OPINION CastlésiN PAGE A4, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1990 MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCH. ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980 THE MID-WEEK 12, LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-F EBRUARY 15, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Campbell EDITOR — Simon Birch PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey MANAGER — Wayne Stolz OFFICE MANAGER — Linda Kositsin CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hadiey EDITORIAL Process justifies residents’ anger Castlegar city council’s approval at a special meeting Monday of a bylaw ining a jing proposal for a ial apartment development may have been perfectly legal but it certainly wasn’t democratic in the true spirit of the word. 2 Just two hours before the new council was sworn in, a bare quorum — four of the seven council members — voted 3-1, with Ald. Lawrence Chernoff opposed, in favor of the bylaw that will now allow two 30-unit apartment buildings to be built on Merrycreek Road in an area shared by single-family homes and light indust: Simple arithmetic will tell you 3-1 may be a ‘majority of the council members at the special meeting but it isn’t a majority of council as a whole. The decision is a slap in the faces of the residents of the area who overwhelmingly oppose the development, not to mention the three new aldermen who should have been allowed to study the proposal and the minutes from the public hearing and then vote on the bylaw. The old council did the spadework on the proposal but it’s the new council which will have to live with the consequences of the development if it takes place. The residents raised serious questions about council’s continuing Propensity to mix zoning throughout the city and the ability of the area to handle iti traffic from Iti-family housing. Proponents of the project say traffic won't be a problem and the multi-family housing will provide a good ‘‘buffer’’ or “‘transition’’ zone b the single-family resid and the light industry in the area. But leaving aside the pros and cons of the development, it’s the process by whieh the rezoning was steamrolled through that leaves a bitter taste. Not only was the matter dealt with by an outgoing council at the last minute, it was also buried in a package with several other rezoning proposals under one bylaw. As Mayor Audrey Moore admit- ted after Monday’s meeting, ‘‘It’s not the best process in the world.’’ A better process would have been to deal with the proposals separately, as council has done in the past. It also would have been better to let the new council deal with the bylaw. The new council may have approved the bylaw anyway but at least it would have avoided the appearance that the old council was trying to ram something through at the 11th hour. P Calling a special meeting of a council whose remaining mandate could be measured in minutes to deal with a controversial issue has simply left a whole neighborhood angry, suspicious and feeling like their opinions count for nothing. VIEWPOINT PM should take time to choose By JIM BROWN OTTAWA (CP) — The choice for former prime minister Pierre Bertha Wilson to the Supreme Court of Canada in 1982. He was making history by the first in Toronto and was vice-president of the Canadian Civil Liberties tario Caw Reform Commission. She has been a family court judge, co- a textbook on family law woman to a male bastion. The choice for Brian Mulroney is a bit more complicated as the prime minister ponders a replacement for Wilson in 1990. Earlier this month the 67-year-old Wilson gave public notice of her in- tention to resign effective Jan. 4. Mulroney can choose a woman with experience on the bench, in the academic world or in private prac- tice, a woman who defends the Char- ter of Rights or who defends monied corporations. He can also, of course, choose a man. There area no legal restrictions on the prime minister — only an unwrit- ten convention that Wilson, who came to the high court from the On- tario Court of Appeal, must be replaced by someone from Ontario. Mulroney has won applause over the last six years for increasing female membership on the court to a record three seats out of nine. Having already named Beverley L’Heureux-Dube and _ Beverley McLachliln to the court, Mulroney will be under pressure to keep from slipping back a notch. Peter Russell, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, says: “Unless Mulroncy’s really on a suicide mission, he will replace Wilson and an Ontario woman, and a fairly outstanding one."’ Among the women considered leading candidates: * Louise Arbour, a fast-tracker who joined the Ontario Court of Appeal this year at age 43 after a lit- tle more than two years as a trial judge. Schooled in Quebec civil law at the University of Montreal, she later taught criminal law at Osgoode Hall with L’Heureux-Dube, and headed a federal royal commission on job equity for women. © Mary Eberts, a senior partner at the powerful Toronto law firm Tory, Tory, Deslaureiers and Binnington. She has argued major Charter of Rights cases and wrote a report for the Ontario government urging legal recognition of midwives. © Sheila Block, also of Tory, Tory but a very different kind of legal pra- ctitioner. She has represented Dominion Stores in a battle with its union over pension funds and defen- ded Thomson Newspapers against federal monopoly charges. David Beatty, a Univeristy of Toronto law professor, is one expert who publicly urges Mulroney not to limit his choices. He fears the government is looking for a small-c conservative woman who won’t share Wilson’s commit- ment to civil liberties or expansive approach to the Charter of Rights. “*Rather than focus on her gender he ought to focus on her Philosophy,’’ says Beatty, who characterizes L'Heureux-Dube and McLachlin as too respectful of parliamentary authority and too reluctant to strike down bad laws. Among male candidates, by con- trast, Walter Tarnopolsky and Horace Krever of the Ontario Court of Appeai are seen as cidser to Wilson's small-| liberalism. The appointment, which likely won't be announced until Wilson of. ficially departs in January, will be an unprecedented eighth for Mulroncy since his Conservatives took power in 1984. . Jim Brown Canadian Press. writes for The ¢. WN LOCAL NEWS Pastor Ira Johnson of the Kinnaird Church of God gives the | inaugural meeting Monday. Justice of the peace Judy A PRAYER FOR A GOOD YEAR invocation at Castlegar city council's th ( ) swore bers in > en Cant ith oaths of office and all Sch idt di in the back di LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Library left out I think it’s great news that the City of Castlegar and downtown businesses are once again looking at ways to improve the appearance of the downtown core. But I have to wonder about the report prepared by Urban Systems Ltd. of According to your front-page story (echoed again in your editorial), the report fails to mention one of the downtown core’s biggest drawing cards: the library. The report mentions the Castlegar Rail Station, the post office, the liquor store and city hall. It even mentions Kinsmen Park right next door to the library. But not a word about one of the most used facilities in town and, for that matter, of its kind in the Kootenays. Maybe the consultants missed it, but Castlegar area residents certainly know about the library. We have more than 3,000 members and lend nearly 100,000 books, videos and cassette tapes a year — one of the highest circulations for a tibrary our size in the province (and higher than both Trail and Neison). The library’s absence from the report is all the more glaring when it is considered that the building is one of the most modern im the When it was most saw it as a cornerstone for any future revitalization of the downtown. ‘So the next time the consultant from Urban Systems Ltd. is in town, maybe someone can tell him to take a look at the library. He shouldn’t have any trouble finding it: just follow the stream of users. Ron Norman Chairman (Castlegar and District Public Library Points missed It’s a shame that more of the public didn’t make it to the Ceigar technical hearings. Atthough i they were i very enlightening. Uniortunateiy, the pubiic was dependent on a small handful of reporters to translate the over 2,000 pages of professional testimony. If a few points got missed, it’s understandable. Concerned about jobs? When Lorne Parnell, Stone Consolidated vice-president, was asked (in the quasi-judicial format of the technical hearings) to make a commitment to the 30 permanent jobs that Celgar keeps saying it would be creating — he wouldn’t. He only said they were expecting to. On a more ominous note though, one of Ceigar’s buyers from Europe did state that other mills of comparable size employ 100 people fewer than the current staff of the mill (vol. 7, page 1623). I suspect that even a staff of 280 may be an optimistic one. Based on the air emission models presented by Ceigar, provincial officals predicted that local vegetation stands a chance of dying, after the new mill goes on line. The worst hit area will be in Robson. Ceigar’s lawyer unsuccessfully spent a whole bunch of time trying to discredit this testimony. Don’t worry though, Mr. Parnell did promise to replace any trees that do die. I guess all you have to do is prove that your trees were killed by Celgar. It was agreed that diligent monitoring is necessary for the new mill to operate in an environmentally friendly fashion. Therefore, | was frankly concerned when I read in Vol. 9, page 2064, where Ceigar’s monitoring official stated, “‘When you spend $650 million, are we still a 10 per cent of all fatal accidents involve heavy commercial vehicles. However, on highway and between 1985-1989, heavy trucks were involved in 30 per cent to 50 per cent of all fatal accidents, the worst stretch being between South Slocan and Castlegar. . In 1989, one chip truck knocked six cars the road and narrowly missed wiping out a ioaded school bus in the Slocan Valley. If you go back to 1984, two people were kilied by a chip truck in expansion might risk a fatal accident im the next 25-30 years. In 1988, British Columbia had 78 fatalities from accidents between heavy commercial vehicles and passenger cars. In the same year, 46 died as a — in all of Canada! Both the Ministry of Highways and the review panel's own safety consultant agreed that rail is the safer medium. For all those who have promoted hate in getting this expansion approved, I hope you don’t get what in your haste you failed to notice. If you have a little time now, perhaps go to your local library or city hall and check out the technical transcripts. Winkew Club bears costs There are a lot more things of importance in this world than having good cross-country ski trails — but, if skiing in the Paulson country is high on your priority list, you should be aware of some possible problems. government land, the financial cost for the up- keep of those trails and the cabins is borne by the ski club. This year the Ski Club wants to purchase a snowmobile capable of pulling equipment to set double tracks and moncy for that purchase has to come from the membership — plus, money to pay lens’ thee ccd respect for her historical role, but were mounting political opposition to the concept that growth can cure what growth has caused. I said we do not think that the life support systems of the planet can take industrial operations operating at this size. I"ve never heard that she called for me to be jailed, or that she ever demanded that Greens get out of the political arena, especially during elections. Instead she continues as she has so vigorously done in the Past, to articulate her vision and call for support. I presented my understanding of the ecoloigeal crisis to the NDP **Task Force on the Environment” when they heid hearings in Vancouver. Chairman Jim Fulton commented: “*_ . . The very quick presentation that you just made, which took exactly 11 minutes, was one of the highest octane, most useful, series of pieces of information that put pieces together that have never been put together for me. . . . You've looked into the eye of the hurricane, and I want to thank you.”’ If NDP “‘greens”’ find my views or actions dissonant to their own it is because if | were to explain myself using Fulton's analogy, | wouldn’s say “‘looked into the eye of” the hurricane. 1 live there. David Lewis Crescent Valley Facts reviewed David Lewis castigates the NDP in his letter (CasNews, Nov. 17), citing circumstances with Colleen McCrory and Grant all the costs for Part of the wages for the snowmobile operator is provided by the Employment Plus Program of the Ministry of Social Services through the efforts of the local rehabilitation officer, Georgiann Kilemmer. The cross-country ski club has a very good relationship with the local staff of the Forest Service and receives valuable assistance from Dave Fitchett. The Forest Service heips the ski club in many ways, but is not permitted to provide moncy for the purchase of equipment. Many non-members ski in the Paulson area and enjoy the benefits paid for by members of the ski club. But this year, if ski trails are to be set mechanically, those non-members should join the ski club. Jim Crawford Castlegar Jail unlikely 4 Jim Fulton has never asked me what my intent is, although he claims to know it. I intend Copeland which actually occurred in a far different way and context. But the real issue behind Lewis’s mauling of the facts is an important one. Can those deeply concerned for Protecting the environment and resource jobs aliow themseives a vote spiit in ridings all over the province which would inadvertently ensure that the Socreds got re-elected? Consider the facts. The Socreds have administered a scandal-ridden, corrupt, fandamentalist government bent on paving over every naiurai area in service iv big business mandates. Premier Bill Vander Zalm has so falsified the actual issues as to set a baited trap for the NDP, should it take a strong stand in opposition. As 2 issues the NDP has come across as insipid, offering painfully blurred pronouncements on certain environmental issues. The Green party, on the other hand, has uncompromisingly come out with some much- needed environmental positions. These, in their essentials, embody many of my own ideals. The ‘Green party presents a platform in which voters can register their support for a more enlightened, he is working to get for them. He knows I do not support this call for special status, and is confused to see me write seeming to agree with him. The point I was making was too subtle to be written in anger. He only feels the anger. If we are going to put in jail every person that ever got angry, there would be no one left to be the guards. Fulton has no evidence for his “‘clear’’ understanding that I am “‘inciting hatred.”’ This is why he writes in his letter that my letter is “suggestive” of my “threatening 10” do this horrible whatever it is “‘imtent,”’ as opposed to anything | have actually ever done. He should write a proposal for this legislation he wants enacted, then pretend he is the Prosecutor and make his case under this proposed law against me public. Any law that could be used against me could be used against him. He wouldn't want what he made. Fulton has a history of announcing that his called for all top pulp and paper company executives in Canada to be put im jail for life. This decade has escalated from New Denver to Ottawa. I propose we move to Norway. Former prime minister Gro Brundtland is a social its present size. | explained to her that Greens had The controversy arises from the political realities. The Green party at Vancouver admits it doesn’t stand a chance of winning in the coming election. The only way to stop the Socreds from ining power and imuing their di: raid on every level of our environment is to vote for the only party capable of beating them. If you study the issues and examine, for instance, the 23 private member's bills introduced in the legislature by the NDP, you'll find that the language of each act reveals a genuine and wide- visioned intent to deal with the crux of many din his formal uniform, —cosnews photo RCMP Const. Stu LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Facts continued trom page A4 comprehensive way. Take a look at the NDP Environmental Project Act (M209) which, among other things, mandates for preservation of 12 per cent of every eco-region in B.C. Study the party’s Tree Farm Moratorium and Forest Inventory Act (Bills M205/M229), its Pulp Mill Pollution Reduction Act (Bill M202), community-based reforestation, its CFC ban, and a host of other legilative acts which actually have teeth in their language, including provision for intervenor funding during any review process. All this gives one a sense of a huge difference between the two ies. What value is there in a vote for a more encompassing program proposed by the Green party if we can’t get into office a party that could even do half that much? The essential issue asks Local Socreds ignore review Green voters to consider that failure to vote, and every vote that is not for the NDP, will be an inadvertent vote for the Socreds. Should one opt for a personal statement supporting a higher- minded environemntal program we hope to see undertaken someday, when the blighted environment we have left will undergo yet greater abuse and destructive approaches now if the Socreds are re-elected? By the time the Green party gains enough members to become — years hence — a formidable political force, and thus have a chance at winning at the polls, there won’t be any environment left to save. Plea to Ottawa The following plea on behalf of the USCC membership was recently submitted by telegram to the federal government in Ottawa: On behalf of a mass prayer meeting held Dec. 2, at the Brilliant Cultural Centre, we advise you of our sincere prayers to God to enlighten the minds and hearts of all sides involved in the Persian Gulf crisis, to resolve the problem for a true peace with justice that humanity calls for, without resorting to war. Please do your utmost so that the deadline of Jan. 15 next will not be recorded as the beginning of our planet Earth's Doomsday. The Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ of Canada There may be even a bout of i i but under it all are these essential questions. Richard Caniell New Denver John J. Verigin Honorary Chairman Andrew G. Evin Chairman COURT NEWS In Castlegar provincial court, Carl Alex Kooznetsoff pleaded guilty to impaired driving. He was fined $1,000 with a 15 per cent victim: sur- charge and is prohibited from driving for 18 months. . . . Joseph George Robert Goudreau pleaded guilty to impaired driving and was sentenced to one day in jail. Christmas are yn Born from the Thank You! ... Friends and Citizens of Castlegar, for your en- covragement and support during my five challenging years on council — and for giving me the opportunity to serve you! Sincerely, Terry Rogers, Alderman Sat., Dec. 8 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ENTER TO WIN Santa SANTA'S SACK will have treats for the | cuinysoxm1ov room children! ! — Drew Dec. 8 — THE ONE FOR CONVENIENCE \ West Kootenay Socreds are not joining in the call for a review of Premier Bill Vander Zalm’s leader- Sid Crockett, the acting president of the Rossland-Trail Social Credit Constituency Association, said Tuesday he polled the association’s executive members who told him Please address ail letters to the editor to: Letters to the Editor, a P.O. Box 3007, , B.C. VIN 3H4, or deliver them to our office at 197 the writer's first and last names, address and a t number at which the writer can be reached between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The writer's name and city or town of residence onty will be published. Only in exceptional letters be without the writer's name. Nevertheless, the name, address and telephone number of the writer MUST be disclosed to the editor. The Castlegar News reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality, grammar and taste. ship. please see SOCREDS page Aé to your and the Here's a Great Way to Send SEASON’S GREETINGS _FRIENDS COMMUNIT ~ = t+: el . 1 legar's A Cc HERE'S HOW... CHRISTMAS CARD At the same time assist mentally and physically disabled in- dividuals served by the Kootenay Society for Community Living. With a donation of $5 or more to the Kootenay Society for Community Living, we will publish your name or the name of your business/organization in issues of the Castlegar News just prior to Christmas. Donations are tax deductible. What better way to support the involvement of mentally and atl d individ i) physically € Canadian Im Safeway and SuperValu in our c LOOK FOR THE SILVER DONATION BOXES LOCATED AT: Arena Complex, Banjo's, Bank of Montreal, the Bookstore, rial Bank of Commerce, Castl Library. Castlegar News, Castlegar Savings Cr trol Foods. Johnny's Grocery. Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Or mail your donation, using this coupon: Y jar & District lit Union, Cen- To: Community Christmas Card Society for C i Nomes (please print) enclosed. For cosh. we recommend droppi Donotion Boxes af the businesses listed above Living Pleose include the following names in the Society's annual Community Christmas Card od (send $5 for each fomily grouping) Postal Code this form in an envelope in ony of the GONE TODAY. BACK TOMORROW. TimeAir’s next-day returns: Vancouver When you're travelling to Vancouver, its worth remembering that no-one can overnight you there as well as TimeAir Fly one of our next-day returns and you get much more than great value for money. You get to experience everything that makes us.the one for air travel in the west Comfort features like carry- on valet, friendly in-flight service, and washrooms on every flight. Convenience features like great connections through Canadian Airlines and one-stop check-in. 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