millionaire. For many of us he has ruined tennis as a spectator sport.” Brisco is in that government, these “pro-lifers” are turning their protests solely against women's organizations or against our local hospitals. Why do we see no actions directed against our local “basically pro-life” (his words) MP to keep his promises on abortion, nor against the huge Conser vative majority government that is now in such a clear position to change our present laws? After all, the same law exists today and thousands of abortions continue to occur on the same regular basis. It would seem that these local “pro-lifers” were and are more inter. ested in using this important moral issue as a partisan political football rather than in pursuing it as a sincerely held principle and belie What kind of “morality” is that? I and many other sincere anti abortionists deeply resent having our deeply held personal convictions abused and misused for partisan (in this case Conservative) political pur poses. (Mrs.) Electa Bunce Nelson Please address all Letters to the Editor to: The Castlegar News, P.O.Box 3007, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H4, or deliver them to our office at: 197 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, B.C. Letters must be signed and include the writer's full name.and address. Only in very exceptional cases will letters be published without the writer's name. Nevertheless, the name and address of the writer must be disclosed to the editor. The Castlegar News reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality and grammar. Remember When? 35 YEARS AGO From the June 29, 1950 News Mr. J. McKenzie of Vancouver has been appointed inspector of the region. al school district, replacing C.E. Clay. His inspectorate will include Castlegar, the Arrow Lakes and Creston districts, with his office being located in Nelson. . 8 8 Castlegar school district board this week met with several applicants for the principalship of the new high school. The results will be announced at a later date. * . 6 Waldie’s Electric is advertising its new stock of Moffat ranges designed for the modern kitchen. “Why suffer the summer heat, cook with pleasure over these new improved ranges. Everything is just like magic, no ashes to empty, no wood or coal to pack in.” 25 YEARS AGO From the June 30, 1960 News Castlegar and district property own- ers may be called upon within the next seven months to approve a $250,000 bylaw which will double the size of the Castlegar and District Hospital. Pres- ent size of the hospital is 32 beds. The proposed plan would see the addition of a second floor and the bed capacity doubled to 65. * 28 « Claude Bissell, supervising principal of the Kelowna Elementary School, has been named by the Department of Education to replace C.S. McKenzie as a district superintendent of schools for the Castlegar School District. * 8 « After 13 years in active business in Castlegar. Herb Pitts has sold his business to Carl A. Knutson of Van- couver. Pitts established Pitts Drug in Castlegar in 1947, coming from the Kootenay Drug in Trail, where he was employed after his return from over- seas. . 28 6 Castlegar’s second ferry is on the dock at Nelson being dismantled for transport to Castlegar, Rossland-Trail MLA Donald Brothers advised the Castlegar News this week. The ferry will be sent to Nakusp for rebuilding and will be floated down the lake for use here. 15 YEARS AGO From the July 1, 1970 News Unique construction technique em. ployed to build Keenleyside Dam has been judged Canada’s outstanding civil engineering achievement by the Asso- ciation of Consulting Engineers of Canada and Canadian Consulting En- gineer magazine. CBA president Keith A. Henry said Keenleyside Dam was the first major earthfill dam on this continent to be built without dewater. ing the site. * 8 6 Castlegar Post Office was closed for the second time in three days last week when it was struck by the rotating 24-hour strikes being engaged in by postal workers. . 8 «@ Special services commemorating the 75th anniversary of the burning of their firearms in Russia in 1895 was held in Brilliant on the weekend by the Orthodox Doukhobors. Estimated at tendance at the all-day event rose as high as 3,500 persons. . * @ The seven candidates seeking to reign over KC Days celebrations in August have been named: Debbie, Kaardal, Miss Nordic Lodge; Elaine JImieff, Miss CKQR; Katherine Knight, Miss Horsemen's Assn.; Debbie Mc Luckie, Miss Square Dace Club; Char lotte Michelson, Miss B.C. Air Lines; Bonnie Read, Miss Knights of Col umbus; and Christine Toews, Miss Cut-Rate. 5 YEARS AGO From the June 29, 1980 Castlegar News An Arrow Lakes resettlement plan, outlining locations for resettlement for landowners who had to move when the Hugh Keenleyside dam was flooded, met with little approval at a public hearing at the sports complex in Castlegar. “This is another case of bur eaucracy dictating to Castlegar what the people of Castlegar want,” said Alderman Albert Calderbank . * « Roller skating has hit the sports, complex. Roller skating will be open to the public five evenings a week until the last week of July : ss @ Increased commercial development has boosted the value of building permits issued last month well over the 1979 May total, aceounting for $1,725,000 of this year's total of $2,413,275. * 8 6 Two former Rebels have recently béen approached by the NHL — Glen Sorenson has signed a contract to play for Montreal Canadiens farm team (Nova Scotia Voyageurs) and Steven Bozek was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings. “God is judging the sins of the sexually immoral.” So said a preacher recently. He believed the rash of STD (our newest alphabet soup jum- ble) or Sexually Transmitted Diseases were delivered by God as punishment. The STD epidemic is fri- ghtening. The latest Life magazine cover screams at us in bold print: “Now No One Is By Paster TOM MULDEB .- Safe From Aids.” Three hun- Free Church , dred thousand people have STD AND JUDGMENT now been exposed to AIDS and that number ment. 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