PUBLISHER JON JARRETT DONNA JORY ADVERTISING MANAGER Display Advertising editorial comment How do I love thee? Let me count the $$$$. Valentine’s Day. And so, once again, according to the dictates of our calendars, February 14 has arrived and we are expect- ed to pay homage to the partners in our life. Take a walk down any aisle in any department, drug,,novelty or clothing store and the nightmares of marketer's dreams jump out at you, coaxing you to loosen up a little and spend some of your cold cash on the one you love. After all, it's for your ‘valen- tine.” Pretty sad, actually. In a society that takes pride in our independence, here we are, relying on a calendar event to remind us to show a little love for our spouse. Marketers are laughing at us all the way to bank, and we're buying it for them every time we show our “unique expression of love’ conveniently wrapped up for us in an attractively coloured package. When you think about life every other day of the year, this is an extremely contradictory message. Spend your money and show him or her how much you care. But if for some unfortunate reason the part- nership doesn’t work out, hire the best lawyer, do whatever it takes to keep that S.O.B. from getting their hands on your moola. Ah, love. The ways of the heart are confusing indeed. And boy, can the wallet really mess things up How many times have a group of women been heard chatting about how lucky so-and-so is because her husband bought her some really expensive valen- tine’s gift? And how many times have we heard someone bemoan the fact that they didn’t get anything at all? And then there's the husband who comes prancing through the door, chest puffed out like a buffalo, arms overflowing with chocolates and gifts for his special Someone that just yesterday he was hiding out from in a bar? As a person who has been on the receiving end of a bouquet of flowers, the truest appreciation comes when they show up without any reason at all. Just because. And when one compares a small token of wrapped- up appreciation to a warm hug and an understanding smile, a soft touch, or perhaps a chore cheerfully vol- unteered, the former seems to pale in comparison. Perhaps a truer expression of love can be found by doing your beloved’s laundry—How do I love Thee? } Let me count your socks. M.A. Bena By Don Addis COULD You TAKE US To YOUR LEADER A LITTLE FASTER? ve br ~ Zi\\S JS POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE Established November 28, 1990 Published by The Ca: Si Hehed by The Castlegar Sun Sun Nation gets glimpse at future Liberal leader Premier Bob Rae will get most of the media attention when the first ministers meet tomorrow to talk eco- Mike Duffy Syndicated Columnist After all, the media thrives on dis- agreement and drama, and Rae has Served notice that he'll come out four- Square against the way Ottawa is han- dling the economy. Rae will demand Ouawa spend us out of the recession. It’s the traditional NDP formula. But if you tune in tomorrow, don't let Rae's traditional socialist chant tum you off, wait a bit, the show will get a lot more relevant. If you want to glimpse the politics of tomorrow, hang in to hear New In an interview on CTV's Sunday Edition, McKenna demonstrated that unlike Rac, he isn't a prisoner of the What should Ottawa and the Provinces do in the current recession? “In the short term we have to stick to a tough fiscal track, keep the debt down, remove inter-provincial trade barriers completely,” he said. Nova Scotia premier Don Cameron has also been taking: a simi- lar hard line with government Spend- ing. After pouring an estimated $2 bil- ion into the sinkhole known as Syd- ney Steel, Cameron will ask the Nova Scotia taxpayer to subsidize no more. In 25 years, no Nova Scotian Politician had the guts to cut Sysco off. Now, this dramatic and long- overdue action may be the key to vic- tory for Cameron's Tories in the next Provincial election. Ending subsidies is hardly what you expect from Maritime premiers, But after years of federal handouts, McKenna: “We should stop the cycle Of institusi i ck you'd expect McKenna to retaliate, a from working in y. We're taking away the incentive to work from people. I am convince we have to change our income Support Programs, both UIC and welfare ... so that instead of ‘sitting at home ...\atro- Phying in.terms of skill level, we can be training our people for new jobs. I's good for their pride, good for skills and good for the economy,” Some would call it “tough love” - or worse. But what McKenna is proposing is nothing less than what's done by so- called “progressive governments,” in Sweden, Germany, France and Aus- tralia. In a region where unemployment insurance is dangerously close to a way of life, where years of depen- dence on government infects business as well individuals, McKenna’s push for change is nothing less than coura- geous. Take his stand on inter-provincial trade barriers: The New Brunswick Premier says barriers to the free inter-provincial movement of people, capital and “Ultimately, by and inefficient industry, not only do we risk the jobs in that industry, we take away the opportunity for that industry to grow, to innovate, and become competitive and to create more wealth.” This kind of straight talk is a breath of fresh air in a nation that has heard only the tiresome rhetoric of Many Liberals see McKenna as the ideal man to follow Jean Chretien Brunswick's Liberal Premier Frank McKenna. there is a realization the time has come for a new approach. access "Gricks AND STONES WiLe BREAK OUR BONES, BUT NAMES: WILL HURT US!" a. NEVER Hp The steps toward the “season o Modem thought makes much of the season of childhood, without defining or presenting too many del Guideli PP ly muddle up the innocence, or so many believe. Others move quickly from childhood into maturity. The transition is not, however, assured or inevitable. Indeed, some people never do achieve maturity, let alone wisdom! We now know that our childhood years and how they are spent are an integral part of the process of becomaing a Tespon- sible and responsive human being. On the way to maturity we learn to be whole in ourselves. To mature, we must learn to take charge of our own growth, health, education, and emotional develop- ment. Dealing with these everyday events makes us confident to cope with whatever life dishes out. We live in a rapidly paced and ever-changing technological environment. In order to extract €very ounce of life from each experience, we now toust learn to live within this fluid environment. People come and people go, in and out of our lives, and come back again. This circuit teaches us the true value and the continuity of friendship. We lear from people, the places where we live, the experiences we have. If we meet each new experi- ence with interest, enthusiasm and a sense of cunosity we open our lives to absorb knowledge. When I look back on my childhood I often , wonder what prepared me for the life I presently lead. I spent the first eighteen years of my life in the same house, in the same neighbourhood, in a small town where everyone knew everyone and everything about you. My parents never did leave. When I left, I had no idea I would not be back. I knew there was a wide wonderful world out there and I was eager to explore and see as much of it as I possibly could. Because of the nomadic life i now lead, I have lost count of the number of times I have set up a home, and then dismantled it and moved on to another home. Each time I arrive in a new place I am excited about the move, the adventure of a new home and the opportunity to meet new friends. When I leave, I never consider I am irrevocably leaving friends behind, for our globe is relatively small and getting smaller. Yet, in each new environment, I have met individuals who are frightened by the prospect of becoming a friend, and then “losing” you. The thought that you will move on one day, prohibits them from Get ’em with a Being a sub-editor on a large daily can be,qn unrewarding job, watching for spelling mistakes and composing headlines for dry articles about things other people are interested in. I gather that in days gone by, there was even an informal competi- Gon among sub-editors at the Times (of London, not Port Alberni), to see who could write the most boring headline. The well-known but proba- bly apocryphal “Small earthquake in Chile: few people killed” would have been a likely contender for honours. Here in BC, we too have our fair share of the mundane and trivial. A } few years ago, the Times (of Port Alberni, not L@a- don) came up with a headline about a city council discussion of flooding; ‘Council blames flooding on too much water’ Well, at least was accurate. Or again, “The identity of a headless corpse found in a tree in Stanley Park will not be Positive- ly known until dental records have been checked.” Then there is the fortuitous coincidence of name and subject matter. “He said both assailants were white, aged about 22 and one had a large “buzzard- : like nose Witnesses Nigel ord should contact Mr Bird, Vancouver City Police etc” Perhaps one can sympa- thize with the sub-editor when one appreciates how trivial indeed are some attempts to make news Take for instance last week's comment from Ver- non. where the BC Winte Mes are being held in a few weeks time BC Gas generously donates an Olympic-style torch, which burns for a month before and during the event The best the lox was that some high school student, over-sensitized to environmental concems, thought it was pollution and a waste of gas. A pretty small-minded outlook that, given the number of people involved and the Syndicated Columnist newspaper could make of it With New Brunswick workers to the Quebec market, as their national leader. Tomorrow the nation will see why. : aR *e WEBSTER ‘2 CAstiecaR SY maturity” being friendly or even trying to know you. I can do little to change their attitude, but am glad it is their sand not mine! We should welcome spontaneous impulses for they often move us in new personal directions. The mature person welcomes change, for it teaches new ways in which to cope. We leam to accept personal responsibility, for we cannot flee the past. We learn new skills which add to our sense of accomplish- ment. If we cultivate sound work habits, we will see ourselves, not as users but as contributors. We can leam to be comfortable with ourselves,to be quite happy when alone, for we are never totally alone. Confidence comes when we learn from our experiences that we can handle just about anything we might encounter, within reason or course. Many of us need a degree of order about us in order to be reassured of our place in our social sur- Toundings. True maturity comes when we are able to see ourselves simultaneously as part of a greater whole and yet a whole separate part. These are the Steps toward the season of maturity. Elma Maund is a communications consultant, a facilitator, administrator and a writer. Elma has travelled throughout North America, Asia and the South Pacific and has coordinated numerous pro- Jects. She is presently coordinator of the local Seniors Action Committee head—hook, line and stinker The new world of computer typesetting gives €very opportunity for the sub-editor to strike back at mundanity wherever he finds it; if detected, he merely pleads ‘ ical error, squire’. Take the classified ad. “Mrs Violent Savage wishes to thank friends for messages of sympathy received.” or “Law firm requires audio Secretary for litigation in busy general practise. Good typing essential. Phone Mr Smith or his Secretary at 354- 1234.” Or indeed, take the display ad: “Finest East Indi- an Cuisine: one visit makes you regular.” Our very own Port Alberni Ward Cleaner’s has a good one, “Working on the same spot for 53 years.” Sadly, I believe it to be deliberate rather than an Oversight and neither Punch nor Private Eye has seen fit to use (and thereafter remit it to your humble senibe.) Ah yes. I forgot to mention that there is a market for these little bon mots, which Probably helps to explain the supply. (Sub-editors don’t cam much and one takes one's advantages where one can find them.) My all-time favourite is “Meeting of Clairvoy- ants cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances’ Wednesday, February 12, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Page 7A Letters to the Editor Spend money on essen Dear Editor: RE SO CALLED REVITALIZATION BY-LAW #599 Our City has introduced a pro- cess that can only be character- ized as an abuse of power in the most dastardly manner, They are now apting to intimié: and dous tax, Under their new rules, every taxpayer directly affected, is required to fill our and swear to a special declaration, which is sub- ject to City approval, in order to record their opposition. Under these conditions it would be disenfranchise all those who would dare to record their Objec- tions to most unfair and horren- ip to obtain a true count of those , Whatever happened to the YES or NO vote on a legitimate ballot? Also, under what pervert- ed system, has the public been deprived of their right to vote on this multi-million dollar expendi- ture in the first place? So what happened to our precious democ- racy? The whole process has been a disgrace to our community, and a low point in our City Hall per- formance. It is vital at this point, that a majority of Council make every tials, not decorations effort to re-establish their credi- bility and earn the trust of the People they represent. There are essentials to be dealt with, such 4s road maintenance, an adequate R.C.M.P. facility, and traffic flow Problems that will become more acute. Today, even the most ardent supporters of a plan for decora- tive shrubs and stones in re-vital- ization, are having second City council minding store for last 20 years Dear Editor: I have been following the recent upsurge in interest in the management of our City’s affairs and I find it encouraging. It also proves to me that we are better off in our democratic system to make local government responsi- ble for many of the programs now administered by govern- ments in Victoria and Ottawa. It is much easier to get answers from people you can meet face to face, in your own community. The City reports that 13.13 percent of taxes paid to them goes to interest payment. Don’t we all wish Brian Mulroney could say the same. At the last report 40 % of our Federal tax dollars go to paying the interest on the national debt. At first glance I can understand people becoming concerned that the City might be too ambitious looking at Downtown Revitaliza- tion, Riverside Park, Works Yard, Police Station and City hall Reno- vations. However, I think we should remember that these are all Capital Projects under considera- tion. These are projects that the City will borrow money to pay for now, but the citizens will use for 20 - 30 years. I’m happy to see government borrow money to pay for, something that will be used for 30 years. That way the people who use it 20 years from now will help pay for it too. As long as the Projects are required, realistic, well managed and money bor- rowed at attractive rates, the pub- lic will be well served. Now may be the best time to consider public works. The national economy is in recession and contract bids should be attractive. Tenders are generally coming in below budget at this time. Interest rates are the lowest they have been in many years. The Federal Government unlike local government, is not required to make any distinction between Cap- ital Projects and Operating Expens- es. They have borrowed money to pay for day to day expenses, so now we have a 400 billion dollar debt and very little to show for it Chamber of commerce urges Participation in T.F.L. review Dear Editor: The Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce wishes to Publicly express its appreciation to the Government of BC for react- ing quickly and decisively to plan- ning the hearings for the transfer of TEL. #23 to Pope and Talbot. Profile page praised Dear Editor: Thank you so much for the January 29, 1992 Profile in which Mr. Brendan Halper featured the West Kootenay Teacher Educa- tion Program student teacher's Participation with the West Koote- nay National Exhibition Center's biotechnology exhibition. The article was well written, accurate and artistically support- ed with excellent photographs. We have sent a copy of the Profile to the office of the Dean of U.B.C’s Faculty of Education. Please pass on our compli- ments to Mr. Halper. Sincerely, Joseph Ranalilo Local Coordinator A disgusted tax payer Dear Editor: I recently went before the Panel of Revision regarding the 1991 assessment of my home on 9th Ave. The house, with a basement Suite, was built in 1957 and no improvements have been done to the house or property for the last six years. I received an assessment of $47,000.00 in 1990, but that rose to $65,800.00 in 1991, a raise of $18,800.00 a tune of 40 percent. I had copies of 14 assessments of 9th Ave. from Sth to 6th streets, two of which had base- ments suites rented. One property with one and-a-half lots and 1000 sq. ft. larger home was assessed $20,000,00 less. Another with two lots, two suites, a work shop In memory Frederick Arthur Willson Willson, Frederick Arthur (Rocky). Born October 12, 1962. Suddenly passed away Jan- uary 23, 1992. Aged 29 years. Sadly missed by his loving family: Parents, Ton and Brenda Willson; Sister, Sharon; Grand- mother, Vi Brooke of Duncan; Aunts and Uncles, Jim and Bar- bara Bossons, Bob and Phyllis Bennie of Duncan and Dorothy and Fred Emmerson of Sidney. Private service by request. Cremation took place in Courte- nay, BC. Flowers gratefully declined in favour of donation to charity. and a large garage was assessed $12,000.00 less. All of the homes were built around the same time and were in good condition. I wonder where the Panel's mind was allowing a raise of $18,800.00 in one year, but to my thinking they have well paid jobs and don't care as long as it doesn't affect their pocket books. In closing, I am sorry for wast- ing taxpayers money as I certain- ly didn’t get any satisfaction. Otto Anderson, Casti It is critical to the welfare of the community in general, and to the Westar workers and their families in particular that the T.F.L. be transferred as soon as possible so that the sale of the new mill can be completed. The Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce encour- ages the community to support the proposed transfer of T.F.L. #23 to Pope and Talbot and to Participate in the review process Yours truly, Steve Pelton President Letters Policy Letters to the Editor are wel- come on any topic of local or general interest. Letters should be double-spaced, typewritten, or legibly handwritten, 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 tele- Phone 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. Annie’s Gold Jewellery Lobby-Fireside Hotel RESIDENTS OF CASTLEGAR are urged to sign a petition at most local businesses, requesting the Hon. Art Charbonneau to provide the necessary support assuring the timely construction of the Robson/Castlegar bridge. Show Your Support For This Important Project Before February 19, 1992 WIZZ The Castidgar Sun but obsolete military hardware, 8 more Senators and innumerable committees gazing into the coun- (nies Constitutional navel. I hope that the public’s anger over government mismanage- ment isn’t going to be vented against the one level of govern- ment (City Council and School Boards) that has been minding the store over the last 20 years. Yours very truly, Did You Know That... Women stay in abu- sive relationships for many reasons, in- cluding love for their partner; fear of retali- ation and lack of alternatives. Lasdegar Wonien’s Association 365-2104 thoughts on this multi-million dollar a Council, by a majority vote can still delay or defeat forth reading of by-law # 599. I sin- cerely hope that common sense will prevail, and we can get on with the work that needs to be done. At this time of To force a most unpopular and costly proposal on the public now would jeopardize their support for the badly needed projects yet to come N, Oglow Castlegar y, what money can be made avail- able should be spend on essen- tials, no decorations. and estimate service Cabinets For All Tastes & Budgets ¢ EXTENSIVE SHOW ROOM SELECTIONe ‘where value and service is still important and can be expected’ Free in-home design 365-3110 2245 - 6th Ave.,-Castlegar, B.C. Castlegar City Council seeks your input to the 1992 Budget at a meeting to.be held March 2, 1992, 7 pm Castlegar Community Complex Citizens wishing to make a presentation or receive information on a specific subject are requested to contact City Hall for details on the participation guidelines. City of Castlegar 460 Columbia Avenue Castlegar, B.C. VIN 1G7 Phone: 365-7227 Fax: 365-8566 EVERYONE READS THE Comics! WHAT AN ExceLent | DEFINETLY | WAY To ADVERTISE! A TOTALLY UNIQUE WAY, To REACH OSPECTINE BUYERS! 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