OPINION WEDNESDAY July 27, 1994 =e st 408 Columbia Ave. Casttogar, Bo. Vil 10a Tho Casto Son member of Service, editorial comment The cost of summer firefighting ‘Castlegar and area residents will have to live with a lot of smoke as fire crews battle the 30- plus fires that continue to rage in the Arrow For- est District. ‘To date, 63 fires have started from the American border to jori “ small, some have been as large as five hectares. |The result, mitt’ that?’ $238,000 of your tax dollars -| While the of them are But it’s the price to be paid when living in an area that is rich in timber, has a hot dry climate, and Why Ottawa is off-loading airports VICTORIA SNS — It's been more than a year and a half since Jean Chretien’s Liberals took the brass ring away from the Tories, and Terrace, and Williams Lake. Also on the list are six small airports in Lyt- hey, old Jean is knee capping Canadians st every tum, and they seem to love it. y’s mame was synony with mud for off-loading all sorts of responsibilities and associated costs on the sProvinces. Chretiqn.does phe ‘samme thing and gets wonderful | ratings. : He closes military bases and goes up in the polls; he shuts.] down Royal Roads Military came in the form of a 200- , Comox, Cran- brook, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Penticton, Port Hardy, Powell River, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Smithers, ‘The move to sell the airports has been unilat- eral. Theré has been no con- sultgtion® with: either’ the ister Glen Clark and Minister Ottawa's withdrawal from the operation of the 30 airports. The two ministers have asked the mayors to meet with them sometime in Septem- ber to discuss what steps should be taken next. “The policy fails to recognize that airports are more than just places to process passengers. The policy has the potential to have : i impact on British Columbia commounities and appears to be nothing more than another federal initiative,” the letter said. Ste ttt te Foren Blam. wpeld costly communities “result ii remote and being denied access to emergency facies as well as trade and business _Aispons are an integral part of this and alone where lightning storms can wreak havoc. College in Victoria and still how his latest stunt will go over with British Columbians. On the auction block are 30 British its hands of any airport it can unload. The new directions consist of saddling " ‘hambers of themselves cither without air service or the cost of providing it: Kelowna, Prince George and Victoria are the three largest airports affected. So called regional Page report entitled Airport The report lists each of the ‘airports, mentions the services and facilities, stresses the amount by which Cannot be the sole determining factor regarding their future,” the minister said. ‘Clark said -he has no problem with Ouawa's tion of the airport network in British Columbia by the federal government,” Employment Min- campfire buming or water usage, they are set for valid reasons. [bine talk omaal digaltinpiebllye gpaaaptc peop the ys are waiting to Degin development of the Lower Columbia Ri Wyllie was able to publicly say what many peo- Conroy, who was emcee of the event, Centainly was not in a position to make a statement like that. Some caution, however, is in order. There's 2 good reason why Ottawa wants to offload these dogs. They cost money to run. And the only way to run them at a lower cost is to cut ser- vices or pay employees lower wages, neither one of which is an ideal solution. There’s no place like home about 1,700. I remember small town living was good. Of course, I wasn’t familiar with city living years of city living, I would not have missed the signs. Isn't hind-sight amazing? The fact it took me three months to gather up the nerve to drive to a shop- ping mall or, heaven forbid, across or down town. Twenty seven years, several cities and towns later, I have ~ returned. I am giad I did. I have found that city living ‘We (myself, husband and three children) left the Castlegar area in 1967 because an employment opportunity came along. We moved to Calgary, Alberta. If I had paid attention to those rotten drivers, lousy neighbors, pollution and being stressed to the max, city living is for you. Sounds terrifying doesn't ie? City life isn’t for everyone. A drastic example of the difference * would be the incident of the wees you Gutvest. What I miss about city living is minor and will surely pass. I never did adjust to the chaotic fast lane, or making conversation with a helpful stranger, knowing if you are in need of a ride somewhere or have car trouble someone will help, someone having the time to give out information, genuinely caring people, and most of all, feeling comfortable walking from the business world is not dead after all. All levels and ages of society have shown respect toward me. I'm very impressed with my new community and I hope everyone else living here is appreciative of what they have. Beatrice Smith was former res- ident of Castl. who recently returned here. from Calgary, theater with live entertainment, Ajberta. Contracts must be completed within one year from contract date. No contingent orders acceptds. Printed in the U.S.A. Do you have something to say. Good or bad, we’d like to have your submission to My Turn. Call The Castlegar Sun for details at 365-5266, or simply send us your:copy (600 words or less) to The Castlegar Sun, 465 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, B.C., VIN 1G8. 4 ; Wednesday, July 27, 1994 The Castlegar Sun Letters to the Editor Support still needed for footbridge Dear Editor: On behalf of the Save Our Footbridge Committee I would like to extend our thanks to our many supporters in our struggle to maintain a public pedestrian walkway on the CPR bridge across the Columbia River. So far, some 1,500 residents of Castlegar and vicinity have signed the petition opposing the demolition ¢ of the footbridge. With all our efforts we have won a short reprieve for this historic structure; the battle, however, is far from over. We do not wish in any way to distract from the appeal the new natural attractions across the river: Pass Creek Park, the pro- posed Bird Sanctuary in the vicinity of Waldie’s Island, Pass Creek Falls and Lion’s Head Peak. For the less ambitious walker, the CPR footbridge forms an integral component of a loop walk. Our surveys indicate that a new pattern of usage is developing with more people uti- Castlegar needs help in dealing with park problems The Phe foloning is a copy of a letter I have sent to Attorney General Colin Gabelman. Copies have also been sent to city hall. Dear Mr Gabelman On our holidays this: summer, my husband and I stopped in We spent a couple of days looking at property in north Castlegar near the Kinsmen Park. ‘The entire time we were there the park was occupied by 4 small group of what I can only describe as thugs. The young people spent approximately ten to twelve hours each day drinking and breaking beer bottles on the ground and harassing young chil- «dren who wanted to play in or near the park. I cannot tell you how appalling the scene was. The e messenger has shot himself. The following lm open letter We spoke to a mumber of months. When we asked about Calling the police we were told y knife point while one of these Stellar individuals robbed her in her home. The individual that held the neighbor lady at knife Point was apprehended and is now serving time in jail while the other individual is still spe: his time at the park and harassing the citizens. People were talking of hiring lawyers and selling their houses. The majority of the neighborh reach epic proportions, particu: larly when alcohol is ph rer I the City of Castlegar can pull its head out of the sand fore someone else gets hurt— or killed. ‘The situation, as it stands, is a time bomb and the City of Castlegar can be ashamed for allowing the clock to tick. Any help you can give to this appears to made up of retirees who are terrorized by this group and feel they have little choice. There are approximately a dozen young people who are the law on a regular basis and are being allowed to do it. I understand that the police have priorities and wage freezes and staff shortages, but Castlegar is sitting on a powder keg. Hav- ing lived in a large urban area for many years we have seen all too often how small disturbances can to Tony Gugliel: trustee, past mnt of LCUC preside: Local 260, union member and also Ce Association you were able to find your name and the CUPE and CDTA insignias. I am disap- pointed that you missed the other provided in this factual lizing the old dge to return from their walk across the new bridge. We expect this trend to increase as people who were not familiar with the train bridge crossing will be attracted to it when walking across the new bridge, from which it can be seen so well. This loop walk will be enhanced further by the develop- ment of a short trail connecting ‘the ‘two wafkways on the north “Yhbte of'tiie ‘river: We feel thar; when the new bridge is subjected to the full impact of industrial ar after the opening of the rilliant intersection, the tranquil cnmlence of the old ooriian4 information flyer. Iam Siueppoined that your presentation of “part of the other side” was nothing more than an attempt of the age-old strategy of shooting the messenger when you don't like the message. The new twist im this scenario is that the messenger appears to be yourself. The factual information flyer was distributed by Canada Post, The CDTA and CUPE did collabo- Tate to preserve the post office. We have a $500 invoice to prove it! I note with interest that the media you have chosen to dis- tribute your message is a non- union paper distributed by Tony, I am having a little difficulty visualizing you in your new found role as a protector of union ideals and principles. Fraternally yours, Bill Gorkoff Castlegar taxpayer, past presi- dent of CDTA Local 9, union member and also an employee of School District No. 9 as a teacher. h would be deeply appreciated. I look forward to your reply. Patricia Loff Surrey GENEL MINI STORAGE Units Now Availa 365-7798 CGONLRNMENE GUARANTE Bond The Canadian Red Cross Society and Jim Young Thank all those who made the. 7th Annual Jim Young Celebrity Golf Tournament a success Stosh Uchida © Steve Lougheed Alex Birukow ¢ Grant Apostoliuk Celgar Pulp Co. ¢ Sandman Inns ¢ Air BC Columbia Brewing Co. Pope & Talbot Ltd. * Re/Max Castlegar Realty ° Safeway *C.K.0.R. A&W ¢ Van Hellemond Sport ° A&W Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort * Bosse's Jewellers Carl's Plaza Drugs * Christina Lake Golf Course ° heonst Get Course * Dairy Queen * Gerick Cycle & Sports °IGA * Kokanee Springs Prize Donors * Denny MéArthur Pro Shop + Mitchell Supply « Fame Congtruction * Moroso Markin & Biain ° Pharmasave * Gus. Adams Motors * Columbia Auto Service * ICG Propane * Cowan Office Supplies ¢ Mallard's Source for Sports * Met Mart # Nakusp Golf Course * Red Mountain Resorts inc. 7 Slocan Golf Course ¢ Super Valu * Tim Horton Donuts «Uplander Hatel.. 4, * Valley Video saab ¢ Vancouver Canucks * West's Department Store Ltd. to your customers and treating them with respect. I personally public by either continuing to operate the footbridge, or by transferring the right to some other ministry or organization, or by getting assurances from the CPR port to our cause can do so by adding their name to the petition, of which are located at the Public Library, the Castlegar Chamber of the 8.71% Engagement For detalls call * Lordco 1-800-416-2882 Lorne and Ruth Trickey of Castlegar and Ron Heuer and Donna Moyer of Pass Creek, are pleased to announce the engagement of their children, Robert Lorne to Christine Dawn Moyer. IT'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL & COLLEGE TIME! ‘Special Supplement to The Castlegar Sun & Trail Times 10,000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED AUGUST 24, 1994 BOOKING DEADLINE AUGUST 12, 1994 Full Page 1/2 Page (5x12) (3x10) 1/4 Page (3x5) 1/8 Page (2x4) $599.00 $299.00 $149.00 $79.00 GRADE “A” VALUES FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRUG MART ) OPENING THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1994