ony advertreement Lo hpnareperaih cg woncs oF vested in ond belongs to Costie News Lidl provided, hewewer, that copyright in thot port end that port only of prepored trom repre proots, engravings, ef. provided by the odvertiser or td. be shall remain in and Questions, questions There are a couple of tn- teresting issues that arise out of the closure of Nelson's David Thompson University Centre. Firstly, there is the role of Howard Dirks, former Nelson alderman and the Social Credit candidate for Nelson-Creston in last May's provincial election. Mr. Dirks, it appears, was privy to information about DTUC's closure prior to the official an- noun int and even supported the closure. His reasoning is that it is bet- ter to shut down the centre now, rathe$ than watch funding shrink over the next few years to the point wh lhe centre would be forced to close anyway. W's difficult to see the logic in Mr. Dirks's argument, but that is his belief — good or bad What is disconcerting is the ‘eport that Mr. Dirks advised the Ministry of Education-of his beliet — whether he approached them or they approached | jim is not clear. But if true, what surely must 4 be the question here is why the provincial government would be taking Mr. Dirks into its confidence in the first place. Isn't that why we have a college board? Wouldn't the college board be in a better position to determine whether DTUC can survive with reduced funding or close immediately? Look out, Castlegar council's decision to refer to its parks and recreation committee a challenge to @ one- That raises the issue of the role of the college board in the OTUC closure. Where has the board been in all this? So far, it appears it has been invisible. Any statements con DTUC have come from either DTUC director Richard Pearce or Selkirk carepeprincioa! Leo Perra. That may be fine for technical information, but when it comes to major decisions — which are inevitably political — the college board should be making announ- cements. Jack Colbert (board chairman) where are you? Finally, we wonder what kind of role the board will have in the future when area school boards will no k « be represented on the college rd. That will leave the college board the sole domain of gover- riment appointees. Now, government appointees may prove to be just as good representatives as elected representatives such as those from area school boards. However, elected representatives are an- swerable to the local voters every two years. Government appoin- tees are answerable only to the government of the day. In what position would that leave the college board if the jovernment decided to close Selkirk College in five or 10 years? Weyburn chance to show off their stuff. After all, it was the city’s four representatives who ran away with last ‘s Fitness Week day fitness comp city and Weyburn. Sask. is hard eps apa ance *“* What's the problem? Either we take up the challenge and show what our citizens can do or we don't. With the city’s past perfor- mance on the fitness circuit, you would think they'd jump at the competition ey Kinsmen Park. + Phat wer rar outeh- distancing gied likes of the Castlegar News, Downtown Business Association and the radio station. Surely, with that type of lineup again this summer we could ic Letters to the Editor IWA pact is ‘rubbish’ Editor, Castlegar News: I am of the personal opinion that the membership of the IWA should reject the proposed memorandum of agree- ment and show the regional officers and negotiating committee that we are not ready to accept token gestures by the industry. We are talking about some serious issues, such as the Employment Standards Act. Are we to be denied they want to keep on contracting out work. Keith Bennett of FIR states, collective restrict its right to contract out work.” He states further, “The industry expected to”continue to contract out within the status quo. . .” I cannot understand Jack and the negotiating committee acceptilig such a “verbal that non-union workers and other British Columbians enjoy because our negotiating committee doesn’t feel it is necessary to have these standards written into our agreements? What about preferential hiring? The coast locals received a pretty good letter of understanding on this subject in 1982. Now, because they have it, and the Interior doesn't, it has not been pursued. Are not IWA members in the Interior entitled to the same protection and benefits as our brothers and sisters at the coast? | now for the big one — ntracting out, What has gotten into Jack Munro and most of our negotiat- ing committee? A verbal agreement about such an important issue? Jack, if anyone, should know the dangers of take a run at anything y n has to offer. Fred Merriman This might be a great time to talk about my great nemesis — gambling. Here is the background: Grandpa Jim several greats re- moved lost 200 square miles of southern Vancouver Island on a high card draw. A close relative of mine lost my entire wages for three months’ labor on a dairy farm at the racetrack. Grandma owned a race- horse and sat in a large chair.with a blanket over her knees at the San- down Racetrack near Sidney. My own mother used to always say some day my ship will come in. My kid brother made more in golf course winnings in a day than I could make all month delivering the Victoria Daily Colonist. In earlier days in Nelson most of my friends were wartime barracks poker play- ers. We used to throw dice after hours in-the—old 3209 West—Broadway Branch of the Imperial Bank of Can- ada — just for fun mind you. I could clean out the silver trays of the number one teller in 15 minutes. Of course, I had to give it all back because the money bel d to the a ™,, ¥ a 4/ — managed to drop only $1.25 at the quarter machine before a gentle woman in her 70s dug a deliberate elbow in my ribs for another run at her favorite quarter machine. I spent the rest of the time either on the golf course or watching the big gamblers at the baccarat tables where steady hundred dollar bills were scooped away from men whc looked like Minnesota wheat farm- ers. I can remember waking my travelling partners up at seven in the morning because I had won 76-cents at a nickle machine in the restaurant at Jack Pot, Nevada. My friends had been up all night in the casino across the street and were hot pleased at my enthusiastic announcement. It is even difficult for me to play golf at a dime a point. Enough of the background and onto Lotto 6/49. — It is complete, unadulterated gar bage. The suckers lined up at the trough on 14 million to 1 odds. I come from a long line of gamblers and know how easy it would be to bank. My first serious gambling netted me $100 on a now-defunct oil stock called Van Tor Oils. I have been known to gamble on real estate, dabble in the stock market, and even the biggest gamble of all — the business of being a rétail merchant. The theory of probability always applies. Some friends dragged me off to Las Vegas several years ago. I came away with a net of $11.60 mostly gained from drawing a hus- tler golf partner at the Tropicana. It was like taking candy from a baby — purely dishonest. I playe® a 10-cent slot machine and quit because my arm got tired after spending $3.60 in U.S. dimes. I to the g for noth- ing mass hysteria besetting even normally astute and shrewd people. This is one game I wouldn't play just for the sheer stupidity of the odds. Perhaps it could be that I don't believe in luck. I have respect for probability and do appreciate and try to understand those poor folk who consider that winning the big one is the only chance they will ever have to get to the top of the ladder. I will be happy for the winner in one sense and I would hope that his happiness will offset the deep dis- appointment of all those who saw the ship sink just offshore taking all their hopes and dreams to the bot- tom of the sea. verbal ag after his recent experience with Bill Bennett. I personally, would accept the Ayatolah Khomeini’s word before accepting the industry's word on such an important issue. It is my opinion that the membership of the TWA has been hurt too many times by the industry's complete about-face on verbal agreements in the past. Looking through official notes made by mediator Alan Hope of an industry- IWA meeting on contracting out, I see time and time again, where the industry gives verbal commitments on contracting out but continue to say that Other industry spokespersons, while giving their “verbal commit- ments” on contracting out, also state that they want to continue con! out “within the status quo.” I ask, what is the “status quo?” The reason the membership asked for language prohibiting contracting out, was that the “status quo” meant that increas- ingly our work was being contracted out. I feel on this issue alone, this memorandum should be rejected. If we accept it, we may as well tuck our heads between our legs and kiss our rear-ends goodbye. I say it is time we let our regional officers and negotiating committee know that we aren't prepared to sere | such rubbish. So let's reject this offer. Stan MeMaster Slecan Conservatives spout 1984 ‘double-think' Orwellian double-think when one reads the recent news reports and ents of Conservative Members Parlia- ment on the issue of preserving medicare. At least there was honesty in Bert Hargrave's (Conservative MP Medi- cine Hat) admission that “there's no question the decision announced by Jake Epp was purely political.” And further, “Don’t forget we're only three weeks away from an election year and you can't ignore political reality.” But consider the double-think of Calgary Centre PC MP Harvie Andre's comments that it’s hard for Conser- vatives “to put the Liberals’ blatant hypocrisy, if not outright decit, aside.” Calling the kettle black — it boggles the mind how Mr. Andre can comment on others’ motives in the face of Conservative decit. Regardless of the Tory’s hypocrisy, who can possibly believe that they will, medicare if elected to government? What was the Conservative role in the original fight for medicare? Did the Alberta Conser- vatives tell their electorate what they were going to do to hospital and medical services in the provincial election? No way. Did the B.C. Conseryative-Social Credit party tell its voters? No. It is very obviously Tory strategy to do and say anything in order to get elected. They do a disservice to democracy. Vera Kristiansen Nelson Editor's note: Mrs. Kristiansen is the wife of Keotenay West NDP MP Lyle Kristiansen. The case for extra billing by doctors By MARC BALTZAN SASKATOON, SASK. — Medicare has provided a series of success stories. So Canadian doctors wonder why a health care insurance and health care delivery system, considered by all concerned to be one of the best and most cost-efficient in the world, is being converted into state medicine, and another federal-provincial wran- gle, by the Canada Health Act. The 10 provincial medicare pro- the: that them, vary to meet the specific needs of the people concerned. At the same patient portion. Exactly the opposite is true. “Extra-billing” does not erode medicare; medicare erodes “extra-bill- ing.” The minister states that out-of- been into g ser- viee. And in reality it will lessen everybody's civil rights: What can happen to one group can happen to all. Ci have b pocket payments now amount to $70-— ly from a health care system that is million per year. She conveniently for- gets that inflation has tripled prices in Canada since medicare was introduced. Canadians are healthier than ever. The quality of medical service is un- excelled. It is provided by nearly twice as many physicians as 10 years ago. At the same time, the relative cost of time, has been by the involvement and financial sup- port of the federal government. Medicare's use by the public is ex- tremely high; in fact, many economists and governments have complained that it is too high. Five years ago about 95 per cent of the bill was paid by the government and five per cent by patients. Last year 98 per cent was paid by government and 1% per cent by patients. This is certainly the highest portion of doctor- bill payment by government in the western world, and probably exceeds that in many countries on the other side of the Iron Curtain. These facts, from government data, do not support the allegation of Na- tional Health and Welfare Minister Monique Begin that “medicare is being eroded.” Erosion means erosion of the gov- ernment portion and an increase in the services has not risen — it has falled. Ten years ago Canadians’ paid about 1.2 per cent of their national - income for doctor care. Last year we ver anime ala oan Ald aal Wii ico censieni: besidinias manned by volunteers. It is unlikely that the same benefits will result from a system manned by demoralized con- scripts. Before coming to a decision on this act, two bits of common horse sense shouldbe considered. First, extra-billing may have some defects, but is the cure worse than the disease? The answer is an overwhelm- ing yes, Second, “if it ain't broke, don’t fix it.” Medicare in Canada is not broken, nor even bent. What is broken and badly in need of fixing — excluding such obvious things of record like unemployment, the high- est real-interest rates in 50 years, a fi from the other members of the Board duting his term of office. Mr. Walker, an ex-chairman of the Fire, Water and Light committee, is particularly interested in the develop ment of an adequate water supply system for the village. . 6 « Residents of Renata saw the New Year in at the Old School House, where cards, dancing and refreshments were enjoyed by everyone, under the direc tion of Mrs. Barker. * #e ‘The folk dancing held.last Friday at Kinnaird was well attended. These evenings will be held regularly, as the oldtime dancers enjoyed the instruc. tions very much. Mrs. J. Shaw did the Highland , Mrs, A. MeWhinnie and her brother, Jack Hughes, gave an Exhibition Dance. Initial planning of the 1969 boating season was made at a recent meeting of the Arrow Boat Club held under the chairmanship of Commodore Bill Arm son. . 8 « Kinnaird heard a brief report from Commissioner G. Rust and the recent informal meeting with MLA Donald Brothers, at Monday's regular. Council session. Kinnaird council received a letter with 46 signatures requesting the upper bench road be opened to the Kinnaird-Christina Lake highway. . 8 « Creation of‘a new provincial park which may ultimately become one of the major tourist attractions in Canada has been ordered by the B.C. govern- ment through an Order-in-Council ap proved by the cabinet this week. The new park, to be known as Barkerville Historic Park, embraces the site of the historic gold rush town of Barkerville. < * 28 « Saturday night, Jan. 24, will mark the return of senior men's basketball to Castlegar, which has been absent for four years. Preliminary game will feature Trail CYO Junior team against Castlegar High School Rockers. The feature game is between Nelson All-Stars and the rejuvepated Castlegar Cubs. . 15 YEARS AGO From the Jan. 16, 1969 News This winter of 1968-69 is becoming known as “the winter of the big snow.” As of yesterday morning, 122.8 inches (over 10 feet) of snow had already fallen as measured at the wea ther station at Castlegar Airport. Seventy-six inches of snow had fallen as of Dec. 31 while 46.8 inches had fallen in January as of early Wednes. day morning. * 8 «© The Castlegar ‘district is being in- cluded in a year-long food expenditure survey being conducted by the federal bureau of statistics. The survey is being conducted in Trail as well as here and this is the first time some of the province's smaller centres have been included. . 8 « Mrs. Walter Jacobson of Kinnaird was re-elected chairman of the board of trustees of School District No. 9 when the board held a meeting Monday night. Trustee George Rilkoff of Robson was re-elected vice-chairman. . 8 « A proposal that the Castlegar dis trict establish a “loss leader” such as a Doukhobor museum, tourist centre or an annual festival to attract both tourists and permanent residents was made last Saturday night by the new of the Castlegar District Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Mary An- derson. 5 YEARS AGO From the Jan. 18, 1979 News Official notification has been re- ceived by Chery] Kristiansen that she has been chosen as a member of the Canada National team which will be taking part in the World Amputee Games at Stoke Mandeville, England. .Bhe is entered in six competitions. ._ * * Members of the Rossland-Trail Social Credit Constituency Association will meet Feb. 12 to nominate a can- didate for the next provincial election. ._ * «@ Mediator Noel. Hall Jeft the West * Kootenay after ending a week of un- successful talks with both sides in the region's labor dispute with non-teach- ing .emp! at Selkirk College, Castlegar, /Nelson, Trail and Grand “Forks school districts. NEW EXECUTIVE . . Castlegar Branch of Royal Canadian Legion in- stalled its branch executive and ladies ‘auxiliary. Top photo shows branch executive: (from left) back row: Don Bouvette, Jack Edmon- dson, Sam Brown, Dennis Tucker, Dave Palmer, Rev. Charles Balfour, Front row: Ab Culley, Jaimer Hall, Jim Moore Gordon Crush and and Doreen Moore. Bottom photo shows auxiliary executive: (from left) back row: Sylv Rafter, Dorothy Fleming, Front row: Dorothy Gyte, Helen LeDuc. Missing is FI lorence Laycock. Krane-Moro, Joyce Turner, Pearl Mott, Marg Ruth Cummings, Erma Myktye, Pearl Zorn. Dorothy MacPherson, Anne Podd and Auxiliary on Jan. 7. Don Bouvette was elec- ted vice-president, Doreen nx es ba 50% Moore, secretary; Ab Cul- ley, treasurer; Rev. Char- les ‘Belfour, padre and Jack ladies Bevineni Edmondson, sergeant at arms. Other executive 1364 Bay Ave. members are: Dave Pal- Trail mer, Gordon Crusch and 368-5314 Dennis Tucker. Zone commander Jaimer y Hall of Trail conducted the installation of the new ex- ecutive. He commended the outgoing executive on the work they did. The Ladies Auxiliary consists of: Dorothy Mac- Pherson, president; Pear! Mott, first vice-president; Dorothy Fleming, second vice-president; Sylvia Krane-Moro, sergeant at arms; Anne Podd, secre- tary; Florence Laycock, treasurer; and executive members Joyce Turner, Mary Rafter and Ruth Cummings. Helen LeDuc is past- president, Pearl Zorn past- treasurer and flag-bearer and Erma Mykyte past- secretary. Dorothy Gyte was the installing officer. Other zone officers at- tending the installation with their wives were zone secretary Jim Shuck of Rossland and zone sports chairman Doug Mclsaac of Trail. Snowed Under By Those Excess Pounds? Why let a littie extra weight prevent Be ready when the snow flies. Call Diet Center to begin the only weight-loss program youl ever need! Births & Funerals BiRTHs BLIG — To Mr. and Mrs. Russell BROWN — To Mr. ond Mrs. Gary Brown of Trail, @ girl, born Dec CROCKETT — To Mr. ond Mrs. Roy Crockett of Wartield, a girl, born Jan. 4 FLANAGAN — To Mr. and Mrs. ‘Kevin Flanagan of Rossland, a rn Dec. 26. HALEY — To Dave Haley and Shellay Scholz of Winlaw, a boy born Jap. 10 KENNEDY — To Gor and Wendy Marken boy, born Jan. 7. Kennedy Nelson, o KONKIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Gary Konkin of Castlegar, a boy, born Jon. 1 ee + MacPHERSON — To mr. and Mrs. Bob MacPherson of Castlegar, a girl, born Dec. 29. MERCER — To Mr. and Mrs. Art Mercer of Trail, a boy, born Dec. a. POOHACHOFF — To Const. and Mrs. Steven Poohachott (nee jonna Baron) of Blairmore, Alta. a girl, born Dec. 30 SANTUCCI — To Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Santucci of Trail, o girl, born Jon. SHEASBY — To Lt. and Mrs. Rick Sheosby of Trail, a boy, born Dec. 29. SMITH — To Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith of Crescent Valley, @ boy, born Jon. 4 SPILKER — To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Spilker of Castlegar, a boy, born Jan. 10. TURNER — To Mr. and Mrs. Rick Turner of Warfield, a boy, born Jon. 6. oo ‘WILSON — To Mr. ond Mrs- John Wilson of Castlegar, a boy, born Ded 26. DEATHS BOWKETT — Ernest Bowkett of Victoria, a former locan and held Jon. 9.in the chapel of Me- Coll Brothers ja) Vicleria. with ev. Alex Calder at CSemation ta planned. DEMOSKOFF — Polly Demoskotf of Shoreacres passed away Jan 5 at Kootenay Lake District Hospital in Nelson at the age 76. Services were held Jan. 6 and 7 in the Shoreacres Russian Hall with burial in Pass Creek Cemetery. ECCLES — Cloude Romeo Eccles of Robson passed away Jan. 3 age 59. Services were held Jan.7 Creek at Cattle Cremation. Ha —shorgaret Louise Hill, age 68, of Fruitvale, died suddenly Jan. 5 in Trail Regional Hospital, A memorial service was held trom $t. ‘Poul's' United Church, Fruitvale on.Jan. 13. Cremation seth of Castlegar Cemetery Funeral Chapel with Oaks Bristow officiating. Regional Hospital, Funeral services wer LOVSETH — Johann Arne Lov- passed away Jon. 8, oge 87. Private graveside services were held Jan. Park Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Terry Detoe officiating. 10 at ZAITSOFF — Peter John Zaitsott 8 and 9 at Castlegar and Pass Creek with interment in Pass STRACHAN — John Strachan of Trail died suddenly Jon. Trail Regional Hospital 80. A memorial service was held Jon. 12 at Carberry's Memorial Chapel with Chuck Wyatt of- ficiating. Cremation. 10 at He wat INDUSTRIAL FIRST AID DATES: Jan. 23 9:00 a.m, - 4 p.m. LOCATION: South Castlegar Fire Hall 2725 Columbia Avenue _ PEE: $225 REGISTER BY PHONE: 365-3904 or 365-2617 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Jan. 18 Balfour Ferry to get new ramps The Balfour-Kootenay Bay ferry of Kootenay Lake will be shut down for up to six days in May while new steel loading ramps are installed at the terminals, Highways and Transportation Minister Alex Fraser announced Thursday. ’ on Feb. 1 for the job, include removal of the existing ramps as well as fabrication and installation of the new ones. After May 1 the ferry ser- vice will halt for “a period not exceeding six days” during placement of the new ramps 2 at the Balfour and Kootenay Ina ministry news release, Bay terminals. The comple- Fraser said tenders which tion deadline set by the min- have been called and are due istry is May 12. 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