AS I SEE IT
WITH

HARRY PEPPER
There was a time when I
th0 ught I might never write this..particular column, but as things
stand now I feel that I should .
For one thing I have been
interested and active in most
minor league sports since 1
came to this town something
over 20 years ago. I feel that
this alone qualifies me to speak vassing the town for donations
my piece on a subject that may but I cannot go along with thi~
adversely affect the facilities or that. I feel that the Arena
we have in Rossland for the facilities should be a charge on
recreation of the youth of our every citizen of our community
regardless of whether they
town.
make
use of them or not.
At a time when the whole
From
my point of view that
world is crying out loud to
have measures taken to stop Arena is just as necessary to
juvenile delinquency, drug ab- our community as our churches
use and like ailments of our schools or hospitals and a~
so-called militant youth, we in such should be administered by
Rossland are blessed, or curs- a paid authority , not be allowed
to fall on the shoulders of a few
ed, whichever you want to call
it, with a city government that hard-pressed dedicated citizens .
apparently seems to lack the
The only obvious answer!
initiative to come out into the
Raise
the taxes to cover what
open and do something which is
is
needed!
I imagine that if the
going to have to be done. That
city
fathers
should decide to do
is. to insure the continued operthis they would expect a say in
ahon of our ice arena .
the operation of the Arena . A
If it means that taxes must
council
committee working with
be raised, what's wrong with
the
present
R.C .A.A. body
that? Sewer, garbage, etc. rates
should be adequate for this
were raised dramatically this
purpose .
year. These would , I imagine,
A word in praise of the hardcome under the heading of utiworking
members of the R.C.
lities, right? Is there anyone
A.A
.
would
certainly not come
who has ever attended a minor
amiss
here
.
I see that even now
hockey game or Minor Hockey
with
everything
in doubt as t~
Night in Rossland who would
the
future
of
our
Arena , they
consider our arena anything but
are
still
working
to
organize a
a_no th er utility? It's something
skate-athon
to
raise
money for
we must have just as much as
needed
Arena
equipment.
Som e
we need light, heat and water
information on this is contained
for our youth to survive as deelsewhere in the paper .
cent people in a world in which
So, to the City Council mem there are lots of temptations to
bers
, I'd like to say, " Gentlego the wrong way.
men,
it looks like the fate of the
. _I nave heard quite a few opArena
is going to be in your
mions from various people on
hands
.
If you choose to padlock
what should be done to save the
it, I hope you 'll be able to live
Arena. They range from dunwith yourselves ."
ning the businessmen to can-

AS I SEE IT
WITH

HARRY PEPPER
The first half of the yearly
poll I like to take on the War Id
Series ofBaseball and Hockey's '
Stanley Cup has been completed
and as usual the opinions are
varied .
The rather sudden demise of
the Montreal Canadiens caused
some anguish to some of their
Merv Jensen and Irvin Hotel
ardent supporters in this area,
Proprietor, Ray Wesemann.
Now all that needs doing is
among them being our Soccer
Association Treasurer, Greta
to get the strike of those CBC
Cox, Joltin' Joe Caron, sometechnicians over with so we
could at least get , look at
time Warrior defenceman and
presently pitching high school
some of the action . It has sure
ball in Trail, " Rags" Magnone,
been closely contested so far
Eddie Ruelle, Capilano shortin all series and the two games
I saw on the U.S. network bestop, Rich Miller and Jimmy
Portz.
tween St. Louis and Minnesota
Those who follow my line of
were dillies to watch .
thinking and pick the Bruins
Just got a few more fearless
from Boston to take it all, were
forecasts from here and there,
Trailities Jack Ferguson and
two being for New York, and
top flight curler, " Buzz" Mctwo for Boston. "Slim " Lafond ,
Gibney, locals Jimmy WilCharlie Cholak and former
liams, Jimmy Driscoll, John
Trail Smokie great " Pinoke "
McFarland Jr., Kenny Dixon,
McIntyre are pulling for the
Rangers while Bev Berry and
Herb Castle, Gerry Flanagan,
Jackie Richardson, Al Madge
the spryest old bartender in
these here parts, Alex McLeod ,
and old-time hockey star,
" Dutchy'' Singer.
think the Bruins have what ii
The Ne~ York Rangers pulltakes .
ed in quite a few votes too, as
The West Kootenay 1971
they were favored by John McFarland Sr., Bruce Holm, JimBaseball Champions, Rossland
my Ling, Warrior coach Lloyd
Capilanos, will hold their first
McLellan, Bill Serediak, Wayne
practice in Trail 's Pople Park
this coming Sunday, commencHootz, Bill Lukkar, Buck Jones,
ing at approximately 1:30 p.m .
Glen Tait and that feller for
Along with 22 players already
whom the Canadiens made a lot
of money last year, Bob Mcnamed, the Club will welcome
anyone willing to try out.
cuaig.
Don't forget that May 3rd date
The Western Division winners , Chicago Black Hawks,
for the draw, eats and refreshments, the proceeds of which
were not left out entirely as
will go to help finance the club
they drew votes from R.C.A.A.
President Jack Cox, Ricky Cox,
this summer.