Py wy er PO ey WEDNESDAY, August 26, 1992 - OPINION wy The Ci stiégar Sun /1\S PUBLISHER JON JARRETT CATHERINE ROSS ADVERTISING REP. NICOLE BEETSTRA PRODUC TIONOFFICE LINDA ANDERSON PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRISTINE MOYER ART DIRECTOR editorial comment A tale of two cities The next time you hear how much better Castlegar is than Trail, sit back and laugh. Laugh really hard. - The next time you hear Castlegar politicians, business- es, and residents complaining about a poor economy and a lack of tourists, laugh even harder. (Castlegar had its chance, and blew it In the last three weeks, Trail has pulled tens of thou- sands of dollars into their local economy. Here's just a por- tion of what Castlegar missed out on: Two tractor-trailer loads ‘of groceries per day, The rest and relaxation leave for 750-plus reservists soldiers. Why, after all, would local convénience stores, bars, and restaurants want any extra business; And how about something a little more long term - TOURISM. Almost all of the p in Western Ch "92, a training operation for army engineers, are from Western (Canada and the American Pacific Northwest. Trail, and not Castlegar, is now a potential destination for future visits. Colonel Bob Stanley of Vancouver, the director of the Challenge, thought highly of Trail. “Trail was a gteat host city — great people to work with.” And Trail wants them back. Trail Mayor Sandy Santori did what every effective mayor should be doing. He was selling his city with showmanship, and a little good public relations. After all, how many people do you know would have the guts to show up at an official military training session wearing || an orange jump suit with huge gold epaulets, medals, and an cight-star general helmet? And he made it clear that Western Challenge °92 was more than welcome to bring their money to Trail Concerns were expressed about military training oper- ations being carried out in an area with a significant paci- fist hi Maybe the residents of Castlegar did not realize! that the entire operation was focused more on peace-keeping skills and less on playing war games. Ironically, one of the units that was supposed to be practicing ‘temporary waterway bridging’ on the Arrow Lakes above the Hugh Keenleyside dam did not make it to Western Challenge °92. They were too busy doing their job. Their job? Getting medical and food supplies to people who are suffering in the former Yugoslavia. The next time that Ken Wyllie, the director of Area J for the Regional District of Central Kootenay decides that a military ise would be Ptable to his con- stituents, he should make sure that all of his constituents feel that way. After all, in the ever increasing competition for the business and the tourist buck, who can afford to say no? By Don Addis wy The Castiégar Sun Zi 1S POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE 1990 465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. VIN 1G8 pee oi Summer is the season tor reunions. Families and friends are gathering to celebrate their sense of belonging to a group I grew up in Northern Ontario, in a small town in the middle of the “little clay belt”, an agricultural area on the fringes of the mining centres of the Laurentians This year will b> remembered as the summer that never was, for most of Eastem Canada has vet to experience more than a Tew consec utive days of warm weather. It's ar ill wind that doesn t bode someon good, for the cooler temperatures and warm rains have produ bumper crops of oats and canc that farmers are happy. or, as happy as farmers ever get, being predisposed to more grumbling than the average citizen ple, they say their hay crop thi year is particularly poor! So you see, it 1s very difficult to find a happy farmer. There was a purpose to my visit We were all gathering to celebrate 2 reunion of all those who had at any time. since 1903, attended the two: room rural school house, which had Closed its doors forever in 1967 The local seniors now use the premises for a meeting place and the lower floor makes great storage For exam es: for various bits and pieces of com- munal equipment. The local Women’s Institute (WI) Group had done a superlative job of providing seating, tents, food, a covered stage for fashion shows of old costumes, Seasons Elma Maund all punctuated by a parade of vin- tage cares. There were tugs-of-war, slow-pitch ball, skits, and a contest to see who could be first to com- plete a “tractor” out of a wooden thread spool. Remember those? Ihere were memorabilia, photos and old texts, and so much chatter we were hoarse for days afterward. The “Grumbling Grannies” enter- tained, as did the local band and square dance club. There were people I had not seen for more years than I care to remember. My grade school teacher was there, looking just as bright as ever and with tons of memories. I heard stories about my family and siblings I had never heard before! For instance, I didn’t know that my ! F bocee ‘N N N pee s ~S WS OSS Ss father once had a still behind the shed, and was known for the quali- ty of what he produced from the family potato patch! Many of the local WI women had spent last winter producing a quilt to be raffled with the proceeds to go to local charities. All the names of the families that had ever attended the school were sewn into the design. I would have killed for that quilt! Of course, it was won by someone who had no family ties to the area. The fellow who broke my best friend's heart, at 16, was there, with his wife. He had replaced my friend with “Barbara Bonny Breasts” How could we bear a grudge when he is now very ill and looking so much older? The children who were fortunate to be born into pros- perous families have not all done good things with their lives. Many children, not so fortunate, have done very well indeed. School chums, some of whom were neigh- bours, related stories to us that we could now realize were the results of abuse by ‘parents and step-par- ents. In those days we suspected that all was not okay in those fami- lies, but, of course, no one would have dared intervene! It was indeed heartening to see these children t's the season for reunions grown into.happy adults who were coping with their past and, perhaps laying their own ghosts. I had expected the reunion to be fun. I was not prepared for the depth of feelings that overwhelmed us. The growth and progress of the area were also unexpected, though we knew that diversification into many small and light industries had greatly added to the prosperity of the region. It was exciting to visit with pro- fessionals and business people who had greatly contributed to all areas of community life. As a baby sitter, I had once washed out a young boy's mouth with soap(!) for what I considered to be inappropriate descriptions of his mother and, incidentally, me Since this gentleman is now the local millionaire, and thus not with out detractors, it was suggested | should perform the service once again! It was a busy weekend. There were also four family reunions hap- pening on that same weekend so all the local motels were full, the restaurants were full, cash registers were ringing and everyone was happy. I was very pleased to dis. cover that, yes indeed, you can go back! Doug Mowat was an inspiration To many he was Grace McCarthy's running mate for Van couver-Little Mountain, but to those who knew Doug Mowat he was much more than that. Doug died last week of cancer. During his 63 years, be spent about 45 in a wheelchair, the result of an accident as a teen. He was the only MLA in B.C. disabled in such a way. He was also a good guy He will be remembered as exec utive director of the B.C. Para- plegic Association and for his work with the disabled over the years and for his service on the Vancou- ver Park's Board where he served as chairman for a couple of years. Doug is the sixth former MLA of the 54 elected in the 1983 general election, who has passed on. He joins some pretty good company It is tough enough candidate, tougher whe you have a chance at winning, as Doug did. Obviously that much tougher when you are forced to campaign in a wheelchan. Doug Mowat ran three times, winning in 1983 and 1986. He was a victiin of 1991 as were most of his col leagues. Nut his fault There were intcresting moments in the parliament buildings in Vic toria when Doug first won a seat The usual seating arrangements had to be modified and the Littte Mountain MLA was tucked in a corner near a door so access would be as easy as possible. There was never a shortage of helpers to steer him down the corridors or to an elevator so he could function at other duties than sitting in the House. In Victoria when a division is called, for a formal vote, the time between the bells and the counting of the vote is three minutes. At least once, and perhaps more often, Doug was caught, literally, with his pants down. Three minutes is a short period of time, shorter when your helper has dropped you off in the men’s room and forgets about getting you back into the House for the vote. Mowat was one of the first polit- icallyecorrect MLA’s even though Doug wouldn't have known of that trendy definition. He broke ground for disabled people because his condition was an asset, not a liabili- ty He had a great sense of humor and a balanced view of life. Mowat became the Great Mow-at — at least on a few occasions when members of the House entertained the media once a year or so. For these occa- sionsMlie Vancouver MLA would don a turban, similar to Johnny Carson's, and for that moment become the Great Mow-at, giving answers before the question was asked No doubt his passing will effect 1 large number of people in B.C., but as arrangements were being made for a memorial service those ponsible decided a cel i of Doug's life of service would be observed. That is as it should be. Another good one is gone, but Doug Mowat opened the gates for others to follow and by example tried to do what he could for those who may feel excluded from many activities in life. Being chosen to Tepresent a provincial constituency for a governing party is a great honor and responsibility. Doug knew it would be a tough time but that was the least of his worries Doug understood the pleasures of life and the satisfaction of serv- ing. And he did it well. His licence plate read QD FDAR. Wednesday, August 26, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Page 7A Letters to the Editor q ? Integrated schools toda Dear Editor: Many of us have never had the opportunity to grow up alongside individuals who have a handicap, whether it be physical or mental Well, things are changing and today, school aged children are benefitting from growing and being educated alongside children with disabilities. We no longer have people being sent to institu tions, they have become residents of our communities, With the down sizing and closure of insti tutions many adults have returned to their communities. Families within ities are pre-school programs and enter the school system. Each commu- nity is unique in its acceptance of changing times but we all have a way to go to totally include _peo- ple with disabilities within our communities. Education, employ ment and recreation are all areas that need to be looked at and improved upon. An effort is being made this fall to look at and address these areas. Dr. Lou Brown is coming to Cranbrook in September to Present two days of worksh what does this topic have to do with me? Well, as a parent of a child with a disability, he is someone that I wish everyone in their community would take the opportunity to hear. His dream is the same as my dream ... “that some day soon all such persons will live in decent family style homes that contain no more than two people who are disabled, will perform real work in the real world next to nondisabled co- workers; will enjoy rich and var- ied reci ion/lei lives with entitles “Integrated Schools CG ae their nondisabled friends and os . them. They join Infant Develop- ment programs, play school and Today — Inclusi Tomorrow.” Who is Dr. Lou Brown and igh and will have access to all ity envi a Presenting a Community Focus Workshop which will address how to create employment oppor- tunities for people with mental and physical disabilities September 18 will be an Edu cation Focus Workshop looking friendships, education, employ- ment and i i y—inclusive communities tomorrow Cathy at 489-3244, The work are% ties to all its members. As educators, business people and volunteers, you do have the power to make a difference, to make your community an inclu- at the history of segreg: and the move towards integration. A look at curricular modifications that can be done to assist success- ful functioning in integrated groupings will also be discussed T am hopeful that we can count on your attendance. We all feel these issues will never concern us, but they can. It is time that On September 17 he will be took Pp y for all its citizens to provide It's no wonder Mr. Charbonneau is broke Dear Editor: After watching the antics of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, I no longer doubt Minister Charbonneau's plea of ministerial poverty. MOTH (their acronym, not mine) is busy dig. ging ditches on top of hills, per haps in anticipation that water may one day flow uphills. No matter, they only dig in gravel and sand which would not hold water anyway. MOTH also likes to cut down roadside grass, rocks and the occasional tree, Too bad nobody told them that grass grows back On its Own, because they some- times follow the mowers around with a hydo-seeding crew, spreading fertilizer, water and, yes, grass seed so that next month the mower will have something to do. When they aren't occupied with vandalizing our roads from the sides, MOTH attacks the sur- face directly, covering it with gravel and oil. The former’ soon flies off from motorists’ tires (most of it coming to rest on windshields and headlights), the latter remains to spin the unwary driver off into the newly-dug Political nonsense—NOT! Dear Editor: T am becoming more confused with each edition of your news- paper. First we are told that our councillors and our ever-fearless leader have a trick up their sleeve that will get us the bridge across the Columbia River. We simply, they tell us, will just bar trucks’ access to either Celgar Pulp or Pope & Talbot by placing load restrictions on the streets and roadways that lead to our major employers and taxpayers. Now, forgive me ladies and gentlemen, but we, your lowly taxpayers know that it takes chips to make pulp, logs to make boards. Me-thinks you may have overlooked something here—NO CHIPS = NO PULP = NO LOGS NO BOARDS = MILLS CLOSED = MEN OUT OF WORK = NO TAX REVENUES FOR CASTLEGAR Darn, I thought we were just told at Tuesday's City Council Meeting that the increase in Cel- gar's taxes were going to pay for the new RCMP detachment. The second confusing issue is in Councillor Mathieson's refusal to submit her resignation as she Says she is moving to Vancouver since her husband has been trans- ferred there in his work: One day the newspaper says she has resigned, and the next day, she hasn't. Now I know that Council- lor Mathieson stated in a local newspaper that "she doesn't want us (I guess that means you and me citizens) to have to go through a whoke pile of political nonsense.” Well Councillor Mathieson, I don't think seeking the office of Councillor for our city is political nonsense. I believe as others who live and work in this community— being a councillor is a way of giving something back. I also believe that people should be given adequate time to prepare to seek the office of councillor and with this time, maybe just maybe more people will take an interest and give the people of Castlegar a chance to choose the person they feel will do the best job. To use the words of our young peo- ple, Political Nonsense—Not! To close, setting limits on road- ways to force a position is ridicu- lous. This is not Halloween and we are not playing trick or treat. As for Councillor Mathieson, there is no shante in resigning for truly valid reasons, you have done well, now let us carry on. Support appreciated Dear Editor: As co-ordinators of the Castle gar and District Summer Reading Program, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your support this summer. The coverage that we received from The Castlegar Sun helped to Promote our cause literacy in youth. The interest and enthusi- asm of your newspaper and reporter Brendan Halper was a welcome addition to our program. ‘We were very impressed with the coverage we received and the amount of time spent getting the facts straight. Thank you for your support and we hope to work with you again in the future Louise Pinckney Co-ordinator Lisa Gerrand Co-ordinator 4A Silver Rattle Antiques 301-11 Ave. Castlegar, (in Tulips Building) 365-5191 ditches (thus the real purpose for the ditches; to catch cars, not water). MOTH digs up perfectly good asphalt and re-paves truck road- side pull-outs that receive a mere fraction of the highway traffic. A courteous gesture on MOTH’s part, by paving only portions of the road which tourists don’t use anyway. MOTH has no funds to build a bridge to which it is committed. But it finds money to expropriate home-owners, evict them and then hire security people to pro- tect the empty houses. SAVE ON USED The final straw comes when MOTH cries that the NDP elec- tion promise to return the Robson Ferry is to expensive to keep. But MOTH easily finds over 1/2 mil- lion dollars to move the Robson Ferry to Harrop, thereby keeping a Socred promise to the logging companies. No wonder Mr. Charbonneau is broke. The only wonder is how he ever got the job in the first place. Yours truly, George Stein sive y. The Lou Brown workshops are being held September 17 and 18, 1992 at the Key City Theatre in Cranbrook. Efforts have been made to have brochures available at your local library, or by calling p d by Schoo! District #2 and the Cranbrook Community Education Comunjt- tee. Registration is through the School District and each work shop is priced at $15. Hope to sre you there representing your com munity. Elaine Fawcett Cranbrook NOTICE To All Our Valuable Customers This is to inform you all that effective September 1, Lyle’s Hot Tubs Inc. management. Lyle and Grace would like to thank everyone for their patronage over the last eight years and wish the best for Alan and, Linda Prough who will strive to provide the best service and the best quality products possible to service your pool and spa needs. To facilitate our move, we will be closed August 29, 30 and 31 and re-opened September 1. Should you ‘have any questions or concerns, feel free to call 368-6865. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! Lyle and Grace Wallace will be under new yy QUALITY 91 PONTIAC GRAND AM ‘AWWFM cass. steve, ato, trans. NC, very of GM warranty. Stk #9 1436-0 rr “OF Photographer/Reporter needed Entry Level Position for Photographer/Reporter required ASAP at the Castlegar Sun in Castlegar, BC. The Successful candidate must have strong photography skills, darkroom knowledge, as well as general news reporting skills. Must work well in a team atmosphere and be able to meet deadlines. 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