Saturday, August 1, 1992 @ @ Castlegar realtor Jim Gouk tosses political hat in the Reform Party ring Scott David Harrison EDITOR Jim Gouk says its time to deliver a mes- sage to Ottawa. And that message is Reform “The federal system is falling apart,” said Gouk, one of two candidates seeking the Re- form Party nomination in Kootenay West- Revelstoke. “Our national deficit is, and I hate to use this word, a disgrace.” An agent plenty of help as they rise in the federal polls. He said the Progressive Conservatives have mismanaged the economy, the Liberals lack leadership and the New Democrats shot themselves in the foot by adopting an affir- mative action policy. “(The NDP) policy to have a balanced slate of candidates, I think, is a big error,” Gouk said. “I think they were gambling that a lot of people would buy into it, but I don't think they will.” Gouk said that very policy may hurt the New Democrat re-election bid in Kootenay West Revel- with Castle- gar Realty and a for- mer city councillor, Gouk said he is seek- ing the Re- form nomi- nation be- cause he is ‘(The NDP) policy to have a balanced slate of candidates is a big error. I think they were gambling that a lot of people would buy into it, but I don’t think they will.’ — Reform candidate Jim Gouk cause it was stoke. He said Gerald Rotering’s announce- ment that he wouldn’t seek the NDP nomi- nation _be- a woman’s becoming increasing frustrated with the Canadian political struc- ture. He said traditional parties use the elec- torate for their ends, abandoning any sem- blance of commitment the moment they reach office. “As soon as we elect a candidate, that can- didate no longer represents the people,” Gouk said. “The candidate will represent whatev- er the party says. When the party comes down to a vote, he is told how to vote.” Gouk said Reformers would break that party unity pattern. He said the Reform Par- ty puts the candidate and constituency first and the party second. Gouk said if he earns the Reform nomina- tion, voters will have no problem recognizing his position. “I will state to the public what my platform is and that platform won’t change,” he said. “After this election, I’m sure we will be a le- gitimate party.” Warfield Councillor Jim Nelson is the on- ly other Reformer to announce his candida- y- Gouk said Reformers have been giving turn. taints the two women vying to replace Lyle Kris- tiansen. “Whether they are good candidates or not, (Mengia Nicholson and Heather Suggitt) have a stigma attached to them because of this policy,” he said. Gouk said the provincial New Democrats are helping Reformers as well. He said the public is growing increasingly frustrated with the provincial party because it offered the moon.and took it away. “They offered so many promises and they didn’t deliver,” he said. Gouk said Reformers are-on the rise in Kootenay West-Revelstoke. He said the par- ty’s membership is 600 and growing. “I know, personally, I have signed up 60 people in the past two weeks.”- The Reform Party plans to hold five nomi- nation meetings in September throughout the riding. Those meetings will be held in Revelstoke, Nakusp, Nelson, Trail and Castlegar. “We want as many people as we can get to have a chance to select their candidate,” he said. “That’s what we're all about.” Celgar clouds turn blues skies to grey Scott David Harrison EDITOR If you thought you saw strange clouds hanging over Castlegar clear blue skies Wednesday, you were right. “It was not a good day Wednesday,” Celgar environ- mental director Jim McLaren said. A malfunction to Celgar’s electro-static precipitator send cloud-like discharges billow- ing through the Castlegar air. And thanks to Wednesday’s weather conditions, the dis- charge rolled down the river like early-morning fog. ‘ “By all means there was a problem,” McLaren said. “And as soon as we knew about it we cut back production” McLaren said production was cut from some 210 gallons of flow to 160. The cuts, though, didn’t prevent Castle- gar an Robson from being spooked by the strange sky- line. “People were phoning the forest service asking where the fire was,” McLaren said. He blamed the breakdown on Celgar’s aging precipitator, which will be replaced under the expansion project. “It happened and there are no excuses for it, but the prob- lem will be fixed when the re- covery boiler and precipitator come on line in the spring.” McLaren said the dis- charges poised no real threat to the public. “It was like a fine, fine salt that goes into the air,” he said. “It wasn’t toxic matter, but we're concerned nonetheless.” Celgar notified the Envi- ronment Ministry of the dis- charges. The ministry will not investigate, saying it was an emergency situation which didn’t result from negligence. Going to the lake, =e don't forget The Chicken & Salads at Chicken Time! @ Saturday, August 1, 1992 Red Cross gets chequed by real-life Devi @ Claude Vilgrain gives a little something back to a community he calls home Glen Freeman NEWS REPORTER iS aa Hockey players bere teen childhood heroes €ver since the puck was invented. But New Jersey Devils forward Claude Vilgrain, 29, is a hero to Castlegar residents not only for his hockey skills, but for his big heart. highest plus-minus rating on his squad. “It’s quite an honor for me,” Vilgrain said. “I used to be known as an offensive player, but I’ve showed I can work both sides of the puck.” His reward from the Devils was a cheque for $1,000 to the charity of his choice. And his choice was as easy as falling on ice. “I’ve been in the Jim Young Golf Tournament for ‘I’ve spent three years in Castlegar. I’m the type of guy who likes to give things back to the city I come from.’ — Devils’ Claude Vilgrain “I’ve spent three years in Castlegar,” said the Haiti- born Canadian. “I’m the type of guy who likes to give things back to the city I come from.” _ And give back to the city is exactly what Vilgrain is doing. Vilgrain had a super hockey season, receiving the three years, and I’ve got to know the people at the Red Cross really well,” he said. “I’m very glad. I can contribute to their cause.” _And with every gracious giver is an overjoyed receiver. “Well, $1,000 is very nice,” said Kootenay Red Cross co-ordinator Harry News photo by Glen Freeman Canadian Red Cross's Harry Grossmith (left) and New Je i ilgrai r n a { rsey Devils Claude Vilgrain smiles this week. The smile grew even widen when Vilgrain announced $1,000 m9 one ie local chapter's way. Grossmith. “It was totally unexpected and we’re delighted that Claude had us in mind.” Grossmith said that the donation would help to finance emergency services, Red Cross water safety classes, first aid classes “and a variety of other services.” “It’s not so much the dollar value as it is the thought that went behind it in the first place,” Grossmith said. “Here at the Red Cross we're grateful for all donations — the small ones keep us going and the big ones are the icing on the cake.” _ That’s one cake Vilgrain is happy to ice. “I’m just glad I could help,” he said. “I don’t think I could find a better charity.” OV yer 365-5304 2816 Columbia Ave. @ Pension plan at the root of problems as Torpedo disposal site set for Trail 607-18th St. Castlegar 365-3368 GOING PLACES? DO YOU Ask about our annual protection CASTLEGAR SAVINGS INSURANCE AGENCY a TRAVEL OFTEN? plan! It can save you time and money. P.O. Box 98 Slocan Park 226-7216 “The average OTEU worker (at WKP) wh i i i works for 23 years will retire with a panion ‘of thee at ee ee eee around $420 (per month),” he said. “In this day and age that’s not enough.” utility's office workers take strike vote G WKP anyone Bradshaw feels the OTEU has been oven aia ra i i It eee be strike two at West Kootenay Power fer. ice Pee ne rome eee next week. “We're in a tou; iti : i c ; . gh position here,” he said. a” According to Office and Technical Employees “We try to provide fair compensation for our em- nion representative Ron Tuckwood, WKP may ployees, but only one that our customers can af- = have to gon with the job action of two unions. _ ford.” e’re conducting a strike vote now,” Tuckwood Bradshaw continued by saying tha’ 5 . : t wh said of the 8,000 OTEU members province-wide. business decision needs to be mais WKP makes it “Tm very certain we are going to vote in favorof “in favor of our customers.” , a strike. “We've made a fair offer and it’s all our cus- ; “The members of the OTEU have been off the job since July 20 (honoring an International Broth- erhood of Electrical Workers picket). “It would be better for us all if everybody was back to work, but their action wont affect if any more than we already have been.” Meanwhile, IBEW representative Brian Robson pra there is still no end in sight to the current strike. | ; “Our attitude and motive to be (on the picket line) is getting stronger every day,” he said. W@ California company set to launch $5 million project in West Kootenay Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER A proposal to dismantle USS. Navy torpedo steam boil- ers near Trail is at a low sim- mer. A California-based waste management company has proposed setting up a plant near Trail to disassemble the lithium-fuel steam boilers. Bill McLaughlin, president of Toxco Waste Management Ltd. in Clairemont, Cali., says the $5 million contract will probably be awarded in the next two weeks. “We expect it momentarily. We monitor it on a day-by-day basis,” said. He says he has osive complaints about potenti USS. jobs being lost to Canadi- ans, but he calls it a ‘phantom problem.’ “Most people don’t realize most of the hazardous waste in B.C. goes south across the border,” he said. “There’s a trivial amount (of jobs) going north.” A report states some envi- ronmentalists in Northport, Wash., have expressed their concern over air emissions and the safety of transporting the materials. Aspokesperson for the Cit- izens for a Clean Columbia ‘We will be moving very quickly. The contract is for 30 months for the first phase.’ — Toxco’s Bill McLaughlin McLaughlin expects to hire * 10 to 12 local people if the pro- ject goes through. He says if Toxco is awarded the contract it will take 30 days to get the plant up and running. “We will be moving very quickly,” McLaughlin said. “The contract is for 30 months for the first phase.” questioned if the project may be the tip of the iceberg and evolve from a relatively small operation to a toxic waste in- cinerator. _ The project has not yet been granted government ap- proval. The company must still receive permission to op- erate the plant from the Min- istry of Environment. CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS July 25 to August 10 (Open August 11th) Western Auto Wreckers Granite Road, Nelson Ph. 354-4802 Why rent?... WITH 5% DOWN AND EASY MONTHLY PAYMENTS YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN HOME! We have a good selection of new and used mobile homes. Pads available in family and adult parks. . BELAIRE MOBILE HOMES 1525 Columbia Ave., Castlegar - 365-8077 WE "SELL, BUY OR TRADE" Tuckwood feels that at issue is an “adequate” pension plan. , tomers can afford.” Bradshaw added that he hopes OTEU don’t “We've made our position known and we're se’ . . . t- tling in on the picket line.” COMMUNITY Bulletin B d “PEACE BY PEACE” A 30 member Baha'i Youth Group from Vancouver will present an evening of energetic, inspiring and informative musical and dramatic performances. Everyone wel . No admission. No collection. Thurs. Aug. 6, at 7:30 p.m. Legion Hall, 248 Columbia Ave., Castlegar. 2/61 CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR November 6th and November 7th, Castlegar Community Complex. Sponsored by Blueberry Creek Recreation Commission. New crafters are to please phone: L. Gallo, 365-3878 or Roz. Cook 365-3057. 4/60 Coming events of Castlegar and District non-profit organizations may be listed here. The first 15 words are $5 and additional words are 30¢ each. Boldfaced words (which must be used for headings) count as two words. There is no extra charge for a second insertion while the third consecutive insertion is half-price and the fourth and fifth consecutive insertions are only half price for the two of them. Minimum charge is $5 (whether ad is for one, two or three times). Deadlines are 5 p.m. Wednesdays for Saturday's paper and 5 p.m. Monday for Wed: day's paper. Noti should be brought to the Castlegar News at 197 Columbia Ave. COMMUNITY building sin plete carpent Here's My Card... ce 1979 ry services diting services CALL DALE AT: 365-0081 - Damage Free TOwNG - 24 Hr/Day Service Box 17: VvoG 1GO storage Compoun’ Highway 22 & Courtesy Ad Genetie, B.C Bus: 693-2224