OPINION | Castlegar News PAGE A4, SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1991 MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS'COUNCIL ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980 WEEK ISHED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978-AUGUST 27, 1980 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUARY 15, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Campbell (DITOR — Simon Birch PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey ADVERTISING MANAGER — Wayne Stolz OFFICE MANAGER — Linda Kositsin CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hadley EDITORIAL Letsexhibit . economic support In 1990, the sun rose on Castlegar’s economic horizon, shining the promise of midday warmth across a wintry landscape where too many businesses, government services and people had been waging in Spartan struggle to survive. Celgar had d program, the West Trail Approach with the needed improvements to Highway 22 just north of it were all but guaranteed, there was the huge i its moderni: SS SSS WALILLLYTIL UH yy wn hy, arr to the Castlegar Hospital to look forward to, and the fAstlegar Aquatic Centre — .a jewel in Mayor Audrey Moore’s crown of achievements — was to be opened within a few short days. Yet, there were still some clouds in the sky. The Robson Ferry issue hadn’t been resolved, Cominco faced tough bargaining and the betting was that there would be a strike, the economic forecasts out of everywhere but official Ottawa were bleak, and the prospects for the forest industry were considered marginal. All in all, though, there was optimism in the air for Castlegar and the Castlegar district. Now, 1990 is history. But what about 1991? Admittedly, we.are having a bleak beginning. The introduction of the GST is casting its pall over peoples’ purchasing, the lumber in- dustry is in what can only be described as a depressed state, and Celgar is still awaiting federal government approval of its expan- sion-modernization plans as well as the all-important details of what the joint governments’ Major Review Panel has recommended. Local businessman Gary Maloney has often described the West Kootenay region as a small land-locked area that needs attention. Yet the truth of that statement aside, very few people have ever indicated more enthusiasm and optimism for the area than has Mr. Maloney. And that optimism is not entirely unique to Mr. Maloney, ‘although its degree might be. It is an optimism that, in quite a large measure, is shared by the business community and the people of Castlegar in general. To meet the challenges of 1991 and the years beyond, -our citizenry and our leaders will have to sacrifice and work together. We believe they’re prepared to. We believe that this area’s economic prospects are amongst the brightest of any area in Canada. And we believe that this betief; held firmly enough by enough of us, can make it so. The allure of Castlegar’s bright future should be reason enough to get us moving. New U.S. tax hits champagne set WASHINGTON (CP) — Canadians aren’t the only ones who rang in the new year with a new tax. The GST may add an extra dime to the cost of a morning coffee and doughnut in Canada, but consider border want to shave their deficits, but each has chosen a decidely dif- ferent way to increase revenue. The GST is*expected to add $1.5 billion Cdn to Ottawa's coffers this year, but at considerable cost to the ity of the Unlike boats; $10,000 for furs and jewelry and $250,000 for aircraft. Americans in the top income brackets will also pay slightly higher income taxes this year, while deduc- tions for many expenses — such as the unlucky American fora Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to a new luxury tax that took effect in the United States on Jan. 1, a Rolls-Royce that cost $160,000 US on New Year’s Eve was more than $173,000 on New Year's Day. Yachts also cost more. Fancy furs and jewelry, too. While Canadians are up in arms over the goods and services tax, there has been no hue and cry over this latest U.S. levy. “It’s extremely difficult for the wealthy to yell uncle,”’ says Bill Pier- ce of the National Tax Union, a Washington lobby group. “People aren’t going to complain if the wealthy are taxed more. . . because they’ve got the money.”’ Governments on both sides of the the GST, the new U.S. luxury levey was barely noticed. “It’s an easy target that the rank and file aren’t going to argue with,”’ says Stephen Smythe of EuroMotor- cars, a Washington-area luxury-car dealer. “It looks to theaverage American that Congress is doing something to equalize things, to have the wealthy pay a: little bit more of their share, when in fact it’s not doing that at all,’’ Smythe said. “It’s hurting business people. It’s going to cost the working people jobs.’” Under the luxury tax, a 10-per- cent levy is applied to the portion of a car’s price that exceeds $30,000 US. The tax kicks in at $100,000 for VIEWPOINT Getting back to the basics By CATHERINE SHAPCOTT Once I decided to be part of The Solution instead of The Problem, I abandoned the yuppie goal of becoming a millionaire by the time I was 40 and opted to keep'it simple. Having moved no less than 20 times in my adult life, what I wanted most was a place I could call home. Not one of those $250,000 ‘‘star- ter’? houses in Toronto, the Metropolis from which my partner and I recently escaped. The politics of living simply practically requires one to live in a humble house, which precludes chandeliers in the dining room and bidets in the bathroom. More likely than not, it also ex- cludes dining rooms and bathrooms. As born-again conservers, we sought an uncomplicated lifestyle to match the rustic home of our dreams. We would have closer con- tact with the natural world, from which we would directly receive food and water. We would i the magic of old-fashioned ‘‘com- munity’’ — of ing rather than commuting. From our new home, we would live more lightly on lands that would be undeveloped, unpolluted and un- crowded. We would create for our- Selves an enlightened 90's lifestyle, brimming over with self-reliance, self-sufficiency and empowerment More than just a personal transition, we would be making a political statement of the need to reduce the burden of urban sprawl. In July 1990, we fell in love at first sight with a piece of land whose house featured no prospects for bidets or chandeliers. Quitting our work without so much as a whiff of where we'd get our next dollar, we followed our dreams to the Slocan Valley. It took a 67-foot tractor-trailer moving van to move us — a pretty big rig for our gear, but it made more sense to bring our stuff rather than start our new lives as con- sumers, ing it all. Through the semi-obscurity of drizzle, we were struck by the contgast with the July sunshine which had obviously tinted our sunglasses. Without rosy tints, we could fully catalogue the vibrant animal and insect life. On the riverbank where we had made our sacred decision to buy the land, there were freshly felled cedar trees and sapling stumps — as though - the resident beavers in- tuitively knew we needed a jump start on our woodpile. In the tangle of weeds where a garden once grew, deer were browsing, and in the house itself we had more critters than we could possibly consume with: mice in the cupboards, earwigs behind the vapour barrier, and stink bugs self-reliance, we compiled a list as long as a beaver’s tooth and com- surgery — have been eliminated or reduced. But not all the new U.S. taxes are aimed at the champagne set. The federal tax on a six-pack of beer doubled to 32 cents, and. the federal take on a pack of cigarettes was hiked to 20 cents from 16 — hefty increases by U.S. standards, but still well below what Canadian drinkers and smokers pay. U.S. taxpayers groups are opposed to aiiy~kind-“of new taxes, but they readily admit measures like the luxury tax are a lot easier to swaltow than the GST. “It’s very hard to conceive of the average American voter supporting the idea of paying a nickel or a dime extra on everything from candles to gardening tools,’’ says Bruce Fisher of Citizens for Tax Justice. “‘In other words, it’s unlikely that Americans would voluntarily go for what seems to have been foisted upon Canadians.’’ Weeklies hit hard by GST OTTAWA (CP) — Weekly newspapers are fuming over increases they say are as high as 1,000 per cent in the fee Canada Post charges to deliver their newspapers. “There is no way the publishing industry can absorb that kind of in- papers knew postal rates were going up. “*We've sold all these subscriptions at the old rate and now we find out our postage costs are going up 880 per cent March 1,"’ said Fred Runge, general manager Of Runge which operates seven crease i in times like this,” said John Clement, publisher of Ontario’s Perth Courier. “It’s crazy, unfair and totally unac- ceptable.’” Effective March 1, Canada Post has rates in iti muted to the local stores. It cost us $321.34 (not counting gas for a few trips to town), but we had quite a bit to show for it: a roll of 14-2 wire and a length of 10-2; an octagonal connector box, a three- with letter-carrier service will jump from the current 5.2 cents for a 200- gram newspaper to 51 cents. John Morris, president of the On- tario Community Newspapers A iati said many smaller inch various th * (one wallmount and a couple for the weeklies will be out of business if the i go ahead as planned. box and wire connectors; four baseboard heaters; switches for the circuit breaker box; and a pound of wire strapping nails. In Toronto, of course, we would undoubtedly have spent $321.34 on much less self-reliant purposes. Although somewhat distracted by us in welcome. Sheltering our unpacked boxes from the leaks in the ceiling, we bundled into our cosiest down jackets, put the flaps down on-our toques and figured out our first priority: getting heat in the house. Reminding ourselves of the virtue of the it of our Property by Canada’s buck-toothed symbol of industry, we next disciplined our attention to receiving water directly from our undeveloped and uncrowded land. We prepared to spark up the waterpump that would redirect some of the Slocan River up the mountain into our reservoir. GST is here and here to stay By TERRY O’SHAUGHNESSY the federal government unleashed its So the Goods and Services Tax is seriously flawed and unpopular sales now law. tax reform package and it was only It's been almost two years since fitting somehow that the final act in this ugly debate was as distasteful as before Christmas, the Senate, Guy the Liberals’ lengthy filibuster on the GST and, in the process, paved the way for final other, the level of acrimony over the GST sustained new heights in public outrage. Early on in this battle, Canadians realized that the alliance between the Tories and big business was not only Predictable but shamelessly self- serving as well. Throughout the two- year battle, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Finance Minister Michael Wilson steadfastly refused to consider any of the concerns being » small business carried out the Canadian Parliament’”’ while Tory Senators described the weeks as ‘‘a circus.” Either way it was an un- dignified end _to an di and labor groups, all of whom over- whelmingly rejected the GST package in its current form. Even when poll results showed that more than 80 per cent of consumers and small business owners opposed the \ process. Seldom (if ever) has this country witylessed a nastier debate. With the government and a handful of business types on one side and virtually every other Canadian on the « GST, the go to pound ahead with its hated tax. Despite the lies, propaganda and Pressure tactics, Canadians have refused to give even an inch in their opposition. conducted by Federation of Independent Business, showed just how ineffectual the government's selling job has been. When asked who the expected win- ners would be under the GST, 70°per cent and 21 per cent of respondents said government and big business respectively compared to only three per cent and two per cent who said consumers and small business would benefit the most. “We estimate the changes will in- crease the cost of delivery an average of $25,000 to $30,000 and many of our papers don’t make that much money in a year,’’ said Morris. Canada Post says the publishers were given ample warning of the changes and will face smaller in- creases than the drastic ones cited. Morris said representatives of the weeklies in the Ottawa Valley. Morris, who owns weeklies in- cluding the Prescott (Ont.) Journal, said publishers need the one-year delay to either find ways to cover the higher rates or to establish their own delivery systems. Canada Post spokesman John Caines said the Crown corporation was only trying to cover its costs af- ter a federal subsidy program was changed last year — and the industry knew increases were coming. Ottawa has been sending signals since the 1989 budget that it was reviewing the subsidy fund that of- fsets weekly newspapers mailing costs and the it of Com- munications consulted the industry, Caines said. A year ago Ottawa announced it was replacing the $175-million publications mail subsidy fund with a $110-million direct grant program to Canadian C Association asked for a meeting with ‘Govern House leader Harvie Andres, ‘minister responsible for Canada Post, to see if the rate changes can be delayed one year. Publishers say the increase was imposed without consultation and at worst possible time. Elimination of the fund meant that-Canada Post had to cover its costs by directly charging the publishers, Caines said. “*The industry has been subsidized for years through federal funding,” he said. Caine also disputes claims of rate They say most were paid in early December before the for d Papers could jump by 1,000 per cent. BRIEFLY million missile Checkups for missiles VICTORIA (CP) — The federal government is building a $3.8- facility at its Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. It is the first facility of its kind on the West Coast and is scheduled depot at nearby “It's mever easy,"” declared recently, ‘‘to introduce un- popular measures . . . unfortunately it’s part of my job dnd I accept that.” “The voters will be able to tell me for in D said. system. Raging Grannies peace and “*it’s a workshop where they'll work on the guidance system and all aspects of the vertical launch Sea Sparrow missile.’’ The Sea Sparrow is a short-range missile capable of shooting attacking missiles. HMCS Huron, which left Friday for Halifax, is currently the only ship in the Pacific fleet equipped with the missile The expenditure has been criticized by peace activists. § Betty Brightwell, an Esquimalt resident who is a member of the environmental wasted on defence when “‘there isn’t any enemy out there. “*1 wish we didn’t have such an escalating naval presence can’t see any need for it now that the Cold War is over.” Lt.-Cmdr. Mike Considine down sroup, said money is being + A Toyota Jeep took a bizarre flip onto a d 4 YEARS AGO From the Jaa. 5, 1951 Castle News Three new faces were seen around the Commissioners table last night when Messrs. Cherrington, Jenks and Williams appeared officially for the first time. The meeting got off to a good start with a shortage of chairs, with five Comissioners now to guide the affairs of the Village. Mr. J. Dunlop was elected chair- man of the board for the ensuing year, and will also take the chair- manship of the Finance Committee, Chairman of other comimittees are; V. Jenks, Public Works; N: Ogiow, Fire, Water and Light; J. Williams, Parks and Cemetery and B. Cherrington, Health and Welfare. Pie eee Once again our little Village has settled back to its labor after a joyful Christmas and New Year. It received a shock just before Christmas when the news was released that a C.P.A. plane was down and Mrs. Blackmere was on it, but breathed a sigh of relief when the news was flashed that she and all Passengers were safe. * 8 Many changes and improvements have taken place in Castlegar section during the past year, foremost among them being the remodelling of the Castlegar Hotel. A strike vote at the Celgar pulp division here has been requested of the department of labor by Local No. 1 of the Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada. This was announced this week by local president Dick Paul. The company spokesman said the company has requested of the gover- mment that if a strike vote is requested by the union that it be government approved. . 8 Castlegar is a town. At\12 midnight last Friday while district residents were busy saying goodbye to 1965 and were happily ringing in 1966, the old Village of Castlegar automatically assumed its new town status. * 8 6 Castlegar Mayor R.C. Maddocks. made it clear this week that he is per- turbed that the proposed new mill rate is 18 mills and is hopeful it can be significantly reduced. In a memo from him to the coun- cil delivered on Tuesday night, he said: ‘*The provincial budget will be distributed and is to be adopted by Jan. 18, 1966. I am concerned that a rate of 18 mills has been proposed."” 15 YEARS AGO From the Jan. 8, 1976 News A sincere but jovial atmosphere was evident as Castlegar’s Mayor BRIAN’S REPAIR SERVICE SMALL ENGINES * AUTOMOTIVE NICAL GENERAL MECHA! 613-13th St., © 365-7233 ;' ARROW LAKE ~ ELEVATION 1426.83’ on Jon. & Forecast of Elevation 1422.24’ by Jan, 12 Your Castlegar SAFEWAY Bringing You Great Buys, Every Day of The Week! Regular Pork Side bowed his head to have the chain of office on his shoulder “by. Justice of the Peace Carl Loeblich following his swearing in at Monday night's 1976 statutory meeting of city council. \__\) This is Mayor Mosby’s second term in office as. mayor. He has also served three terms as alderman. Oh ee An amusement centre on Front Street, which closed its doors in the early part of July of last year may once again be open, but under new management. Os Og Pat Haley was unanimously elec- ted chairman of the board of trustees for School District No. 9 following the swearing in ceremonies late Monday afternoon. Mr. Haley fills the position previously held by Ernie Mills who at Monday’s ceremonies declined to ac- cept a nomination for vice-chairman for personal reasons. Sam Konkin has been elected to this position. A bizarre mishap Saturday sent a Toyota Jeep skidding across Colum- bia Avenue where it flipped over on its side and onto a sidewalk. Castlegar resident Harold Leslie was travelling northbound in the 100- 0-block on Columbia Ave. at about 1:15 p.m. Saturday in a 1969 Toyota Jeep when Marilyn Helfer, also of Castlegar, pulled onto Columbia Avenue in her 1972 Datsun from the Castlegar Plumbing and Heating parking area. ee ow A $40 million five years ago. — cosnews tile proto of Dawson Creek will not discourage a Salmo company from going ahead with a feasibility study for @ wafer- board plant in the West Kootenay, a co-owner of the company said Friday. Jim Mitchell of Four Leaf Logging Ltd. in Salmo said he has “‘heard verbally’”” that the company’s ap- plication for a Department of Regional Industrial Expansion grant for the feasibility study has been ap- proved. . The amount of money and the number of hectares allocated to the Nelson forest region under .the federal-provincial Forestry Research Development Agreement is “not fair in relation to the rest of the provin- ce,” a silvilculture officer from the Ministry of Forests told the Regional District of Central Kootenay boards Saturday. an eal Regardless of the market, a good method of ensuring your home sells is to price it properly from the start. “Esta te WITH BARRY BROWN HOW TO GET YOUR HOME SOLD especially in a buyer's market, to be more realistic This way you won't lose in teres: jers: by overpricing. By the time you've dropped your price anyway, they will probably have found another home. Ws certainly @ natural inclination to geable real estate associate stand you in géod stead. Overp meons you increase the amount of time it takes to sell your °. Sooner or later, you'll be forced, If everything is ing smoothly and you do get an offer on-your home quickly, don't panic if you haven't bought another house yet. You can always negotiate the closing date to Rive You the extra time you ind @ home and buy it. A know- ledgeable agent will know several options that will protect you from ending up with two homes or no home, including making a purchase conditional on the sale of your present home or arranging interim financing. plant planned for the northern B.C. town PLEASE NOTE: Copy chan: Deadline is the last Wednesday LT CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH 809 Merry Creek Rd. 365-3430 Friday & Sunday — EVERYONE WELCOME NATIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE ESTATE. PLEASE TALL OR DROP IN AT: -, Castlegar © Phone 365-2111 or 365-2757 UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA 2224-6th Avenue 10 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Sunday School Mid-Week Studies & Youth Activities Rev. Ted Bristow 1471 Columbia Ave., Trail 364-0117 Regular Saturday Services Pastor Slawomir Malarek s taken once per month only. each month, for the following month. ROBSON COMMUNITY MEMORIAL CHURCH 1st & 3rd Sundays 7:00 p.m. 2nd & 4th Sundays 10a.m No Service 5th Sunday CHURCH OF GOD 2404 Columbia Avenue Church School 9:45 a.m: Morning Worship 11 a.m. Pastor Ira Johnson ¢ 365-6762 Attend the Church of your choice! q vewsT. PETER LUTHERAN LUTHERAN Office 365-3664 PASTOR GLEN BACKUS SUNDAY Worship Service 9 a.m. Sunday Schoo! 10:15 0.m. Listen to the Lutheran Hour Sunday 9a.m. on Radio CKOR FULL GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP 1801 Connors Rd. Phone 365-6317 PASTOR: BARRY WERNER © 365-2374 — SUNDAY SERVICES — 2 GRACE PRESBYTERIAN 2605 Columbia Ave. Morning Worship 11:30 a.m. Rev. Murray Gavin 365-2438 1-226-7540 ———— VID’S ICAN CHURCH 614 Christina Place 8.a.m. Holy Communion 10.a.m. Family Eucharist ‘ond Church Schoo! The Rev. Dorothy Borker 365-2271 or 365-6720 To Christ and Make Him Known’ NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY 602-7th Street * 365-5212 Be a part of our coring friendly, growing family — SUNDAY SERVICES — 9:20 — A class for all ages 10:30 Morning Worship Chadron » Church & Nurvery Provided 6:30 Evening Celebration — WEDNESDAY — 7:00 Adult Bible Study Youth PowerHour _ Missionettes & Wee College 10:00 a.m. Bible Study — FRIDAY — 7:00 p.m. Youth Explosion <, Ni Available SPARE RIBS PC) nn | 5 THAWED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE GROUND BEEF © DELI FAVORITES e HAM: Black Forest ... ) 7 19 ROAST BEEF With or Without Garlic ......100 g. Chilean $2.18 /kg. TOMATOES Medium ivi Imported. $1.10/kg. .... FRESH PEACHES BREAD White or Whole Wheat. Sliced DONUTS Assorted TIDE OR OXYDOL 10 L. Box Limit 1 Over Limit 8.48 7 7se SEA TRADER TUNA Flaked in Water 147 G. 99 MIRACLE WHIP Kraft IL. Reg. or Light Limit! Over Limit 3.48 298 Bathroom Tissue Purex © 12-4 Roll *15.88 Viva Paper 12-2 Roll *9.99 Advertised Prices in Effect = Sunday, Jan. 6 through Saturday, Jan. 12/'91 Mon. to Wed. & Sat. Thursday & Friday 9a.m. to? p.m. 9a.m. to ép.m. . Sundey 10. a.m. te 6 p.m. We reserve the right to limit sales to retell quentities. SAFEWAY (S We bning it all together %