6A i. ar Sun SS Serving the 10,000 people of the Castlegar Ares, The Castlegar Sun every Lid. at 465 Clumbia Ave “hepa pair VIN 1G8, The Castlegar Sun is politi cally independent and a member of ee anc C Newspapers Assocation, Kotadathre Pane Cncean Established 28, 1990. 10420. The CG PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG editorial comment Fees a problem user fees for ie aan, ca cacyciing and the Ootiechacse landfill fe well-intentioned, but wrong-headed. ‘The fees, which will cost each homeowner $80 a year (S85 for garbage, pick-up, and $17.50 each for recycling and the landfill), will come into effect Jan. 1. They mark a major shift in the way the city collects taxes for its garbage services. Until now, the city has, collected the fees for garbage services based on property assessments. The cost of garbage pick-up, for example, was included in each home- owner's overall municipal tax bill, based on the value of each homeowner's property. In one sense, that really wasn’t fair. After all, we all use garbage services equally. Someone with a house assessed at $180,000 doesn’t necessarily put out more containers * pemiipeente pene ey Aa pene But the argument could be made for all city services. That's Hi ioe recy, nemice A property tunes. The city argues that instituting a user fee for garbage ser- vices will make residents more aware of the costs of the ser- vices. That's true; but it's also true for other city services. Like the Community Complex. We could make resi- dents more aware of its cost by making it strictly user-pay. Does the city want to make residents more aware of paving costs? Put in a toll booth on Columbia Avenue. How about water costs? Put in meters. Sewage costs? Tap into toilets. ‘The biggest problem with user fecs is that they shift the tax burden onto local Sntuary hep pay Sx rhage cons, Under te new system, they will continue to pay, but at a much reduced rate (as little as $20 a year for some). Business and industry pays for the residential water system. Why not garbage? They pay for the Pioneer Arena and Aquatic Centre. Why not.garbage? They pay for all sorts of city services. Why not ed euation. Runcdl x boner dnemes:ihen wuivelind so far. Ron Norman Santa's baaaack! Santa, Mrs.Claus and their eight reindeer are once again flying high atop city hall. Santa took a bit of a verbal in these pages a few weeks ago, but not because The Castlegar Sun is rife with Grinches. We like Santa as much as anyone. Rather, we think that the 1950s-vintage decorations need a refurbishing to bring them more in line with the revitalized downtown look. (Santa's white trim has yel- lowed badly). It appeared at first that city hall decided we were right and had banished Santa and his sleigh to the dark reaches of the municipal storerooms. Not so. Last week Santa made his re-appearance on the city hall overhang. You see, city hall heard from a more important con- stituency than newspaper writers, namely kids. And the kids of Castlegar were resoundingly clear that they wanted Santa to return to his familiar spot. And we're glad. That's right, We're glad that city hall listens to its ydro lines up its B.C. Hydro’s announcement last week that it plans to spend $180 million to install generators in the Seven Mile and Revelstoke dams doesn’t come as a surprise. Hydro has been lining its ducks in rows for some time now, begin- ning with its deal with Cominco earlier this year. That deal, remember, saw the provincial gov- ernment agree to help fund the mining giant's lead smelter mod- emization in return for Hydro get- ting the rights to the additional electrical capacity from Comin- co’s Brilliant and Waneta dams. It's a bit like the Canucks send- ing Cliff Ronning to the Calgary Flames for future considerations. Cominco (like the Flames) needed help right now. Hydro (like the Canucks) would like to have the help down the road. The reason Hydro wants that capacity is the same reason the Crown corporation is putting a fifth generator in Revelstoke and a MY TURN fourth unit in Seven Mile: to be a major player in the soon-to-be deregulated North American elec- tricity industry. And it’s the same reason Hydro wants to add generators to Keen- Theview |} fy from here - , +* Ron Norman leyside, Brilliant and Waneta dams. Like Revelstoke and Seven Mile, Keenleyside, Brilliant and Waneta are attractive projects. The dams are already built, so there is very little environmental or social impacts from adding generating capacity to them. It is one of the reasons why Hydro is touted to be one the major players in the deregulated North American electrical market: it can produce some of the lowest- cost energy in the world. And if you were wondering how the Revelstoke and Seven Mile projects affect Keenleyside, Waneta and Brilliant, they don't. They are separate projects, Rossland-Trail MLA Ed Conroy told me this week. Conroy spoke with Glen Clark, the minister responsible for Hydro, just last Friday in a bid to have the Keenleyside, Waneta and Brillitant projects placed on the spring legislative agenda. With the agenda being prepared now, Con- roy said there are only a few weeks to convince the Clark of the dams’ importance. But he’s fearful that if it doesn’t make the agenda, all three projects will be in jeopardy. The reason? The three projects will start with Keenleyside. The first thing to be done at Keenleyside is construc- tion of a coffer dam. ducks But that can only be done when the reservoir is at its lowest— around the end of November. Work would then carry on through the winter. Conroy hopes the project can begin next November. That’s why he needs to have the item on the spring agenda. And that is why Clark also needs to know if the Kootenay communities are willing to invest their $1 billion from the Columbia River Treaty Downstream benefits. Last month he proposed that the Kootenays spend their down- stream benefits on retooling the three dams. Conroy says he is fully behind that idea. He says it will see the people of the Kootenays become si in their own And he's got a point. At the time the projects would be coming on stream they would then return their investment—and continue to retum it for future generations. Evans and | disagree on CORE I recently attended the CORE rally in Castlegar where Nelson- Creston MLA Corky Evans told the assembled participants that the 500-700 present would have repre- sented 4,000-5,000 people on a summer's day at the end of a four- lane highway; and that these peo- ple embodied the hopes and aspiration of some 30,000 persons living in the region. While I agree that the people and spokespersons at the rally symbolized one point of view, I believe that there are many more and therefore it is wrong for the MLA to encourage them to pass themselves off as representing everyone in the West Kootenays, especially when they refused to allow a single environmentalist onto the speakers’ platform. I also strongly believe that between now and the election, the various party representatives should avoid inciting crowds via use of political rhetoric. Rather, we should focus on explaining our respective positions so that the can make an educated those not of voting age We're giad that residents take enough interest in their community to tell city hall what they like and don’t like. And we're especially glad that city hall has decided to give the decorations to the Castlegar Heritage Society for use next year at the CP Rail train station museum. It’s the perfect spot for Santa. Thanks, kids. Ron Norman ERRORS: The advertiser agrees that the publisher shail not be liable for decision about who they want to represent them. While it is clear to me, for example, that Mr. Evans does not support either the White Grizzly and Lasca Creek areas, and I am deeply concerned by the fact that barely six per cent of the mid to low elevation forest is protected by Stephen Owen's report There would in my view be some room for compromise with environmentalists if the govern ment and the forest industry were prepared to reform current har vesting practices. Merv Wilkinson on Vancouver Island, for example. has, in the space of 50 years, made 10 selective cuts and removed the equivalent volume of timber to that which was originally standing, while still leaving an intact healthy forest Can your readers name any area of the West Kootenay where such harvesting is being persistently undertaken? The Green Party is clear: we believe that clearcutting should be phased out in favor of the kind of ecoforestry practised by Merv Wilkinson. What percent- age of harvestable forest land Mr. Evans and the NDP would allocate for selective harvesting hod: action and fines for not chlorinat- ing their water systems? Chlorine is increasingly recognized as a ful for his government to focus their attention on helping small dangerous carcinogen for all life forms and the people know it. If Mr. Evans is to be consistent with his Castlegar speech he should end his silence and support the people in their struggle against chlorina- tion of their water. Both he and I used to agree that there are rich and powerful inter- ests at work within the forest industry who Oppose reform out of and why, is unclear. Under what circumstances Mr. Evans’ govern- ment views clearcut logging as inappropriate is also unclear. Under CORE Nelson's water- shed has been protected, but hun- dreds of other domestic watersheds in the West Kootenay are in either integrated or special management zones. What does this situation mean for the thou- sands of water users? Just what does special management mean, especially in light of the fact that both environmentalists and loggers fear a return to the valley by valley fighting CORE was supposed to end? The Green Party is clear: main- tenance of domestic water quality and riparian protections must take precedence over harvesting timber. Domestic water users must be given the power to manage their own watersheds. Why, your read- ers should ask themselves, should Vancouver and Victoria water users be afforded more protection and rights than those living in the West Kootenays? Why do the Ministry of Heahh, local medical health officers and their staff persist in threatening domestic water users with legal be pure terest. These corporations wish to both maintain their profits and focus workers’ attention away from their own ing and workers within the forest industry who want to change. They can neither access forest lands nor the timber. Of all the people in this govern- ment, Mr. Evans has done the most to promote reform through his work around the value-added commission and wood forum in Creston, and his encouragement of expansion of woodlots. Why then did he not articulate a clear posi- tion in Castlegar on the need for tenure reform and management of log sales? Why has he of all peo- ple joined the backtracking on pri- vate land legisl: environmentalists who question their ecological practices. It is being stated, for example, that Pope and Talbot has overcut its permit by one million board feet. As a consequence, 100 workers are being laid-off in Grand Forks, workers who will have to be sup- ported by tax dollars on UIC and, if they cannot find alternative work, later on welfare. Pope and Talbot are currently blaming the CORE report and environmental- ists for the lay-offs, much like the fishing industry giants blamed environmentalists and the seals for the disappearance of the Atlantic Cod and are now blaming Aborigi- nal people for the disappearance of two million salmon on the Adam's River run. When the resources are used up it is the workers and the communities that are left holding the bag, while the corporations and their investors skip town. In this context it would be much more helpful if Mr. Evans would clearly state what he support and opposes in the CORE report and why. It would be much more help- The Green cen is very clear forest land should be controlled by those who live in the bio-region, while major forest corporations must either comply with existing tenure and forest practices or lose their licences. We can no longer afford to be either economically or ecologically blackmailed by cor- porations who refuse to comply with the changes that are needed in the forest industry. If we do not take a clear stand it will not just be a few hundred workers here and there that will be laid off, but thousands and thou- sands, and hundreds of communi- ties will be affected for generations to come. Look at what happened in the East Kootenay during the 1920s as a result of the overcutting during the prairie housing boom. Look at what hap- peacd to the West Kootenay and dary mining c ities when the ores were used up. Andy Shadrack is the Green Party Candidate for Nelson-Cre- ston Wednesday, December 14, 1994 The Castlegar Sun Letters to the Editor Page 7A People in Canada are not overtaxed Dear Editor: It seems that my comments about taxation are a subject of controversy according to your Nov. 30 paper. I am writing this letter to correct some errors and state my views. The errors first. I am not a member of PPWC Local 1. lama member of PPWC Local 26. I did not represent School District No. 9 as intimated in the letter of Mr. Popoff, Mr. Pellerine, et. al. I made it clear in my opening com- politicians, some lie with the voter. One political breach of trust is @ government announcing one thing, then doing another. The previous federal government (Progressive Conservative) told the people that the GST would be used to reduce the deficit. Pre- cious little of the GST: was used for deficit reduction. As became evident, a lot of the tax was used to re-elect the government. Peo- ple saw through this and turfed ments that my views were my own. No one at the meeting stat- ed, “More taxes OK” as head- lined in Mr. Norman's article. I out of office. Another political breach of trust is a government announcing one thing, then using creative lan- guage to do the opposite. The was pleased he d some of these misquotes and impressions in his opinion commentary. Now the facts. People in Cana- da are not overtaxed! If you were to ask people: “Are you overtaxed, underpaid, or not appreciated for your special gifts”, the resounding response would be, “Yes”. This may be a feeling, but it is not fact. You could double the popula- tion of Canada by year’s end if you opened up the borders to immigration. Do immigrants know what we Canadians in our over-material world forgot? In absolute terms, we Canadians are not overtaxed, underpaid, or under-appreciated. New Canadi- ans know that only too well They are more than happy to immigrate to this land of high provincial g: (Social Credit) told the people no new taxes, then it raised fees, licenses, tuitions, and assess- ments. Economists or tax consul- tants can write learned papers on the difference between taxes and fees and licenses. The people see only one thing: money leaving their wallets. They saw through this creative use of language and practically obliterated the ruling party in the next election. At the meeting, Minister of Finance Elizabeth Cull (NDP) stated that new taxes were not an option for the next provincial government. The people of B.C. have made their opinion known on governments that hide behind creative language. A further breach of trust in our political system is committed by the citizen. We desire ethical people and their governments. Some of the reasons lie with the Winds of change Dear Editor: Last spring four Socred MLAs walked across the floor and joined the B.C. Reform Party. At the time, it seemed like a heaven- sent opportunity for the Reform Party to gain entry to the legisla- ture. These four members had a choice. They could have stayed as Socred members, and it is quite likely they would have been wiped out along with the Socred party after the next provincial election. If they had crossed the floor to sit as Liberals they would have had to resign their seats and run in byelections. Ron, Gamble and several original Reformers welcomed them with open arms. At the all to work solely for the public good but we also expect to be rewarded by these same peo- Ron Gamble of Lower Mainland, Wilf Hanna of Cranbrook and Joe Leong of Kamloops attended. Jack Weisgerber of Dawson Creek did not attend. Under ques- tioning Gamble admitted that B.C. Reform membership had varied widely and that the Reform Party had 1,500 members in January, 1991. Under further questioning Gamble reluctantly admitted that he was no longer sure of what Weisgerbers’ motives were in joining Reform. ple. A politician who cannot deliver new bridges, schools, or hospitals is viewed as a dud. It does not matter that he may be the best provider of services for the constituents. If he cannot pro- duce some large community pro- ject, we soon turn our backs on him and support the candidate who can give us “growth” or “new ideas.” Every political party knows this and, while blathering about belt tightening, makes sure that its riding are well provided with construction projects and make- work schemes. To do any less is to lose the next election. There is a profound distrust between the government and the governed. This distrust is a trou- bling fact in a democratic society because it restricts serious debate about major issues. It creates a politics full of slogans and empty of substance. From the right we hear, “No new taxes”; from the left we hear “No more corporate-welfare bums”. These “read my lips” phrases are not a substitute for serious debate, or the considera- tion of social values. There is a place for new taxes. In my mind, taxes are justifiable in preserving the social welfare net for the young, the sick, and the senior citizen. We cannot cru- cify these individuals on the slo- gan of “no new taxes.” Similarly, where it is deemed to be in the economic benefit of society, we must consider incen- tives for the business community. We cannot halt planned growth with the “no corporate-welfare blowing Many Socreds are joining the ranks of the Reform movement in large numbers. The question here is whether the Socreds have Jearned their lesson or not. The Social Credit movement in its last days became an arrogant power- hungry group. They proved their dishonesty to the people of this province and the people, rightly, threw them out. When questioned about the Socred swelling of the See REFORM 8A FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS in Kelowna on Nov. 21 it became very apparent that all was not well in the Reform movement When Jack Weisgerber was being questioned and defending his Reform conversion he said that the Reform Party only had 200 members when he crossed the floor and now it was up to 4,200. On Nov. 22, there was a lead- ership candidate meeting in Osoyoos. The four Reform can- didates, Terry Milne of Victoria, DB171 0.03 carat TW. REG. $39........ po172 0.05 carat TW. 0173 0.10 carat T.W. REG. $139.........- D174 0.15 carat T.W. B17 0.20 carat T.W. REG. $279... - DB176 0. a. carat TW. 1104-3rd St. Castlegar * -365-7141 233 Columbia Avenue , MENS WEAR Castlegar ° "ee Look DECEMBER 18th Adult $10.75 * Senior $9.95 * Children 5-10 yrs. $6.75 Bring in a donation to the food bank and ENTER TO WIN A GINGER BREAD HOUSE A ev. Sandman 1944 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. 365-8444 bums” slogan. What was made clear to the minister of finance was that if she needs to raise taxes, she must be up front about it. The public will accept a new tax, if the tax is clearly targeted for the public good and is spent strictly on what it is designed for. Due to political distrust, the public must see that these targeted taxes are spent on what the government said they would be spent on. As shown in the letter to the Editor, there is an illusion that taxes create “bloated process, agitate, and stand for political office to correct these are well on our way to commit- ting the political errors of our probl Simply or lowering taxes will not alter a ‘cor- rupt political system. Canada is a rich country with a rich tradition of compassionate decision-making. This is what makes us an envied nation in the eyes of others. The danger today is that because of our profound distrust of politics, we will lose the art of political compromise that has produced our envied society. We The jargon that masquerades as political thought will destroy us as surely as any external enemy. What is necessary is seri- ous political thought and involve- ment in political issues. Only this will retain the social good in a society rocked by uncertain and, at times, frightening change. Mickey V. Kinakin Thrums cy” or “misuse of taxpayers’ dol- lars." The level of taxation has nothing to do with bloated bureaucracy or the misuse of tax- payers’ dollars. Bloated bureaucracy or the mis- use of tax dollars are dealt with by a vigilant citizenry through the electoral process. People should involve themselves in the political EQUIPMENT REGISTRY SNOW REMOVAL The City of Castlegar is requesting all contractors/equipment equipment suitable for performing snow removal to register with the Public Works Department. owners with of particular i to the City includ Class Descri ion /A Loader with bucket/plows /blowers Trucks 5 ton or tandem axel with box, with or without plow IN-STORE SPECIALS ON CRAFT SUPPLIES CRAFT CORNER 1038 Columbia Department Store Bobcat snow buck@t/blowers Grader The purpose of this "Registry" is to develop a callout/contact list for emergency (as and when required) snow removal. 1 forms are Columbia Ave, Castlegar, B.C.) or at the Public Works Yard (4500 Minto Road, C: for pickup at City Hall (460 should be Barry Comin, A.Sc.T. ear, +). made on or before December 22, 1994. Inquiries on this matter can be directed to the undersigned. Superintendent of Public Works Phone: (604) 365-5979 Fax: sets an Oe 100008 eoecneninent O10 off Fall sportswear, housecoats, sleepwear 10% = 25% Undergarments, jewelery, purses, socks and all remaining accessories MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 2- 3:30 PM Community Complex Shop the Home Hardware Christmas Gift Catalogue for special prices. fests Deportment Store 1217 - 3rd St. Castlegar Interac Direct Payment