ton sorted i and belongs 0 Cathe ows Lid Saves ement vemre, ST operat wom repre proots Tory budget ‘safe’ Sate. That's the best word to describe Wednesday's federal t; not fair or untair — just sate The Progressive Conservative 9 had no ot making the same mistakes it made in its last budget. So gone from this budget is @ny scheme by Finance Minister Michael Wilson to revamp Canada's social programs in his own image. This time the Tories wanted to make sure there wouldn't be the uproar that came over the last when they proposed dein- dexing old age pensions. instead of attacking social ser- vice spending, this year they took on an opponent they knew wouldn't fight back: the middie class. And the tactic should work. The middie class may grumble and complain about having to pay more texes, but they won't mount any sort of concerted campaign to protest the move. Besides, the middie class are looked on as a privileged class. They have homes, jobs, and all the luxuries that come with making $25,000 to $30,000 a year. Who then can really take Liberal Finance critic Don Johnston seriously when he says the budget will wipe out the middle class? But that doesn't mean the budget won't have any effect. in Kootenay West the effect will be most serious, especially on the u ed. Every time the government in- creases taxes, consumers have less money to spend. All retailers teel the pinch. But in Kootenay West, it's an even bigger problem for retailers Quick decision Castlegar cou: ‘$ support of Westar Timber's application to ex- ceed poll control dards at because the employment base is shrinking. Thus, local merchants ere faced with o shrinking market, and one whose disposable income is also shrinking. The area's unemployed aren't any better off. The budget is almost a recovery budget in that it increases taxes. It assumes many are working — and they are in Eastern Canada. But not in Kootenay West where unem- ployment is over 20 per cent. Kootenoy West needs+« a recession budget — one that ad- dresses the issue of job creation. The only mention of jobs or job creation in the new budget is $100 million to retrain weltare recipien- ts. Otherwise Finance Minister Wilson is leaving it in the hands of the private sector to create jobs. The prospects of that happenng in the next year to any significant degree in Kootenay West are pret- ty dim. Perhaps the lack of job creation proposals and the heavy tax increases wouldn't be so dif- ficult to swallow if the federal government showed that it was willing to lead the way by reducing expenditures. But it isn't. While the deficit is targeted to fall by $4.8 billion over the next year, only $700 million of that will be through decreased government spending. More than $4 billion will be paid for by tax hikes. Clearly Canadians simply can't attord to pay more and more in the coming yeors. That only leaves one alternative: For the government to take a har- der look at its own aftairs. They're kidding? The Ministry of Highways has got to be kidding with its latest proposal for the Highway 3 inter- change. According to the ministry, Celgar Pulp Operations without first hearing from the Ministry of Environment is like a jury coming down with the verdict halfway through the trial. Council made the decision to support Westor's lication with- on the highway near the eliptical site would be an im- provement over the present situation. Nothing could be more ridiculous. The stoplight would create havoc. out hearing all the evidence. That's | b it isa di with council that it hear from all sides before making a decision. Council's reasons for moving with such haste is that it doesn't want the pulp mill to be forced to shut down because it can't meet pollution control requirements That's fair. The last thing this area needs is more people out of work But in its rush to rubber stomp Westar's application, council gave up any right it may have hod for any input. For instance, what happens if the forest industry ‘suddenly turns around in four years and Westar is back in the black? Will the com- pany speed up its 10-year pollution upgrading program? Council could have raised that issue. Who knows, maybe the Minis- try of Environment could hove suggested other such issues in o meeting with council. t d truck traffic would be forced to stop after coming around @ curve on the bottom part of a long, steep hill. Westbound truck drivers would have to stop just before they begin a long climb up the Blueberry Paulsen Highway. In addition, any eastbound trat- fic trying to get to downtown Castlegar — or even to Castleaird Plaza — would have to turn right at the light on the highway and right again at another light on Columbia Avenue. Then they would have to drive all the way down Columbia Avenue to the downtown. Talk about discouraging any tourist trattic. The whole aim of the latest scheme seems to be to provide ac- cess to the eliptical si and Woodland Park. It's time the ministry shifted its focus and took @ look at what is best for Castlegar as a whole, not just one small cor- ner. “Why must putting our financial affairs in order before the budget hits have to mean burying them in my crockpot under the flower bed?” Remember When? 35 YEARS AGO From the March 1, 1951 A general meeting of the Fall Fair Committee was held at the home of Mr, B. McGorman Monday evening. Five girls from the senior high school will be chosen to run for harvest queen. ‘The Castlegar and District Board of Trade are donating a cup to the highest aggregate winner. . ¢ . Adam Berg and Griffiths contrae- tors won the contract for the levelling, grading and gravelling of the Castlegar Airport last Thursday with a low bid of $18,926. . 6 6 A joint meeting of the Castlegar and Kinnaird Commissioners was held on Monday evening in Castlegar. Each village will put up $500 for improvements to the Castlegar-Kin- naird Cemetery. The first item will be to run water lines to the property. A preliminary talk was also held on a Letters to the Editor Column attacks Jews Editer, Castlegar News: I cannot always agree with opinions expressed in your newspaper, and that is as it should be: the paper reports all the views of this varied community, and none of us sees the world in the same way all the time. But I must object in the strongest terms to an article you published recently. I refer specifically to the deliberate and repeated attacks made against the Jewish people in the Feb. 18 Pulpit and Pew column by Pastor Ira Johnson of the Kinnaird Church of God. Here he refers to the Jewish people as makers of “one of the most tragic mistakes in all human history” . . . “they twisted the teachings of (the) prophets” . . . “making them the ruling class”... “an imagined superiority that was sicken- ing to say the least”... “they... eventually succeeded in having Christ crucified.” Four times he labels the Jewish people as “spoiled children.” There are other, slightly less consyi- cuous elements to this attack, but the essemt of them is 2 consistent division; on one side is God, and on the other, aldne and always, are the Jews. All Jews, please note — not only the currupt or venal temple authorities of Jesus's day, but all the common and even the righteous people before and since — they are all just Jews, suitable receptacles for Pastor Johnson's scorn. If you look, you will find this language, these meanings in the bab- blings of the Ku Klux Klan and in the cold, mean pages of Hitler's Mein Kampf and the ravings of his followers. We should not find them in the pages of the Castlegar News, much less from the pen of a self-proclaimed minister of God's Word. The Jews do not need Ira Johnson to condemn them: they have been abused and oppressed and slaughtered often and long by self-proclaimed Christians so unsure of God's power and right- eousness that they will do murder to defend what they must conceive to be God’s weakness. God calls us all to an utter renewal of the soul, to life so filled by what is good that there is no space left for our failures, no room even for hatred of another people of the Book. May God bring us all to such life. Dr. F. Mark Mealing Castlegar Tories fiddling while Rome burns Editer, Castlegar News: I am reminded today of the time when Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Reading the Report from Ottawa by MP Bob Brisco I note the pressing business of the day is more money to give new powers to backbenchers. While promising during the election ‘jobs, jobs, and more jobs” the Conservatives appear to be concentra- ting on giving more perks for politicians and fewer jobs in Kootenay West (with the closure of sawmills and more layoffs at Cominco). At this particular time when many of our neighbors are faced with the prospects of applying for welfare having exhausted all other options, it is not encouraging to hear that back- benchers need more perks. Recently the Conservative govern- ment provided office space and a full- time paid secretary for the Parliamen- tary Spouses Association. When I was a member of that ition between 1980-84 we constantly defeated demands from Conservative 7 "80s, this kind of frivolous expen. diture is unforgiveable. To justify this new government venture Jane Crosbie (wife of John Cosbie, Minister of Justice) said on CBC radio, “If Mila Mulroney can get two full-time paid staff and offices, the Spouses Association should get at least one.” Get your priorities right! Vera Nelsen Of all the q Z the price we pay for » commodity for which the market sets the price. seems the two being -d) 10s these days are, why do we pay less for gas in the United States than we do at home, and why have lower world oil prices not affected prices at the pumps? The first, I endeav. ored to answer in this space last week; I will strive to answer the second this week. One of the most important ac- Quotable Quotes MICHELE DUVALIER, wife of de- posed Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, on what it was like fleeing Haiti: “My husband told me to pack the luggage and I had very little time to do it. I didn’t have time to do my hair.” WRITER PIERRE Berton on why he quit an eight-member pane! chosen to select a new name for the National Museum of Man: “The Museum of Man is a perfectly good name.” LEO DURAIS, secretary-general of the National Museums of Canada who selected Berton to the panel, on Berton’s comments and resignation: “That's good. It's a clear sign and that's what we're looking for.” DON HEWITT, producer of 60 Min utes, on politicians who complain about TV's exit polls and projections: “Early of the P Conservative government in its first year in office was the agreement reached with the western energy producing provinces on oil and gas pricing. The “Western Accord” was to italize the Canadian projections are only mi 3 com| to the felony of paid political commercials.” LYN MaeDONALD, NDP MP and a former head of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, complained to the Minister of Tourism that government-sponsored television commercials promoting Canada are sexist. One scene showed a group of women dressed as nurses pulling up their skirts and kicking up their heels in a kind of chorus-line dance. “Does the minister not see that these commercials are merely a slicked-up version of the old message: Hey mister, want my sister? And that this use of women's bodies makes the Minister of Tourism Canada's No. 1 pimp?” oil and gas industries, and it has lived up to its expectations. Since the Liberal's highly unpop- ular National Energy Program was dropped in favor of the Western Accord, some 60,000 new jobs have been created as a result of renewed exploration and development acti. vities. The new measures were so popular with the oil industry that the architect of the Western Ac cord, our own Pat Carney, was named Oilweek Magazine's “Oilman” of the year A key element of the Western Accord is total ion of crude The gover has no more say in the price of oil than it has in the price of a car. As a result, con- sumers will be able to take advan. tage of fluctuations in world oil prices; something that was not possible under the old administered pricing system. World oil prices have fallen to historie lows recently, and those lower prices have begun to have an effect on the prices of gas. It has taken this long, however, because the oil industry works on an inven- tory system designed to overcome sudden peaks in demand, while ensuring the continuous use of re- fineries. Existing, higher priced crude agreed, and it appears that promise is being kept. Although lower crude prices are beginning to drive down pump prices, some say it could have happened sooner if there was more competition among Canadian oil companies. I am proud to say that we as a government are also taking steps to improve that situation. The Restrictive Trade Practises Cc ‘aston to . " an exhausting inquiry into compe- tition in the petroleum industry. The commission is expected to report on its findings this summer. As well, we have taken other initiatives that we hope will even- tually contribute to lower gasoline prices for Canadians — our efforts toward defecit reduction, for in- stance. This government has demon- strated its sensitivity toward in- equities in the tax system, and we will continue our efforts in that regard. A number of new tax initiatives aimed at developing a fairer tax system have been intro inventories must before today’s cheaper oil can make its way to the pumps. Shell Canada, for one, estimates that it takes about two and a half months for crude oil to make its way through the system. That means we are still using up inventories of crude bought back in November, when the price of oil was very high. At the end of January, Energy trietive Trade Practises Commis- sion. I will also continue to meet with oil and gas industry representatives to determine how I, as your Member of Parliament, can best pursue this issue. I have had one very useful meeting with the Petroleum Mar- keters Association of Canada, and I will be i with other Minister Pat Carney with oil companies telling them the oil pricing and marketing. Crude oil in Canada is now just like any other govet expects to see consu- mers benefitting from crude oil price reductions. The industry marketing and retailing organiza- tions in the very near future, to further advance our mutual con- cerns. hospital and a of six forming the committee. . * 8 The second session of the 22nd legislature of British Columbia got off to a good start on Feb. 20 when Clar- ence Wallace, the newly-appointed Lieutenant Governor, read the speech from the throne to the legislature and guests crowded into the legislature chamber. The gathering was colorful with uniforms and the ladies’ new hats. 25 YEARS AGO From the March 2, 1961 News 1961 president of Kinnaird-Robson- Castlegar Community Chest is E.A. Fitzpatrick of Kinnaird. Other officers are L.E. Cantell, vice- president and secretary-treasurer Alec Gray. . 8 6 A letter was sent to all employees of Celgar’s Nakusp sawmill last Septem- ber informing them that the future of this operation was limited . 28 6 Fred Howe was re-elected chairman at the recent annual meeting of the local branch of the St. John's Ambu- lance Association. Frank Inham was named vice-chairman. . 8 6 United Church members watched a mortgage-burning ceremony during celebration of the church anniversary last Monday night. The mortgage paid off was for the purchase of the manse and represented many hours of patient hard work on the part of the Women's Auxiliary to the church, which undertook to liquidate the debt. o 28 «@ The Associated Chambers of Com- merce of Southeastern B.C. affirmed its stand on the proposed High Arrow dam at its quarterly executive meeting at Cranbrook Saturday. In the day's most hotly debated issue, the chambers took the stand that the Hi Arrow not be constructed unless the government can show to the satis- faction of the people the project will be of benefit to the people of southeastern B.C. 15 YEARS AGO From the March 4, 1971 Castlegar News The twin towns of Castlegar and Kinnaird are opposed to the sale of land in the Syringa delta area by B.C. Hy- dro. This land was to have been included in the Syringa Park site but would now appear to be up for sale. The loss of the Syringa Creek delta to private development will amount to a loss of about 32 acres of prime rec- reational land, said Regional District Area J director Basil Macalister. * © « A committee, which will include Ald. Andy Shutek and Ald. Bob Maddocks, is to be formed to look into future pos- sible use of the old Celgar Building which is now located near the Castle- gar arena. . Recognition for 18 years’ service on the credit committee of the Castlegar Savings Credit Union was acknow ledged Friday at the Union's 22nd annual meeting when an appropriate gift was presented to Ray Heagy of Kinnaird. . 2 Inquiries by travellers are not unusual for stores, but when the trav- eller pulls up in a light aircraft it seems just a little unusual. This incident took place just after dark Sunday when a light plane, be- lieved to be piloted by Robert Car- wright of Fernie, landed on the road near Glade Store to inquire of his position. 5 YEARS AGO From the March 1, 1981 Castlegar News Spring layoffs of employees working for Canadian Cellulose's woods opera- tions in Nakusp have happened earlier than usual this year and are expected to last longer. About 50 per cent of the employees working in the woods were laid off Feb. 20 and the company does not expect to call them back until early in June. Budget comments Following are a selection of excerpts | i national deficit is Canada’s No. 1 prob- lem, then your ship came in last night HH people who live within their means and work their buts off making a better life for themselves and their families — working more. However, what must not be for- gotten is that ultimately it is upon the health, viability and competitiveness of and the tax-free status of lottery win- nings. ‘ Montreal La Presse: It's not really a conservative budget; it is simply an austere budget. It does not try hard enough to stimulate the economy and create jobs. It is the three-per-cent surtax on iis and i interest — let alone the principal — on our national debt. Calgary Herald: Wilson's budget is a fair and tough response to Canada's threatening debt situation. It slashes and prunes where it should, and where necessary — for programs i to bury the popular canard that Tory governments are hard on social welfare programs. Free Press: Finance Minis- ter Michael Wilson's politically-astute budget has sent a strong message to the domestic and foreign business ting the deficit and about creating a that is the surest sign that Ottawa is finding it difficult to control its expenses. Terente Glebe and Mail: Wilson continues to move in the right direction with more energy than he did last spring. His commitment to spending cuts is more credible, his pursuit of Kevin Klein won the West Kootenay Debate Finals at J. Lloyd Crowe Secondary School in Trail Feb. 19. DEBATE FINALISTS . . . Pictured (from left) are members of the Stanley Hum- Debaters win finals liamentary debate style for come aloné 2 ca tun Sun., Mon., Tues. & Wed. | better than last May's, but budgets to come should be better still. Terente Star: In recent weeks, Wilson has kept repeating at every opportunity that a lower federal deficit Aside from the overall fiscal thrust of the budget, Wilson took a number of i i that merit praise, climate of to economic growth. The general shape of takes of last May. Social programs are dealt with gently. The major tax increases apply to all Canadians who pay income tax or buy merchandise. Winnipeg Sun: If you believe the specific notably a sales-tax credit that will provide low-income Canadians with a modicum of tax relief. Terente Sun: It will be a year before we know if the budget worked. That may not be enough time for the wounds to heal from yet another income tax hike. Good News Day in Quesnel to stand trial LOS ANGELES (AP). — A judge has ordered Cathy Evelyn Smith of Toronto to stand trial for the drug- overdose death of John Bel- ushi, rejecting a defence argument that she should not be blamed for the comedian’s “suicide mission.” “I feel the magistrate in this case was correct in his ruling, holding the defendant to answer,” Horowitz said. QUESNEL (CP) — There at least it was on Wednesday. was some good news Friday but the bad news is that it was in Quesnel. A story about Saturday's referendum for arena expan- The first annual Good ‘ion had the mayor proclaim. News Day in British Colum- Rca bia was thriving in the In- election. ing: “It will not be a Filipino eBYfoqe vs: SPECIAL OFFER FROM VOGUE WITH EVERY PURCHASE AT VOGUE $2.00 exe terior , thanks to Mayor Michael Pearce. The mayor, who feels there are too many depressing news stories in the news media, asked local and na tional newspapers, television and radio stations to devote the day to good news only. He seems to have made a modest dent in what might have been a bleak Friday. For example, the enthe front page of the local paper, the Quesnel Cariboo Ob server, was a happy one — or March Sale Effective to Mondoy, March 31 on IVORY FORMAL CHINA and CRYSTAL STEMW ARE 30% Savings From Suggested Retail On Sets, Place Settings, and Open Stock. YIONY JOWM AYVW MARY WADE ANDERSON cher IVORY FORMAL CHINA For many yeors, richness of Noritake's ivory chine hes meont something special to tomilies all over the world. the inherent wormth and Inspired shapes ond patierns moke this top quality ivory porcelain @ dinnerware to be Retail © Penticton * Kelowna 365-7701 Sugg. Sale Pairs (Platinum) .$25 eo. $17.50 ec. ( ) $25 FULL LEAD CRYSTAL STEMWARE CARL'S DRUGS Sugg. Retail Sele R. Gold & Platinum .$27 eo. $18.90 ec. Sherbet. $24 co. $16.80 e0. Castlecird Plaze 365-7269 DERMATOLOGY ©" By retercal only. Christine Lake (Firehall) Phone 447-9372 DINNER SAUSAGES $ 1 ago .28/KG/AB. COFFEE sg HILLS BROS. 1.1 KG. (39 OZ.) TIN... MAYONNAISE $929 KRAFT. 1. JAR cescts a CATELLI DINNERS 2 /99° We reserve the to limit quantities. Prices limited to stock on hand. FROM KOOTENAY SAVINGS Protesstonal Tax Prepa Changes an ames tothe tan Laws till a booklet 50 pages long for the 1 alone And keeping up saith such changes is only one of the many possible comp! in preparing your income t retum sider that there ma be deductions or optiuns / you weren't aware of You may not have received as much as you were entitled to in the past Asspart ct the Per Financial Planning pi gram, Kootenay Say ir mnom plened totter 3 very appeal ratwon Service ag firm of sy. Konde and Jobe hrough the facilities of sotenay Savings. This \ we features an correct return. You could well end up saving tax dollars