Page 8A The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, March 10, 1993 Sports Dept. John Van Putten 365-5579 @ Letters Taking half-truths around the world Letters Policy will not change re fnends are “half truths goes further to reply: the claums of the critics are “untrué I turned to a.book, GAIA, An Atlas of Planet Management edited by Dr. Norman Myers. Dr Myers has impeccable environ mentalist credentials; he holds the World Wildlife Fund Gold Medal, which was awarded to him in 1983 for his conservation work. From his book: “In the North, we can safely say that we know a good deal about how to manage forests. In the forests of the South, by contrast, we have scarcely made a start. Ironically much of the problem lies with the streamlined techniques developed in the North ... Unlike temperate forests, tropical forests are unable to withstand such disruption Dear Editor Colleen The Future Forest Alliance spearheaded by Colleen McCro. ry, has issued its “Brazil of the North” pamphlet. After environ mentalist lobbying stopped the seal harvest on the east coast, for est industry and government rep: resentatives take these campaigns extremely seriously. They say that the claims of Colleen and her ELECTROLUX Sales /Service/Repairs 611 Columbia Ave. WE ARE OPEN Mon. - Fri. 9-5 Saturday 10 - 4:30 because of their ecolog plexity. In fact, tropical LEARNING DISABILITIES PUBLIC AWARENESS WEEK March 7 - 14 Information Display at Castlegar Public Library ality of situation perate forests are so dramatically dissimilar that it would probably be better if we did not use the same word forest to describe them. It is assessments like this which lead me, even though I am a Green activist, to agree with the critics of the “Brazil North” cam- paign. Fundamentally, it is a cam- paign of half-truth. Colleen issued a challenge on CBC radio, She believes no one will be able to find any half- truths in the pamphlet, Brazil of the North. I didn't have to read very much of it. Under a head- line, Boreal Forest in the Global Context, a J. Stan Rowe, PhD, informs us: “that this boreal for- est, 60 million years old - actual ly 4.6 billion years in the making, should in the matter of a century be threatened with total change, and for all we know, total destruction is mind-bog- gling.” A map accompanies the article, showing a band of forest stretching all across Canada iden- tified as Canada’s Boreal Forest We're supposed to forget that this same Canadian boreal forest was almost completely (over 95 per- cent) obliterated by the last Ice Age which was at its peak only 18,000 years ago. No trees grew where the forest is now for thou- sands of years. Clearcutting the THE WINDSHIELD SPECIALISTS All Makes and Models ICBC Claims Gladly Accepted 1 Day Service - Guaranteed 2228 - 6th Avenue, Castlegar, B.C. 365-7666 PUBLIC AUCTION INVENTORY OF GOVERNMENT SEIZED PROPERTY AND OTHER MERCHANDISE. Gold jewellery purchased from Government auction will be auctioned. he jori i consists of other general merchandise: Loose Gems, Gold Rings, Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds, Italian Gold Jewellery, etc. INVENTORY OF HANDKNOTTED PERSIAN CARPETS Creditors have been asked to liquidate in the quickest possible manner by Public Auction due to carpet company's high debt and defaulted payment terms. AUTHENTIC PERSIAN CARPETS. Fine Persian Moud, Fine Bokharas, Baktiar, Saro’ ok, Meshad, Ardebil, Turkoman, Silk and Wool Oum, Kashan, Classic, and Traditional Persian designs in masterweaves, Baluchistan village rugs, Kayseri floss prayer rugs with Birds of Paradise desig other rugs at: THE SAVOY INN n, and many, many (Banquet hall across alley) 198 Baker St., Nelson ' “Sunday March 14, 1993 1 p.m. Sharp! Public Inspection from 12 Noon Terms: 10% Buyers Premium charge to be added. Cash, Bank Cards. Not affiliated with Canada Customs . Visa, Mastercard accepted Auction held by Federal Collection Agency For Info Phone (604) 531 -2485 entire Canadian boreal forest now may indeed be a bad idea. How- ever, this “total change” of a “60 million year old” forest that the “Brazil of the North” article finds so “mind boggling”, is certainly, by an order of magnitude, far less of a change than the last Ice Age. We, if I may include myself as an environmentalist, have failed to convince the people who live in Canada that the ecological facts of life make it imperative that we fundamentally change our way of life. Will taking half- truths to Europe to see if con- sumer opinion there can force superficial changes here change this stark reality in any meaning- ful way? David Lewis Crescent Valley Canadian democracy at risk Dear Editor: Canadian democracy as we know it is about to take another hit. Bill C-114 makes far reaching changes to the Canada Elections Act, and limits direct participa- tion exclusively to those with money. It nullifies those con- cerned citizens with modest means who have good ideas and energy to make positive changes for Canada. Under Bill C-114 direct costs increase from $200 per candidate to $1000; $500 refundable for correct, timely filing, and ‘the other $500 refundable if 15 per- cent of the vote is obtained. Nom- ination papers will now require the signature of 100 electors instead of 25 - a difficult, expen- sive undertaking in the short time allowed rraphically large ridings with sparse populations This bill (second reading on or about March 8th) will severely limit Canadians‘ voting choices to three tired polarized factions; expediting the elimination of evolving parties like the National Heritage Party, the Reform Party or the Greens. Perhaps that is the intention; since some parties could undoubtedly facilitate a split in the existing power bases, creating the unimaginative politician's night- mare - a minority government If Bill C-114 becomes law, those of us who take our right to vote seriously will have pathetic and inadequate choices. Those of us who are convinced that there must be a better way to move Canada into the 21st Century might as well stay home. And apathy is the politician's most valuable ally. Donna Whitta Letters to the Editor are welcome on any topic of local or general interest. Letters should be double-spaced, typewritten, or legibly jhand- written, 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 accepted. Thanks for nothing! Dear Editor: I recently received our water license rental invoice and learned that the rates have risen 42 percent. I then read the enclosed pam- phlet and learned that the Water Management Branch has done, or continues to do, so much for us. So after my blood finished boiling I got around to writing this let- ter. The Water Management Branch has never ever done anything for the improvement of our water. The Water Management Branch can't even accurately map and. has entire water flows misnamed in the watershed on our farm. After years of. paying rental rates for basical- ly nothing rendered in service I find it hard to comprehend a 42 per- cent increase in the cost of Nothing. } thought Nothing was basically free but now I see it is the Government's favourite form. of compen- sating for taxes taken. I also resent the suggestions in this pamphlet that somehow because we are fortunate to have good water that we should pay the Government more for it. Well how about taxing a little sunshine while you're at it! Let me mak@rit perfectly clear that I, and I believe the Majority of British Columbians, think that the Government whether it be one party or another, and all your bureaucrats, are noth- ing short of PARASITES I'm also sure that in the event that our water was lost from log- ging, or whatever, that what we would get from the Government is a further increase in the ‘Cost of Nothing’ Farm income has not increased 42 percent. Farm income remains depressed while the cost of operating steadily increases. What this will do will help to drive farmers.out of business until the supply meets the demand. If we do this and allow a reduction in farm pro- duction we will have periods of time when food will be relatively expensive and scarce, people will go hungry, and the cost of social programs will increase. Furthermore we will not be capable of feed- ing our country in the case of unforeseen political upheaval, whether upheaved by political means or natural disaster, What we will lose with the loss of Agriculture is any right to self determination that we have left in this country. To sum this up I would like to say that I believe most people wouldn't mind paying their taxes if they thought the Government was doing a good job with the money. However, if I go by what I both hear and see, the consensus is that the Government is blatantly wasting money in every Ministry. If you want to save money, cut out waste and reduce the ‘Cost of Nothing’ Well Thanks for Nothing Sincerely, Ed Nixon Obituary ——— John Andrew Androsoff On Tuesday, February 16, 1993, John Andrew “Johnny” Androsoff passed away at Mount St. Francis Hospital at the age of 83 years Funeral services were held at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel on Thursday and Fridaywith burial at the Brilliant Cemetery, Mr. Androsoff was born June 7, 1909 at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and moved with his parents to Champion Creek as a small boy. He grew up in Champion Creek and married Pearl Gevatkoff there in 1932. He moved to Robson in 1935 and to Castlegar in 1955. During his life he worked as a carpenter. After his retirement, Mr. Androsoff enjoyed repairing and restoring old cars. He is survived by four daughters, Louise Wishlow and Pearl Fil- lipoff both of Castlegar, Helen Androsoff of Victoria, and Jeanette Fen- ton.of Richmond. One son, Bill of Rossland, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Two sisters, Helen Zeboroff of Castlegar and Dora Postnikoff of Genelle. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Pearl, and three sisters Tina Kalesnikoff, Dora Androsoff and Grace Kavalo. program Delivered by: Sponsored by: Federal Business Bi, ® CONSULTANTS TRAINING PROGRAM Interested in starting your own business as a consultant in any field? If so, the Consuttants Training Program may be for you The Consultants Training Program, beginning March 29, 93, in Trail, is a four-week program and covers marketing, personal development, setting up a home office, finandal management and so‘en Candidates receiving Unemployment insurance Benefits will be eligible for the Greater Trail Community Futures Society & Federal Business Development Bank Employment & Immigration Canada Registration is limited. Applications are available at Community Futures or the Trail Rossland or Castlegar Chamber of Commerce or by calling 1-800-667-7579 DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS janque Development Bank de developper March 19,1993 IMMUNITY FUTURES >a>eanni( i>) SOCIETY