Wy The ea stl ‘dar Sun ATS Serving the 16,000 people of the Castlegar area, The Castlegar Sun is every by Sterling Lid, at 465 Columbia Ave, Castlegar, B.C. V1N 1G8. The Castlegar Sun is politi- independent and a member of the Sterling News Service, Cana- dian C ity s . B.C. Ci Newspapers Assocation, and the B.C. Press Council. Established 28, 1990. Mail 10420. PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG TRENT BANCARZ CHRISTINE MOYER EDITOR PRODUCTION MANAGER GARY SCHNEIDER PRODUCTION ASSISTANT CATHERDES | = KAREN KERKHOFF REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER: NICOLE BEETSTRA AD’ REP. FRED JACK Display Advertising Newsroom . editorial comment They'll need the trees for the shuffling paper The right to private property and the enjoyment of that prop- erty are comerstones of most democracies. However, this doesn't appear to be a feature of British Columbia. A situation down the road in Blueberry Creek shows this right really doesn't exist. Worse yet, the same situation also illustrates how increasingly tight the red tape is wound around our throats. Bob and Greg Sahlstwom own some land above both the com- mununity of Blueberry Creek and the creck itself. The brothers eventually hope to subdivide an 11-hectare parcel info ‘three or four residential lots for the Sahlstrom children. However, the Sahlstroms have two problems. One ts‘ the pro- posed lots are now classified as Forest Land Reserve (FLR> under provisions of Bill 56, passed in July of last year. Residen- tial lots are not a permitted use under Bill 56. Hence, the broth- ers want the land taken out of FLR. A second problem is the road going up to the proposed lots The parcel containing the road was logged extensively by a Previous owner and apparently this has led to torrents of water running down both the road and the hillside, leading to ero- sion and sediment deposits in Blueberry Creek. Interestingly, this parcel is not under FLR. Folks in the community — at least those belonging to the Blueberry Creek Irrigation District — are less than pleased with the possibility of yet more sediment in the creek which is their only source of drinking water. They have legitimate con- cerns. If the source of water is gone, Blueberry Creek ceases to be a viable community. Having to truck in water from some- where else would make Blueberry Creek a prohibitively expensive place to live. It's a good bet few would live there. The Sah appear to this and say they would take necessary steps to reclaim the hillside and build up the road with proper ditching and drainage. It's also a good bet the Sahlstroms and Blueberry Creek folks would work out a benefi- cial agreement all by themselves. But we're a society which can't seem to do things this: way anymore. Instead, we have things like Bill 56 which allow the government to arbitrarily dictate what happens on your land without asking you for any input. That's what happened to the Sahistroms. To get out of FLR, the Sahistroms first must apply to the regional district's land use committee. The committee then for- wards a recommendation to the regional district board which then forwards a recommendation to the provincial Forest Land Reserve Commission. In other words, a body composed of gov- P ge app in far-off Burnaby ultimately decides what a pair of brothers in the Kootenays can do with a few acres of land. If the Sahistroms get the land out of FLR and go about subdi- viding it, then the unwieldy subdivision and development pro- cess kicks in, with its myriad of steps, applications, studies, Public meetings, hearings and the list goes on. How many desks must this 80 across before anything gets done? How much money must both applicants and the taxpayer in general spend for a few residential lots? Yes, there need to be land development rules and a system of zoning so we don't have willy nilly building or harmful develop- ment. But could this not be both streamlined and kept under local control, where it rightfully belongs? Interestingly, Bill 56 allows Jogging activity on land classified under FLR It's our cynical guess this Provision exists because the logs are rage for all that paper which must be shuffled from desk to In wiplicate, of course TNB ERRORS: The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising and there shail be no ‘ertion of any advertisement beyond the amount Paid for such advertisement. All advertising subject to publisher's approval. Contracts must be completed within one year from contract date. No contingent orders accepted [ THIS 1S ASTICKUP! )) FORK OVER ALL YOUR CASH! je Vicioriia Times: Grows sx f Wednesday, October 25, 1995 Please use c Dear Editor: We are writing this letter in memory of our brother, Butch Garrett, who was killed by an avalanche Jan. 5, 1994. His birthday would have been this month. He was snowmobiling on a logging road in an area consid- ered very safe. Lack of edi i and safety equipment probably cost him his life. As ski and snowmobile season approaches, expect the unexpect- ed. Please be safety conscious. Before going out this year attend an avalanche awareness course. They are available at your local ¢ y college. A of snow conditions could and does save lives, Never ski or snowmobile without safety equipment - transceiver, probe, collapsible shovel and basic survival gear. Even though these items may seem expensive, how can you mpare that to the life you may L Sesee IVE eee | aution when snowmobiling save? If you can't afford the price of suryival gear, you can't afford a funcral, Throw your change in a jar, save those $2 lottery winnings or bottle and can money. It is important and saving the mdney is possible. We would like to thank any ski and snowmobile shops that Some developments look ghastly Dear Editor: Please grant me space in your interesting “letters” column for the following letter. It will be appreciated for many interested, concerned citizens among your readers. In one of my infrequent trips to the City of Castlegar, I was impressed by the improve- ments and revitalization at the entrance to the city, but would like to throw a brick at the “clear cut” the City Fathers sanctioned and allowed for the proposed condominiums at the “garden of rocks” revealed at the entrance to this city. We would like to see affordable housing, but believe we could be “condoed” to death by this kind of development. Most residents I have talked to expressed their disgust at this type of development. I am reminded of the humorist and novelist, Mark Twain who said about the weather, “People complain and talk about it, but nobody does anything about it.” Let us hear from some of you. Pat Romaine yyy Generosity alive and well Last Thursday was a day Ill never forget That's the day I truly learned to appreciate the Kootenays and more specifically, the Castlegar area. That morning, | got up with a curious mix- ture of dread and anticipation in my hear. I had a 9:30 appointment to meet with Elaine Stoodley of Pass Creek, the widow of Jim Stoodley who died after falling off the roof of his home last month while building it Nt was hard to believe Elaine was willing to share her story with me and our readers How do you ask a woman what her days are now like, or how she told her children their father is dead? How do you ask questions you KNOW will bring pain to her? Walking in the door of neighbors Andy and Vickie Popoff. I immediately knew the woman sitting at the table was Elaine. In her hand she held a tissue she had already, in ner- vousness, shredded into tiny pieces. She looked drawn and was obviously griev- ing. My heart went out to her. I realized, with gratitude and guilt, that could have been my husband who died that day. Hesitantly, I began asking her innocuous questions, well-planned in advance to put her at ease. The story that unfolded at the table, however, was not the story of Jim’s death, but rather the story of his life and the legacy his death left a community. A loving and doting husband and father, Jim was known for his gentleness, his com- mitment to his family and the precision in the way he went about his everyday business. He believed, as did Elaine, that Pass Creek would be their Utopia—a place where they could raise their two daughters and watch sunsets from their front steps. A place where they could gather around the Christmas tree while the snow drifted lazily down. They had dreams. Their dreams were sim- ple dreams—home, family, and living life to the fullest. They almost attained that dream. As I continued interviewing Elaine, I real- ized the story I was writing wasn’t just about Jim’s death. It was about his life, for they go hand-in-hand. The story was also about a community that banded together to help Elaine and daughters Amanda and Katelyn any way it could. A work party was formed to help finish their home so Elaine and the girls wouldn’t have to spend the winter in the makeshift tarpaper shack they have been living in. And this wasn'ta one-day work purty, either. This work Durtyhas committed to finishing the home, . The more I heard the AN more I became in awe INSIDE I was LOOK stunned at the generosity of neighbors, KAREN KERKHOFF friends and total strangers. Businesses donated food, labor, concrete, materials. You name it, it’s been generously given. Women in the commu- nity, many of them with small children, solicited businesses for donations. Most gro- cery stores in town have donated food so the women could make meals for the workers. I can’t even begin to describe the warm atmosphere prevalent last Saturday when I went to return Elaine's family picture to her. Women were bustling around laying down bread, eating utensils and other such items on a table which awaited hungry workers. Ber- nice Skinner, Doris Raiwet and Vickie Popoff sidestepped children who were underfoot. as they went about their business of preparing the meal. There was a feeling of purpose and closeness that many could only hope for. Outside, workers were smoothing concrete at the Stoodley home. The home is taking shape and the Stoodleys are hoping to take up occupancy soon. I wanted so much to be a part of ing that was so i dibl : There's no way I can even begin to describe the feeling permeating the whole scene. But I have to say I also left the home féel- ing anger and dismay after I was told about the businesses which refused to donate. I couldn't, and still can't, believe there were some businesses. which despite being told the circumstances behind the request for dona- tions, refused to help out “It’s a bad time of the vear,” one local busi- ness owner (old a solicitor. Yet 1 know that very business throws out its items which aren't absolutely fresh. Items which, by the way, would be welcomed and are still edible. Another business person said “If I do that for one then I have to do for all the others.” Thank God the businesses which did donate didn’t feel that way or there'd be no work party. And in the end, no home for the Stoodleys. Those business people have a lot to learn. While I recognize we all have to count our pennies nowadays, businesses included, I believe today’s businesses need to have a social conscience Nobody asked them to donate a month's worth of profit. No one asked them to go in debt. A simple donation was requested. Any donation of any value would have been great- ly appreciated. I shake my head over the callousness and hibited by such But in the end, I try hard to remember the businesses and individuals who donated glad- ly and freely. It's they. who will be remem- bered long after the Stoodley home is built. To list all their names would take more space than this column allows. But they know who they are. A full feature on the Stoodley home will appear in next week's "Profile.” Psychiatrists take over justice system Dear Editor: Recently, I have been reading. many columns regarding violent criminals being absolved of their crimes using the “insanity defense.” The latest on a chain of individuals is Bert Stone. A psy- chiatrist testified Stone was suf- fering from a “mental disorder” and did not comprehend what he was doing. There is another case where the defendant, accused of bludgeoning his wife, is claiming he suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder. In other words, these outright murderers are attempting to get away with crimes because of the so call “insanity defense.” Maureen De Belefeuille, a woman who shot her two children in cold blood, actually did get away with murder using the “insanity defense.” These crimes and many others have been justified by psychia- trists who sell themselves in the with individuals who, after “treat- ment”, “cure” and release after winning an “insanity defense,” commit further horrendous crimes. Take Jason Gamanche, and act as rs for violent murderers. Instead of criminal justice taking place, the Psychiatrist community has hyp- notized the courts into believing psychiatry is a field of “science”. Whereas the brutal truth of the matter is these people have not a clue as to what makes the mind work, but they do’have a clue as to what fattens their coffers. Each one of these individuals end up in psychiatric hands one way or another which increases the psy- chiatric income base. To add to this, history is strewn who ped a little girl to death after receiving psychiatric sexual aversion “therapy.” The soaring violent crime Statistics police are battling began to rise when the psychiatrist and psychologist infiltrated the fields of education and law. It used to be that a crime was a crime. When the police officer did his duty, his duty was done. Now that has changed. Criminals are “mal- adjusted” and it's all “society’s fault.” The police officer is a beast for daring to interfere with the poor fellows. This is what has happened. Instead of letting the police and justice system go about their busi- ness, a whole field of fake experts has been superimposed on the field The psychiatrists have infiltrat- ed the court system making real justice almost impossible. Dr. Thomas Szazs, psychiatrist, and co-founder of the Citizens Com- mission on Human Rights and outspoken critic of his own pro- fession, sums it up in these words: The insanity defense is exculpation of the guilty.” Brian Beaumont President Citizens’ Commission on Human Rights Page A7 have transceivers and probes to buy or rent, Before the snow comes, educate yourself and buy the equipment you need to be safe. We want you to be around Butch w Tubllee W-VES CRUISE THE MEXICAN RIVIERA Terrific Values On Fly/Crvise Vacations 7-Day Camival “Fun Ships." Cruises From Los Angeles To: Puerto Vallarta * Mazatlan Cabo San Lucas Pick your own vacation date~ every Sunday, Nov. 5, 1995 thru April 21, 1996, ONEWEEK F200 °995 con With RoundtripAir From Vancouver Sumptuous dining. Exciting Las Vegas-style entertain- ment. And three of Mexico's most glittering gems All yours for one low price with Jubilee SunWaves Holiday - a Canadian Holidays program available from UNIGLOBE Travel The Carnival “Fun Ship” Jubilee is a stunning, all for your next birthday. We wish Deni Sutherland, Robson rrett, Winlaw Alanna Romano, Creston Riviera? Call Consultant inclusive fecting fesort with an informal flair. The Jubilee has it all So why not bask in the golden glow of the Mexican t local UNIGLOBE Cruise Vacation : Carnival. CanadimnHolidays “Program may not be combined with any other promotional offer or discount, controlled. Certain restrictions Speaker’s Corner Castlegar student Tamara Terry is pounding the pavement in search of answers to questions that correspond with news stories that have appeared in The Castlegar Sun. If you see Tamara, it could be your opportunity to appear in Speaker's Corner, which is published each week. Question: Do you favor refer- ence-based pricing for medication? No, I'm not in favor of a system that does not provide equal health care for all classes of society. This system gives only the rich bet ter quality medication — Tania Russell priced drugs. Yes, pharmacy should become an honest func- tion and this system ensures the just-as- good generic drugs be pushed, not just the money-making high- — Cynthia Andrew ' b> No, I think the system Presents a major prob- lem for the elderly and the disabled who are dependent on govern- ment funding for their medications. It allows ment them no choice on their own health, leaving them the cheapest med- ication, which is some- times not the best — Peter Maloff No, I don't like the idea of not having a choice. It's the doc- tor's place to tell you what is better for you — not the govern- I see nothing wrong with it. Generic drugs work just as well and Save us and the govern- ment a lot of money The drug companies shouldn't be so greedy and accept the system. — Eva Kozniuk — Nathan Stelmacker a “LOOK AGAIN” Because many local businesses have week-end specials and events. ..check your I" Sun again before you head out on your shopping trip. A perfect way to remind you where the savings are. a : Nn =, “i Thank you, Mr. Bucci Dear Editor: We have been on the road trucking all summer and have not been looking forward to a winter of not seeing our son play hockey. It is the first time in 14 years he is not playing close enough to keep us enter- tained all winter. When we arrived home last week, we were delighted to find The Sun at our home, complete with all the news of the Castle- Your Castlegar Sun gar Rebels You'll enjoy a second look. We truly appreciate the thoughtfulness of Brian Bucci and want you to know how thrilled we were. Until our season ends and we can come out and thank him in person, please relay our gratitude Donna & Delvin Milford Innisfail, Alberta Best of all, your money stays here in the Kootenays, helping people like you finance " bm = dd an s 1-800-3-UNIGLOBE means better personal service. QUALITY FR ESTIMATES WORK AUTUMN=ASPHALT We Pave: Small Driveways/Parking Aréa Carports, Speed Bumps, Wheelchair Ramps & Repairs Sealcoating + Line marking Sunrise Sealcoating 1-800-867-7734 CEST. ) Once again we're offering our four year term deposit that has a double difference. First, a great guaranteed rate. That means you'll receive no less than 6.875% for four years Secondly, your interest could go up! We're linking this deposit to our mortgage rates, so if those rates rise yours will too. They go up, your interest goes up. They drop down, your interest stays put at 6.875%. Our four-year term deposit could also be included in your RRSPs and RRIFs Kootenay Savings Where You Belong CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE Let 12,000 people know about your unique gifts in this special supplement to The Castlegar Sun and Trail Times November 22 & December 13 To book your space call: Cathy - Nicole - Fred their dreams And, unlike the banks and trust companies, we share our profits with.all our customers So the more business you do with us, the more we'll share with you Drop by today and ask us about our four-year term deposit. It’s a great way to get your money working for you. But you'd better get it while it's hot. Because it's only available for a limited time The Castlegar Sun 365-5266 ’ Booking deadline Nov. 10 Trail ¢ Fruitvale « Castlegar * Salmo « South Slocan « Nakusp ¢ New Denver ¢ Waneta Plaza DR BE QQ HQ QQ HAQHQH