OPINION Castlégar News PAGE A4, SUNDAY, MAY 13, 1990 MEMBER OF THE 8.C. PRESS COUNCIL ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MA’ INCORPORATING THE MID-WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 12, i7@AUGUST 27, 1080 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUARY 15, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Campbell EDITOR — Simon Birch PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey ADVERTISING MANAGER — Wayne Stoiz OFFICE MANAGER — Linda Kositsin CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hadiey EDITORIAL Direct answers pleasant to hear We. offer_our congratulations to Rossland-Trail’s new NDP nominee Ed Conroy and our condolences to long-time MLA Chris D’Arcy who lost the New Democratic Party nomination to Mr. Conroy ata nominating meeting May 5 in Trail. We have heard all the criticisms of Mr. D’Arcy, such.as his profile in the riding was too low and he was inaccessible. While there may be some truth to those criticisms, it should be noted that Mr. D’Arcy for the last 15 years of his 18-year tenure as MLA has languished on the Opposition bench. Had the New Democrats formed another gover- nment since their ill-fated three-year attempt at governing from 1972- 75, who knows what an experienced MLA such as Mr. D’Arcy could have done for this riding. Now we'll never know, unless Mr. D’Arcy stages a future comeback. (We in the media should also shoulder some of the blame perhaps for Mr. D’Arcy’s low profile for not chasing him down more often to quiz him on matters of local interest.) As for Mr. Conroy, let’s give credit where credit is due. From conversations with local political observers, we understand he and his campaign troops did a superb job of signing up new party members and made sure they were there at the Cominco gym a week ago to vote for him. But, while admiring his obvious skill at organizations, we are also impressed with Mr. Conroy’s forthrightness in answering questions. At a time when politicians have developed bafflegab and evasiveness almost to a science, it’s indeed refreshing to ask a poliltician a question and get a straight answer. Granted, Mr. Conroy is a raw rookie as he heads into the provin- cial political fray despite his experience in municipal politics as a trustee on the Castlegar school board. He may yet develop the politician’ s knack for avoiding answering a question. However, our first impression is that he won't. For example, Mr. Conroy has said-he supports the current review of Celgar Pulp Co.’s proposal to expand and modernize its Castlegar pulp mill taking time to ensure that this area gets a mill that is as en- Hy clean as ible. That has da lot of people who want the expansion to proceed as fast as possible. Some have foolishly interpreted Mr. Conroy’s statements as an indication he is opposed to the Celgar project. That, Of course, is nonsense, and we're pleased Mr. Conroy is sticking to his guns. We believe his position in the long run will turn out to be the correct one. We hope Mr. Conroy continues to have the courage of his convic- tions on future issues. We suspect he will Tough times may help Chretien bid CP News Analysis Paul By CLYDE GRAHAM OTTAWA (CP) Tough “Any Opposition leader has a times would be good times for broader horizon in a recession. Jean Chretien. But Chretien has one unique So Chretien, the clear front ability, and that deals—with his runner for the June 23 Liberal level of populism — his ability to leadership convention, might _ use words and language and to secretly be hoping for the evoke emotions in individual recession that many economists everyday Canadians,’’ Reid said. say is likely later this year or in Since last year, economists have 1991. been warning that the economic growth that started just before Mulroney’s Conservatives elected in 1984 can’t forever. The recession warnings got louder last week when Statistics Canada reported the economy shrank in February for the second month in a row. That’s still short Straight months of negative growth that economists call a recession. But declining car sales, slumping housing markets and high interest rates all point to an economic slowdown The Tories, already deeply un- popular because of the hated seven per cent sales tax scheduled to take effect next year, could suf- fer further if unemployment rises, business fail and Canadians start looking for a change. But Reid cautioned that everi a recession might not boost Liberal fortunes enough to defeat the Tories in 1992, the year when the next federal election is expected, The Conservatives have presided over generally good ic times and have received credit for the country’s strong economic performance. The Liberals were blamed for the 1981-82 recession and John Turner’s troubled leadership did little to instill confidence in the Canadian public during the late 1980s. “The Conservatives have had a better, grade from the Canadian public as economic managers,” said Reid. Copps or Martin, in a recession. A recession would be just the spyingtyoard the self-styled Little Guyt from Shawinigan needs to launch his leadership if he prevails as expected in Calgary next mon- th. were go on Tough economic times “hurt a government and fosters a mood for thahge among voters — the dream of any Opposition leader. And pollsters say a populist like Chretien would be able to milk the most from a recession, especially in contrast to Brian Mulroney's more reserved style Michael Adams, president of Environics Research Corp., says people look for politicians with more feeling and less pragmatism when the going gets rough. “In times of cri we more emotional politicians,"’ Adams. Chretien, whose strong suit has been emotional, folksy and flag- waving speeches, is a sharp con- trast to Mulroney's style as a reasoned, dispassionate negotiator. of the six go to said s gly uncaring statement last week about fish plant workers in New Brunswick struck a nerve and gave car- toonists a field day “They look pretty happy to me,”’ was the wrong thing to say ntout people worried about losing jobs. Winnipeg pollster Angus Reid agreed that Chretien might shine more than other Liberal leader- ship candidates, such as Sheila whe esuathucanrd atltranyyyy gill A LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Stereotyped I must take exception to some recent letters to the editor opposing the Celgar expansion. One letter implies that anyone who drives a old-model car must smoke, litter, tolerate outdated pollution standards and want to retire to the Okanagan. Another claims that local business people, the chamber of commerce and development board members are ‘‘knights in rusted armor” with “shrill and whining voices." These letters serve to stereotype supporters of the mill modernization as bad people. That simply is not the case, as evidenced by the magnitude and diversity of support given the two petitions cir- culating the region recently. It is obvious that the agenda of the authors is not to clean up the mill but, rather, to shut it down. Those comments, which deceive and distort facts with colorful imagery, can only cause further misunderstanding because they cloud the real issues. I believe all people want clean air and water — and a healthy economy. If the pulp mill is forced to close, we will not have to worry about chip trucks on our highways, nor about old-model cars in our parking lots or an ac- tive chamber of commerce. We'll have to worry in- stead about logging trucks lining up at the border, exporting our trees, our jobs and our tax dollars with them. Who then will be left to support our college, our library, our ruined highways and our unemployed population in need of social assistance? Who will make up the $700,000 in municipal taxes, the $190,000 in regional district taxes, or the $250,000 in school taxes that Celgar pays every year? I urge people with questions about the moderniz- ation to visit the Celgar information office in the City Centre Square mall in Castlegar. Many of your questions can be answered there. Other questions will be resolved when the company publishes its response to the major project review process terms of reference. If you are concerned about the mill, please make an effort to inform yourself. Let- ters written without a fundamental understanding of the whole proposal are irresponsible and do not enhance the credibility of the writer. Concerns about environmental ramifications are appropriate. Celgar is also concerned. The purpose of the MPRP is to allow everyone an opportunity for dialogue. Iet’s work together to ensure that cleanup of the mill proceeds. That way, we can all win together. Don McDowell Robson Clearcuts OK Ban clearcuts makes an attractive logo on a T- shirt but is selective logging better than a clearcut to attain sustainable harvests? Using an 80-year cycle, how does one determine what percentage an area to harvest? Does one take one per cent each year from the whole area and divide into a large number of blocks and cut 10 per cent of each block once every 10 years? The trouble is, the forest grows as an interacting and reacting unit. Cut 10 per cent and the whole stand is weakened and could all blow down in a major storm. In these days of growing awareness of recycling, fir and larch are becoming more and more the most desirable species. They both give good yield in a pulp mill and have a long fibre making an excellent mat for shorter recycled fibres to cling to. But they don’t grow well in the shade. Assuming no blowdown, how much mature timber must be cut before fir and larch seedlings flourish? Because the whole area is in a more or less con- tinuous logging mode, how does one harvest the hangup situation became known as ‘the widow maker.’’ How many loggers want to spend their évening hours moving equipment from one site to another to cut only a small portion of the trees? With a clearcut, on the other hand, the land can be rehabilitated, seeded and fertilized to give another crop of uniform size and desirable species years from now. The only aspect of clearcuts open to question then is how large, what shape and where the-cut should be located. The size of the block must be large enough to offset the losses due to blowdown at the perimeter. Forestry personnel try to plot a cut to conform to the visual contours of the landscape. Harsh straight lines are virtually a thing of the past. No matter where one locates a clearcut someone can see it from somewhere. Some groups, like the West Arm Alliance and the Valhalla Society don't want any trees cut at all. They are both small vocal groups who appear to act solely in their own interests with half-truths and unverifiable statements. That is why we should endorse the Forest Ministry's obj Given the under education is too important to play around with. Sarah Myers Castlegar No harm done After much checking, | still can’t see where any great wrong was done by Bill Reid or ECO- Clean involving a GO B.C. grant. George Doonan and his partner Bill Sullivan came up with a terrific idea for manufacturing sets of three stacking, source sorting, multiple-bin systems for recycling garbage. This was not being done in B.C. yet. They presented their proposal for a pilot project to the government. The capital cost of set- ting up a model pilot recycling project would be funded 100 per cent, rather than the normal 30 per cent. The government would end up with an exam- ple of an attractive, more economical system, where could be set for g recycling projects that could be successfully which the ministry must work, it is doing an ex- cellent job. Fred Peitzsche Ross Spur Wrong impression We would like to respond to a photograph that appeared in the Castlegar News on May 9. It showed a group of Robson elementary school children using the playground teeter-totter as a human catapult. The caption gives the impression that this ob- viously potentially dangerous form of play is hap- pening all the time and is the latest craze at our school. We would like to say that our playground has very good supervision before and after school, during recess and the lunch hour and this photo was posed for the Castlegar News photographer. He wanted a photo and he got it! Sarah Tupholme Co-Chairman Robson Parent Advisory Council Setting it straight To set the record straight, the photograph showing a Robson elementary school pupil being froma , in the May 9, edition of the Castlegar News is not how the teeter-totters are being used at the school. Mr. Ed Mills, photographer with the Castlegar News, visited the school to photograph the ‘‘Sun- day Star’’ for the sports page. While doing so, others wanted to also be photographed for the newspaper and therefore staged the ‘‘no-no’’ event for him. J.A. Plotnikoff Principal Robson elementary school Editor’s note: CasNews reporter Ed Mills does not dispute Mr. Plotnikoff's assessment of the cir- cumstances which led to the photo. However, he wishes it to be made clear that the students volun- teered to show him the stunt which the Castlegar News agrees is dangerous and should not be allowed at the school. Stop politicking After reading and re-reading Castlegar school board trustee Tony Guglielmi’s letter on democracy (Castlegar News, April 15). | wanted to know what he meant. Are there any readers who actually un- derstand what trustee Guglielmi was trying to say? If so, please write and interpret his letter. The Castlegar school district budget is a public last half of the stand without the newly planted trees? One may have one major skid tr: every 250 or 300 feet and winch downed trees to the trail to skid to the landing. But every tree isn’t win- ched down the same path. What, then, happens to new seedlings? Wouldn't a skid trail in continuous use also be subject to continuous erosion? How much of the area is permanently lost for new growth because it is continuously in use? Most of the deaths that occur in the forest are among fallers. 1 can’t imagine why anyone would want to return to the days of logging where a tree- . Every taxpayer has a right to look at the budget. All you have to do is contact Castlegar school district secretary-treasurer John Dascher or superintendent of schools Terry Wayling to set up an appointment to look at the budget. They would y to explain whatever questions you have. As you know, or should know, trustee Guglielmi, every year the board invites parents, parent groups, inci 's and other ii people to present their input on the proposed y? budget. Isn't that democ; Trustee Guglielmi, please stop to other ECO-Clean would manufacture the bins.for the model pilot project, but future manufacturing would go out for bid. One reason ECO-Clean ap- proached White Rock to sell the idea was that gar- bage ion could easily be it d (the city pays to dump garbage in Burns Bog). The city was impressed with the system and amended its ap- Plication for a GO B.C. grant. The city also indicated on the application that the contracting would be performed by the Semiahmoo Society for mentally handicapped people. To Bill Reid, this was important to the decision because Semiahmoo had been doing the paper recycling for the city and was discussing doing all the recycling. It caused concern later when White Rock officials stated that they would put the pick- up contract out to tender. Bill and the lottery bran- ch director decided to-extend the project to include the whole Semiahmoo Peninsula and recommended the funding for the capital cost of the recycling project go to Semiahmoo Society, which had sub- mitted a business plan for multi-material recycling for the area. This included the truck, 18,000 bins, street- side containers and a garbage cart the handicapped would use for picking up litter. The manure hit the fan when some disgruntled person(s) ran crying to the media and the end result was that everyone came out a loser, especially Bill Reid who only wan- ted to help everyone. I think the greatest crime this hard-working MLA committed was trying too hard too quickly get this model project for his area. I bet it cost us taxpayers a lot more in legal fees and i igations than the $50,000 ECO-Clean would have gotten in the deal to help pay for the over $100,000 cost of having a special mold made for the manufacturing of the bins. It is criminal that people should have their names dragged through the mud if they receive help from the government just because they are a friend of the government, the MLA of the premier. Socreds are friends with each other and work hard to keep our party in power. We should not be penalized for it. Socreds are the doers and they deserve just as much help as those that just take without giving anything in return. In my opinion, the whole thing stinks. Iris Bakken Salmo Please address all letters to the editor to: Letters to the Editor, Castlegar News, P.O. Box 3007, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H4, or deliver them to our office at 197 Columbia Ave. in Castlegar. Letters should be typewritten, double- spaced and not longer than 300 words. Letters MUST be signed and include the writer's first and last names, address and a telephone number at which the writer can be reached between 9 a.m. and 5.p.m. The writer's name and city or town of residence only will be published. Only in exceptional cases wilt tetters be published ‘without the writer's name. Nevertheless, the name, address and telephone number of the writer MUST be disclosed to the editor. The Castlegar News reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality, grammar and taste. May 13,1990 CastlegarNews as COMMUNITY NEWS With the help of Provincial Sec Howard Dirk: open th new rec yeling depot on Saturday. Aaron's letter of re sheiped area Into existence, BOAT INSURANCE “Never Leave the Dock Without itt For All Your insurance Needs! SLOCAN PARK tT ee » CASTLEGAR 601-10th St., 365-7232 Hwy. 6, Slocen Park 226-7212 “Real “Estate 7 WITH BARRY BROWN HOME RESTORATION COULD BE FOR YOU! Wheri you look at older, run-down houses, what do you see? Do you see the paint peeling or can you picture o porch’at the side or rear? Do you see the sagging roof, or can you imagine gn alcove with bay windows on the Second floor? Are you deterred by the rusted pipes inside, or do you appreciate the craftsmanship hidden beyond layers of old patra? # you see the positive side, you could be a good. candidate for _ home “Sree represent the ROCK whose conmlasion set up the depot. Group suggests Meech changes A group of students and instructors at Selkirk College has suggested a number of amiendments to the Meech Lake constitutional accord which the group says are aimed at improving the accord while recognizing the district contribution of Quebec and of all Francophones in Canada. The Meech Lake-Accord- Response Group evolved from a request to in- structors from students at the college about having a discussion on the ac- cord, group member Andy Shadrack told the Castlegar News. He said the group has forwarded the suggestions to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and provincial premiers, as well as other federal and provincial politicians. “The fact that we are suggesting amendments to the Meech Lake Ac- cord should, in no way, be construed as reflecting art-anti-Quebec —at- titude,"” Shadrack says in a news release. ‘‘On the contrary, we are committed to improving the accord’s content so that more Canadians can live in an equal society.”” Shadrack says the group is “‘ex- tremely concerned that many Quebecois believe that a majority of Canadians outside of Quebec’’ are anti-French. ‘We therefore are sending out this document to prove that many of us outside Quebec, while wanting changes to the accord, also recognize the distinct contribution of Quebec for thousands of years before the Europeans and others arrived. e The current Quebec gover- nment’s attitude towards anglophones in that province is not and of all across this country, he says. The group’s' resolution states that the group members recognize Quebec is a distinct society within Canada and to ending racism, bigotry and discrimination among all Canadian people. * The provinces should _not_be equal to the federal government in support the Q their national, cultural and linguistic integrity. As well, the group says all constitutional amendments should enhance the integrity of all Canadians. The accord in its present form fails to address the concerns of all Canadians, the group says. Among the group’s and setting ii policy. Quebec’s interests can be accommodated within Canadian policy. ° “While we recognize Quebec’s desire to tailor federal programs to suit its particular national, cultural and linguistic needs, we are opposed te any province opting out of federal comments: * The endorsement of two separate and isolated states within Canada “must be replaced by a vision of ‘Canada as one country that promotes inter-cultural understanding and creates bridges not only between anglophone and francophone citizens but glso among citizens of other cultural backgrounds. * Reference to English and French linguistic dualities only . . : is a par- ticular insult to aboriginal peoples who have lived in what is now Canada and being d pr- they meet ‘compatible national objectives.’ Rather, _we believe the federal government, through the House of Commons, has oviding avoid a patchwork-quilt country where health, social and educational programs, etc. vary from region to region,”” © The best solution for the Senate is to abolish it and spend the money saved on enhancing representation through the House of Commons. * **While we understand the need of the federal government to consult with provincial governments we question theneed to place annual conferences betweenthe prime minister and first ministers in a con- stitutional accord.”” © It’s ‘‘foolish’” amending formula that requires unanimous consent before the “major federal institutions’’ of Canada can be changed. ‘‘Nor do we believe . . . that constitution-making should rest solely in the hands of either federal or Provincial cabinets to design an the right-to-setnational through federal legislation so that all Canadians may be treated equally no matter which province they reside in. “Any province, Quebec included, that wishes to administer a federal program should only do so if they agree to maintain the same rigorous standards laid out in the legislation and regulations. In this way we will REMEMBER WHEN 4 YEARS AGO From the May 11, 1950 Castle News Yesterday the ratepayers okayed the waterworks loan bylaw which calls for the spending of $60,000 on an ex- tended water system. Water mains will be six and eight inches and will run out to the new school to cover that section of town. Work on the new system is to start almost immediately with Mr. O. Walker in charge of installation. While the vote was light, 145 for, 15 against and two spoiled ballots, it showed without a doubt the increased water supply was wanted. . 28 6 The Robson school board meeting held on May 9 was attended by the President of the Robson Athletic Club regarding complaints about the softball diamond, misuse of adjoining property, damaging and using the school as a storehouse. The complain- ts were questionable and it was found that the softball teams were not en- tirely to blame. 25 YEARS AGO From the May 13, 1965 News Trail telephone subscribers have vetoed the merging of the Castlegar and Trail telephone exchanges for free telephone calling purposes although Castlegar telephone district subscribers gave it overwhelming sup- port. . . Target date for start-up of the Celgar pulp division here is now the weekend of May 22. The mill, which is down because of an internal problem in the recovery boiler, was expected to resume production earlier this week. However, further lems of a more Susanna’s Family Fare column of last week for removing rust stains from plumbing fixtures- Sani-flush contains an acid material which reacts on bleach causing the release of chlorine gas. 15 YEARS AGO From the May 16, 1975 Castlegar News Pass Creek Park wilt be utitized asa “‘natural park’’ this summer, says . c a chairman Marilyn Johnstone who told the Castlegar News yesterday morning there are no funds to main- tain the facility. . . User fees for the Bob Brandson Memorial Pool were announced Tuesday night by finance chairman Ald. G.S. Rust who, in releasing the figures, stated costs have risen resulting in the pool rates also going up. The 1975 daily rates were set at 75 cents for a pre-schooler and adult; 35 cents for children; 50 cents for students and 75 cents for adults. . . Twenty-two students from a Grade 4 class at Twin Rivers elementary school have the ‘assurance from Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco he will support any legislation that will ensure the removal of the cruelty that exists under the present trapping laws. 5 YEARS AGO From the May 15, 1985 Castlegar News Castlegar school board voted Mon- day night to resurrect a top-level ad- ministrative position for the 1985-86 school year. But the decision was almost im- mediately condemned by the Castlegar and District Teachers serious nature requiring more exten- sive retubing than first suspected necessitated a further two weeks of down time. . 8 8@ The Castlegar News urges its to care in _—aing a cleaning process reported in which the move may derail sensitive contract negotiations. That surprise four-centimetre snowfall in Castlegar was the latest snowfall ever recorded in this area. ._ 8 6 Local pulp workers at Westar Tim- ber will likely appeal a board decision to disallow them $513,000 in Unem- ployment Insurance benefits during a 10-week lockout last year. * . . Castlegar school board disagrees with Education Minister Jack Heinrich’s firing of the Vancouver school board, and their resp Wwe therefore favor creation of both con- sultative and ratifying amending formulas by majority vote of the elec- torate in all provinces and territories. It is the people that must be sovereign over their Constitution not the politicians, who are after all only the people’s servants.”” Buying an older home to restore moy be more affordable thon other properties. Your search for the right property should begin where proper ty valves ore-on the upswing: Consult © realtor who is familiar with the rea and who understands market trends such as new businesses in the crea, other restoration underway younger residents migrating to revitalized neighbourhoods, annual ts such as block parties, art fairs and festivals which indicate vitality within the community. You also have the opportunity to be a pioneer in restoring the area. ou buy, don't get contused lor sounding soame. veed used to describe fixing u or buildings. The. following pop popular words and definitions are taken irom the old house journal: Re-use — recycling on old building for a use other thon that for which ft wos. originally constructed. 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