OPINION

11, 1995

* Serving the 10,000 people of the Castlegar Area, The Castlegar Sun
is published every Wednesday by Sterling Newspapers Lid. at 465
Columbia Ave. Castlegar, B.C. VIN 1G8, The Castlegar ‘Sun is politi-
cally independent and a member of the

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editorial comment

The Ministry of Highways can operate in strange
ways at the best of times, but the roadblock it has
thrown up in front of Castlegar council’s attempt to
restrict truck traffic on Columbia Avenue is as
bizarre as anything it has done yet.

Council decided, with the completion of the new
$25 million Castlegar-Robson Bridge, to bring in a
bylaw restricting truck traffic over 5,500 kilograms
on Columbia Avenue north of 18th Street.

The bridge, council reasoned, was built primarily
to carry chip and logging trucks to and from Celgar
Pulp Mill and the Pope and Talbot sawmill, and in
the process re-route trucks away from Columbia
Avenue and the downtown core.

and logging trucks were persisting in using
Columbia Avenue. iadalics

Besides that, development along Columbia had
been taking place at an incredible rate and traffic
had kept pace. Anyorie who drives the street regu-
larly knows congestion is part of daily driving

Something had to be done, so council brought in
its truck restrictions.

Good idea, right? The ministry didn’t think so. It
promptly threw up a roadblock.

It informed the city that if truck restrictions were
brought in, the city would have to redesignate
Columbia Avenue from a secondary highway to a
local road.

The redesignation would mean a loss to the city

: of $40,000 a year in provincial maintenance funds

‘ and as much as a half a million dollars in capital
funds.

‘It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to see that the

‘ministry is forcing council to decide between

‘ money and trucks. It’s a choice the city shouldn’t
have to make.

The question is: why is the ministry doing every-

: thing in its power to see that the trucks continue to

‘ rumble down Castlegar’s main street?

: Surety the whole point of the Castlegar-Robson
Bridge was to reduce chip and logging trucks on
Columbia Avenue. If not, why did they spend $25

: million of taxpayers’ money?

Ministry officials need to come up with some

‘ answers—and fast!

Ron Norman

Don't pass this up

{One thing you can say about Kootenay West-
| Revelstoke MP Jim Gouk since he's taken office is
‘ that he's a hard worker.
Mr. Gouk will continue that practice with a series
‘ of town hall meetings on social program reform.
‘They will provide voters in this area with a chance
‘to talk face to face with their elected representative.
It's a chance voters shouldn't pass up. Let Mr.
‘ Gouk know how you feel. He's taking the time to
listen.
Ron Norman

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date. No contingent orders accepted

Answers needed:

But six months after the bridge was opened, chip

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<«

How much parkland is enough?

Council places moratorium on buying parkland

Everyone knows it pays to
read the small print

Well, in the small print in the
supplement to the City of Castle-
gar's new development cost
charge bylaw there is a paragraph
that makes interesting reading.

The paragraph. states that
though the Municipal Act autho-
rizes municipalities to-impose
fees to help pay the capital cost of
aquiring parkland, the City of
Castlegar will not be using any of
its development cost charges to
buy parkland.

“The city’s current inventory
of open spaces totals 135 acres,
including the Twin Rivers Park
site,” explains the information,
which was prepared by city staff.

It notes that an open spaces
study p for i

“As the city will need only 120
acres of open space by the year
2011. . .no further parkland is
neéded,” says the small print.

No further parkland needed?
That can’t be right.

Well, it

the next 16 years will be on
roads, sewers, water and storm
sewers. ~ And it has detailed its
priorities in a $26 million capital
expense plan.

At the same time, council has

isn’t—exactly.
City admin-
istrator Jim
Gustafson says
the paragraph

from here
doesn’t mean

Ron
that the city
isn’t i 4 | Norman

The view

earmarked
money other
than develop-
ment cost
charges for
parks. In fact, it
plans to spend
more than $1.6
million on

in aquiring any
more parkland until the year
2011.

It just means that the city isn’t
going to use development cost
charges to buy parkland.

Mr.

says that a city needs only one
acre for every 1,000 residents.

That means the city already
has enough parkland for 13,500
residents—or about twice its pre-
sent population.

The city’s population isn’t
expected to get even close to that
until past the year 2011. That’s
when it will hit the 12,000 mark.

. G fs points out that
undey the Municipal Act, the city
can acquire. up to five per cent of
a new subdivision for parkland.

That would be the case with

Pp like the proposed

Riverbend. subdivision in the
south end.

What council is saying in the

small print is that its priorities for

the development cost charges in

BURNING OF THE ARMS

parks over the
next 20 years.

Nearly $1 million of that will
be on Twin Rivers Park, the rest—
about $40,000 a year, will be spent
on ing existing parks.

It’s hard to argue with the
city’s logic, given the state of our
roads and storm sewers; repairs
and ding are long due.

some prime riverfront acreage to
preserve public access?

Castlegar is the city it-is ~

because of its parks. And that is
precisely because we have twice
what some study says we
should have.

Do we want to be like every
other B.C. community and have
one acre per 1,000 residents? Or
do we want to preserve what we
already have—and improve on it?

I'm for the latter. And I would
hate to see us get the the stage
where we won’t spend a penny
on. parkland for the next 20 years
just because some study says we
have enough parkland—whatever
that means.

In fact, I would suggest we
maintain our present rate of two
acres of parkland per 1,000 resi-
dents.

Whether we do that through

Still, the city would be unwi
to lock itself into a situation
where it couldn't spend any
money on acquiring parkland for
the next 20 years.

What if the case arises where
the city has a chance to purchase

the d P cost charge or
through general taxation is an
issue we should discuss as a
community.

i promised a column on the
new road network plan, but decid-
ed to postpone it a week until
after this week's public hearing).

Douhobors set to mark centenary

A committee representing all
Doukhobor factions and areas
(British Columbia, Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Ontario) has
been formulated to mark the cen-
tenary of our forefathers act of
disarmament that brought them
much suffering and abuse.

To share the message that uni-
versal peace and brotherly love is
not only possible but necessary.
The United Doukhobor ‘95 Cen-
tennial Choir (composed of

with Doukhobors. The program
will be launched in 1995 as a

pilot project in the

Kootenay/Boundary area.

Also, a book, “Christian Mar-
tyrdom in Russia” by Vladimir
Tchertkoff, has been accepted
into the B.C. school libraries. In
Hult; Quebec, the Museum of
Civilization is holding an exhibit
on Doukhobors; to be opened in
the winter of 1995.

ication to UNESCO's

Doukhobors from across the
three western provinces) will
travel throughout Canada, parts
of the United States, Russia and
Georgia.

Local like-minded groups
(Doukhobors, peace and justice
groups, etc.) will sponsor these
gommemorative cvents and cul-
tural presentations.

A quilt with squares contribut-
ed from Canada, the U.S. and
Russia is being assembled.

The B.C. Ministry of Educa-
tion, with its framework of anti-
racism, has accepted for its
curriculum a program dealing

An app
International Committee on Sites
and Monuments has been for-
warded to have the U.N. organi-
zation designate the site of the
Buming of Firearms” in Georgia
as an Iiiternational Heritage Site

On June 29, 1995, the National
Doukhobor Heritage’ Village in
Verigin, Sask. will be the venue
of commemorative events which
will include speakers, choirs and
the designation of a peace park.

On July 8, 1995 an all-night
vigil at the Castlegar Doukhobor
Museum, with prayers, singing
and speakers, is being planned.

A trek across the restored

bridge over the Kootenay River
which was built by the
Doukhobors in the early 1900s,
will lead to a symposium on the
future in the Brilliant Cultural

ntre.
Grand Forks may host a five-
day i ional c on

regardless of color, creed or
caste, we welcome participation
from all who are willing to lay
down their weapons, stop the use-
less bloodshed and work towards
establishing a world where hate,

and ion no longer rule.

“Violence in Society” that will
involve representation from vari-
ous levels of government and the

4 B
community ing the Unit-
ed Nations Association, peace
groups and religious organizations.
Among these very serious dis-
cussions are planned a film festi-
val, live plays, choirs and other
cultural events. Many personnel
projects, commemorating and
honoring our forebears; contribu-
tion to world peace are underway,
to make 1995 a memorable and
significant -year in the 300-year
history of the “Spirit Wrestlers”
As Doukhobors, we are work-
ing together, focusing on what
unites_us rather than what divides
and destroys. Aé-“children of
God” respetting all people,

1995 is also the 50th anniver-
sary of the United Nations,.which
was established to put an end to
the scourge of war. The
Doukhobors support this deal, but
it will take more than a statement
of purpose to bring this about. It
will take active participation,
individually and collectively, to
accomplish this noble cause. Let
us all put aside our selfish pur-
suits and join hands in disarma-
ment, global peace and love for
all God's children, be they red,
black, yellow, brown, white or
even green.

Let us “create global harmony
through toil and peaceful life.”

Laura Savinkoff writes on
behalf of the Roukhobor Centen-
nial Co-ordinating Committee

Wednesday;January 11, 1995

The Castlegar Sun :

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor; :

Re; Kinnaird Park to get
fourth. field.

T ike all forms of baseball and
softball and love to watch the

hat

about

ball writings and enjoyed the
movie “Field of Dreams” based
‘on one of his books.

Ido not agree with cutting the
trees down at the Kinnaird Park
to make another ball field.

We have’three fields there

| now and the trees and trails make

a pleasant diversion for those not

the trees?

sweating it out on the ball field.

The trees provide a welcom-
ing place for many to walk, jog,
and enjoy during the spring,
suromer, fall gad winter.

Tt seems {0 mic that we have
built-a lot of ball fields lately;
the Pony League field at the.
park, a field by the arena.and’

possibly others.

No, [think there are other
things in life, for some, besides
ball and I think I might even
receive some support on this
from soccer players, skateboard-

ers and others out there.

CASTLEGAR MAZDA

PAYMENT
SALE

John Mi
’

Fee is not a great incentive

Dear Editor:

Why are the citizens of Castlegar paying a recy-
cling fee? We are paying to take our own Stuff to the

recycler.

We diligently take our stuff to be recycled three or

garbage and pick it out? If we have to pay, Why

make trips to the recycler?
Maybe Mike*O’

‘Connor can take some time out of

his not-so-busy schedule to put an article in the

four times per month. So does this mean we just

leave it in a bag to be picked up?

Or better yet, are you going to go through our

paper explaining this.

Peter Kozak,
S. Moran

Thanks to you it was a great time

Dear Editor:

In reference to the recently
held Senior Provincial Curling
finals in Castlegar, a number of
people deserve a special thank
you.

The two RCMP officers in
dress uniform and the two pipers
in kilts who led the visiting
players onto the ice for the
opening ceremonies added
color, dignity and music to the
proceedings.

The welcome extended by
Councillor Ron Armbruster for
the City of Castlegar, Bill van
Yzerloo, President of the Castle-
gar Curling Club, Lorry Cann,
President of the B.C. Interior

Letters Policy

Leiters to the Editor are wel-
come on any topic of local or
general interest. Letters should
be double-spaced, typewritten,
ordegibly handwritten, and..no,
more than two pagés if possi-
ble. Letters will be edited in
the interests of brevity or taste
if necessary. All letters must be
signed, with address and tele-
phone number, although names
may be witheld from publica-
tion for valid reason by the
approval of the editor. Send
letters to: The Castlegar Sun,
465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar,
B.C., VIN 1G8, or drop them
off at the office. Poetry will not

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(Tulips Building)
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Curling Association, and Homer
Good, President of West Koote-
nay Curling Association was
appreciated.

The ceremonial first rock
was delivered by Mike Verzuh,
at age 85, our oldest skip, and
the broom was held by Bran-
don Howe, at age 11, our
youngest curler.

The response to the cere-
monies by.the visiting curlers
was a very enthusiastic applause.

The official dinner that night
and the entertainment skit
which was provided by the
Ladies Curling Club turned out
to be a roaring success.

Our local MP Jim Gouk arid
our MLA Ed Conroy welcomed
the players on behalf of their
respective constituents.

To co-chairmen of all the
proceedings, Mike Kurnoff and
Lloyd Ish, as well as Bill Cook
and others who provided volun-
teer transport to the players,
between their hotel and the
curling Rink, a very special
thank you.

For a small town these people
did a big job.

\ N.T. Oglow

Castlegar

Generosity |
and kindness
overwhelming

Dear Editor:

The busiest time of the
year is past. The hampers
and toys are out. Many fami-
lies and children will have a
brighter Christmas this year
due to the support of many
local businesses and individ-
uals who gave generously of
time, money and food.

Thanks to my bell-ringers
and the places of business
who placed boxes in their
establishments for donations.
Jesus is the reason for the sea-
son and he showed himself in
this community's generosity.

Thanks tomy staff who
year-round give so much and
are sometimes forgotten.
God bless you all. Hope you
had a merry Christmas.

Bonnie Carbert
Family Service
Co-Ordinator
Salvation Army

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WHAT THE CORE RECOMMENDATIONS MEAN TO THE

KOOTENAY — BOUNDARY REGION

Table

Land Use Designations

use polygons.

upon.
Boundary Region.

these categories.

adjacent Protected Areas

”

Management lands are uncle:
concerns apply to Integrated and Dedicated lands

Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE) Commissioner Stephen
Owen recently released his land use plan for the Kootenay-Boundary Region
His plan was supposed to include the many recommendations made by a wide
variety of Kootenay-Boundary sectors who had spent almost twa-years
negotiating terms fora Kootenay-Boundary land use plan. However. many
areas of his plan are substantially different-from w hat was agreed to by the 2
sector negotiators who represented you at the Kootenay;Boundary CORE

At the close of negotiations in June 1994, the Kootenay-Boundary area
was divided into 170 areas,

called “polygons”.

e Table negotiators did not reach total agreement on these 170 land

e@ The parameters of definitions of the management guidelines
proposed in the land use designations were not reached or agreed

The Commissioner did not listen to the residents of the Kootenay-

14 Sectors strongly believe that too much land is now committed to

Our Concerns Are Based On Uncertainties

e The greatest source of conggrn with the Commissioner's Plan is the
uncertainty about what it means and how it will be applied- Over
18.9%. or 785.000 hectares of lartd. are now designated for Special
Vanavemett. The Commissioner's Plan indicates that among other
functions. these areas will serve to “support sustainability of features in

This new application of the Special Management designation was not
agreed to by the Kootenay-Boundary Table and suggests further
‘extensions to the Protected Areas. Since Managemen Guidelines have not
yet been established. the implications for future use of these Speciut

ar and form the basis for concern

m

e@ We’re also concerned that no single authority is responsible for the
administration or interpretation of the Plan.

e@ The fact that no process has been approved for appeal or amendment
is another major concern. %

Adding to our concerns is the fact that no comprehensive data are yet
available to verify the stated impacts which would result from the
implementation of the Plan!

Will Our Voices Be Heard?

e@ The Commissioner's Plan does represent a constructive start for a truly

the-Kootenay

dary land use plan

e@ BUT. some very critical areas require further development and
refinement

e@ Our preliminary information indicates that the combined effect of the
CORE report with the newly announced Forest Practices Code and the
Timber Supply Review is a 27% reduction in the Allowable Annual
Cut. This alone would equate to'a job loss of at least 1,236 direct jobs
in the Kootenay-Boundary Region.

The Kootenay-Boundary Communities for Sustainability Coalition has a
solution and have requested the Premier to return the Plan to the
Kootenay-Boundary Region for resolution of outstanding issues.

The Coalition has taken the initiative to contact sectors regarding specific
concerns and will be pursuing to verify the extent of economic impacts
associated, with implementing the-Commissioner’s Plan

With this information available, the Coalition believes it is possible to

bring all Sectars together with a Mediator and achieve a Kootenay-
Boundary Solution.

KOOTENAY-BOUNDARY COMMUNITIES FOR
SUSTAINABILITY COALITION

Representing: Agriculture, Community Economic Development, Forest
Independent - Logging Contractors, Primary Forest Manufacturers, Mining,
Tourism Associations, Outdoor Recréation - Motorized, Tourism Resorts,
Kootenay Communities in Action and growing,

The same Chair:

Co-Chair:

Renee Read
Brian McMahon
Phone 604-365-2351, Fax 604-365-7831