April 30, 1989 Aa Castlégar News OPINION Michael Wilson ~ shouldn't resign | The sounds you heard Wednesday night were those of knees jerking across the country in reaction to-the news: that information about the federal budget hag been leaked to Global television in Toronto. * The shrill cries tor federal Finance Minister Michael Wilson's resignation are typical of the deeply entrenched controntational at titude among political parties of all stripes in this country. That is, an attitude of “let's attack the government at every opportunity” in the hope that some of the flung mud will stick long enough and make political points for the opposition among voters come election time One begins to feel that a government minister anywhere in Canada could be criticized tor helping a senior citizen cross the street The minister owes ‘the people of this country an explanation why he was escorting the senior citizen on the lett instead of the right,” we can envision an opposition critic, finger stabbing the oir dramatically in front of the television cameras in the House, shouting at the minister But back to Mr. Wilson We're curious how he can be expected to shoulder the blame tor @ scurrilous act of theft over which he had no control Sure, long-standing British parliamentary tradition calls for a finance minister to resign if information about a budget is leaked But surely it's carrying a principle too tar to expect Mr. Wilson to resign as a result of someone's deliberate criminal act Retired Liberal senator and constitutional expert Eugene Forsey showed retreshing common sense in his comments about the whole budget leak affair He is responsible in one sense, Mr. Forsey said of the tinance minister, “but you can't expect the man to stay in the bedroom ot every official in his department to see they don't sneak it (the budget) down to somebody at the door CERI Letters to the editor USCC has opportunities here I'read with was in keeping with the multiculturalism: some amusement a USCC statement about the possibility spirit of It was decided that movement” by the the English/Russian __ bilingual program would be expanded within a of a ‘‘group Doukhobor community to Russia (Castlegar News, April 23) This article bemioans the fact that * Assimilation threatens to swallow us up.”” Assimilation, like most ideas, tras several facets. There must be a force to assimilate someone and that someone must either want it or be forced into it Canada, unlike its southern neigh bor, has chosen multicUlturalism as its model for-national unity. The central idea behind this model is that the diver sity of language, culture and heritage is the glue that makes us one nation. Af ter all, Canadians are more than 90 per cent ot immigrants trom someone else's country. In Canada, there is no legal indeed, to requirement Lo assimilate; force assimilation is strictly forbidden by law This does not exclude those people who wish others to assimilate into their vision of what is Canada. The recent outcry by some in our community against the English/ Russian bilingual program is an example of this. [he majority of the school board of School Districy No. recognizing the 9 (Castlegar), although concern of these people, chose to pursue an action that year’s time Ihe national law, plus the actual means, in the form of the English/ Russian bilingual program, is Doukhobor available to the com munity to retain its language of heritage. This excellent language op tion which begins in kindergarten is children, be open for all they of Russian ancestry or not. Close to halt of the students in this program are of non-Russian ancestry The USCC central point their statement misses one The vast majority owe allegiance to Canada, not to Russia. We were born here, gue fathers were born here. Our immediate past and our future is in Canada. To view the local Doukhobor community as Russian is to view the dogwood tree as a product of the planet Neptune This brings us back to the issue of assimilation here is no legal force to assimilate the Doukhobors. If a Doukhobor wishes to assimilate, he or she ts tree to. If a Doukhobor wishes to participate in the multicultural modet of Canada, he or she is free to. USCC dering of its future in Canada or indeed I am amused by the pon. Forests minister should step down In late winter, Mr. Dave Parker, the forests minister, and his associates travelled to eight centres of our province to introduce their policy of doubling TFLs (tree licences) My understanding is it will farm mean doubling clearcuts, slash burning and waste. Citizens from these areas were invited td present briefs (not exceeding 15 minutes) with their responses to such procedures In Nelson, briefs were read trom 8:30a.m. to midnight with appropriate breaks for meals. These briefs were presented by the mayor of Silverton, a member of the city council of Nelson, the leader of the Band, alliances, loggers and citizens Kootenay Indian representatives of watershed There were some very moving and fine presentations representing people in these valleys many Mr. Parker's response in the media was that he had not heard from the public, only special interest groups Just who is the public? After hearing these presentations, he plans to carry out his original plan Anly representative of our interests who cannot hear the voice of people should be asked to step down In the first week of May, anyone who teels strongly about this issue is asked to send a telegram to Premier Bill Van. der Zalm requesting that the present forests minister step down in favor of someone who can hear the voices of the people of B.C these—are—other ,» someone who knows aliernatives1oclear cuts Three names on one telegram will cost very little Will you join the blitz? M. Beley Nelson Ro Castlegar News ABLISHEO AUGUST INCOPPORATING THE MID. WEEK MIRROR PUBL Lv. CAMPBELL PUBLISHER DITO! (OF THE 8.C. PRESS COUNCIL PUBLISHER AUGUST 7 FEBRUARY 15, 1973 Burt Campbeit RW — Simon Birch PLANT FOREMAN ADVERTISING MANAG! OFFICE MANAGER CIRCULATION MANAGER Peter Hotve; R= Gary Fleming Linda Kositsin Heather Hadley anywhere else. However, there is USCC which does not amuse me something in the statement it makes meangry If the USCC is assimilation, it should totally support towards worried about real steps multiculturalism, such as the English/Russian bilingual ‘ogram. If it is worried about the loss of its language, it would advocate the enrolment of its children and gran dchildren in this program. If the USCC is interested in cultural preservation, it would be a leader in the local multicultural movement. If Sto I-recently had the pleasure of ski touring to the top of Old Glory Moun it is_in- formerly a Forest Service fire The peak affords a view, west to tain, lookout panoramic south to Spokane, east to the Salmo: Osoyoos, Creston pass and north across Nancy Greene Lake to the Valhalla Moun tains. li. was this view north with its checkerboard clearcut pattern which attracted my attention. The amount ot area which hay been clearcut in the four years since my previous visit is astounding The effect on the environment will be immeasurable. The rate and timing of flow of the water into our water sheds likely to deteriorate and erode and new will be affected, the soils are wildlife habitats are created while old ones are destroyed I read recently that when an area is clearcut, one of the which many changes occurs is a shift in the bird population from insect-to-seed-eating birds. In the event that spruce bud. worm or mountain pine beetle infested the area, the natural checks and balan. ces_of a diversified forest would be missing. In effect, clearcut logging can terested in heritage, it would become politically active in the numerous heritage projects in our province To date, the USCC leadership has been minimal in these areas The USCC, in considering this idea slaps in the face those people Who work hard to of a “group movement, preserve the wealth of cultural diver sity in our province. Locally, it slaps in the face those people of non-Russian ancestry who enrolled their children in Russian language courses. | can put up with some of the local color for which the Doukhobors have become so clearcu be seen as al cause of, rather a remedy to disease dnd insect invasion in our forests. Tree farm'’ management is gradually changing our uneven-aged diversified forest to, even-aged single species plantation. These blocks of trees of the same species and age are much simpler to keep track of than a natural forest. This is one of the reasons this antiquated management system has survived. It discounts the fact that forests are not simple but an intricate relationship between many species and environmental factors Gordon Robinson, in his recently published book, The Forest and the Irees, said that German foresters are appalled to see their counterparts in North mistakes they made. America making the same He also states that our educational institutions often show both sides of a Conflict, but fail to take a stand them- selves, offering that in their capacity as teachers they must remain neutral. He goes on to say that we earn more by example than by what we hear; in this case we have a role model for keeping ourselves out of trouble from The change clearcutting to famous. These are sectarian acts which one can pick up or leave alone. The USCC turns its back on the local op- portunity to retain its language and culture. It turns its back on helping retain their language and Itis this behavior which makes meashamed of being a Doukhobor. Some of the USCC leadership may emigrate to Russia. If any do, | wish them well. | for one would rather live others culture here and participate in the continuing building of adecent, caring and under- standing society in Canada Mickey V. Kinakin t i i responsible forest management. is inevitable if our forests “and forest in- dustry are to Forest panies can be likened to young children survive com who at Christmas writg: **Dear Santa, I want everything!" And they expect that they should receive it, as they have Hopefully, we can convince these forest companies been “good” all year that even if they have been good, like our children, they still cannot expect it all. It strikes me that applying pressure on Brazil to stop clearcutting its forests while we do nothing to change this same practice in our own forests is, at least, hypocritical 1 egcourage people who are concer ned to get involved in any way’ they can, no matter how small. Alerting your local politicians as to your views and concerns would be a good start Politicians consider every letter they 10 similar opinions. Your letters and phone calls receive to be indicative of encourage others to make their views known Help stop clearcutting, so we can save our forests and forest industries Jim Ross Winlaw Choice lacked concern As recent citizens of the area, my husband and I have had little occasion to read your paper, as we live in Trail We happened to be in Castlegar, today (April 14) and purchased the April 12 issue of the Castlegar News I was quite shocked when | looked at the paper and my husband, when I ex pressed iy reaction to it, said that his He had read it before me. Our concern was because of reaction was the same. a picture on the front page We were saddened to hear of the tragic deat of Mr. Gerald Corbett and very sympathetic towards his friends and loved ones. Our feelings were that, if we were the family, we would not want to pick up the morning's paper and see such a devastating picture of our loved one. - Please let us remember them in more pleasant times, for example, in pic tures that we chopse for obituaries Are not caskets closed of those who have been in serious accidents, out of respect and concern for the grieving friends and relatives? We are grateful for the freedom that we have in Canada and certainly, freedom of the press, but please, what about human compassion? Let’s try to spare the feelings of others who have suffered a loss as if one day it may be our own Patrinna Moores Trail Trustee gives assurances Lest your readersnot read beyond the headline, ‘‘School taxes please let me assure the that the governm up an average $57, public has in. creased the homeowner's grant by $50 for the ordinary citizen and $80 for seniors. Thus, the increase in school taxes for the average home is $7 and much Jess for seniors _in-the-tax year ahead : Lest your readets think that their locally elected school trustees are com: pletely out of control, let me assure them that our school system's needs and thus our bugge} — is quite com. parable to what is happening elsewhere inthe province Costs are up and new demands are constantly upon us. The government recognized this state of affairs and gave the public @ tax deduction instead of giving school boards more money Gordon Turner, Chairman Castlegar school board LETTERS Angus Thodeson’s lettér, to the editor under the headline “Police methods not liked’’ in the Castlegar News April 9, bring to mind instances of very obvious inconsistencies in the treatments received by automobile drivers on public highways at the han- ds of the highway patrol arm of the law Such variables are a’ strong in- dication that there may be a possibility of a lurking multiple standard of fair- ness from which the highway patrol officer enjoys the liberty of. choosing what to apply in certain supposed in: fractions of the Motor Vehicle Act, such as mode of behavior displayed by a vehicle driver can be deemed a violation of highway rules what that can result inan accident, and what can not It would be interesting at this point nstance in which a into con to cite a deplorable driver who did not take sideration what speeding could cause on a snow/slush covered road surface, had not only mildly violated a highway safety rule by not driving with ‘due care and attention,’ but visibly “drove to a common danger” as evidenced by his behavior in the cir cumstances of the accident in this in stance The behavior of the driver in question caused a collision to happen in which the struck vehicle was written off by ICBC The driver left the scene of the ac- cident before the RCMP arrived on the scene to assess what happened. Upon enquiry at the Castlegar RCMP detachment, the owner of the struck vehicle was informed ‘‘no charges had been laid against the offending driver’ in question In further pursuit of seeking fairness and justice, the owner complained to Nelson whether it was not justifiable to bring the offending driver to accountability for dangerous behavior on the road, the prosecutor's office in and received correspondence from the prosecutor's office stating as follows “Upon RCMP in Castlegar, and in light of the driver's assertion that he lost control communicating with the of his vehicle due to the slush on the road, the police determined that_it would be impossible to sustain a con- viction in criminal court for driving without due care and attention.” Therefore no charges were jaid. Indisputably the politician and the bureaucrat who are responsible for laying down the rules of the road, and the applicable deterrent measures to prevent the steady, unabated rise in the accident rate, are found to be highly susceptible to reneging on their responsibilities to the motoring public at large Who cares? It is not ICBC reason to complain! All it is delegated to doisto that has Take it from Peter and give it to Paul"? Whether Paul deserves it or not isan item obscured in the mist of public ignorance and disunity Should ICBC run low, no matter, jack up the in reserves threaten to surance premiums of the whole lot, irrespective of driving records of drivers with “life-long” ac- cident-free driving experiences. The “‘claim-rated”’. scale which is meritorious current the yard-stick employed in dispensing claims in accident-related situations can be construed as closely related to a sham. It may be that the time is getting close to initiate dissent and a possible revamp to the lax horse-and-buggy rulesof the road and institute a realistic and practical approach that will say “The violator of highway rules must be given to understand that the safe driver'on the public highways will no subsidize the accident longer tolerate and whims and follies of the eausers A sensibletook at a formation of a focal Safe Drivers’ League is long overdue Any and consciehtious subscribers topresent the chatienge? John Perepolkin Slocan Park interested April 30, 1989 Castlegar News 45 VANCOUVER (CP) — Westar Group is running ity coal, timber and shipping operations more efficiently but needs to trim more debt, shareholders were told at the resource company’s annual meeting, ‘Our company’s debt remains at an unacceptably therefore debt continues to be a top company president Jack Smith told “Also, we are now at the stage in our development where it is essential that we seek and obtain high level, priority," Shareholders. new equity in the Westar Group.” Shareholders seemed unimpressed by Smith's assessment. As in previous years, many lined up at microphones to complain about disappointing results and the nagging problem of subsidiary Westar Mining's unresolved debt Some demanded Smith take a 10-per-cent pay cut until the 10-year-old company pays dividends for the first time. Others suggested the directors get volunteer help from retired executives “L consider this company a non-profit organization," one irate shareholder told the meeting of about 250 people. ‘Why. don't we register as a non profit organization and get the privileges there.”” The Social Credit formed Westar, formerly called the B,C. Resources Investment Corp. or “Brick” for short, in 1979 to privatize several Crown resource companies government Five tree shares were issued to every eligible British Columbian Westar reported net earnings of $2.8 million o: sales of $87.5 million for the first quarter ended March 31, down from $11.5 million on sales of $79.5 millioti for the same period in 1988 POSTED GAINS The company reported earnings of $17.3 million on sales of $339 million in 1988, compared to a loss of $307.8 million on sales of $273.7 million the year betore But only $2.3 million was shaved from its long-term debt of $434.9 million. Smith said iestructuring Westar Mining's $330 million in debt continues to trouble the group, which owns about 68 per cent of the mining operation No alternatives plans to juggling the debt have sur- faced since preferred shareholders turned down a Westar debt too high, boss says proposal, backed by Westar Group, at a metting April 6. The plan called for giving shareholders about $8.40 or about one third of the $25 they paid for each preferred share in 1984. Fhe company’s debt piled up after an unsuccessful venture into North $¢a oil and development of the Greenhills nine in southeastern British Columbia just before coal prices tumbled. “Discussions will continue with-lenders regarding the financial viability of Westar Mining,"’ Smith said Despite debt problems, said Smith, the company’s productivity has improved, particularly at_the com pany’s coal shipping facilities at Roberts Bank, south of Vancouver “‘AtWestshore Terminals, our employees continue to set records, utilizing the terminal's existing assets for maximum efficiency." MORE SHIPMENTS The terminal shipped more than 19 million tonnes of coal to 21 countries, up almost three million tonnes from the year before. Daily lumber production at Westar Timber mills increased to more than 26 million board feet a day from just under 25 million the year before Despite those improvements, operating income from the mills dropped to $8.5 million from $29.5 million the year before Smith blamed the rising value of the Canadian dollar, reduced U.S. and the provincial government's higher stumpage fees. demand for lumber “vis obvious that theré are some serious inequities in the way the government issnow extracting economic Smith said nment should review its policy to ensure all sectors oF the industry pay their fair share rent from the forest industry, The gover Westar is still looking for someone to buy Westar Petroleum, which has been hurt by a 26 per cent drop in the price received from oil Smith said the need for more capital investment and volatile oil and watural gas prices “are too great Lor us with out current extreme debt load Westar should be sold off by the third quarter, he said, JIM BROWNE «+. Mew assistant GM Celgar appoints new exec Celgar Pulp Co. has announced the appointment of Jim Browne as assistant general manager of its operations in Castlegar Browne is a professional engineer who graduated from the University of Waterloo with a bachelor of science degree if 1968 and a master of science degree in 1969. — POTPOURRI — Zor 4 Lace Hat Sachet SF Victorian style hat tilled wits Heart Picture Frame Shirred satin or moire, with ruttled lace trim, ribbon Hanging Lace Hearts Filled with potpourri, joined Near or Far It's Time to Mail Her Gift & Card!! CRYSTAL FIGURINES % 2 Ooi MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS... See our selection of Buxton Wallets, Travel Jewellery Boxes & Summer Jewellery, Mom's Brag Books, Boxed Note & Letter Paper, Photo Albums Bookmark Buddies Functional Ldveable Prior to joining Celgar Pulp on March 1, he was the pulp mill superin tendent at W eldwood's mill in Hinton, Alta., where he was heavily involved with its expansion SPRING tm CLEANING? > Start with the in- LAURA WILLIAMS 8.St. Nutritionist Le Jardin éna Le Jardin D’ Amour Frogrance Sots & Singles PAVLOVA REG Carl's Drugs “::" $39.50 Free Gitt Wrapping 365-7269 For Mom Weekly stocks TORONTO (CP) — Stock prices rallied in Toronto on Friday in hopes of relaxed interest rates, but leery in- vestors pushed prices down slightly in New York The Toronto Stock Exchanges 300 composite index rose 27.29 points to 3,627.85, for a 24.39-point increase last month. over the week The Dow Jones average of 30 in dustrial slipped 0.19 to 2,418.80, finishing the week with a net gain of 9.34 points to United States that the market would do better Ing. interest-rate Hopes had been high in th following the release of Commerce Ihe Department figures showing leading economic indicators continued to fall The numbers provided new evidenye the economy was slowing down and in A terest rates fell in the credit markets Toronto's market players were more optimistic, said John Ing of Maison Placements Canada ~The bond markets gave alitt tothe general market giving encouragement sensitive financial services and utilities,** U.S. “hopes the economy will slow down and central banks will relax pressure on indicators also led to interest rates in the eternal hope that rates willcome down dollar stocks strong U.S. alsoy saw sagging gold The historically move in opposite direc tions Gold and silver led decliners, oft 2.15 per cent, tottowed by pipelines, down 0.64 per cent two stocks like On other Canadian markets Friday, the Vancouver Stock Exchange dipped 774.86, a loss of 16.29 the week. The Montreal said 1.36 points to points on WIN A HOLIDAY anit AT THIS STORE Stock Exchange’s portfolio index was up 22.09 points to 1,844.12-for a gain of 26.51 on the week Teck earnings rise VANCOUVER (CP) Teck Corp. has reported net earnings of $25.4 million or 31 cents a share for the quar ter ended March 31, up 75 per cent from $14.5 million or 18 cents a share earned year earlier Revenue rese to $78 million from $57 million Teck said the increase in earnings was due primarily to higher profits from Highland Valley Copper and Comined Ltd. as a result of stronger metal prices. saa COOKED HAM . wott $ MEAT LOAF SHAVED . OVERLANDER 66 ¢ BAVARIAN .......100 GUY DELI DELIGHTS BULK WEINERS EGULAR OR BBQ. 81 88° - LIMIT 10 LBS. WITH ‘AMILY ORDER OVERLIMIT $2.62 KG. OR $1.19 LB. Cartoon Movies at Dixie Lee Please address all Letters to the Editor to: The Castlegar News, P.O. Box 3007, Castlegar B.C. VIN 3H4| or deliver them to our office at 197 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar Letters should be typewritten double-spaced ond not longer than 300 words Letters must be signed and include the writer's tull nome and address. Only in very exceptional cases will letters be published without the writer's name. 3s, the name and eddress of must be disclosed to the The Costlegor News reserves the right fo edit letters tor brevity, clarity, legality ond grammor ALBERTA GEM POTATOES 20 wee No. 2 BANANAS $2 86¢ kg. /ib. 396 FRESH EGGS for-onty FF rte wootes ton Great Hollywood classic cartoon movies you can own for less than’ rental prices I! bent Build your own library SHORTENING 5295 NasoB GROUND cRIsScO 3 LB. CANNISTER . . E. LIMIT 2 WITH $25 FAMILY ORDER. OVERLIMIT $3.49 REGULAR OR INE. COFFEE $199 LIMIT 2 WITH $25 FAMILY ORDER. OVERLIMIT $2.49 with movies such as: * Popeye * Bugs Bunny * Porky Pig * Superman * Three Stooges * and more! Take home Dixie Lee and your favourite cartoon movie serve the right to limit quantities Prices limited to stock on hand. PRICES EFFECTIVE SUN., MON. TUES... WED. OPEN SUNDAYS Community CENTRAL FOODS mi 10 o.m.-5 p.m. 2717 Columbie, Costleger Cartoon movies on VHS for only $2. with any purchase over $10 ™ at Dixie Lee. 2816 Columbia Avenue Castlegar “2A Busine your business needs. with the same yours. That's what's thrives on the competitive spirit. That's why.AirBC now serves more of the west, more often. With a schedule timed to your business day, and service geared to Our people, you see, approach their work enthusiasm you show in powered our growth into an airline that connects 27 business centres in B.C. and Alberta. And AN AIR CANADA CONNECTOR Go when the spirit moves you. world Now that's what we call spi The new spirit of the west. he more than that, AirBC is an Air Canada Connector. So every flight counts for Aeroplan miles, plus the convenience of one ticket, one-stop check-in through Vancouver or Calgary to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and to all other Air Canada destinations across Canada and business spirit moves you, call your travel agent or AirBC (Ae =e = TO MONTREAL TOOTTAWA TO ToRONTO round the rit! And when the WEST'S TRAVEL AGENCY 1217-3rd Street, Castlegar 365-778 HENNE TRAVE Bay Avenue, Trail 368-5595