June 24, 1990 pe astlegar Ne OPINION PAGE A4, SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 1990 MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCIL ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1960 INCORPORATING THE MID- WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978-AUGUST 27, 1980 (LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUARY 15, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Carfpbell EDITOR — Simon Birch PLANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey ADVERTISING MANAGER June 24,1990 CastlegarNews AS | LOCAL NEWS JUST LIKE THE BIG KIDS Home improviny home makes on po! improve the chances of selling thi home Put you and Py ultimate decision regarding the eal “Estate WITH BARRY BROWN HOW TO GET THE MOST MONEY FOR YOUR HOME. 5) Check the root for missing shingles and fill in those gaps. lers should concentrate on eo first impress the yntial to ” ably ihe Vie pelle ould ee Gaeta ot “buyer psychology” in sale negotiations the appears to be in a state of the buyer will tend to repoir costs trom the asking price. in fact the buyer will likely try to deduct more than obvious costs in cose he or she elf in the shoes of the buyer what effect a poor first im n would have on your | will recommen: veral OFFICE MANAGER — Lin CIRCULATION MANAGER — Hi home. inexpensive touch-ups the seller should consider. missed something or underestimated costs EDITORIAL Public has right to information Too bad. Premier Bill Vander Zalm, to his considerable political credit, ap- Peared to have weathered the storm of controversy over his leadership and sure bettors.on.an NDP. victory in the next election were beginning _ tohedge their bets. Then along comes another controversy to upset the Socred apple cart. We row find that some cabinet ministers have been using the government’s fleet of jets as a personal limousine service when less ex- Pensive commercial flights were available. The waste of taxpayers’ money is bad enough, but what we find equally, if not more, disturbing is the fact that Government Services Minister Carol Gran, the minister responsible for the government’s jet fleet, initially wanted to keep the logs under wraps because, she said, the political climate currently is too ‘‘volatile.’’ She also used what is becoming a tiresome Socred argument that the media can’t be trusted to Present the information fairly. “I think you just have to assume that we weren’t abusing those airplanes,’ Ms. Gran said at the time. After discussing the matter with the premier, Ms. Gran decided to release the flight logs for the government jets. Ne U Hobbit Hill C! Stanley Hi ri dary school grads weren't the only ones in bbit il Children's Contre were alse honored at their annual mini- town donning caps last week. Youngsters at the id ‘ad ceremony. and condition. 2) Paint the exterior, if necessary. 3) See that the gutters and down- Buyers want a clean home so make sure your's sparkles. Most real estate agents can-supply you with a checklist to ensure your home shows its best Wf there 1s anything | con do to help ycu in the held of real estate. please call or drop in at 4 NATIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE Mountainview Agencies Ltd. 1695 Columbia A: Phone 365-2111 or 365-2757 jeep the lawn and shrubbery well manicured. As simple as this. is, W's ext important becouse it conveys the idee that the home owner cores about its appeerance But make sure that the color or colors choose are acceptable te the veet majority of potential YOU USE CASTLEGAR NEWS CLASSIFIED CALL 365-2212 SAVE A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS WHEN B8 ™ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR REMEMBER WHEN Statements disputed Please refer to an article published on June 13, 1990, titled ‘‘Airport ontrol tower hours to be cut”’ and your comments in the editorial dated June 17, 1990. There are several statements which are inaccurate, misleading to the public and are a slight to the flight safety specialists who maintain safety at the Castlegar Airport. These But even then, thousands of Pages of the logs were made for just a few hours. No Photocopies were allowed. So much for open and honest government. There is a fairly simple solution we would like to see that would go @ long way to prevent future mishandling of issues such as the release of the flight logs, That solution is the enactment of freedom of infor- mation laws in British Columbia. The basic premises are the public’s business at all levels of government must be conducted in public and that the public has the right of access to government information. Some elected officials in this Province will argue that those prin- ciples are already followed. But we’ve seen this last few weeks how reluctant some Politicians, such as Ms. Gran, are to follow those prin- ciples if they feel the information being sought may be damaging to their government. That’s why freedom of information should be encoded in law. ee VIEWPOINT Time to sail on Celgar's tide “There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shadows and miseries.’ — Shakespeare: Julius Caesar By JOHN CHARTERS Last Wednesday, I went to a well- attended reception, hosted by Celgar Pulp Co. It was a low-key affair, with @ goodly*bar and sideboard, and a minimum of displays, easy to read. Addresses by company were brief and cordial and the slight note of frustration and impatience subdued. It was the voice of experience speaking — it’s getting late; the time is now and we need help to get on with the job. The initial approach to the new $600 million pulp mill had been fired with the hard sell of big bucks and the hard drive of major development in a somewhat sagging community. The presentations were complex and the fine print a bit blurry. It was met by some skepticism and concern in certain areas and the debate, not always brilliant on either side, generated some considerable smoke and-heat as welt as tight as the public demanded some more precise infor- mation, which is only right. The company then established an information centre in the middle of the town and any and all were welcome to come to ask questions before buying. Celgar plans to con- tinue to answer questions and to offer a major forum shortly to which all my come and air their concerns. All of this has been good and ad- justments have been.made but time is running out and the company is right in asking for support in getting on with the job and doing it to the best of its ability as it has promised. I was a delegate at the annual con- ference of the British Columbia feciase Society in Surrey in May. It ‘as_an excellent conference in a rapidly growing and dynamic com- munity. One of the major points made by the speakers and the ensuing debate in that conference was that change, like death and taxes, is a constant — it continues whether we like it Pper- sonally or not. We must ride it, therefore, with both boldness and in- telligence, directing it to the greatest advantage in the longest terms as Possible. The obverse of the inevitability of change is the fact that we are, each moment, creating our own heritage — the legacy which we pass on to our descendents. We are both in and a part of our future. It is possible to in- fluence the course of our own dreams, but it requires cooperation, intelligen- ce, decisiveness and faith in ourselves and others with whom we share the same boat. When the Celgar representatives spoke the other evening, I thought of William Waldie and Sons. The Waldie mill both promoted and became an essential part of the fabric of this community, a part of our common heritage, in economics and in spirit. Things have changed greatly over the years from the small, rural com- munities on both sides of the river, communities which 1, a stranger, came to love so well. But no amount of wishing and reminiscing will bring that world back again because, like it or not, change is irreversible. In the days of sailing ships, wise captains took their ships on the full (flood) tide so that they were carried by the force of the Outgoing waters with plenty of room to move. Delinquent captains delayed and could find themselves hung up in the shallows or left high and dry in the harbor. Castlegar rode well on the Waldie tide. Now we are faced with a new one. Like it or not, it is time to close debate and get all hands to readying the ship to sail on the new, the flood it’stide. we are all in this boat together and it’s either get on with the job or face the frustrations of lost oppor tunity in the shallows for the foreseeable future As some wit wisely observed: “Being rich is not the only option in the world but it sure beats whatever is second best.”” John Charters is a local writer and authority on the heritage of the Castlegar area. His column, Reflec- tions and Recollections, appears in the Castlegar News. are: ... “‘delays of commercial flights into and out of Castlegar are likely to occur. . .”? and ‘*... will likely lead to increasing delays and perhaps cancellation of flights. . .’” These statements are incorrect. With the traffic levels of the Castlegar Airport, approximately 30,000 aircraft a year, the airport will operate with equal efficiency and safety witha flight safety system. For example, the Campbell River airport has more traffic than Castlegar — 45,000 aircraft a year — and Campbell River is under the jurisdiction of a flight safety system. The Campbell River operation is as efficient and as safe as that of Castlegar. - The next phase is to shut it down . . ., “*... cutting back a service at an airport such as Castlegar’s .. .”’ and **. . . to hack away ata service ...’" These statements are incorrect. The airport tower should not close. The airport tower should be reconfigured to a flight safety system, such as that of Campbell River Airport. The Castlegar Airport tower should be staffed with i flight system to help alleviate acute staff shortages elsewhere. . But also, the flight safety personnel staff complement would have to be increased by approximately four employees. This reconfiguration will bring Castlegar more in line with other airports in the area. Canadian flight safety specialists recognize the need, as stated by Transport Canada, for a higher degree of cost-effectiveness. We believe that can be done through elimination of duplication of services. But our primary concern is aviation safety and we can assure the flying Public that safety will remain the same as it always was in Castlegar. Gary Wilson President Flight Safety Specialist Association Monitoring needed As you are no doubt aware, Transport Canada has decided to reduce the level of air traffic control service at the Castlegar Airport. Effective July 1, Castlegar control tower will operate from 8. a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Currently, the facility operates from 7:30 a.m. until nightfall. Although Transport Canada has attempted to ensure that air traffic control will be provided for most, if not all, scheduled air carrier flights into Castlegar, what is most disturbing is the lack of consultation with the community and our safety personnel, exactly as there is in Campbell River. Flight safety specialists provide a level of safety equal to that provided by the current configuration at Castlegar. two controllers have been or will be laid Offsc5:5"" This is incorrect. If the Castlegar Airport is reconfigured to a flight safety system, no air traffic controller would be laid-off. The traffic controllers would be re-allocated within the air traffic control with respect to this reduction in service. Despite assurances from the bureaucratic level right up to the minister that prior to any reduction in service there would be consultation with the community, such consultation did not occur. I urge you to impress upon Transport Canada that this type of decision making is unacceptable and community input must be considered before decisions on levels of service are made. Given this latest move, it becomes increasingly important that the situation be closely monitored in order to ensure that air traffic control service remains at the Castlegar Airport. | look forward to the public meeting July 4. Dean McDonald Pacific Regional Director Canadian Air Traffic Control Association Cruelty protested This letter is to protest the action of the Person or persons who persist in abandoning families of cats at the Robson post office. These individuals are not only cruel and uncaring, but also don’t even have the decency to contact the animal control officer so that a loving home could be provided, instead of just abandoning the cats so they are out of sight and out of mind. Vera Salekin Postmaster Robson Post Office Please address all letters to the editor to: Letters to the Editor, Castlegar News, P.O. Box 3007, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H4, 0F-—deliver—them—to—our—office—at 197 Columbia Ave. in Castlegar. Letters should be typewritten, doubi: 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 9 a.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 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. Grad reflects on school life Editor's note: Stanley Humphries secondary school’s 1990 valedictorian Marcia Strelaeff gave the following speech at Saturday's grad ceremonies. By MARCIA STRELAEFF Welcome honored guests, ladies and gentlemen and feilow graduates. Here we are — the first class of the new decade, the 1990s! When most of us were in Grade 2, another new decade had just begun — the 1980s. Let’s reflect on the 80s. In 1980, the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope raised over $20 million. In 1981 Fy the metric system replaced the Im- Perial system which makes us the first generation using the metric system. In 1982, Wayne Gretzky came into gur lives and dazzled the whole world with his unique hockey skills. In 1983, the world went into a frenzy over the “‘cute’’ Cabbage Patch Kid dolls: In 1984, Brian Mulroney entered our lives as prime minister of our country. In 1985, the rapid spread of the deadly disease known as AIDS caught the world off guard. In 1986, a terrible end came to seven people's lives when the spaceship Challenger exploded just one minute after its launch. In 1987, a summit meeting Turner bids farewell to CALGARY (CP) — John Turner said goodbye Thursday to the Liberal Party in a stirring and bittersweet reflection on his career, his country and its constitutional chaos. And he told Quebecers that if it dies it will be due to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's incompetence rather than rejection by the rest of Canada. “The vast majority of English- speaking Canadians are making between the two superpowers took place in Geneva. In 1988, the Seoul, Korea, 23rd Summer Olympic Games will always be remembered by Canadians. Ben Johnson tested Positive for the use of steroids. And last, but not least — 1989 — the Berlin wall separating the two Ger- manys came down! This has got to truly be one of the greatest moves toward freedom in history. But what was happening with our grad class during all of these historical occurrences? Let's take a look Just prior to the then-new decade, in September 1978, in Grade 1, we took our first_steps towards (today’s graduation). Don’t you recall your mother dragging you to school while you were kicking, screaming and crying all of the way? Can you remember when you were in Grade 3 and learned how to write instead of print or the smelly dill-pickle flavored stickers your teacher put on your tests even if you didn’t pass. But then along came September 1985. Our big step from elementary school to junior high. Or, in other words, from ‘‘Hot Dog Day” at Ootischenia elementary to ‘*Mc- Donald’s Day’’ at KJ where you'd honest and sincere efforts to under. stand Quebec, to defend Quebec and never has Quebec been left isolated,” he said, in one of the most ate find people hollering ‘‘Where's the Beef?"’ This was a time in our lives which we will never forget, since this is where we first came together and started building the friendships which still remain today. Then along came the biggest step of them all — our move te Stanley Humphries secondary school. I'm sure that I'm speaking for the entire class when I say that we all had but- terflies in our stomachs since we've all heard horror stories about what the supposedly ‘‘mature’’ Grade 12s did to little Grade ‘‘9ers.’* Stuffing our heads between a locker door did not make us joyful back then, but when we became “‘mature”’ students in Grade 12, we went one step further and shoved a whole Grade ‘‘9er’’ in- toa locker. The most important People who had the greatest impact of ensuring our presence here today would most definitely be our beloved Parents. They were always there for us when we needed them and always will be. Thank you! Also, our teachers whom we saw everyday. Day in and day out. Some of us became very attached to our teachers and it has been very dif- ficult saying goodbye to them even he beseeched Liberals é ; addresses of his career. Turner, 61, a silver-haired, blue- eyed lawyer once described by Mulr. oney as-the Liberal dream in motion, entered the Saddiedome arena arm-in- arm with his wife, Geills, and backed by his daughter. and three sons to the in y televised address. ““Never, never, never, never."* By turns, Turner's powerful speech drew his predecessor Pierre Trudeau and would-be successors Jean Chretien and Paul Martin from their seats to applaud. though sometimes they couldn’t un- derstand why we were unable to un- derstand anything! A final farewell to you all. A most distinct change in our School history comes from the idea that we care enough about each other that we agreed to abstain from the use of alcohol and drugs during our graduation festivities. We've developed a bond between us that we will take with us through the rest of our lives. When we look back upon our years together, it wilt always bring a smile to our faces anbd a few tears down our ‘cheeks. As of this weekend, the paths of many of us will separate, but we still have strong and meaningful memories of each other_— which—hopefully we will create opportuni to renew. We've become more than just friends, we've become a family. We've helped each other in becoming what we are today. Graduates in the Class of 1990. Along the way we've picked up a few more graduates in our class. Some from as far away as Japan, Mexico and South Africa and you are @ wonderful addition to our class! We've learned a lot from you. party Turner, in his speech, reminisced fondly about the 1988 election and his spirited pitch against Mulroney’s free. trade deal with the United States Turner watched his rival win @ second Straight majority that year “Nothing made my return to public life (in 1984, after almost a decade in business) more worthwhile than being in that debate,"’ he said. 4 YEARS AGO From the June 22, 1950 Castle News The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited announced today that it has given to the Trail-Tadanac Hospital Board the main section of the Trai Tadanac hospital. The gift, valued at $160,000, means that the hospital board now owns the entire hospital building and is in a position to give consideration to possible plans for expansion or rebuilding. Built in 1926 by Cominco, the section now being given to the board comprises all that part of the building west of the alley entering Victoria Street. . 28 « The Castlegar and District Board of Trade received word from Mr. W.F. Kennedy, chairman of the Liquor Control Board, as to the requirements of a liquor store building in Castlegar. The building would have to be ap- proximately 25 feet frontage and 80 feet deep, with a rear entrance. . . Kinnaird Hall has been redecorated by an enthusiastic group of teenagers. Paint and kalsomine flew in all direc- tions and at times it was positively un- safe to turn a corner or open a door without warning. The consumption of pop was high but the amount of work accomplished was very gratifying. 25 YEARS AGO From the June 24, 1965 Castlegar News Kinnaird had to supplement its water supply on Monday from the river and is requesting its residents not water lawns and gardens between noon and 4 p.m. each day. . 2« « Plans for a park development at Syringa Creek ‘‘that should be the best of its kind in Western Canada’’ were disclosed at a meeting here last night by Hydro chairman Dr. H.L. Keenleyside. The park will have provision for permanent residents and a trailer camp as well as a wildlife centre or museum. It will also have a beach and nament Tuesday last week with 107 ladies participati a change house, boat | ram- Pps, campsite, group camps and a pi nic area. . . 8 The City of Nelson may pay the full $16,000 cost of purchasing an ad- ditional 70 acres of land for the Castlegar airport without financial assistance from either of the town villages of Castlegar or Kinnaird. . * 8 Unofficial returns from voting held last week indicate that a new one-year agreement had been reached between the coast locals of the Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada and their respec- tive employers. 15 YEARS AGO From the June 26,1975 Castlegar News 5 YEARS AGO From the June 23, 1985 Castlegar News The Central Kootenay Regional District board plans to ban all pesticide spraying on publicly owned lands within six of its 10 electoral areas, including the two areas that border Castlegar, areas I and J. oe 6 “Come home for Expo’’ will be Castlegar’s theme for Expo '86, says a spokesperson for the local Expo committee. . 8 A $21,000 study is underway to determine whether Castlegar’s National Exhibition Centre should be improved, added on to, or even rebuilt and relocated. + «© -« About $240,000 is available to the Kootenay private sector to develop tourism marketing and promotion strategies for the West Kootenay. o 8 8 Kinnaird elementary school and the Castlegar school district Wednesday honored the late Jim Corbett, a longtime teacher and principal in the district, by dedicating the Kinnaird elementary school library to his memory. applies June 1 thru July 2. ARROW LAKE ELEVATION 1427.82 ft. on June 23 Forecast of Elevation 1431.75 ft. by June 30 City council will not be enacting a bylaw governing pools but will leave the common law to take care of this problem. Council was told that in the event of an accident, involving a private swimming pool, fish pond, or other accumulation of water on private Property, the primary liability lies with the owner of the property. . 8 6 Slocan Community Hospital Board members in New Denver met with regional and provincial hospital ad- ministrators and were told that the village was slated to lose its hospital under legislation initiated under the former Social Credit government. Selkirk College is to become the fir- st community college to offer a first- year engineering program set out from the engineering department at the University of British Columbia. . 8 The Castlegar Golf Club held its Castlegar Ladies Open Golf tour- "IN MEMORY Walter Koftinow Walter A. Koftinow of Ootischenia passed away Wednesday, June 20, 1990, at Mount St. Francis Hospital at age 85. Mr. Koftinow was born Oct. 3, 1904, at Yorkton, Sask. He came to Ootischenia with his parents in 1911 and lived there all his life. During his life he worked as a logger. Mr. Koftinow enjoyed working on his hobby farm raising fruit and gardening and also singing. He was