A4 = December 14, 1986 r ESTABLISHED AUG 7 1947 Lv CAMPaeLL ond the News Ud 2h), Casshern News eee race PUBLISHER AUG 7194 PUBLISHER — Burt Compbe!! ‘dod jeer prools engravings rwnce warty May 4 Fae une caverneos tnall roman 6 Deregulation flops The federal government must be asking itself how its airline deregulation policy hos had the opposite effect of airline deregulation in the U.S Deregulation Canadian-style consists of large airlines growing larger while small airlines become fewer. That is especially apparent with Air Canada's recent acquisition of AirBC and Pacific Western Airline’s takeover of Canadian Pacitic Air Lines. The fear, as far as the customer is concerned, is that with more concentration in the air industry, there are fewer airlines to com- pete with each other. And that usually translates into higher prices Transport minister John Crosbie doesn't see it that way. He suggests that consolidation may actually lead to more competition because the two national carriers will be on more even footing (even though together CPAL and PWA are still less than half the size of Crown-owned Air Canada). Those dealt probably the biggest blow by the increased concen- tration of airlines will be new airlines. It will be interesting to see how easily new airlines break into the markets in light of the fact om The one and only Ayatollah . in > 1 Run Iran? 7 Letters to the Editor that virtually every reg oir carrier is aligned with either Air Canada or PWA. Deregulation was intended to promote increased air service and greater competition. But so far, on the surface anyway, it’s done just the opposite Ron Norman If Castlegar council's inaugural meeting last Monday was any indi- cation, this year's council sessions could be pretty wild — or as wild as council meetings can get. By their nature council meetings are dry. In part it’s because the meetings are governed by Robert's Rules of Order. The rules provide a framework in which to hold civil ized, even-handed discussion follow- ed by reasoned conclusions — about enough to put even the most ardent political voyeur to sleep. But within those constraints there is room for disagreement — even heated arguments — though 95 per cent of the time you won't see either. That's in large part because most of the items with which council deals are straightforward; the nuts and bolts of operating a city — like snowplowing, water, streetlights and fire protection. Everyone can find common ground on those items It’s usually the more philoso phical issues such as planning and development (which deals with the city’s future direction), and the role of local government that create the divisions on council And that's why Monday's inau gural meeting was so interesting. Ald. Nick Ogiow all but stood up and publically challenged Mayor Audrey Moore; but not on some major issue on which the city’s future hangs. It was on the schedule for acting mayor The schedule is about as routine as anything that before council. It simply lists which months each aldermen will serve as acting comes mayor should Moore be absent. It's about as controversial as Mary Poppins. But Oglow found room for disagreement when Moore proposed changing the schedule’s usual order. The point about the whole sched- ule issue isn't so much the schedule itself. It's hardly important enough to warrant any sort of lengthy dis cussion. (Though it’s interesting to note that Moore tried to find ways to defuse the scheduling issue: She drew support from the other alder- men and even suggested Oglow change his two months with some. one else if he is going to be out of town. But Oglow wouldn't budge.) Instead, what is important is the disagreement and the clear signal it sends that Oglow plans to put up a fight on council this year It's almost as if he considers himself the official opposition, keep. ing Moore and the rest of council “honest.” But there could be another reason. Oglow flush with his suce. essful re-election in the Nov. 15 mu nicipal campaign where he topped the poll, may be laying the ground work for next November when he hopes to take a run at Moore. At least that's what everyone around town seems to assume. Just a word of caution: Oglow better make sure he does his home work. It wasn't that long ago that another popular alderman who also topped the polls decided to take aim at Moore. And we all know how Moore thumped Bob MacBain, des. pite his high profile in the com munity Meals-on-Wheels article detrimental I am writing to you regarding the Meals-on-Wheels program in Castle gar. The gropu administering this important program and the volunteers who give their time are upset at the insinuations presented in the Canadian Press article which you published in your Dec. 7 paper Ms. Krond! of Toronto based her findings on a survey of meals provided to 17 clients in the Toronto area. She offers no specific criticisms other than a lack of calcium, which she admits exists in the diets of those receiving meals and those cooking. She is advocating government regulation of nutritional content at a time when government and society is moving towards deregulation in general In Castlegar, meals are prepared by the hospital staff under the direction of the hospital dietician. The meals in clude meat, vegetables, soup and des sert. Any client having special dietary restrictions, for example, a diabetic, has meals prepared accordingly with gpPropriate substitutions made In addition, to some extent, personal preferences are considered: for exam who do their own ple, those persons who do not eat red meat, or certain vegetables, are not served these items: substitutions are made. Special serving trays are used to keep the food hot during delivery. Each client receives a supper meal three times a wéek. Those delivering are volunteers who donate their time to provide this service It is detrimental to local programs when articles such as the one from Canadian Press are published. The public makes the assumption that this is how all such programs are admin istered. In addition, the author of the article does indicate that “recipients of Meals on Wheels were better off nutritionally than those without I hope that when Ms. Krondl un dertakes her research that she gets a more accurate representation of the population so that her conclusions will lead to improvement of these services. Off mutual goal is to contribute to continued independent living of se WKPL sale a threat Regarding the sale of WKPL to UtiliCorp United Inc. of Kansas City Mo.: 1. Our Canadian way of life may be in for serious trouble, according to concerned Canadian authors such as Mel Hurtig. I agree with Mr. Hurtig that Canadians have over the years evolved and created a humane, com passionate, democratic society which is the envy of many peoples of the world He warns that we are in danger of having this valued society eroded and bartered away piece by piece. The sale of the vital WKPL power generating complex (with its attendant water rights) to foreign ownership would be a highly significant example in this process of erosion 2. In the short term this sale to UtiliCorp may appear to present no serious problems. But the long term implications cannot be fully predicted or understood even by the experts. There are already some cases in the history of our province whgre treaties and arrangements were carefully nego- tiated by experts only to find that the long term results were very different from those expected (the Columbia River Treaty for example). Once the WKPL goes out to Canadian owner ship there is no way of knowing which foreign interest will eventually come to control it. Surely, it would be much safer and wiser to keep Canadian control of this vital utility complex 3. It is unfortunate that we the citizens and politicians of southeastern BC. are tending to drive WKPL into foreign ownership (forever) in part because we are reluctant (perhaps with reasons) to consider putting this utility complex under the jurisdiction of B.C. Hydro. It is embarrassing and dama ging to our Canadian credibility that we should at this time be perceived by the U.S.A. as neither trusting nor respecting our government institutions — thus we are paving the way for foreign ownership. Surely, it is the responsibility of our duly elected Bakken letter on WKPL ‘enlightening’ It was enlightening to read in the Dec. 7 Castlegar New Iris Bakken’s letter regarding the purchase of West Kootenay Power and Light Co. by UtiliCorp United Inc. It was the first comment I have seen which was based on objective analysis rather that on knee-jerk, anti-American emotional ism West Kootenay Power requires top level business management by people familiar with public utilities but, by itself, it is not large enough to support the level of talent required. Cominco did not supply it because their business is smelters and mines. To think that local government could provide the level of business acumen required is to ignore reality. One need only look at the decrepit state of the City of Nelson power plant to realize the inevitable result of local management. The West Kootenay Power better condition system is in little This is not criticism of the technical staff involved. They do their job well and deserve credit for providing service with gmtiquated equipment There is probably not a generator on the West Kootenay system (excluding Cominco's Waneta plant) which is less than 40 years old. Hydro units have a normal, efficient lifespan of about 50 years. It doesn’t require a crystal ball to forecast the upgrading and replace ment costs which are going to occur within the next decade. UtiliCorp is in the best position to accomplish this modernization without skyrocketing rate increases. There will be rate increases. These are due in part to increased operating costs, but mostly to pay for past neglect. The smelter subsidized domes tic electrical customers for years. This did not encourage Cominco to spend large sums of money on maintenance and modernization I would personally have preferred to see control of West Kootenay Power remain in Canada, but not at the price of gambling our future electrical service and rates by allowing local amateurs to play at being utility managers S.W. Webster Castlegar officials to re-examine our government institutions from time to time to ensure that they are sensitive to and serving of the people of this province. I believe that we must urge both our provincial and federal governments to disallow the sale of WKPL to UtiliCorp United, in favor of some viable Can adian alternative — achievable either by means of an appropriate govern ment grant to assist the most suitable Canadian bid, or by putting WKPL under the jurisdiction of a (reformed?) B.C. Hydro — for which transaction the provincial government would pay $80 million to Cominco. It is very unfortunate that due to the lengthy recess of our legislature mat ters of considerable importance to the people of this province are apparently being acted upon without the benefit of full parliamentary debate. The sale of WKPL to UtiliCorp United is one such case. In the interest of all Canadians, particularly those of southeastern B.C., I believe we should now insist that our provincial government carry out the following two democratic processes (giving due consideration to the results obtained) before a decision is made: 1. A full debate in the B.C. legis lature on the matter of “whether Canadian power-generating public util ities (particularly WKPL) should be allowed to go to foreign ownership.” 2. A comprehensive public refer endum (conducted throughout the WKPL trading area) on the question of selling WKPL to UtiliCorp. In response to Iris Bakken’s letter last week on UtiliCorp 1. The sale to UtiliCorp would set a major Canadian precedent in terms of foreign ownership and control of an important hydroelectric generating complex. This would open the door to foreign ownership of all such facilities throughout Canada 2. The writer does not appear to realize that B.C. Tel is owned. 3. According to Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco's recent survey, 79 per cent of the people in the riding of Kootenay West are opposed to the sale to Utili Corp. American 4. Hydroelectric power, being an ef fective means of harnessing the energy of the sun, is a renewable and (relatively) permanent resource which is not likely to become obsolete — ever Harry Killough Castlegar Group causes concern l am writing in response to an item that appeared in the Castlegar News, reporting on the recent trip by Barbara McDougall, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, to the Koot enays. I am extremely concerned with the credence that might be given the fanatic group, R.E.A.L. Women, and how it might set back the struggle for women’s equal opportunity and respon. sibility in this country The position that McDougall holds was created as a result of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women which found that women's economic, social, legal and political position was undermined by practices and laws in each of those spheres that keep women from reaching their potential. It acknowledged that potential went far beyond the limited access then avail able to women, to which this group would have us return women across the country have been working for years to broaden the scope of women's lives, to give them access to economic parity, legal recourse, social and_ political change that provides our country with the benefit of the quality experience of Thousands of \ over half the population that has been underutilized until now. McDougall herself and the position she is currently filling has also been active for many years to forward the goals I have outlined To give this group funds that have been earmarked for the improvement of the status of women, them with resources to promote their to provide anti-choice, “women belong in the home where they can be taken care of, and not out in the real world competing for jobs.” ete. denies the reality of women's lives, and denies the past 15 years of women's struggles to get some opportunities and responsibility. It denies the fact that women are battered in their homes, that close to half of all women heading their own families live below the poverty line that women still earn less than 60 per cent of men for the or similar work. It denies the of half the Canadian population, and it denies the important part that women can play in bringing us into the 21st century with better prospects for health and a suc cessful world than we have today. And it denies the history of work by Can same value adian women like Nellie McClung and Agnes McPhail and others up to the present day Giving money to this group which opposes the work that the government has been funding for many years to improve the status of women in this country would be very much like giving with one hand while taking away with the other, or speaking out of both sides of one’s mouth, saying quite different things I would ask that McDougall use the responsibility of her position to ensure not only that a group advocating such opposition to government policy be denied access to funds allocated for implementing this policy, but also that an increase of funds and efforts be made to hasten the time when women and men shall be working together, in industry, in education, in polities, and in the social sphere to build, maintain enhance and govern the world we live in Marcia Braundy for Women in Trades, Kootenay Council More letters on A5 Remember When? 35 YEARS AGO From the Dee. 134, 1951 News The , Castlegar and District Hospital Society was formed at a special meeting held in the Kinnaird Hall last Friday night. Chairman of the newly formed society is G. Reith and vice-chairman, Mr. M. Moran; the secretary is Mrs. A. Buie and treasurer, Mrs. A. Saunders. * . Passenger train No. 12 from Van couver is back on its regular schedule with the opening again of the Coqui hallg Pass. For the past two months it has been coming through Spence's Bridge, which adds about four hours to the travelling time. * 2 @ The Robson Co-operative Exchange held its annual meeting on Monday in the Robson hall. Reports on the past six months’ business was given by the president General discussion followed and it was decided to enlarge the grocery department and extend preferred credit. Two new directors were elected and a number of suggestions made for furture development 25 YEARS AGO From the Dee. 14, 1961 News S.C. Muirhead of Kinnaird was acclaimed president of the Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce when annual elections were held at the group's monthly meeting last night. New vice-president of the Chamber is Dr. C.S. Fowler. Paul Moroso is again secretary and Warren Jennings is treasurer. Directors are Cec Gorse, Alex Cheveldave, Gordon McLachlin and Elmer Kraft. Retiring president is R.D. Minnion. * 28 6 Highway Minister P.A. Gaglardi said last week the pro’ ial government plans a passenger, car and freight ferry service between Castlegar and Revel. stoke. He said in an interview the system will use the new waterway which will connect the two towns after proposed development of the High Arrow dam on the Columbia. * ¢ « Castlegar voters stuck with the vil lage’s incumbent council and rejected a $420,000 sewage bylaw last Thursd: while voters at Kinnaird elected a newcomer to head the polls and turned down a sewage system acquisition bylaw Re-elected in Castlegar were village chairman Aage Sylvest and com missioners Walter Thorp and V.R. Cook. For a one-year term, voters chose Murray Little. At Kinnaird, newcomer Pat Romaine topped the polls and was followed by Comm. Ron Giles who was re-elected Incumbent Jake Hendricks was de feated 15 YEARS AGO From the Dec. 16, 1971 Castlegar News The heaviest turn-out of voters on record in Castlegar and Kinnaird turned out Saturday to oust one mayor from office, reject one referendum and give all-out support to another. When the ballots were counted late that evening John Landis become the first native son to hold down the mayor's chair in Castlegar by defeating incumbent Murray Little * . The British Columbia Centennial °71 flag was raised aloft Saturday after. noon at the Blueberry Creek Centen nial Park The hour of 2 p.m. marked the official opening of the park-playground which will soon be in use by children and adults alike . 28 6 A Kinnaird man, Lloyd Montgomery, has received a Wise Owl award from the CNIB. This award is given to workers whose eyesight has been saved by the wearing of safety glasses. se oe After failing to get a quorum for its quarterly meeting Dec. 2 the West Kootenay Union Board of Health has decided to wait until the new year to try once again to hold the meeting. The board was forced to postpone the meeting earlier this month when only three of the board's 15 members showed up. 5 YEARS AGO From the Dee. 13, 1981 Castlegar News Area I residents Saturday voted strongly in favor of a referendum Proposal to borrow $300,000 to build and equip two new firehalls — one at Pass Creek and the other at Tarrys. Of the 412 ballots cast, 346 (88 per cent) were in favor, 48 (12 per cent) against, and 18 were spoiled * 8 Oe Work began this week on the new Castlegar courthouse after Fame Con struction Ltd. of Trail was officially awarded the contract. MORE LETTERS ‘Now it’s our turn’ This letter is written to express our support for the expansion plans proposed by the Castlegar and District Public Library board. It doesn't seem possible that anyone could argue that the present facilities are in any way adequate to the needs of our commun. ity right now, let alone in the future. Our need is not a contentious fact, yet we seem to want to quibble over minor issues. We realize that we are a special interest group in the ity and not a large one at that. With its limited space, the present facility has already gone out of its way to provide a variety of materials and services in response to our needs. Talking books, large print for visually impaired and an extremely cooperative attitude in problem solving are an invaluable asset to our as well as others in the community who experience a disability. In a community that cares about all its members, space for these special services must be It is ially gratifying to Peace group letter draws one response The Castlegar Peace Group sent out copies of the enclosed letter to Castle gar h in October g its meeting on Sept. 16, 1986 and after discussion, the following motion was concerns about the sale of war toys, especially at Christmas time. To date we have received only one response, from Carl's Drugs. The peace group is very encouraged by the store's policy of not selling war toys and hopes that other Castlegar mer chants will follow suit. We would appreciate your printing the original letter from the Castlegar Peace Group, plus Carl's Drugs’ response in the letters section of your paper. We think the people of Castlegar should know about the no war toys policy followed by Carl's Drugs. Ann Godderis Castlegar Dear Vendor: Our Castlegar Peace Group held a passed: “resolved that we write the merchants in Castlegar deploring the sale of war toys at Christmas time”; and that “we en- courage parents to purchase gifts of love and joy rather than objects depicting pain and hate.” We would appreciate your thought- ful consideration and support of our concern for a peaceful world Olga Kittson for the Castlegar Peace Group Thank you for the reminder. It has been our policy to not sell war toys for over 20 years. The ordering is done by a representative of the toy wholesaler and occasionally he slips up. We will remind him of our policy on his next trip through the store. Good luck! Cari Knutson for Carl's Drugs Ltd. us that the plan has thoughtfully We have elected boards over the years and worn out many of those individuals with our demands for “perfect” solution to the space and cost problems. These dedicated people have come up with, if not a perfect solution; at least a viable one. Now it is our turn. We must treat them as credible people who have explored the options thor- oughly, giving them our support and encouragement for a tough job well done. If we continue to insist on waiting for the perfect plan, we will find costs continuing to increase, staff and board members growing less able to face the continued frustration, lack of trust and poor (or worse) working conditions; and a growing percentage of our population growing with the exper- ience of libraries as places to be avoided because of cramped, unpleas- ant and almost inaccessible facilities. Support for the library ‘vital’ We, the 198687 Grad Couneil of Stanley Humph ries secondary school, would like to express our support for the building of the new Castlegar public library. It is vital that our com. munity fully support this project and help to make it happen. As students, we are especially aware of the im of an adequate community library. We, after all, would be direct benefici. aries. A community library is a necessity. Students would make this project a reality. To this end, our graduating class will contribute $100 toward the monies needed to ensure the construction of the library. Michael Cheveldave President, SHSS Grad Council Thanks for Santa Thanks to the Castlegar Downtown Business Associa. tion, Santa, the Royal Can adian Legion and everyone else who helped make Santa's visit a huge success. I was _ imp: d by how We cannot ignore this i in tomorrow. The chosen location is financially feasible, accessible to seniors and disabled members of our community well organized this special event was. | was amazed to see my daughter and neph ew, as they colored their pic- tures, gobbled up the hot dog and hot chocolate at 10:30 a.m. when they had had a huge breakfast at 9 a.m. This was one of the nicest visits to Santa we have had. Thanks again. Bev Maloff Castlegar and will add to the visual imp: of our downtown core. Although it is true that libraries don't make money, the image of a caring and forward thinking community does attract people, bus. inesses and services. Let's not be sidetracked by petty differences, let's share a cooperative vision for the betterment of our city and give this expansion proposal our unqualified support. To show the strength of our belief in the importance of this project, we would like to “put our money where our mouth is” by pledging our financial support to the library fund. The staff [and students) of Special Education Centre College gets grant Thanks to a $750 grant are deteriorating and the can Enterprise ( from a private collection is i 1926-1933), the Lardeau Mining Review Job openings Open Sundays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Prices effective Sun., Mon.. Tues. & Wed. BEERSAUSAGE | 66¢ ORANGE JUICE Funds have been made evailable to groups or employers to sponsor Job Development Projects in the Trail District. In. formation and applications ore available at the Conoda Em. ployment Centre in Trail General duty nurses to work on a casual basis ore urgently required in Trail and Rossland. (2334) A Trail firm has an opening for @ major appliance repairer (3921) part-time Must have Class 4 drivers (4047) A diatir apa is seeking Mechanic. (4027) Local anipinjer establishing o tresh fish market. People with at least two yeors experience in sectood can phone asking for Order 4153 A certitied plumber is required as ere. A gos ICE. CREAM We reserve the right to limit quantities. Prices limited to stock on hand. CENTRAL FOODS Swor-Easy Fo the Selkirk College Library will be able to greatly expand its microfilm collection of early Kootenay newspapers. In a letter dated Nov. 15 head librarian John Mans bridge ‘was notified of the grant by the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation to “as. sist with a microfilm collec tion of Kootenay newspa pers.” “We are very pleased to receive this valuable assis tance that will enable us to upgrade our microfilm collec tion,” said Mansbridge. Foremost on the library's want list is a complete collec tion of the Rossland Miner, which, according to Mans. bridge, was “the most impor tant newspaper in the re gion.” The Rossland Miner pub- lished continuously from 1895 until 1973. Presently the col “We will now be able to acquire all 43 reels of micro- film covering the full 78 years of the Miner's publication,” Mansbridge said Another major acquisition possible under the grant is 40 years worth of the Castlegar News, which began in 1947, and still publishes two edi. tions a week. “In addition we will be ac. quiring microfilm copies of a flock of short-lived publica tions that appeared briefly as boom-towns, associated with rich mining strikes sprang up around the West Kootenay area,” said Mansbridge Included in Mansbridge's shopping list are microfilmed collections of the Ainsworth Hot Springs News (1891 1892), the Cascade Record (1898-1901), the Evening Sun (Grand Forks 1902-1910), the British Columbia News (Kas. (1904-1907), the Ymir Mirror (1904), and the Ymir Herald (1905). He will also be con verting the library's collec. tion of the Arrow Lakes News to microfilm. Mansbridge expects to have his collection of news. papers updated by March or April. The microfilm copies are acquired from the Pro- vineial Archives or the B.C Legislature Library “This material is used quite a lot by local histor. ians,” Mansbridge said. “We also get a lot of requests from people trying to track down records of their early family history.” The college's library is equipped with a microfilm reader and printer so hard copies can be made of articles appearing in the microfilmed collection. “It makes a lot of sense to lege library has actual copies of the newspaper but they lo 1897-1898), (Poplar 1903-1904), The Nugget go this route,” The Slo- Mansbridge Mens & Ladies SKI JACKETS All Sizes Goretex Ski Gloves — On Sale Jogging Suits X-C Ski Gloves Reebok Aerobic Shoes Printed MOUNTAIN & Sports” Soft Weights © Aerobic Weights — nite Digital Command Centre Full-function remote contro! offers Monitor Receiver, compatible e From FRGAE 26” RCA XL-100 Color Trak Console TV With 1 Touch Auto Programming hariside command of Digital Command IM PONANts. 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