te Ra Seana RiehmeARE foes ent tN Nee me eS Wednesday, October 7, 1992 Hopefuls address key issues Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER Castlegar’s byelection can- didates have mounted their platforms. Positions have been de- clared by all three hopefuls on issues of municipal spending and accountability following Monday’s all-candidates fo- rum. Questioning opened with Renee Read, Doug Green and Dave Gairns being asked what they thought the biggest problems facing Castlegar are. taxpayer consent.” The candidates outlined how they felt about the city borrowing money for its pro- jects. Read said when it comes to large sums of money, open in- formation should be sought. Green said money should only be borrowed “down the road” following long-term planning in an effort to avoid big lump sums.” According to Gairns, there’s too much dependency on Cel- gar. ‘The goose logo for Celgar is not the Golden Goose, it’s the Canada Goose.’ — Candidate Dave Gairns Read said, “lack of open government. There are a lot of problems with the Price Wa- terhouse issue. (City council) are finally getting out to the public.” Meanwhile, Green said the biggest issue is budgeting. Cit- ing projects such as the pro- posed RCMP building and the public works yard, Green said,“we must move along slowly... without borrowing a lot of money.” Gairns felt the city’s credi- bility was a key problem, and he tied it in with municipal spending. “(Council) must make sure they are dealing with in- creased revenues, especially Celgar, in a responsible man- ner,” Gairns said. “One million dollars can be spent without “The goose logo for Celgar is not the Golden Goose, it’s the Canada Goose,” Gairns said. “I don’t want to always be de- pending on (Celgar). The city has to work with what rev- enue it’s got.” All three agreed that there is a need for supporting the city’s heritage as a source of revenue. Gairns felt if the city couldn't afford money for her- itage projects in the past it can now. Green emphasized it’s not how much money is spent but what is done with the funds. Read recognized the role heritage plays in tourism. “Heritage is a growing in- dustry that should be promot- ed to its full potential,” Read said. Back by Popular Demand ETHNIC NIGHT Every Wednesday at the Sandman Inn THIS The Heartland Restaurant Located in The Sandman Inn ¢ 365-8444 vVvvVvVVVVVVYVVY MEXICAN NIGHT Wednesday, Oct. 7 * 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m WEEK FEATURING vvvvvvvvyv As far as interacting with the members of city council, both Read and Gairns stressed the importance of teamwork. Green said, “I’m not here to make friends.” The responses varied on the subject of renovating city hall for $900,000. “I wouldn’t spend $9, let alone $900,000 on that build- ing,” Gairns said. “The build- ing’s a damned disaster.” Green said a new building is needed but possibly not so soon. “We should definitely look at a new building, but maybe we can’t afford a new build- ing,” Green said. Read-responded, “could it be because of heritage?” Her comments were met with laughter from the audience. “I don’t know why the city made the decision,” she said. The city has earlier stated spending the $900,000 for city hall renovations was a way of avoiding a referendum for the money. “That is sometimes some- thing that is done, you borrow money without going to refer- endum,” Gairns said. “(The city) could’ve sold the paving referendum but they didn't.” According Read, the public puts its faith in the people they vote in office. “The reason you elect some- one to council is to represent (your interests).” Green said, “you need open- ness and input. Money like $900,000 should go to referen- dum.” AAAAA YER _Buy the Bucket or the Piece. Always Delicious. Only at Chicken Time 365-5304 2816 Columbia Ave. DR. CHRISTOPHER M. CHART wishes to announce that : Selkirk Veterinary Hospital IS NOW OPEN at 616 Railway Street, Nelson, B.C. (Opposite Whitewater Ford) Telephone: (604) 352-2999 HOURS: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri. 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thurs. 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For HONESTY Vote Castlegar Savings Credit Union is able to assist you with getting the best return for your investment dollars. For more details, contact either location of CASTLEGAR SAVINGS CREDIT UNION “Your Community Financial Centre" 601-18th St. 3026 Hwy. 6 Castlegar Slocan Park 365-7232 (C5) 226-7212 eee _ Rit RRR MHC Competing i a Global Leonor) Plan to attend these Small Business Week activities! Business Success for Women Conference Monday, October 19, 8:30-4:30 Fireside Motor Inn Call 1-800-667-7579 for a brochure Home Based Business Workshop Il (Marketing) Tuesday & Wednesday, October 20 & 21, 6:30-10:30 Facilitator: Marilyn Strong Chamber of Commerce Luncheon & Presentation/Customer Service Excellence Award Friday, October 30 at the Fireside Restaurant Guest Speaker: John Noonan, FBDB Regional Director Please call your Chamber at 365-6313 to register for these events. Federal Business Banque fédérale Bank de M@ Wednesday, October 7, 1992 Castlegar, SHSS students united for Red Cross Scott David Harrison EDITOR The City of Trail has thrown down the gauntlet. Trail has boldly stated that it can beat Castlegar at anything — even the Blood Donor Clinics. Trail has said it can attract more donors to its Wednesday clinic than Castlegar can. And Trail’s putting its flag where its mouth is. According to a challenge accepted by Castlegar city council , the community which attracts less donors during the one-day clinic will fly the other’s flag above its city hall for one week. “I think we will beat them handily,” Councillor Lawrence Chernoff said, _— Trail’s challenge as nothing to fear. Meanwhile, Stanley Humphries stu- dents are rolling up their sleeves — lit- erally. Members of the 92 Grad Class will join the rest of Castlegar Thursday, donating blood to the Red Cross. “We really want to get involved in the community this year,” Grad Com- mittee member Graeme Basson said. “We think it is really important to give blood, it helps save lives.” The SHSS students will be just a handful of the 400 residents that are expected to attend the eight-hour clin- ic, set to begin at 2 p.m. Previous donors and new donors are reminded to bring two pieces of photo ID. Castlegar organizers are hoping to collect some 350 units of blood. For more information contact the Red Cross at 365-3911. . Wi RDCK chair believes | taxpayers should have voice on local boards Scott David Harrison EDITOR George Cady says it’s time to make hospital boards accountable. The chair for the Regional District of Central Kootenay says he can’t believe the Kootenay Lake and District Regional Hospital in Nelson is considering $23 million remodeling campaign at the taxpayers’ expense. As far as Cady’s concerned, the project won't happen. “Nelson is going along its merry own way without listening to anybody,” he said. “The $4 million they were first talking about is now up to $23 million, I can’t believe that.” Cady said the Nelson hospital board has no right to concerned a massive project when acute-care services at hospitals in Castlegar, Nakusp, Kalso and New Denver are rumored in jeopardy. He said until the province releases the finding of its Royal Commission on Health Care Service, thoughts of expansion are arrogant. “It’s all because hospital boards are unelected, ” he said. “They are appointed bodies that don’t have to answer to anyone, not even the taxpayers. Cady is taking his campaign to the Central Kootenay Regional Hospital District — an arm of the regional district itself. Because the CKRHD is required to pay 40 per cent of all hospital costs in the region, Cady says its taxpayers had a voice. Cady has tabled a motion to the CKRHD that could sees capital projects for area hospital boards go to referendum. The motion is currently before the board. “It only makes sense that we go to referendum,” Cady said. “It is a the whole district that would pay for a project like (Nelson’s) — all the way up to Creston, all the way down to Castlegar. “We will be paying for this, so it’s only right that we get a vote.” Cady said hospital boards have been in seclusion long enough. He wants boards to elected, much like school districts. Until then, Cady insisted that if Nelson is to get a new hospital at the expense of Castlegar and other communities, it must be decide by the people it could eventually serve. “You have to go to referendum is we want a fire hall, if we want a library and if we want a swimming pool or a recreation centre, why wouldn’t we have to go with a hospital. “It doesn’t make sense.” WOODCRAFT EXTERIOR STAINS 3.78 Litre. Reg. $30.98 $4 7° 3.78 Litre. Accent Bases BREEZE PREMIUM INTERIOR FINISHES Eggshell. 3.78 Litre Semi Gloss. 3.78 Litre Now Only $24a° BREEZE PREMIUM EXTERIOR FINISHES 3.78 | Litre Now Only $2 6°° INCLUDING STUCCO COAT AND SIDING RENEW ad (Accent Base Colors Extra.) DRYWALL SEALER 3.78 Litre We don't want to scare the competition! MANY IN-STORE SPECIALS General Paint Professionals Interior Alkyd Fiat. Alkyd Semi Gloss. $91 99 3.78 Litre ..............0000 interior Latex Gloss Finish: 3.78 L aes WALLCOVERINGS — FALL STOCK NOW ARRIVING! Save up to 50% or more off book prices! \ | ie 1 VOTE FOR .. - earns the respect of those it serves - is accessible and accountable - provides all the information - all the time - seeks public input on all major issues .. and a Councillor that can make it happen! - a Council that GAIRNS, David w. Municipal Consultant Sale ends October 10 Oe : Custom made. Save up to 50% Off List Price ] _| WINDOW BLINDS homework before painting your home. Compare more than price before you buy!’’ WE PLEDGE... * To serve the public with honesty + To advise customers responsibly * To advertise truthfully * To stand behind the merchandise we well l (eS PAINT Grn MEMBER “Your only General Paint Dealer in the Castlegar ¢ Trail ¢ Grand Forks Area” Where Paint © Wallpaper and Window Blinds are our only business . . . not only a sideline! 613 Columbia Ave., Castlegar 365-6214 7229-5th Street, Grand Forks 442-2929