Wednesday, December 16, 1992 @ Reformers introduce recall Scott David Harrison EDITOR The Reform Party is calling for accountability in Ottawa. The party’s lone elected member — Alberta’s Deborah Grey — introduced a Private Members Bill, calling for re- call. “We're trying to make it re- alistic,” Kootenay West-Revel- stoke Reform Party hopeful Jim Gouk said. “It’s very sim- ple and because it’s so simple, we're saying it has to be pur- sued.” According to the recall bill, an MP could be kicked out of office if more than 50 per cent of the elected member’s con- stituents sign a petition. The petition is the final of a three-step process which be- gins with an application for an MP’s removal that must be en- dorsed by 10 residents in the riding. The recall application must also include a written statement of the member’s wrongdoings and an $100 de- posit, refundable ifthe process is successful. Recall applica- tions can only be made follow- ing a MP’s first 18 months of service and only once during his/her mandate. “If someone after 18 months is truly not representing the constituents who elected him, why should they stay for an- other three-and-a-half years,” Gouk said. “We believe in this,” he said. “Our most basic platform is democratic reform. We believe in going (to the House of Com- mons) as representatives of the people who elected us. The other parties should be doing the same.” Lyle Kristiansen says he can’t endorse the recall bill. “As far as I’m concerned, it smacks of hypocrisy,” the NDP MP said from Ottawa. Kristiansen said the Re- form Party wants change, yet it is throwing up roadblocks in front of politicians who initiate such change. “My own feeling, is (recall) is not a good idea,” Kris- tiansen said. “It is difficult enough for politicians to make tough decisions without the threat of recall legislation hanging over their heads, “You’d really be handing For the finishing touches . . Stocking Stuffer BONNETT'S MEN'S WEAR 233 Columbia Ave., Castlegar 365-6767 over the system to those peo- ple who have the money to bankroll (recall campaigns).” Gouk said recall’s time has come. He said governments must become accountable to the electorate more than once every five years. “There will probably be strong resistance from govern- ing parties just because it is a Reform Party bill,” Gouk said. “It may be a Reform Party bill, but it’s a bill that is realistic and accountable to the peo- le.” r Gouk said the B.C. govern- ment has already ignored the wishes of the public by dis- missing recall legislation agreed to by the electorate in 1991. He said the Private Members Bill may just push federal and provincial govern- ments towards change, ac- countable to the constituents first and the party second. “It’s all part of our democra- tic reform package and it should be a part of every par- ties’ reform packages. “We have to start making politicians accountable to the WL eee Courtesy NX Gift Wrapping! regular price *74% x Feature price *39° 4 24 wy Save ®35"° Bt $ Bosse's Jewellery (1979) Ltd. 1104 - 3rd Street, Downtown Castlegar ' 365-7141 Extended Christmas Hours: Dec. 17, 18, 21, 22 & 23 till 9:00 p.m. Have one on us. From the B.O. Rappers COME CELEBRATE AT The Hi Arrow & Brewskies $ 1 O°... person PARTY FAVOURS + MIDNIGHT LUNCH ROCK THE NIGHT AWAY WITH THE SOUNDS OF Bad Reputation LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE FRONT DESK DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 P.M. as 365-2700 i/ |rrow MOTOR In CASTLEGAR B.C. @ Wednesday, December 16, 1992 AroundTOWN OurPEOPLE Our person for Our People Corinne Jackson 365-7266 TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEW YEARS Have you already started wondering what you are doing for New Years? Robson Recreation Hall is planning a smash that begins at 9 p.m. and runs till 1 a.m. A deejay will be on hand for entertainment and a midnight supper will be provided. Tickets are $15 and reservations are required. FESTIVE SING-ALONG Robson Community Church is inviting you to participate in their Community Christmas Carol Sing-Along on Dec. 20. The event begins at 7 p.m. and promises to bea delight for all ages. FROM B.C. TRANSIT TO You; Monthly bus Passes can now be bought for travel in and around Castlegar. Prices are: $36 for adults, $27 for college students, $22 for seniors and public schoo! children. Passes are available at Carl's Drugs, Castleaird Plaza, Castlegar City Hall, Pharmasave Drugs, Selkirk College and Johnny's Grocery. Corinne Jackson NEWS REPORTER IDS is not a disease that only occurs in the big city. AIDS is ot the only thing that homosexuals die from. AIDS is not a gay disease. These are a few of the myths that Mitzi and Rob are trying to fight through the help of support groups while grieving for lost loved ones. Mitzi’s son died from AIDS Dec. 21, 1991 and Rob’s partner died this Oct. 13. Both are still grieving, but they feel some good has to come of the loss. “T put a face to AIDS,” Mitzi says, trying to explain the importance of telling her story. Since the death of her son, Michael, Mitzi has spoken on a CBC-talk show and at education forums. “Tm an average middle-class, middle-aged woman, it looks like everything is great from the outside,” Mitzi says, trying to fight the pain within. AIDS can affect any one Mitzi says, describing herself as an average person. “It’s not the easiest thing for me to do,” Mitzi admits, saying if she can make just one person aware of the disease, she’ll be satisfied. “(AIDS) is scary. It’s really scary,” she says. owever, this fear is preventing people from talking and seeking answers she says, explaining the importance of education. “T still think a lot of people believe ‘Well, people like that — they live in the city,” she says. People have so many things to be concerned about these days that they don’t want the added pressure, she says. “They don’t want to be told about what might happen,” Mitzi explains. But people must start talking and attitudes must change, she said. “When more people are doing what I’m doing — talking about it — (attitudes) will change. “I want other families to think about (AIDS). That this can easily happen to anyone. “This is such a humongous problem. “We better educate our kids,” she warns. Rob agrees and says students must be better educated about how the disease is transmitted and prevented. “There’s a lot more education needed in schools — in the community in general,” he corrects himself. “A lot of people have these myths that it’s a gay disease, or that it (only) affects certain minority groups like (intravenous) drug users.” ob says West Kootenay Aids Rese: — an organization he helped found — is aimed at News photo by Corinne Jackson Rob is picking up the pieces of a shattered life after losing his partner to AIDS “breaking down the barriers. “If I can somehow educate people, even one person, I'll do it.” The number of sufferers are not visible in Castlegar and, as a result, people may not be aware that AIDS is a problem here. But Rob says there are good reasons for this. “People move away because of (a lack of) medical treatment and being found out,” he says. “The medical treatment in this area is not equipped to take care of people with AIDS. “I know of people who are HIV- positive and move to Vancouver for treatment.” J ust as important however, Rob says lack of community support for people with AIDS is another reason why sufferers have traditionally moved away from the area. “I think they’re afraid of having the finger pointed at them, whereas in a big community you can blend in. “I know of people who won't touch a person if they know they’re HIV- positive. According to Rob, WKAG also has a mandate to provide support to people with HIV, or family and friends of people afflicted with the disease. “If you don’t know where to turn to it can be tough,” he says, noting that the newly-formed support group has been a great help to him. “There are a lot of people in the area who have a family member or friends who are HIV-positive and they need just as much support if not more support than the person who’s HIV- positive.” ccording to Mitzi, AIDS Aisne Nelson’s grief upport group and WKAG have been invaluable in helping her through Michael's death. “I’m going through a lot of emotional pain,” she says. “I really can’t imagine not having any support. “I think it’s this age-old thing — there’s strength in numbers.” eee The next meeting of the West Kootenay Aids Group is Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in Castlegar and District Hospital’s education room. For more information call the Public Health Unit at 365-4300.