A4 September 25, 1988 ro Castlégar News ‘sAEARER OF THE B.C, PRESS COUNCH ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 194 ICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1900 INCORPORATING THE MAID WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHLD SEIPEOABER 12, 1976 - AUGUST 27, 1900 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUSI 7, 1947 FEBRUARY 19, 1979 PUBLISHER — Burt Compbell EDITO! ion Norman PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey ADVERTISING MANAGER — Gory Fi ming OFFICE MANAGER — Lindo Kor CIRCULATION MANAGE NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT: Full. complete ond sole copyright 10 € A second centre The Castlegar official community plan attracted little notice when it was presented at a public hearing earlier this month, but it contained a change that could alter the city’s development. The change is the way council will look at development proposals near the Highway 22 and Highway 3 interch The last community plan, drawn up in 1980, tried to funnel commercial development dowritowh. Though that wasn't always the case, that was council's objective But then, that is what a community plan is all about. It is really only a general statment about council's intentions, serving as a guide for development. It is not a blueprint for development. As the city changes, as councils change, as residents and their attitudes change, so the community plan changes. Thus, council has recognized that today isn't 1980. At that time this community was in the midst of a residential housing boom. New businesses were moving in, others were constructing new buildings. Council then was concerned that the historical centre of the community — the downtown not be forsaken in the rush to develop near the highway interchange Eight years later development has slowed to a trickle and the city can no longer be as particular about where businesses choose to locate. At the same time, commercial businesses are showing renewed interest in the downtown, as evidenced by the new City Centre Square in the old Bob's Pay 'n Takit location. The city doesn't have to be as vigilant about ensuring the survival of the downtown. So in the revised community plan the city has removed any references to bi locating d Instead, the city will only “encourage” new businesses to locate downtown. It is an important change that indicates council is willing to respond positively to new businesses. As well, it shows council recdgnizes the reality of the situation. While the city may want new businesses to locate downtown, it doesn’t want to scare away any businesses that may want to build elsewhere As well, by opening up development at the highway interchange, council has accepted that the downtown isn't the only business centre. The area that includes Castleaird Plaza, Safeway, and Maloney’s on one side of the interchange and Shaw Cable and the Sandman Inn on the other will privde a nucleaus for a second business centre. Where the historical downtown was built around the Arrow Lakes waterway and the railway, the new centre is developing around the highways and closer to the airport It’s time to clear my desk of a few things that have been piling up. Election talk: The pundits are doing a poor job of reading Prime Minister Brian Mulron ey's mind. Most said he'd call a general election for Nov. 7, but that’s impossible now. An elec tion must last a minimum of 50 days and be held on’a Monday. In order for it to have been Nov. 7, Mulroney would have had to call the election last weekend. Locally, Liberal candidate Garry Jenkins and NDP hopeful Lyle Kristiansen fared no better than most of the armchair Ot tawa watchers. Jenkins figured Mulroney would drop the writ on Sept. 11, while Kristiansen guessed Sept. 18. Numbers, numbers: Last week I wrote that Brisco won by 700 votes in 1984, but that if he had been running in the newly-redrawn riding that includes the Revelstoke area, he would have lost by 100 votes or so. I was wrong. In fact, figures show he would have still won by about 110 votes. Still, the point of last week's column was to show that the race here is going to be close — too close to call — and the Greens may play a part in it While I'm hesitant to stick my neck out and predict an outcome of an election that hasn't even been called, The Vancouver Sun's Jamie Lamb isn’t. Lamb predicts Brisco will be turfed in the next election. His reasoning is simple: It's Kristiansen’s turn. Brisco won in 1979; Kristiansen in 1980, then Brisco again in 1984 This is what Lamb had to say about an '88 election: “Think the NDP might win? Well askyourselfthis: of the more than 15,800 people who voted for Brisco and Mulroney in 1984, do you think there might be a few hundred who wouldn't vote for Mulroney this time? Exactly.” But I'm not so sure. The races in this riding have been close, primarily because of voter disaffection with the governing party. In 1979 it was the Trudeau Liberals that received the backlash; in 1980 Clark's Tories; in 1984 it was Turner's Liberals and the fact Mulroney was so immensely popular But while voters may be disenchanted with the Mulroney government, it doesn't necessarily translate into votes for Kristiansen. For the first time we have an incumbent who is a member of the government (the Clark government was so short-lived it doesn’t really count). And that throws a bit of a wrench into things, because not only is Brisco well thought of in the riding, but he’s brought in wheelbarrel loads full of Ottawa cash for projects like the Castlegar airport expansion and the Cominco lead smelter modernization. That kind of government largesse may just be enough to turn back the anti-Mulroney tide in these parts. Then again, it may not. It's just too hard to say at this point. Radon, radon: The Central Kootenay Health Unit study of radon gas levels in Castlegar homes will be out sometime this fall now that Provincial government employees appear headed back to work. Apparently, a report in last week's Vancouver Sun quoted some environmentalist from Rock Creek saying that half the homes in Castlegar have unacceptably high levels of the gas. The fellow cited a study of city homes done by a Castlegar-area environmentalist. That study is news to me. I haven't had anyone test my home and I don’t know of anyone who has had their home tested, except for those who took part in the health unit study. I find it more than a bit difficult to believe the majority of homes in Castlegar — let alone all of them — have been tested Hydro business: A story in last Sunday's CasNews reported that several private businesses have expressed interest in installing generators in B.C. Hydro’s Keenleyside Dam. Hydro says there is nothing formal yet. But sources indicate the Crown corporation plans to meet with a private firm or firms this week to discuss the project. We'll have to wait and see what comes of the meeting. When do we play Three Ca t to Monte? Letters to the editor Council move ‘sneaky’ : The City of Castlegar has often expressed concern over the com. mercial/industrial development along the 2200-2300 blocks of 6th Avenue in south Castlegar. The main problems have involved the undes irable appearance, noise pollution and traffic congestion. The con- gestion is caused by trucking outfits parking trailers and semi-trailers on the side of the road. Although this is illegal, our valiant council cowered before the mighty truckers when it came time to enforce the city’s parking regulations. Then came the inspiration. No- twithstanding the fact that our city council is quick to point out that it has inherited the 6th Avenue prob- lem, it expanded the problem with its solution. A council committee under the direction of Ald. Terry Rogers entered into an agreement to allow the trailers to park on city property across from the Bob Brandson Pool. That's right, the same pool and playground used by children of school age and below. This lot is located on the corner of 6th Avenue and 24th Street. 24th Street is a main route used by children travelling to and from school. It is also the main route into a large residential area in southeast Castlegar. The city recently held a public hearing to gather input for a new community plan. Afterwards council wondered why only four people attended. I suggest that it is because our council doesn't follow either the old or hew plan unless it happens to suit them. The land in question is currently zoned light industrial. That is the same as that great white elephant to the south, the industrial park. This property is one of four parcels along 24th street. The other three are zoned for residences. Nice compatible mix, isn’t it? The wonder. ful new community plan that our council wanted you to come out and support lists the city lot as park and recreational use. So: who is the first to break with the new concept before the ink is dry? Gur_wonderful city council. Refund Celgar Pulp Co. and Westar Group are. now receiving a $300,000 tax break — as well as a reduced tax assessment for succeeding tax years. That's a considerable award when all factors are taken into account. The industry has already been relieved of equipment and machinery taxes by this provincial government. We are about to pay the industry just to stay here — as federal income taxes have been reduced from 36 to 28 per cent for corporations — then the corporations defer payment of these taxes anyway. Taxes received locally go to the community where industry is lo- cated. They are the corporation's contribution to the community and country as paying their fair share as good corporate citizens. The corporations use the country’s natural resources to amass the healthy profits but reduce to the barest minimum any responsibility to the community — and even the re- source itself. Can we forget the local community lost 17 paycheques directly on the woodroom closure alone, not to mention the waste wood from the clear cut no longer pro- cessed? Why is it doing this you might ask? Why not? It is easier to sneak something past trusting voters than it is to stand up to angry truckers. And sneak it past the local residents is indeed what it is doing. It did not notify a handful of people and gave them about 14 days to respond in writing stating their objections be fore our mighty council makes the expansion of a problem area perm. anent. Council is planning to do this at the next council meeting on Sept. 27. If you do not notify them of your objections — in writing — this dangerous and noisy eyesore is going to become a permanent part of our landscape You might ask yourself why you should be concerned if you do not live in this area. The answer is that if council's trying this with us, what else is it sneaking through unnoticed and what is it going to do to your area, your property value or your taxes? It seems that council has to be reminded from time to time that it is there to serve us, not rule over us. James Wm. Gouk Castlegar Aquanauts clear up misconceptions On behalf of the Castlegar Aqua. nauts I would like to clear up some misconceptions about our use of a new aquatic centre. The Aquanauts are members of the British Columbia Summer Swim. ming Association whose regulations prevent our swimmers from training more than two hours per week except during the summer months of May to August. Thus, for most of the year we would be a minority among users. During past summers we have used the Bob Brandson Pool an average of about five hours per day Mondays through Fridays. These hours have been less than prime-time hours (six to nine in the morning and over the supper hour). These times were worked out to accommodate community use during the best recreational periods. In the summer of 1988 the Aquanauts used the pool for about 400 hours, for which we paid over $3,000 in rental and operating costs. Different from the situation that exists now at Bob Brandson, use of the sauna or steam room and whirlpool, fitness facilities, and pub- lic swimming in the leisure pool of a new aquatic centre could ‘still take place even while Aquanauts are practicing. As do many Castlegar residents, Aquanaut parents participate in masters swimming and aquafit pro- grams. Many Aquanauts themselves take Red Cross lessons, life saving courses and also enjoy public swim- ming. Many from Castlegar have had to travel to Nelson or Beaver Valley to take these programs over the winter months. We believe that aquatic activities are the best for all-round lifetime fitness. This is why we have wanted anew pool for Castlegar and district. This is why we have already given over $18,000 and pledged an ad- ditional $22,000 to the aquatic centre. The people of Castlegar and district have avidly supported our goals through their participation in our fund raising activities — swim. athons, bingos, dances. We hope they will continue this support when they vote on the Oct. 15 referendum for an aquatic centre. Gord Gibson President, Castlegar Aquanauts ‘unacceptable’ The return of $300,000 in taxes will be another transfer of wealth to Celgar and Westar from taxpayers at a time when profits are embarrass- ingly huge. For example, if Celgar earns the same percentage of profit as reported by MacMillan Bloedel recently, the amount could be as high as $90 million this year alone — just as much as it cost to purchase the mill just two years ago. Celgar does not have to report any figures as a subsidiary of Consolidated Bathurst and China Investment Corp. These profits + whatever they are — cer- tainly leave this community and even the country. This is unfortunate as the Castlegar mill always did stand on its own feet and only by inept management ended up in foreign hands. The refund comes in a year when in March we were the second highest unemployed area in all of Canada. These are the same homeowners who are now required to make the refund. The Community Complex, for example, would have been a very questionable project if the industry had not been involved. I wonder if it now pays anything toward operation and debt with the reduced commun. ity contribution. pr aquatie_eentre—will undoubtedly get a charitable dona- tion from both Celgar and Westar to maintain their images, but no real long-term commitment to the com- munity in the way of a committed tax base. I think this trend is an unac- ceptable situation — especially for young people looking for jobs — and is very deserving of a thorough editorial report if nothing else, to inform the public of the exact tax impact. Mel McMullin Castlegar 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 Ave- nue, Castlegar Letters must be signed and include the writer's full name and address. Only in very exceptional cases will published without th s the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality and grammar —_—_—S—: Remember when 40 YEARS AGO From the Sept. 23, 1948 jar News In the near future the Commis- sioners intend to enforce the Castle- gar Milk bylaw, whereby it will be necessary for milk vendors to take out licenses for the grade of milk that they supply. Eventually it will be [necessary for each of the milk vendors to be licensed. * . * A recommendation has been made for the changing of the location of the Burial Park away from the highway. It is claimed that the land would be needed for other purposes such as industrial areas. *. a - The Volunteer firemen will hold their second Annual Ball on Friday night, Oct. 29 in the Coronation Hall. The committee is busy already making plans for it to be the biggest and best Bal oer: . awochy on one street lights have been installed upon existing poles and the other lights will be installed when the West Kootenay have the necessary material. It is advised that the necessary transformer for this purpose will be delivered about the middle of October. 25 YEARS AGO ne ars Sept. 26, 1963 legar News The i Cactiecar and District Fall Fair held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21 was a great success. This was also the largest ever held, with more exhibitors, more exhibits and the largest attendance which was over 2,000 for both evenings. * 8 « Mr. A.C. Haines, accountant at the Trail-Tadanac Hospital, has been appointed Administrator of the Castlegar and District Hospital it was announced today. Mr. Haines will take up his duties on Nov. 1. . 8 «8 The Castlegar-Trail No. 3-A high way will receive top priority high- ways minister Gaglardi wired Donald L. Brothers, MLA last week. Mr. Brothers tentatively estimat- ed the cost of the project at approximately $2 million and said he understood from regional highways engineer Don Martin of Nelson that it was planned to reconstruct the road on a two-contract basis, one from Trail to Genelle, and the other from Genelle to Castlegar. * The Castlegar-Kinnaird Kinsmen Club will make a pick-up of vege- tables for the Castlegar and District Hospital again this year this Sunday, Sept. 29. All persons wishing to make donations are asked to have them ready when the truck calls. 15 YEARS AGO From the Sept. 27, 1973 Castlegar News Talks between Local No. 1 of the Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada and Can-Cel's pulp division appear to be in limbo. As the strike enters its 58th day, the union says no headway has been made in talks in spite of meetings held last Thursday, Friday and Mon- day. * 8 Machines dispensing soft drinks, bars and cookies came under crit icism at last Thursday's meeting of the West Kootenay Union Board of Health held in Castlegar, with the board wondering jost how many machines were installed in district schools, particularly at the elemen- tary level. * Thrums exchange area of B.C. Tel is to have its rates revised and re- grouped. An application by the telephone company has been given approval by the Canadian transport commission. . This year's United Appeal gets underway Monday and the goal for the month-long campaign has been set at $24,000. 5 YEARS AGO From the Sept. 25, 1983 Castlegar News Buoyed by a recent surge in the polls and by a throng of cheering party faithful, national New Demo- cratic Party leader Ed Broadbent said Saturday he looks forward to meeting the Liberals and Progres- sive Conservatives in an upcoming election. “I welcome the challenge to go head to head with Brian Mulroney and the Tories all across this coun- try,” Broadbent told more than 200 supporters at the Kootenay West NDP nominating meeting in Kin- naird Hall. * 8 6 There’ will not be a new set of traffic lights along Highway 3 to Nelson after all, the Castlegar News has learned. The Ministry of Highways has de cided to accept the City ‘of Castle gar’s suggestion and eliminate the traffic lights from its new highway interchange plan. enema men GIANT PUMPKIN . . . John Kanigan shows off 42.3 pumpkin. Kanigan’s first try at growing a giant pumpkin, kilogram Atlantic Giant eptember 25,1908 Castlégar News 4s This was and he says he'll try again hext year, but for one iwice as large. He donated the pumpkin to the and District Hospital. « MORE LETTERS Let non-smokers pay Ihear a lot about how smokers are slowly killing all the non-smokers and how second-hand smoke can harm you. But it’s never really been proven. I see in the news how Castlegar school trustees think (we) they should pay for the smokers to quit or build an extra room for them. Maybe the smokers don't want to quit or can’t. If the non-smokers are bothered so much, let them pay for it, not the rest of the taxpayers. This smoking thing is snowballing out of hand. Personally, I don’t think school trustees should have their noses in this. It's wasting time and money. They should be concentrating on how we can better our education, and how to improve our school system for our children. I also agree that non-smokers shouldn't have to suffer us smokers. But it sure is funny how a lot of them will go into bards and drink and suck up all the smoke that is in there. Maybe they should open up their own bars or cafes with no smoking. Shouldn't we all be more con cerned over more important matters like chemicals in our food; our car (because it's not tuned up), causing Hunters warned to be careful On Sept. 8 I went horseback riding with another lady near Cummings Creek, known locally in Sparwood as Wilson Creek. We picked this ride as we thought hunters would be able to define us easily because the road is mostly open and we would be able to be recognized as horse and rider. Our ride six miles in was pleasant and relaxing. Coming out a half-mile from the closest resident and a trailer court, someone started shoot- ing a high-powered rifle from across Wilson Creek. The first shot took a big chunk of wood off a tree behind us, then there was another closer shot. We yelled and whistled and moved about 30-feet ahead and the third and fourth shot went over our I find it hard to believe that this person was actually shooting at us. I was riding a white horse and had red on, but even if they were sighting in their rifle they shouldn't have been shooting at random. We could see 150 yards in front and behind us on the road. There was just bush and creek the direction of the rifle fire. It is getting pretty bad when you have to worry about reckless people on a road one-half mile from a populated area where children play, people hike, horseback ride and on trail bikes. Please be careful hunters, someone could get killed. Heather Bissonette TYPE SETTING Give your newsletters, meeting bulletins, etc., @ professional ap- peorance. Camera-ready type for your photocopier | CASTLEGAR NEWS 365-7266 We reserve the rij Prices lirnit it to limit one to stock on hor | CENTRAL FOODS Commeay 271 9 Cob pollution, or most importantly the industrial plants that are destroying our air and water which will kill us much faster than second-hand smoke? But I forgot, we have to be quiet because we need these plants, be- cause we need jobs, which I agree we do. Still, shouldn't they be cleaning up their act a little faster, because if they don't our kids will not have a future? Let's open our eyes (if you can see through the smog). Wayne Hurlbert Castlegar Bill saves historic stations OTTAWA (CP) The Senate transport committee has approved a Conservative MF bill to save historic train stations, The committee approved the bill without changes, meaning it only needs final Senate approval and royal assent to become law. That could happen this week. The proposal by Alberta Conser. vative MP Gordon Taylor was ap- proved by the Commons last month but ran into opposition from Liberal Senator Ian Sinclair, former chair: man and president of Canadian Pacific Ltd. The bill would require railways to get ministerial approval before des. troying or altering what was con sidered a heritage station and there would have to be public hearings on any proposed changes before the minister could make a decision, The main problem with the legis- lation is that it makes no provision for financing preservation of those stations considered to have heritage value, leaving this to negotiation be- tween the railway involved and the group wanting the station preserved. Sinclair said there hadn't been enough consultation on the bill and he succeeded in getting it sent back to the Senate ‘transport committee for more study. 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As parents, WE'RE TAKING But we'll give it back anytime they want. Isnt it time your uated froin the “Piggy Bank” approact to savings? Kootenay Savings has launched a program to encourage your kids to “stash their cash” with v whether it's money they earn or from grandparents and relative: Why tell you first children grad you should have a say in how their account is set up. You see, the “Kootenay Kids” account is first of all for savings earns the Maximizer interest rate. But it can be much more. While your kids are earning, they can also be learning about chequing, term deposits, and automated teller ma chines. These services are alt available as no-charge options Trail m Fruitvale @ Castlegar @ Salmo @ South Slocan mNakusp m@ New Denver ur kids also receive the other account — monthly state ments, No minimum balance. And despite what we said about taking money, there are absolutely no service the Kootenay Kids Since you know you should decide when they're responsibly We'll let you pick which the harges or kids best, you're the person whe ready to handle any service option tart with. ThéA*you say when youd like us to show using an ATM « By the way, this may.be the very-best time to introduce your children to Kootenay Savings. Right now, the first $50 put into their account puts a Kootenay Kids T-shirt on thei’ back. (One shirt per account holder while quantities last.) And coming soon, a monthly draw. about writing cheques. ard, term deposits and more. @ Waneta Plaza @ Kaslo