- OPINION,

May 12, 1993

Wy

teat
The Ci stl
aS
PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG

SHARLENE IMHOFF CATHERINE ROSS
EDITOR ADVERTISING REP.
MARGE LALONDE NICOLE BEETSTRA
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CHRISTINE MOYER
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KAREN KERKHOFF
REPORTER

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editorial comment

It's all right here!

all it what you want—a specialized ser-

vices facility, or a regional hospital. But

no matter what the name, the fact remains
the same, Castlegar and District Hospital should be
the facility at which regionalized services are
delivered to the West Kootenay.

Already the screams of outrage can be heard in
both Nelson and Trail, but the hard facts point to
Castlegar as being the most obvious, logical and
economical place from which to. dispense those
“specialized services”.”

What other city in the West Kootenay has an air-
port from which the critically ill can be flown to
major centres? And what other city has a major
highway literally passing by their front steps? The
geography of Castlegar is, in itself, enough reason
to seriously consider a plan of regionalization

Castlegar's central location is another big plus
And it's something that must be considered by min-
istry officials when making choices.

It might not have been considered previously,
but the fact that this area has heavy industry, as
opposed to Nelson which does not, also means that
quick access to a hospital with specialists is essen
tial. Satellite hospitals on the other hand, provide
trauma care stabilization, as well as non-acute care
services such as uncomplicated births and minor
surgeries.

Companies such as Pope and Talbot, Celgar Pulp
Mill and Selkirk College employ a considerable
amount of people. Should an indtstrial accident
occur it would be critically necessary that treatment
were within immediate reach

In order for Trail or Nelson to provide regional
services, they would have to spend considerably
more money to bring their facilities up to standards
required to become a regional hospital

However, because Castlegar Hospital was origi-
nally designed to allow for the addition of another
floor should it become necessary it can provide the
expansion which will be needed with minimal fuss
and expenditure of health care dollars. With the
Ministry of Health’s mandate to trim spending and
stretch health care dollars, it makes perfect sense to
regionalize the hospital which can provide those
services with the least capital expense

With each accreditation Castlegar Hospital has
earned, it has proven over and over again that it is
committed to providing professional and top notch
quality care. Castlegar Hospital is a facility of
which the community is very proud, and we feel it
is the facility which can most economically offer
the standard of care which will be required of a
regional hospital.

Very rarely in Castlegar's history have residents
made a lot of noise about the “have” and “have
not” difference between Nelson and Castlegar. If
locals would like to see the Castlegar hospital have
specialized services, than history better not repeat
itself. Should Castlegar be the regional hospital
for the West Kootenay? Our answer is a loud and
resounding yes!

WIZ
The Casti¢gar Sun
ZS

1S POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A
MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE
Established November 28, 1990

Published by The Castlegar Sur
Weekly on Wednesdays
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and B.C. Press Council
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Graduation celebrations

John

I wasn't that long ago
when I was in a similar
situation as our own area
graduating students—though not
quite as long ago as you Karen,

When it comes to the issue of
drinking on grad night, why
should this night differ from the
remainder of the year?’ Just
because a small group decides to
extend its control? Not likely.

Should these students not be
permitted to make the choices that
will affect them directly? If some
of the students are of legal drink-
ing age then they should be per-
mitted to enjoy their legal rights, a
drink. Those who are not of legal
age should not be drinking

It is an event for the students
and put on by the graduating
students. The decision on
whether or not drinking should
be allowed should rest upon the
students on the graduation coun-
cils—those who have been
elected in a democratic manner
to speak for the majority of the
students. Karen, I think that one
thing has really showed through
with your comments. You have
shown quite vividly that with
your increasing age you have
become slightly, (no phenome-
nally) out of touch with reality
and you should give today's
grads some credit

I think the main problem with
peoples’ fear of a wet event is a
lack of trust of the students. The
students were not calling for a
free flowing bar to be open at
every event. It is not likely they
are going to start drinking at the
crack of dawn the day of their
graduation. Even if the grad is
declared to be a dry event there
will still be a few who-will dip
into the juice for their own cele
brating. So why not permit
moisture to be served under cu-
cumstances where there can be
some control. Under this con
trol, drivers can be arranged and
responsibility be allocated.

At many of the high school
parties throughout the year drink
ing is a common occurrence. In

fact, grad parties can start as
early as September. Karen, I
know it was so long ago for you,
but if you think back, (way bac
maybe you can remember some
of your high school days and if
you were involved in completely
dry celebrating.

If drinking is permitted in a
controlled manner and legal
ages are strictly enforced and
those students who have earned
the legitimate right, act sensibly
and do not ové p the bound-
aries of decent behavior, then
there should be no problems.

There is one message of wam-
ing tothe graduating students of
all area high schools; this is only
one night. don't overstep or over
celebrate on this joyous occasion
I'm certain that today's grads
realize this fact, and I'm also-cer
tain that many parents realize
their grads will be drinking
Instead of sittung at home, wa
ing the clock, I hope these par
ents take shifts at the all-night
party: making sure that sand
wiches are available; keys arc
taken from everyone, and that a
busing system is in place for a
safe drive home

eek.

heek

ohn, you're a puppy
Jot: still wet behind
the ears, and I can guar-
antee that when you have your
own children and you have :to
deal with the issue of them
drinking, your views will
change
I consider myself fairly lib
eral, but teen alcohol consump:
tion is a rising national concem
(for that fact, so is adult alco-
hol-consumption). If we tell
our children that it is Okay to
drink, regardless of the
LEGAL age of drinking, we're
asking for big trouble. Laws
are set for a reason in this
countr and t
children to break those laws

ncourage our

and to actually assist them in
breaking them (such as pur
chasing liquor’for the grad
Dash) is wron

Who said you can't have fun
at a party without consuming
liquor? Try it some time John
you.might find that you can
actually attend an event, drink
pop and have fun. I clearly
remember reading about sever
al fatal motor vehicle accidents
which occurred right around

Karen

grad time, and the contributing
factor in those sad and unnec-
essary fatalities was alcohol

How many parents have to
bury their children before we
collectively say enough is
enough? And how many people
do we have to helplessly watch
travel down the long and lonely
road of alcoholism before we
stand up and demand that
liquor laws are tightened.

I have personally stood in an
emergency room and watched
our children being brought in
by stretcher, each a victim of
an alcohol related accident. It's
a@ sad waste of a young life
which is governed by the need
of alcohol.

Nowadays, it is not just one
grad party held at grad time
The grad parties start in
September, and continue along
on a frighteningly and increas-
ingly frequent basis until well
after graduation.

To impress upon our chil-
dren that excessive drinking is
socially acceptable is sending
the wrong message. Just got a
raise—have a drink. Just
passed a test—have a drink
Oh, you just got a job—have a
drink

One thing we have to keep
in mind is that our children
emulate what they see. It is not
enough to say that grads should
be dry, but we have to follow it
up with positive examples.

We don't need to have a
well-stocked liquor cabinet
which gets opened for every
and ii iS essential
that we break the link between
fun and liquor. I think our com
munity is on the night track by

little excuse

encouraging a dry grad and
rewarding the students who
pledge to remain dry during the
festivities

These students are taking
their rightful passage into
adulthood—let's not send them
on that quest with a bottle of
beer in their hands.

if you have any

ts or q

th about this week's Cheek to Cheek, feel free to
send us your comments in a letter to the editor c/o The Castlegar Sun.
if you have a subject that you would like to see debated in the Cheek to Cheek
~ column, Karen and John would love to hear your suggestions.

ts at 365-7762

"s
Call the newsroom at 365-5579 or fax us your ts and req

Wednesday, May 12, 19'

The Castlegat Sun

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I'm writing to express my strong disapproval of a recent City
Council decision to award the contract for Phase I of the downtown
rev project to a Kel firm.

The issue of Council establishing a policy concerning” local con.
tracts and fair wages has been around for many years now.

I am, quite frankly, disgusted that Council still refuses to establish
such a policy so that it has the freedom in the tendering process to
award contracts that are in the overall best, long term interests of our
community.

I personally have long made a conscious choice to shop locally
whenever possible. I only go outside Castlegar if I cannot find what I
need here - even if the price is a bit higher in local stores. I see this as
a way to invest in the economic health of my community.

But if Council and the downtown merchants don’t support a “buy
local” policy why should I bother ... maybe it is time that I started
looking out strictly for myself and my own individual interests and
took my purchasing elsewhere. I'm going to be thinking seriously
about this in the next while, that’s for sure ‘

I'd also like to make another point, which to me is obvious, but
seems to elude our Council ... that is that the fair union wages and

WYYYSSAN

&*76!.INCOME TAX!..
[NEARLY LOST MYSHIRT!

Fy

\
\

Sorry, there is no My Turn column this week.

AGH ']'[W ss S

WY A

Purchasing policy will rear head at election time

benefits that are paid to a relatively large number of local people are
what helps to ensure the prosperity, security and quality of life of
many more than just the people who are directly paid those wages. It

everyone were to be reduced to the level of w

non-union, non-fair wage contractor, the tax jt
nor would there be the money avail

wouldn't be nearly as strong
able to support local businesses

Unions also mean apprenticeships for our young people, good pen
sions for seniors, quality work, security and self respect for the work

ers and funds available for local investments

It's not only Council that needs to pay attention to the above ... our
college, school boards, credit unions, hospitals, and other local bodies
should be thinking “long term” when they make decisions re con

tracts.

It's election time for council this coming fall. I

asking candi
policy for this community.

ates about their position re a local contract/fair wage

id by a typical
of this town

Letters Policy
Letters to the Editor are welcome on any topic of local
or general interest. Letters should be double-spaced, type
written, or legibly handwritten, and no more than two
pages if possible. Letters will be edited in the interests of
brevity or taste if necessary. All letters must be signed,
with address and telephone number, although names may
be witheld from publication for valid reason by the
approval of the editor. Send letters to: .The Castlegar Sun,
465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C., VIN 1G8, or drop

them off at the office. Poetry will NOT be published.

for one, will be

Yours truly,
Ann Godderis

Let's realize Head to NEC for colorful display

our "parks"
potential

Dear Editor:

Castlegar is fortunate in hav-
ing an extremely fine location
for the development of parks and
trails, and yet, we have not fully
realized our potential.

The development of the new
Twin Rivers Park gives impetus
to the formation of a voluntary
support group: The Friends of
the Trails and Parks. Such an
organization would give citizens
a chance to participate in plan-
ning, building and maintenance
of outdoor recreation areas.

Besides these foregoing activ-
ities, there are a multitude of
other enjoyable activities that
could be ilable under the
umbrella of the Friends of the
Trails and Parks or just in short
the “Friends’

The “Friends” could initiate
groups to develop tree nursenes
or rose gardens. Perhaps other
groups could form walking or
dog exercising clubs. Social
activities for other citizens could
be created, for example youth
could organize picnics for
seniors or young children. Essen-
tially, such happy outdoor events
could lead to increasing friend
ship and a better community
spirit

The Friends of the Parks and
Trail will be officially formed at
a public meeting sometime this
month. This volunteer group will
be closely associated with the
Castlegar & District Recreation
Commission. Those that would
like to be charter members
please sign your name to the
membership list being compiled
at the Recreation Complex

The formation of the Friends
of the Trails and Parks .will give
a new dimension to living in the
Castlegar district. Watch for the
announcement of the public
meeting.

Dear Editor:
We

Who's money
are you playing
with anyway?

Dear Editor:

I cannot believe Len Embree
would pay $47,397.82 more to
get_a job done rather than accept
a lower bid for the same job
(Story May 5 “Embree Con-
demns Council Decision") Yet
he asks that our City Council
spend more of the taxpayer's
money to keep the contract
“local""??

This is not a mere few dollars
difference in bids! I for one
applaud the revitalization com
mittee's recommendafion and
council's decision. It's our money
they're playing with here!

A Concerned Taxpayer

We Install

BUILT-IN
VACUUM SYSTEMS

+ NO Bags to buy

+ NO Filters to clean

+ 4.1 peak horse power

+ 140" water lift

+ 10-year motor warranty

(Other models available)

365-5087

Sincerely,

are fortunate to have such a professional pho
tographic exhibition of India at the N.E.C.

The pictures of India by Brian Harris are excel-
lent, showing the colorful people, culture and tradi
tions. In the smaller room, there are;samples of
Indian art and crafts which includes a very beautiful

Colin Pryce

blue and gold threaded sari

This exhibition will be in the Vancouver Museum
shortly and we are privileged to have it here first
See it before the closing date of May 16.

You're our V.I.P.! 1

You can earn
7.36%* with interest paid monthly!

ASK US H !

don

Castlegar Savings Credit Union

Casdegar Branch (3 Slocan Park Branch

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Pryce

630 - 17th St 3026 Hwy 6
Castlegar. B.C. VIN 4G7 Slocan Park, B.C. VOG 2E0
ANTIQUE & COLLECTABLE
ol AUCTION

365-7232 226-7212
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1993 - 11 A.M.(Mtn.Std.)
Location: 500 Helen St. (near junction Hwys. 3 & 3A)

Licence #780290

THURSDAY, MAY 13 CASTLEGAR ARENA COMPLEX

Benefit for Odyssey of the Mind teams

OMALLS: cant iron waille iron, cracks. selec:
tion old tools. Bavarian china. lots of porcelain, crystal. sleigh bells. silverplate dishes &
cutlery. pressed glass, etc, etc
PICTURES: paintings: Sarsi & Blackfoot by D. Osborne. Victorian prints in besutiful old
frames, good selection vintage pictures
bed chesterfield. beautifully styled entertainment centre with TV. ete

VIEWING: FRIDAY, MAY 14, 10:00 A.M. PM.

‘SATURDAY. 9:00 A.M. TO SALE TIME

SALE CONDUCTED BY: QUALITY ANTIQUES & AUCTION SERVICES
500 HELENE ST. (CRESCENT), CRESTON, B.C. PH: 428-9905, 428-5723
HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND SERVICE IS OUR BUSINESS”

«HOME GOODS ¢

Solid Oak

Eastern 9-Piece
Dining Room Suite
Save Over *1500. Sale Price .......

5-Piece Kitchen Dinettes,
Only

5-Piece Solid Birch

Only ...

FULL CIRCLE BIRTH PARENT SUPPORT GROUP - meet monthly. phone
ine 365:

MOOD DISORDERS ASSOCIATION - meeting at Mental Health Clinic, Friday,
May 7, 2-3:30 p.m. If you suffer from depression or manic depression, you and
your family are urged to attend
PROJECT LITERACY - Book and bake sale, 10.30 - 3.00, between Super
Valu and Mallards, May 15. Book donations can be dropped off’on Recycling
May 1, or by calling Carol Andrews at 365-6749
SENIORS CITIZEN'S ASSOCIATION #45. - Business meeting May 6 2 p.m
Whist May 13 & 27 7 p.m. The Social May 20 12 noon at Twin Rivers School
id Entertainment

BETHEL 60 JOB'S DAUGHTERS - Spring toa, Legion Hall Saturday, May 8 1
=3p.m. Th 1.50, bake table, raffle. Everyone Welcome

CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S CLUB - Dinner 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13, Fireside
Fashion feature by Joan Andrade. Speaker: Lillian Friesen, Reservations: 365.

8025 of 965-3886 __

SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING - For all Christina Lake residents and visitors
May 23, 1993 Christina Lake Community Hall. PLEASE ATTEND! This may be
Bf the last chance to state your opposition to logging on the slopes around the
lake. Help keep the warmest, tree-lined lake in Canada Tree-lined. This
meeting has been called by concerned residents of Christina Lake

Coming-events of Castlegar and District non-profit organizations may be listed here. The first
12 words afe $4 and additional words are 15¢ each. Boldtaced words (which must be used
for headings) count as two words. Each consecuive insertion is hall-price. Minimum charge

is $4. Deadline is 11:30 Monday for Wednesday's paper Please bring in or mail your notices

465 Columbia Avenue

V4

Huge Selection of

SOLID BIRCH AND
SOLID OAK DINING
ROOM TABLE & CHAIR SETS

Regular finish, two-tone, and tile top suites
Some with matching china cabinets.

ALL SALE PRICED

From Our Sleep Shop

Grange $
Chiropractic
Queen Size. From
Simmons $
Beauty Rest
Queen Size. From

Electric
Adjustable
sc", $4199
Twin Size. Only .
Huge Shipment of
La-Z-Boy Products

Just arrived. Recliners, Wing Backs,
Chesterfield Suites and Hide-A-Beds

Over 60
Recliners
In Stock

CURIO CABINETS

wow 3O% on

3 Pce.Coffee & End Tables
New Sets Arriving Daily
Reg. $769. Special Clearout

$399

Good Selection of
Solid Oak and Oak Veneer
Bedroom Suites

OVER 20 IN STOCK

In Stock Specials On
* Armstrong Candide
* All Living Room Carpet

* 30” Electric Range &
* 15 cu. ft. Refrigerator

The Pair For Only

— ~~ HOME GOODS

Furniture Warehouse

La
FUNGI

Cc cenette

= & .
Floor Covering Centre

Located halfway
between
Trail & Castlegar
Open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturda

Phone 693-2227