10 the odbeer titer Prepared trom repro procky, engravings. etc rowdod Oy toe waver Riverside Crescent-Connors Road residents have every right to be upset by even a hint that the asphalt plant at the new city works yard site will start up again this Spring. The plant, which’ began crushing gravel and making asphalt last July 11, was supposed to finish its work in a matter of weeks. Weeks turned into months as the operation was stalled by wet weather and other com- plications — some of them ap- parently the fault of the contractor. What was supposed to be a three-to six-week job ended up heading into the fall and was post- poned until this spring. But the city isn’t in an easy position. No move it makes will be totally correct. It must remove 20,000 tons of gravel from the site regardless of who does it in order to accom- modate the new works yard building. The work has to be done. It might as well be done by a con- tractor who pays the city to haul away the gravel, rather than ‘by city works crews. The saving isn't small — it amounts to some $70,000 to $80,000. The problem lies with th@con- tractor and the weather. And there lies the solution. Blackline Asphalt Services Ltd. of Trail, which is operating the asphalt machine and one gravel crusher, says it can remove the necessary gravel in 20 working days. The city really has no option but to~have- Blackline do the job. However, it should have Blackline guarantee the contract. Any ex- tension should be met by a stiff penalty. That is problably what the city should have done last summer and there may not have been the need One sticky issue to start the plant again this spring. But hindsight is always 20-20. Perhaps, the issue will serve as a lesson that the city should get any guarantee in writing and levy stiff fines if contractors don't meet the requirements. Socred or NDP? Who con tell? Try the following scenerio on for size. The provincial premier defends a decision to hire highpaid advisers, including public relations staff, while cutting staff in other civil service positions. The premier says the changes will make his government more efficient. Sound familiar? Premier Bill Bennett's bunch in Victoria, right? Wrong, at least in this instance. True, Mr. Bennett did carry out a similar move here in B.C., but the government mentioned above is Manitoba Premier Howard Pawley’s New Democratic Party government. His government announced this week that the 30 new jobs will pay in the $40, 000 to $50,000 range. At the same e his government plans to eliminate 273 civil service positions over the next year. Mr. Pawley said his gover- nment ministers need the highpaid advisors to do their jobs more ef- ficiently. Of course, the president of the Manitoba Government Em- Letters to the Editor s The made final meeting Tuesday day night, April 8 concert in the Castle Theatre where they will present the ‘Trail Male Choir, Admission will be by Plan to attend Girl Guide and Brownie St. Patrick's Day Tea — Com- munity Hall, March 19 at 2:30 p.m. Bake Table, sale of work, and tea. ts DBA ‘very concerned’ Editor, Castlegar News A letter to the editor in last Sunday's Castlegar News questioned how con- cerned are downtown businesses about the loss of the Robson/Castlegar ferry? The answer is simple. We are very concerned, have expressed our con- cern, and are continuing to attempt to reverse the cancellation decision. The following are the facts: As soon as a closure decision was announced for “some Interior ferries” and before confirmation that the Robson/Castlegar ferry was one of them, a special Downtown Business tion executive meeting was held and a protest letter, with docu- mentation, sent to Highways Minister Alex Fraser with a copy to the City of Castlegar. (Subsequently, copies of this rletter were given to the Robson/ Association has condem- nded the move, just as his coun- terpart in B.C. did several months ago. Funny how governments of such supposedly different political stripes act in much the same man- ner. Fred Merriman The oldest and best example of a model for unions may be found in the practise of medicine. This organization of professionals is the epitomy of successful brotherhood. When are the leaders and mem- bers of organized labor going to look to the most professional and noble of the fraternity for the answers to their current problems? Doctors are respected because they hold life and death in their hands. To this day we find it difficult to address a medical doctor by his face name. At private gatherings and social events he is referred to as the “doctor.” It is most difficult to qualify as an MD. The rewards are said to be great and we can also imagine that the pressures are many. In some circles there is almost a priestly reverence afforded the august mem- bers of the medical fraternity. Such reverence does not accrue, normal- ly, to their servants in white, but that is a subject for another day. Doctors who fall out of grace for lessening the level of high esteem are summarily discharged. Those not qualified or practising as ama- teurs are dealt with by legi Some years ago the point was raised concerning the cost effec- tiveness of hiring a fully experi- enced, trained and qualified jour- neyman tradesman as opposed to an amateur, untrained, inexperienced worker. Where are the apprentice- ship levels of days gone by? Does every job require a full journeyman for every aspect of the job? A construction project in Van- couver is presently being picketted and receiving much press because phase one was awarded to organized labor — the professionals. Phase two has been awarded to the non-union labor — the amateurs. A doctor does not fear the train- ing of a nurse. A professional journeyman tradesman should not, and does not, fear an amateur. It would be most interesting to see the organized labor pickets retire from the scene and allow the amateurs to get on with the job. If the pickets as representing the construction trades throughout B.C. are true and well-trained journey- men with the required number of apprenticeships, they will have nothing to fear. The results will show that the first phase will have Doctors know they are superior to the non-qualified simply because paehe It is a matter of training, ince and dedication. Many, agree to work for absolutely nothing if the circumstances so re- been more t-effe than the second phase. If the record does not confirm that, then organized labor does indeed have a problem. Personally, I have known jour- neymen carpenters, plumbers, elec- tricians, steelworkers, and brick masons of which any single man was worth 20 of a beginner looking for a job at“coolie” wages. Also, I have known journeymen who give their trade a bad Its a matter of training and qualifications. Emulate your successful senior brothers and your problems will dissipate. Cc Ferry Users Ad Hoc Com- mittee and to Regional District of Central Kootenay director Martin Thanks to Red Mountain News: Itis always a pleasant surprise when one encounters a group of people who take special pride in their work. We were fortunate recently to have the experience of working with such a group. We are the staff and students of Silver Birch School in Castlegar. Silver Birch is a school for special needs students. The students are of various ages and abilities. We spent two days downhill skiing at Red Mountain. Kootenay area people should take pride in the service the Red Mountain staff provides. All our students were given lessons that were individually directed to their abilities. One student who was unable to ski was given a snowmobile ride. During the two days, the improve- ment the students made was phen- omenal. They displayed an enjoyment and confidence we rarely get to see. The people at Red Mountain deserve a great deal of credit. They perform their jobs with an attitude and competence that deserves recognition. We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the Red M Vanderpol.) When it was confirmed that the Robson ferry was included in the clo- sure, a telegram was immediately sent Mr. Fraser asking for a meeting to discuss the situation. Following this, a general DBA meet- ing named a delegation to go to Vic- toria to present facts about the detri- and the City of Castlegar and surround- ing area generally. As can be seen, we took early action and are continuing to take action. There is nothing to be gained by arguing among ourselves. All concerned groups and individuals are working in ways each believes best to achieve our common objective. mental effects closure of the ferry Joan Blain would have on Robeon/Raspberry President, the core, Castl B Assn. Multicultural society supports immersion Editor, News: Te Oneféf ‘your recent articles on Russion Immersion, it was stated that the Russian Immersion pilot program is in danger of being ended because of provincial restraint. The Castlegar and District multicul- tural Society strongly supports any at- tempt to maintain and expand such a unique multicultural experiment in ed- ucation. aS By studying a different language and culture you enrich your own culture. for Russian who not only demonstrated a need for such a program in our com- munity but enrolled thier children in Russian Immersion, and to the differ- ent administrators and teachers who have worked extremely hard to make Russian Immersion a viable alternative within the public school system. Much of the credit must be directed towards the trustees of School District. No. 9 Castlegar for having the fore- sight in approving this unique pilot Program for the 1983-84 school year. We sincerely hope that within the Certainly, we as resi of C and district can enrich our own cultural heritage by having the Russian-Cana- dian cultural group share with us as- pects of their culture, such as the Rus- sian language. Credit must be given to the Parents TO WORLD PEACE given them, School District No. 9 can maintain and expand this very worthwhile multicultural experi- ence in Castlegar that must greatly benefit the students enrolled. John Voykin, President Multicultural Seciety Esperanto the key Editor, News: Some people think that the only way that we can have peace in the world is if it is agreed on at some conference table. But they forget that before nations can live in peace, the peoples of the world must learn to understand each other and tolerate each other's ideas. In order to ever have real inter- national understanding, we must have “people speaking to people,” and for this a common language is almost a necessity. The i Esper- staff for an exceptional job. Thank you. anto, is ideal for at purpose, especi- ally because it can be learned in a fraction of the time that it takes for any other language. With the world as it is now, we need every means of bringing about international understanding we can find. More than one million persons are already using Esperanto; they live in some 100 countries. It is time the rest of the people in the world realize what Esperanto can do. If anyone wants to know more about Esperanto, they should write to our non-profit organization: the Canadjan Esperanto Association, Box 126, Stn. Beaubien, Montreal, Ont. H2G 3C8. Ask for our free 10-lesson postal course and include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Anne Whittaker 2068 Sifton Ave. Kamloops, B.C. V1S 1B1 Problem is Bennett's Editor, Castlegar News: In Fred Merriman’s column of Sun- day, March 11, Mr. Merriman seemed ~ most concerned about the “mind set” evident in the community of Robson. Particularily, the occupation of the ferry was questioned. Let's look at some facts surrounding the way recent decisions affecting the West Kootenays have been made. When the probable closing of DTUC was announced, the citizens of Nelson pulled together a brief for consid- eration by the government. The de- cision was finalized before the brief was read. When the probable ames ot of the the decision was finalized before the brief was dealt with. Don't confuse us with the facts is an interesting “mind set.” Further, according to Highways access to worldwide destinations, the citizens of Robson will be denied convenient access to Finally, in this last week, Mr. Ben- nett has stated that those who are concerned about this trend, and who are willing to speak out, are “bad British Columbians.” If there is a “mind set” problem, in my view it rests with Mr. Bennett and his cabinet, not with the cjtizens of Robson. Peter Kagis, - gram dby Kay A h dancing pupils. 25 YEARS AGO From the March 19, 1959 ‘The Kootenay Music Festival's Inter- City Challenge Cup donated by the Hume Hotel of Nelson was won this year by Kinnaird competitors. This cup is an annual award to the incorporated municipality with five or more competing entries gaining the highest average marks for two or more first-place winners. . 8 Winner of the big prize at the Kin- naird Firemen'’s Bingo Saturday was Mrs. E. Beauchamp of Kinnaird, who captured the coveted $100 in cash. . 8 « Jimmy Lomont was elected presi- cent and Colin McKenzie vice-president of the Castlegar Rotary Club at thier regular meeting held yesterday. They will take office at the end of June. Members of the executive include . Bob Rev. Reshr,'Bob Feiner and GU Guin. The senior cise held their regular meeting in the Legion Hall on Friday evening March 13 with president Mr. J.T. Webster presiding and 50 mem- bers present. * 8 « The auditorium of the Stanley Hum- phires High School was the scene Friday night of a gay hilarious Fun Nite sponsored by the Parent-Teach- ers’ Association. Castlegar A monthly talent contest in the Castlegar district is being organized by Regional Recreation Commission No. 1. The first contest will be held on Thursday evening of next week at 7:30 p-m. in the SHSS activity room. . 8 @ Effective April 27, a 50 cents per person boarding fee will be charged passengers using Castlegar Airport. The April 27 date is the switch-over date from CPA service to B.C. Air Linef’ Nord 262’s and the boarding fee is aimed at covering the expected oe it in operation of the airport by the loss in landing fees pres- ently paid by CPA's DC6B's. . 2 «@ The Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce is looking for a name for its three-day summer festival planned for early August. The chamber hopes this event will develop into a yearly celebration for the whole district and a suitable name will help publicize the event far and wide. Besides the unofficial Summer Festi- val by which the celebration has al- ready been referred to, another name used to describe the event has been Doukhobor Days. . 28 « An antique car parade is being planned here for Easter ie, Seaaey. It is hoped the parade will become an annual event, attracting pre-Second World War cars from throughout the Kootenay area. throughout Canada last week to apply for their five free shares in the B.C. Investment Corp. soe iaghtiting and design work ay the planned $10 million D6 West) Trail highway approach — to open in the fall of 1981 — More letters Page A7 will start immediately, Highways Min- ister Alex Fraser announced last week. Bacon Schneiders. Sliced. 500 g Pkg...... |_| Sausage Rolls 19 Schneiders. “ Frozen. 500g Ph. beceeceee $ ig-| Skillet Strips | *) 49