60SECONDS
eouR NEWS

A 45-year tradition came toa
close last week when it was
announced that the Miss

Canada pageant would not be |

heldin 1992: That news hasn't
put an end to Castlegar’s vey
_Own pageant, , though. —

page 5

@ LOCAL SPORTS

The bad news is that the
Castlegar Rebels’ losing streak
in the Kootenay International
Junior Hockey League. has
reached- seven games. The
good news is the coaching Staff
has a plan.

page 19

@ WORK PLACE

With stores just a stone’s
throw from each other, Heather
Bonnett and Joe Streloff clothe
the men of Castlegar in every-
thing from formal wear to blue
jeans.

page 23

Farside

’ Harrison
Beyer
After Hours
Our People
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Bradley John Demke is Castlegar’s 1992 New Year’ 3 baby. Born Jan 3.at 9:31 p.m. to proud parents Monica and David,
Bradley weighed in at 9 pounds, five ounces. His parents took him home from _hospital on Tuesday where he met big sister,

Crystal, 5, and big brother, Davie, 3.

|\Wednesday

January 8, 1992.

cotta

75¢

News photo by Donna Bertrand

Citizens pull no punches"

Wi Castlegar city council put on
the hot seat by outraged residents

Scott David Harrison
EDITOR

The citizens of Castlegar have
spoken.

Taking the city.up on its offer to
attend Tuesday’s council session,
citizens had some simple words of
warning for their’ elected
representatives: smarten up.

Angry residents pulled no punches
with a sometimes discouraged
council, demanding answers on
everything from the failed road
referendum to Mayor Audrey Moore’s
salary.

What began as an information
meeting designed to _answer 17
questions published'in a local
newspaper, quickly turned into a
shouting match as Moore tried to
control a room of some 100 concerned
citizens.

Dissatisfied with council
responses, the overflow crowd began
to jeer.

The sparks flew from the first
moment when Moore was quizzed
about’ the failure of the road
referendum. Despite claiming that all
financial figures were properly
presented, Moore found herself at

“odds with Mike O’Connor. :
The spokesperson for the recently-

assembled Concerned Citizens
Coalition said the city failed to
inform the public of all the costs.

“You couldn't get a straight answer
from anyone,” O’Connor said, referring
to an open house held prior to the Dec.
14 referendum. “All_you got was a slap
on the back and someone saying ‘Don’t
worry, it won’t cost much. In fact, with
Celgar, it might cost you nothing at
all.”

Angered by the criticism, Moore
accused O’Connor of lowering the level
of debate.

“I was hoping that we could have an
exchange of information in a civilized
manner,” Moore said.

That comment prompted other
citizens to become involved in what
was supposed to be an one hour
information meeting.

“She asks him to respond to a
question and then she won't. let him
“speak, ” mumbled “one person in the =
crowd. «

One after one, residents focused on
Castlegar spending habits. They
accused the city of being short-sighted
by not budgeting for proposals like a
new RCMP building, city works site or
central fire hall.

Despite claims from Ald. Marilyn
Mathieson that the city had been
guarding its citizens from the
recession by maintaining low tax
levels, people said the city is out of
touch.

“One thing I seem to always be

please see COUNCIL page 2

4 A PIECE OF CASTLEGAR HISTORY RETURNED, PAGE 4 :