Wednesday, December 2, 1992 @ inionPAGE | ?P Publisher Scott David Harrison Editor Bob Proctor Marketing Manager Mickey Read Composing Room Foreman Warren Chernoff Accountant Mary Ann Fullerton Circulation Manager OurViEWS RDCK bites the bullet? he Regional District of Central Kootenay may be the enemy in the Slocan Valley, but its bound to make a few instant friends elsewhere. Debunking the myth that politicians deserve the money they are paid and more, the RDCK gave area taxpayers a break by declining a pay increase for 1993. The 20-member board rejected a plan that would have seen it receive five per cent stipend increases for the calendar year, saving taxpayers more than a few shiny pennies come Christmas time. The move by the RDCK board will no doubt be a popular one — especially for area taxpayers who routinely question how and where their money is being spent. And don’t be surprised to see other district boards and municipal councils follow suit. Why, you ask? It’s quite simple. By declining increases in 1993, district boards and municipal councils can be viewed as responsible caretakers of the public purse. And as responsible caretakers of the public purse, elected representatives will put themselves in line for re-election in November of 1993. There may be no selfish motive to the rejection of stipend increases by our representatives, but when you consider that politicians live for re- elections, you have to wonder if such a decision was made with the taxpayer in mind. AdrianRAESIDE [cin FREAZE IN THE BC. Ne POLITICAL ARFONTEES That's it. It’s time to slow things GOANTENT.. does and doesn’t run in down — sit back, enjoy another cup of Peter’s Prime Java and wrap myself up in a blanket of bureaucracy. For those who were hoping that I'd take another shot at our big shots at city hall, I won't. Instead, after being labeled everything from a bad influence to a trouble- maker, I’ve decided to bend over backwards in the hopes that I’m not going to find my S.D.HARRISON Harrison Comparison this paper. An X’ here and a ‘slash’ there won’t hurt. Why, the less the public knows about the goings-on in this city, the better. Right? Right. ¢ Paving referendum — well, as you know, I was supportive of that initiative and I still am, but I often wonder why we had to go to a referendum to begin with. After all, photo on the city hall dart board. With that said, I’d like to extend my sincerest apologies to Castlegar city council hall for digging too deep, too often. It seems that our strained relations have become even more strained because of recent stories that were best not mentioned. Here’s a deal for ya: the next time I latch on to something really juicy, I’ll take the time to consult with the Castlegar censor board, giving them the final word on what isn’t it the responsibility of this city to provide accessible if not smooth roads? ¢ Price Waterhouse — oops, didn’t mean to embarrass you like that. I mean, to drag out a mean-nothing, two-year-old, hush- hush report like that was careless on my part and it won’t happen again. Honest. ¢ CUPE — I made it up... it was a slow day in the newsroom, so I decided to quote myself. Sorry. please see HARRISON page 7 Street WALK Burt C: b Publisher Emeritus L.V. Campbell Aug. 7, 1947- Feb. 15, 1973 John Kanigan Castlegar “No, there’s no literature.” Sarah DeRosa Castlegar “There should be. There are pamphlets everywhere.” Shannon Gienger Castlegar “No. There should be more articles given to students.” Christina Street “No. No one pays attention because we’re not informed.” Wally Soukoroff Castlegar Castlegar “There are no pamphlets in school’s counselling area.” @ Wednesday, December 2, 1992 ev OtherVIEWS | Please address all letters to: Letters to the Editor Castlegar News P.O. Box 3007 Coa Letters tcoWHE EDITOR Hunters show no regard for ‘big game’ I was grateful to find an article in The News (Barbara Murdoch’s “Peace In Our Forests”) that brought a perspective to hunting other than the latest camouflage clothing or the best place to locate big game. Our species attitude of taking from the earth whatever we feel All of the animal in some way contributed to the life and survival of the hunter, his family and clan. Prayers were offered before a hunt. An expression of reverence and gratitude was given by all participating to show awareness of most benefits us without consideration for the other life or lives _ life. involved, without respect, and without regard for the consequences, is aptly illustrated by trophy hunting. Any animal that has lived long enough to acquire a set of trophy _ air. antlers might well indeed be one of the most intelligent and adaptive of its kind and should be allowed to live and provide generations to come with genes that will help to ensure a more intelligent and stronger species. call this earth home. Aboriginal hunters killed animals for their meat, bone and hide. the intimate relationships between, and sacredness of, all forms of This lack of reverence, this loss of connection to the sacred, has resulted in the destruction of forests and the pollution of water and It is one reason why we have so little compassion for and understanding of each other and the many other life forms that Catherine Bayne Pass Creek When I read the local papers about the super performance of the young swimmers, it really bugs me that the Castlegar and District Aquatic Centre was not built to Olympic measurements. Money was spent on murals and many extras not really a necessity in an establishment of that size. My two granddaughters are avid synchronized swimmers in Whitby, Ont., and at McGill University in Montreal, also York University of Toronto. My son George was raised here from 1950 to 1976; he delivered many newspapers around Castlegar for years. When he saw Castlegar’s pool two years ago, he wondered why the planners spent money on so many frills and not have an Olympic-sized pool. If the City of Trail gets the go ahead on an indoor pool, they will benefit from Castlegar’s mistake as all our super swimmers drive to Trail to train and perform at future Olympics for the Trail swim club. Another beef — the proposed RCMP headquarters could have been built as a second story with elevator service over the court house to a top floor — both are federal responsibilities, not municipal. Again city council fell asleep at the switch. Council loves to spend other people’s money, money from you and I — the taxpayers. Twelve or more years ago, I was the one who told Audrey Moore about the RAPP Program for seniors, she had never even heard of it. And Alex Lutz, retired city foreman, became the swinger for RAPP wanting to OK a new roof on my house without even sure like to see a bigger pool and better sidewalks inspecting the roof, but refused to OK the siding on my old home. I still owe my son Don “Duck” $4,200 for the siding — he'll get it back some day, I hope before I die... or surely after. And by the way, the old roof still as good as 10 years ago. I'm still lobbying for a sidewalk on my street. I call it Paupers now because it is a sightseeing area with three-story homes sprouting up between 50-year-old homes. It’s more fun than a trip to Zuckerberg Island. I know my taxes will go up again and still no sidewalk to walk on and pot- holes on the streets to trip over still. Merry Christmas and cheers to all the oldtimers, my staunch readers and supporters. God bless you all. Fern Schwartzenhauer Castlegar gar, B.C V1N 3H4 or deliver them to 197 Columbia Ave. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and not longer than 300 words. Letters MUST be signed and include the writer's first and last names, address and a telephone number at which the writer can be reached between 9a.m. and 5 p.m. The writer's name and city or town of residence only will be published. Only in exceptional cases will letters be published anonymously. Even in those cases, the name, address and phone number of the writer MUST be disclosed to the editor. The News reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality, grammar and taste. How dare the government to How dare the federal government and labor even think that they could change Armistice Day to accommodate a long weekend. Are they looking for war — it is really sad that their shallow thinking has overshadowed what this day stands for. If it was not for the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom, they wouldn’t even be here. They would roll over in their graves if they knew what is going on today. November 11 has a very significant meaning — the 11th month, 11th day and the 11th hour. It cannot mean anything else. I believe that almost every Canadian family has been touched by the two world wars, beit a grandfather, father, brother, uncle, aunt or sister who served their country. They know the cruel reality of what happened. Don’t think that for one minute that you could change November 11. The veterans, as well as people who believe that this date is in remembering and not a holiday, won’t allow that. It’s just too bad our federal government wouldn’t get on with the “business of the day” —like the economy or employment — and stop wasting taxpayers money on planning a three-day holiday. Mr. Mulroney, you and your party should enjoy what time you have left in office, to do something constructive, not destructive. y with Armistice Day Also in regards to the government not spending $12,000 for wreaths for Armistice Day, I’m sure you can find money somewhere in your coffers for this. You just spent $500 million on a constitution vote and you found money to do that. The prime minister wanted to make history by being the person who put an end to the constitution woes, but that didn’t work. So now he wants to be known as the uncaring, selfish prime minister who took Armistice Day from the veterans and eople who believe in its meaning. Good ah Oy Mr. Mulroney, because we as Canadians will see that this little scheme does not work either. Jan Neumann Castlegar Harrison continued from page 6 I could go on, but I won't. For now on, it’s you and me —forging a brave new Castlegar that we can all be proud of. With that in mind, I promise to stop asking questions about a sec- ond access, city hall renovations and the problems developers face trying to comply with Castlegar’s ever: ing rule book. In fact, I'll sit by the phone each and every day, trusting that those lunch dates will be kept and that I will be the godfather to the first- born son of any city councillor. Heck, things will become so pleasant that I'll be asked to man- age the re-election campaigns of three councillors. Together, we will be successful, preventing those heathens from the Coalition Unaccepting Rash Bureaucracy from weaseling their way into power. As for Doug Green, abe fea — spreading nasty rumors that he is a distant relative to Brian Mul- roney... even worse, Pierre Elliot eau. And CURB itself? Well, they’re only 100-members strong so what they say or how they feel doesn’t really matter. Who need a citizens group anyway? Why, whatever happened to no- fuss groups like the Fraternal Or- der of the Water Buffaloes, whose biggest concern was the seven-10 split? As for those irate phone calls I get from concerned citizens, I'll ig- nore them. I'll start dismissing them as the rantings and ravings of over-zealous, uninformed whin- ers. People like me... until I decid- ed to play ball. See, it can be done. With this paper and your ideas, we can have the whole city believing that noth- ing wrong ever happens in Castle- gar. Being the trend-setters on the local media scene, The News will have other outlets following its lead. Heck, we can have one big Christmas party... together. Don’t worry about the mistle- toe, I'll be bringing that. After all, when I decide that it’s time to kiss and make up, I know these lips will be puckered right into 1993. Here's hoping that bygones can be bygones... right?