LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER AUG 7. pero PUBLISHER — an Roewet EDITOR — Ron Normon PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Horvey OPES IAANAQER — Linda Kositsin MANAGER — Gory TION MANAGER — eoather Hodley sence wnt MAYS 1000 9978-AUG. 27, 1900 leming ae ie a pel Nera that ¢ ‘engrevings, eh. pri Area benefits d toa owner Figures prepared by C 9 Chamber of Commerce ad- ministrator Ann Stasila on the recent h's Witnesses con- vention dramatically indicate the value of that type of business to a community. Stasila says provincial gover- nment figures indicate convention attenders each spend $38 a day. Figuring the assembly as a two-day meeting, not the three it was, this adds up to over $200,000 for the 2,700 people. Then, a multiplier factor of 3.7 is used for the ripple effect as each of those dollars turn over in the area, and you get a grand total of nearly three- quarters of a million dollars! The value of such business, and of keeping what we have and aggressively seeking new conven- tions, is obvious. In fact, it's so im- portant that the Chamber even has a special committee, under the chairmanship of the enthusiastic Marilyn Strong, charged with pur- suing it. Our community has a lot going for it, and some of the reasons were enumerated by Jehovah's Witnesses spokesman Daryl Shellborn in an interview with this newspaper. Castlegar is easily the best location for a convention, he said, because of our central location and access, and restaurant and hotel accom- modation. “The American (Wit- nesses) like it h because of the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the plac Even something as simple as newspaper coverage is ap- preciated by convention attenders. Several Witnesses, as they pur- chased copies of last Sunday's CasNews, were heard to remark that they would be posting the stories and photos on Kingdom Hall bulletin boards back home. We'll n know, but it's quite possible a number of church adherents may well visit this area as a result of reading about the fine time fellow Witnesses - had here. As well, at least one Witness that she would be returning with her family for a longer visit. At the assembly's closing session, a speaker from the Easter United States commented on the cooperation received. The Cham- ber he said, made sure assembly organizers knew about the new sanitary dump; the Kiwanis Club held off planting grass at its new RV park; the fire marshall and city hall staff were all co-operativ “Taxi!” Due to prompt reporting, the start of what could have been of full fledged forest fire at Blueberry Creek was squelched last Sunday by the district’s forestry crew at Castlegar before the flames had a chance to spread and reach serious proportions. The blaze occurred at a favorite Lcryetgel spot at the Blueberry Creek Bridge. Forest ranger J.F. Killough reported it was started by a careless smoker who had thrown his cigarette still lighted into some rotten wood. °. ° o Celgar is not losing interest in plans for $65 million project in Castlegar but is continuing these plans though prog- ress is being hindered by the U.S. steel strike and the confused provincial political picture. This: was the information given last week in Nelson by two officials of the Celgar Development Company, Gordon Root, public relations director and Axel and the recreation staff were particularly helpful. This was the third straight year m Jehovah Witnesses have held ir convention here and while it Letters to the Editor Mi the usual practice to the place of next year's convention at the close of this one, no such announcement was made. The reason is that next year the Jehovah Witnesses, inter- nationally, are inviting their missionaries to come home. This means fewer, but larger conven- tions in much larger centres than Castlegar. The plan hasn't been finalized yet, but if it occurs then the economic benefit we have en- joyed for three summers now won't be here in July of next year. But, as the opening of the Van- couver Trade and Convention Cen- tre d, the business isn’t a short-term goal. Et- forts extended today might not see results for several years. For this reason Strong and the Chamber should keep in touch with the Jehovah Witnesses and make sure they come back in 1989. And the success of this assembly should spur the Chamber committee on to seeking other conventions. In this respect we can all help. If a family reunion is talked about, why not volunteer to host it in Castlegar? And if you're in a service club or some other profit or non-profit organization, volunteer to host the regional or annual meeting or even a workshop here. We have the facilities to ensure the meeting's success, and we all stand to benefit. Population shrinking By STEVE MERTL VANCOUVER (CP) — It may seem unlikely to someone battling traffic in a major city or fuming at the end of a lineup at a local bank, but Canada’s population is on the verge of shrinking. Experts in the dry science of demo graphics — the study of population changes through births, deaths and migration — say Canada’s population, now about 25.5 million, could peak within 30 years unless something is done. A falling birthrate makes another baby boom unlikely and about 50,000 Canadians are leaving the country each year. Faced with the prospect of a country sparsely populated with white-haired retirees, the federal government is pinning its hopes on a solution that has added 10 million Canadians to the country since 1900: immigration. In recent years, more than 60 per cent of all immigrants have come from developing countries in Asia, India, Central and South America, while the flow of people from Europe —the traditional source of new Canadians —has slowed considerably. There's no reason to assume the trend will change, which means “Can ada will be a very different country 100 years from now and we're not dealing with that,” warns Ellen Gee, a sociol- ogist at Simon Fraser University. REMAINS WHITE Although the presence of many cul tures isn’t new, outside the biggest centres Canada remains predominantly a white society with a western outlook. However, there's no reason to fear a total erosion of traditional Canadian values, says Gee. “I don’t think the basic European efabrie is going to go away.” While immigrants initially may clus: ter in ethnic enclaves for support in familiar surroundings, their children and grandchildren spread out. Japanese-Canadians are a prime example, Gee says. Although they retain a sense of their heritage, they're thoroughly Canadianized and have the highest intermarriage rate with other ethnic groups. “Canadians have lived together be- cause they accept other people's cul- ture,” says Herb Dhaliwal, who immi- granted to Canada with his farmer parents from India’s Punjab region. “Even if there is a concern (about different cultures taking over), I think it’s too late.” Dhaliwal is another example of an old culture combining with a new country. When he came here 30 years ago as a small child, he joined his grandfather, who immigrated in 1910, in Vancou- ver's growing East Indian enclave. FINDS SUCCESS Now 34, Dhaliwal is a successful businessman. A smartly tailored sports jacket suggests success but his salt- and-pepper beard hint at the time and work it took to get there. He speaks without a trace of an accent but still retains some old country values — his parents, for in- stance, live with him in a traditional Indian extended family. Stuck with carpet Shopping locally just seems the proper thing to do. Your selection is limited, but your local business person also has to make a buck. Should you have a problem or defective product, to our experience, your localetore is more than willing to stand behind what they sell. Until now .. . Three years ago we built a new house. Through a local carpet shop we purchased what we thought to be a good quality of carpet. 39.95 per sq. yd. (I believe) approximately $3,000. Now three years later the carpet is slowly loosing its tufts. Litterly pulling out each time I vacuum. What does the local shop owner say, “I'm sorry there situation of the owner, we would be throwing good money after bad, as you can't get blood from a rock. Should you be shopping for carpet in the future, I would suggest, check with the Better Business Bureau to see which local stores are reputable or call me I will be happy to show you the product and workmanship of one loca! carpet shop. Violet Madrigga Genelle Application of pesticide ‘absurd’ The scheduled hearing on pesticide application on the BC Rail lines on July 22 at the Inn has been can- is nothing we can do the er of your carpet has gone into receiver- ship.” He doesn’t even have the busi- ness sense to come and have a look at it saying “It won't do any good to look at it ay'there is nothing we can do any- way.” So here we have a house full of carpet falling apart and I the consumer, can do sweet nothing. We could take legal action but knowing the financial celled. That is good news for us, since that’s one more poison that we won't have to contend with. But the hearing for the following day regarding use of a much greater amount of toxins by B.C. Ministry of Highways is still on. The Ministry plans to apply Spike, Tordon and Roundup, toxins of roughly similar danger, to highways in our area. But it will be lots more. Here are the totals of the permits in Region 3, southeastern B.C. only, for 1986-89. Spike, 340 kilos, Roundup, 50 kg., Tordon, 582 kg., and Atrazine a whopping 10,012.5 kg. If you think that'this is absurd, like I do, and if you agree with me that they should stop and accept the alternatives that are already available and adopt a more sane course, come and watch the pro- ceedings. Sandman Inn, 1 p.m. Thurs day, July 23. Jack Ross Cooper Creek Thanks for edition As usual we had an enjoyable stay in your fair city and a successful convention. Your Sunday edition of the Castlegar News was certainly well received at our convention with many of the delegates reading the stories that were so prominently displayed on the front page and page two. Mike Kalesniko did an excellent job and certainly has a good eye for an interesting photo. Our keynote speaker from Georgetown, Ontario, Arnold MacNamara, took a copy of the Castlegar News with him on his return to Ontario. Congratulations on the 40th year of your publication. It’s a great paper and keeps getting better. A tip of the hat goes to Editor Ron Norman. Thank you for the fine coverage. Daryl Shellborn News Service Director Watch Tower Convention Are we racists? ByLINDA DROUIN MONTREAL (CP) — Are Canadians hard-hearted racists and bigots who want to shut their gates tightly against immigrants and refugees? It might have been easy to draw that conclusion after listening to some of the more vocal reaction following the past year's waves of East Indian, Turkish and Chilean refugees who appeared to push to the limit Canada's reputation as a haven for the homeless. However, those who have studied Canadian attitudes or been exposed to them say most Canadians talk tough when they think they're being duped, but unbend when they're exposed to the people behind the immigration statistics. Some of that tough talk is evident on radio talk shows across the country when irate callers vent anger and frustration over refugees ignoring He's a director of an immigration service group which, among other things, referees disputes between East Indian parents and their more in- dependent Canadian-born children over arranged marriages — his wife was chosen by his family, although he had the final say. Immigrants, no matter where they come from, quickly find work and start contributing to the economy, says Vera Radio who runs Mosaic, a Vancouver immigrant help centre. Ron Norman on holidays enema regular i procedures to get into the country. Last summer, sympathy for 150 Tamils rescued from a lifeboat off the cpast of Newfoundland quickly turned to censure when it was learned they had paid thousands of dollars to come from West Germany, not from their native Sri Lanka. SEEKS STATUS And when 174 East Indians landed on the shore of Nova Scotia this July and asked for refugee status, com- plaints about queue-jumpers were heard again. A flood of more than 2,000 Turks between last September and January prompted the government to slap visa restrictions on visitors from Turkey and several other countries. That was followed by a crack-down on refugee claimants, most from Cen- tral or South America, who must now wait outside Canada's borders for a hearing. One episode that made many Can- adians fume, says Sid Stevens, the head of Montreal's Sun Youth aid agency, was a hunger strike by a group of about 20 Chileans in Montreal. They slipped in under the wire be- fore the new restrictions were im- plemented in February. But their fam- ilies were caught in transit in Buenos Aires and the Chileans demanded the federal government admit the families as refugees. “What really upset Canadians was not so much the strike as the criticism of the government in the streets and their march on Parliament Hill,” said Stevens. Stevens, a blunt man, takes some of the blame for provoking a backlash against Turkish refugees with his widely reported comments that some were refusing accommodation at a men’s hostel in Montreal and wanted to lodge at a downtown hotel where fellow Turks were sent. DENIES RACISM But Stevens — despite his own out- burst at a time when his agency was working non-stop to provide food, clothing and lodging for the refugees — says he doesn’t believe Canadians are anti-immigrant, racist or unwelcoming. “What Canadians don't like is when people lie and cheat to come here,” he says. “What Canadians dislike is when people come here on a sinking ship, when they come here and have demon- strations on the street or go on a hunger strike or criticize the govern- ment.” Today, almost twothirds of all immigrants come from developing na. tions in Asia, the West Indies, Africa and Central and South America — a significant change from 30 years ago when almost 90 per cent of immigrants were Europeans. Unlike previous newcomers, today’s immigrants are from countries re- markably different from Canada in terms of climate, language, culture and ic and social d This introduces the possibility that it will be Canadians, and not just immigrants, who'll have to adapt. Studies of attitudes toward immi- gration have been paradoxical, says Donna Dasko, a pollster with the Toronto-based Environics Research Group Ltd. “Canadians have never been, if you ask them in polls, completely favorable to the idea of immigration,” said Dasko. “On the surface, they tend to oppose it,” even though the country was built on successive waves of immigration — 10 million people since 1900. CONDUCTS POLL In an Environics poll last fall, 70 per cent of those questioned said there was too much immigration into Canada. Immigration levels — currently about 100,000 yearly — are at their lowest since the 1950s. What might at first glance be inter- preted as wholesale rejection of immi- grants breaks down under close ques tioning, says Dasko. “When we ask specific questions, like should we allow immigrants who have family members here, the answer is usually yes, and when we ask if we should exclude racial minorities the “At one level there's a knee-jerk re- action, on the other, (there's the opinion that) immigrants tend to adapt quickly, to become part of the economy and they're viewed as people who work hard, who contribute.” woods manager. As a result of these two setbacks, Celgar has reduced its staff. . 8 @ A 100-pound bag of sugar sold for $11.25 at the Co-Op store while a pound of coffee went for 96 cents. Castlegar There has been a tremendous influx of tourists through Castlegar since the Kinnaird-Christina Lake Highway was opened to traffic. On making a check at the Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce, it was found that an average of 42 cars a day stop for information since the booth opened at its new location on July 1. The highest number of cars calling in at the booth was on July 16 when 76 signed in carrying a total of 259 pass- engers. * 8 «8 There were four fires in Kinnaird during the past four months, fire chief Rene Archambault’s report disclosed when read at council's last meeting. Three of the fires were brush fires and the fourth was a gas leak from a refrigerator. Total fire loss was nil. * 2 «@ Sheila Condy made a hole-in-one while playing at the Castlegar Golf Club with her husband A.B. Condy on Sunday. It was made on the No. 5 hole, a distance of about 110 yards. 15 years ago From the July 27, 1972 Castlegar News Castlegar's main thoroughfare, Col- umbia St., is getting a new look. In the downtown area, new side- walks have already been laid, and according to Ald. Andy Shutek, chair- man of Castlegar’s public works com- mittee, more is in the offing. Next stage will be new sidewalks in the area opposite the Town Hall, which he said was in “deplorable” state. * 8 6 It will be a two-way race for the aldermanic seat in Kinnaird on Aug. 5 left vacant by the death of Ald. Jim Macbeth. On Monday Town Clerk Allen Selbie and his assistant Ricky Beauchamp watched the hands of the clock at Town Hall approach the noon hour, the time when nominations closed. The clock struck 12, and Mr. Selbie declared “That's it. Nominations are closed.” The two candidates had deposited their papers. The first was for Bill Banham who was endorsed by Carl Loeblich, and on Friday Jack Chernoff, supported by Harry Smith filed his Papers at the Town Hall. 5 YEARS AGO From the July 18, 1982 Castlegar News SunFest '82 was billed as bigger and better than ever — and if Saturday's kick-off is any indication — it should have little trouble living up to that billing. SunFest actually started Friday afternoon when a three-member panel of judges selected the winner of the city’s first annual Gardner of the Year competition. + « « The future of Celgar operations in Castlegar is expected to be one of the main topics of discussion Tuesday during an open meeting of the Castle- gar Economic Development Commit- tee, B.C. Timber President Jhn Mont- gomery, and Bruce Howe president of the B.C. Resources Investment Cor. poration. Montgomery and Howe are also ex- pected to meet with Mayor Audrey Moore and council following a one-da: tour of the Celgar pulp and sawmills, a city hall spokesman said Friday. + * «6 Castlegar golfer Gord Walker will participate in the B.C. Invitational Golf Championship in Pitt Meadows and Richmond next weekend following his 10th place finish in the B.C. Junior Men's Golf Championship Friday. July 19, 1967 ING JOHN Castlegar RCMP Statt Sgt. John Stevens smiles during his retirement dinner Friday night as wife Anne (left) looks on. See story below. - CasNews Photo by Lynda Guymer John Stevens retires By TERRY GILBERT When Staff Sgt. John Stevens took charge of ie RCMP d i Inspection for air cadets By CLIFFE CHURCHES The Castlegar Community Complex was the scene re- cently for the annual inspec- tion of No. 581 Suadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The squadron, under the Knockout Drill command of Warrant Officer James Rowsell. Deanna Neumann was in- The Squadron and Spon- spected by Major Don soring Committee made Brown — Base special pi as fol- cadets) — Fl. Sgt. David Cherrington. Citizenship — Sgt. Andrea bertson. tion Officer — CFB Chilli. lows: wack. Following the inspec- A framed painting of a vin- tion the cadets marched past ‘age aircraft was presented in review to march music to the Royal Canadian Le- provided by the Mapel Leaf gion. band from Trail. A plaque was presented to In his comments to the Gordon Shead, principal of squadron, Major Brown con- Stanley Humphries second- gratulated the cadets for ary school, in appreciation for their all-round good showing many years of using the and he emphasized the im- school faciliites. portant role of the cadet school facilities. program to today’s youth. A plaque was presented to Following Major Brown's 2nd Lieut. Bill Sinclair of comments, Walter Laurie, Nelson for first-aid duties Area Vice-president — Air performed ona recent trip to Cadet League of Canada, Cold Lake, Alta. spoke to the Cadets on the importance of a good in- volved aad the importance of the cadets giving them their full support. out and shoot his own two dogs, It was and sad, but he had to make a point as a constable that he'd show he made two p! assured me he was going to stay a while and be the ‘vate commanding officer we ever had,” recalls Mayor Audrey Moore. “He lived up to every one of those promises.” Stevens stayed seven years to become, unofficially, the d h ’s longest-serving ding officer. On Wednesday he retired, ending a 35-year career with the RCMP. “He served Castlegar incredibly well,” said his immediate superviros, Supt. M.F. (Torchy) Torresan, commanding officer of the Nelson subdivision. “I can tell you the nature of the man is ideally suited for what he does. He's a strong and compassionate leader of men. “We're going to miss him; they don't make many in that mould.” More than 200 friends, family and fellow officers attended a dinner and dance in honor of Stevens and his wife, Anne, Friday at the Sandman Inn. He was lauded not only for his work in law-enforcement, but for his involvement with sports and service groups in the community. Stevens’ career-path reads like a road map of B.C,, with stops at Port Coquitlam, Wells, Spences Bridge, Kamloops, Courtenay, Port Hardy, Chilliwack and Kelowna before a transfer brought him to Castlegar in July, 1980, His first promotion, to corporal, came in 1965. He gained the rank of sergeant in 1970 and staff sergeant in 1974. But Stevens’ true story is best told by fellow-officers and friends, not by the statistics sheet. He joined the Mounties in the days when an officer was prevented from serving in his home province, Manitoba in Stevens’ case. And until he'd been married to the force for five years, weddings of a more conventional nature were not allowed. Posted to Wells in 1955 to run a one-man detachment, he lived at the Wells Hotel, run by the woman who was to become his mother-in-law. After tying the knot in 1957, the Stevens were transferred to Spences Bridge where “they lived in an old log house,” recalled Anne's mother, Peggy Marsden. “It was terrible. The jail was in the kitchen. I recall sitting at the table and handing food to the prisoners through the bars.” When the new barracks were built, “John did all the landscaping with the help of his neighbors,” said Jim Hack, the community's coroner and magistrate at the time. Tales abound of anti-snake bite serum kept in the Stevens’ refrigerator and of their station wagon doubling as the town ambulance. “One of his duties was to close the pub down every night in the old Spences Bridge Hotel,” said Hack. “He'd go down in the police car before 11 o'clock and watch it empty out. If they’d had too much to drink, he'd drive them home.” When court convened, “John was the crown prosecutor, chief witness and jailer: all in one,” said | Hack. no Bert Terry, who retired from the RCMP 10 years ago, trained with Stevens in 1952 when they received. a monthly paycheque of $97. “He was always lookea toward as someone with common sense,” said Terry. “If they wanted advice, they'd come and see Father John.” In Port Hardy, the Stevens, who by then had three sons, Henry, Brian and Scott, lived in one-half of the detachment building. It was less than sound-proof and “we always knew what was going on,” said Henry. They were often brought orphaned deer and wildlife to care for but there was one critter for whom Anne had no love. “She had an awful time with the rats in the detachment,” laughed Port Hardy resident Buster Cadwallader. “She was beating them with shoes and clubs so they wouldn't get upstairs. “Of course, it was all a big joke up here . . . scared out of her mind.” In Port Hardy, Stevens played a major role in one of the province's largest-ever drug busts. “We'd been out camping and dad had a radio with him,” reealled Henry. “We'd been there about one hour when he said ‘that's it, we're going back.’ Dad just disappeared for a couple of days.” “It was quite a thing,” inued C: she was Ald Patti Richards presented city pins and mo- mentos to the head table guests and welcomed them on behalf of the city. After a very nice banquet provided by the ladies of the Pythian Sisters, several awards and presentations wer made. The cadet awards were as follows: Best Attendance female — AC M. Durkin. Best A male — LAC Lawrence Crowe. First Year Proficiency — AC M. Durkin. Best Range, Jr. — AC M. Durkin. Best Range, Sr. — Sgt. Andrea Robertson. Best Dress and Deport- ment — LAC Ian Moore. Fellowship Award — Cpl. James Rowsell. Rookie of the Year — AC Brian McFadden. The New Management Of the Fireside Dining Room Invites You to Breakfast Fit tor a King for Only $3,50 on & sah Matin, 7zn coped abe Lunceon Full Course Includes “They intercepted a dope boat coming into Quatsino Sound.” In Castlegar, Stevens became involved with minor hockey and gave his assistance to whatever task was at hand. “He's the type of i 1 who goes toa and immediately becomes a part of the community,” said Torresan. Castlegar Const. Dale Hockley credits Stevens with quelling the problems that plagued the town eveyr Halloween. “He was definitely a big factor in turning around the Halloween status here. There was our boss-man out giving out suckers to little kids.” Hockley also recalls how Stevens’ made it possible for the RCMP curling team to continue on to the national championships. “He filled in on shifts for us, he made sure everything was covered, that the time off was there,” said Hockley. : “al Economy Rates... All Year Round EST. * 66" AOGATED Five IN: FROM/SWARTZ BAY & ANACORTES FERRY TERMINALS/ MOTEL AIRPORT/BUTCHART GARDENS (604) 652-1325 , oF REE 052 ROS pes COFFEE. PHONES. COLOUR TV.ICE & LOTS OF SMILESI! 2401 MT. NEWTON X ROAD, R.R. #1, SAANICHTON, B.C., VOS 1MO Anne often answered the d cooked meals for the prisoners and once bagged a wanted criminal. “John was out on patrol and this fellow who was on the wanted list walked into the office,” said Marsden. “Anne was there alone with a couple of little babies. She somehow coaxed him into the jail and slammed the door. “John came home and found the guy he was looking for already behind bars.” A less happy occasion, but one that illustrated Stevens’ desire to be fair in his application of the law came also in Spences Bridge. The town was plagued by dogs running the sheep. Said Marsden: “John had to go HOMEGOODS FURNITURE WAREHOUSE Tues.-Sat., 9:30-5:30 China Creek “Drive a Little to Save a Lot” and all should be well! Yes, by 9.a.m. Sundays you should be enjoying your Sun day Costlegar News It you're not, we want to correct the matter Hf you fail consistently to get Russian Canadian Heritage Festival Saturday and Sunday, July 25 & 26 CASTLEGAR — ADMISSION TO CONCERT AND PAGEANT — Adults: $7. Youth: $5. (Youth 16 and Under) — ADMISSION TO BANQUET — $10 Per Person FOR TICKETS CALL USCC Office, Grand Forks — 442-8252 Brilliant Cultural Centre — 365-3613 The Book Shop — 365-5858 Doukhobor Restaurant — 365-2625 Tickets to all events ore on a first-come, first served bosis! Don't be disgppointed, get your tickets early! Your por- ticipation in this unique historical and cultural event is requested. Most Imp: Cadet — LAC Teri Roberts. Top NCO (Voted by the Specials changed da tom tem OLD STOCK AND FACTORY SECOND FROM THE FACTORY TO YOU... 60% oFF RETAIL SOMETHING nN NEW UNDER THE SUN * LEGANCE IN PATIO FURNITURE by Kootenay West Wood Design AT LAST — the same taste and comfort outdoors as in your livingroom Beautiful cedar furniture. c Y designs with @ tough new danish finish of excellent values. Add elegance to your home and beautify your outdoor living TODAY. WESTWOOD 5 PC. SET REG.: $599 vow 199°° MAY BE VIEWED AT CHAHKO-MIKA MALL BETWEEN JULY 18-25 WHERE YOU CAN FIND US KOOTENAY WESTWOOD: DESIGN YMIR POAD THuncenaino CJ NELSON 2.5 kms. South of Nelson on Ymir Road ¢ 352-6111