ee a i OPINION NN I Ue The Casting Wednesday, October 20, 1993 Letters to the Editor If Free Trade Agreement is to live, the Labour Code must die Dear Editor: respect in their neighbourhoods You may wonder what someone from Small business in Revelstoke can only pr Revelstoke is up lo, writing to the residents hope that employment will generate chough of Castlegar. I'm writing as a victim of the spending power so that the chances of their survival can be sustained. (sound familiar?) astlegar Sun Lack of concern evident Dear Editor Designating the Sewage Sun Staff Reporter Lagoon Access as the new walk- Kerkhoff's byline way increases the distance thal a bridge access is potentially dan pedestrian has to walk almost a gerous", points out the Ministry kilometer and I can fully sympd hopes for a sane and healthy community of ise, Can we expect to compete with $7 a day labour? Karen Railway jar Sun A Conservative/Reform government can SHARLENE IMHOFF EDITOR VAN PUTTEN SPORTS REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER KAREN KERKHOFF REPORTER MARGE LALONDE CIRCULATION MANAGER SHAUNA KATTLER OFFICE MANAGER‘CLASSIFIEDS General Office Circulation Classified Ads Display Advertising IS PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG Direct Department Phones CATHERINE ROSS ADVERTISING REP NICOLE BEETSTRA ADVERTISING REP. CHRISTINE MOYER PRODUC TION MANAGER TRICIA LAKTIN PRODUCTION ASSISTANT 365-5266 365-5266 365-7848 365-2278 365-5579 365-7762 IS POLITICALLY INDEP! Weekly on Weds Member of Canadian Community and B.C. Press editorial comment 465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar. B.C ENOENT AN’ MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SE Established November 28. 19% Published by Sterling Newspapers Ltd inesdays Newspapers Assocabor B.C. Community Newspapers Associate Couneil Publications Mail Registration pending A product of our society Is it a sign of the times when a security guard needs to be hired in order to control youth who are running amok, intimidating senior citizens and leaving a mess wherever they go? John Shake your head Karen, you have been in the fog far too long and it has started to affect your judgement I can't see what benefit the first or second phase of Down town Revitalization will be when so many years of neglect ind unsound basic planning Practices have been the case Downtown Revite, in my has been a total waste of ime and money »pinion Over $1 million dollars was when I walk in beautiful downtown Castlegar” I can’t seem to see Those ure some pretty expensive trees, sidewalks and lightposts we have, tor that price you would think they. could have at least been gold plated In my view it takes a lot more than just new sidewalks and lightposts to turn downtown Castlegar into the nucleus of a prosperous centre Walking around in this city quickly gives any pedestrian a view of the lack of planning of the infrastructure. If a person two blocks away from iowntown they will see that no sidewalks and lights and they can't help but notice the poor condition of the roads. The. geography of the city is not compatible with a tradition- al city style that can support a Jowntown business core We have only one main road with businesses scattered spo- spent—and yet, around where the money went walks there are theek to Cheek no matter how it’s dressed up it’s still a junkyard underneath People who enter the store still consider it to be what it always was, plain and simple— a junkyard Downtown's in general are a dying commodity, most Canadi- an cities have been pumping money into their core hoping to rejuvenate the area. Structurally most large cities are built around the downtown core If you haven't realized Karen, Castlegar breaks every accepted ruling regarding the proper way in which a city core should be laid out and designed. We break all the rules and even with revi- Although we know that not all youth are devoid of basic good manners, indeed when someone has to be brought in to help control other people's children Such an occurrence happened when Castleaird Plaza Manager, Dale Bradley had to hire a secu rity guard to sit inthe vacant Canadian Impenal Bank of Commerce building to, in effect, babysit someone else’s children. Someone else's‘ chil dren who think nothing of getting drunk in the stairwell of the new Bank of C ‘commerce build ing, or who think nothing of leaving broken beer bottles for someone else to clean up. Someone else's children who think little of ruining other people’s property But whose children are they really? The teens who need to be babysat didn't just all of a sudden develop rudeness and unaccept able behavior—one has to assume that’s the case, considering that the brats aren't ashamed It is a scary ume radically along its 10 km stretch seems as though no real effort ito planning where the s were placed or two, then an ew more homes, a couple of stores, and ) the saying goes. By changing appearance we only change Outer wrapper, not the content Castlegar’s downtown needs much more than that to inject life inte It needs more than a $1 mil- lion face lift (you remember what I said about face lifts in an earlier column), it needs a full lobotomy talization it still shows. It will take more than just this new coat of paint to bring our downtown back to life Beauty 1s only skin deep—or ut the vanety, an auto — the What kind of planning — the lanning I say! xample junkyard that wants up” their rage. So vitalization—the y r and maybe even put down a new coat e end result is that a messy Have you ever heard the say- ing “If you don’t like it leave it"? Where do you get off coming into Castlegar and after one short year bashing it? You haven't lived here for 17 years, and so how can you speak about it as if you were born here? Quite frankly, those of us who have called this diamond in the rough our home are tired of outsiders coming in and making proclamations and judgements based on a very limited knowledge of the true history of our city The kind of knowledge I am talking about has nothing to do with what a person find’s in local history books. It is a knowledge born out of feeling both the pain and the Those who have lived here for a while know exactly what I'm talking about But don’t you dare come in here and start criticizing. You have just shown the epitome of rudeness. Would you go into someone else's home, and as a visitor Star criticizing them for the way they decorate it? joy of living here Karen I think not. So, why do you think you have the right to do it here? Downtown Revite is more than a dollar and cents thing It's about a community coming together and reflecting the growing pride they feel in their community. It’s a pride which has been hard-earned We have come a long way from being a “stinky little mill town”, We've all worked hard to overcome that perception and then along comes someone like you. We know your type. You move’ away from the big city to “get away from it all”. Then when you get here you com- plain the whole time and want to change it to fit your idea of what it should be. You come in, take what you need and move on. If you think that we need you or your type you have underestimated us No, we don’t have a museum of science and industry, and we don't have an opera, and we don't have huge malls for our kids to hang out in. What we do have are things that a person could never find in a big city We have a lower crime rate, beautiful beaches right outside our front doors, and the comfort of walking down the street and feeling safe. I suggest that if you want fancy you return to where you came from. We don’t pretend to be big city, nor do we ever aspire to become big city. We only want to improve that which we already have Granted Downtown Revite might not be what someone like you would expect. But for us in Castlegar it’s a pleasure to be able to walk downtown and know thatwe are Progress at its finest Downtown Revite came only seeing after careful consideration input and planning. What did you expect flashing neon lights? Sorry, but that’s not our style. Nor do I think it will ever be our style if you have any Call the newsroom at 365-5579 or fax us your org about this week's Cheek to Cheek, feel free to send us your comments in a letter to the editor c/o The Castlegar Sun. If you have a subject that you would like to see debated In the Cheek to Cheek column, Karen and John would love to hear your suggestions. mts and tr ts at 365-7762 of blatantly harassing senior citizens. Whose fault is it that these teens act this way? We sus pect, that in a way, it is all our faults What subtle message have we, as’ a society, Wha been sending to our children when we ignore the | out an) needs, both physical and emotional of our senior citizens? Most other cultures revere their elders who occupy an honored place in their family’s homes. Here in Canada it is not unusual to see homeless senior citizens standing on a comer begging for food or money. It is also not unusual to hear about elder abuse when we tum on our televisions or pick up the paper. It is said our children lear by example, and if that is true Canada should hang its head in shame What sort of example have we been setting when we treat our children with the same sort of disregard and disrespect that they are now show- ing others? If we want to point fingers we need | urban p look no further than ourselves. If the actions of To d our youth are a sign of the times, then surely closed is time to put them on the right road by them the right signals : Otherwise, they are heading down a dead-end road. We only need to view our own neighbor hood to understand why our children are taking a wrong tum in life—we have given them the wrong directions accordin nately, if institut service “impr Imag in a bar or at a ¢ office All service describe erhmen close d post giving ERRORS The advertser agr damages ansing out of errors in ammount paid for the space actually to the negligence of its servants kability for non-insertion of any advertise paid for such advertisement the Tory t gher by now, but for the ded. would Canada be like with- f 2s? “Improved g to Canada Post. Unfortu- what has taken place since ar postal plan was ) is any indication oft anything but improvement over being served by a trained post master. That's typical Canada Post logic As you may be starting to realize, the word “improve” crops up quite en in Canada Post p.r. lingo. And judging by what passes for improve- ment in Canada Post's eyes, you may also suspect, quite correctly, that this lingo is more akin to dou- blespeak, if not outright deception, than of actual description. Little wonder that Canada Post was given the annual “Doublespeak” award in 1990 by the Canadian Association of Teachers of English! These closures in themselves seem pointless enough, but particu- larly so in light of the fact that Canada Post has in the past few years reported record profits, with millions going to upper manage- ment salaries and such dubious rk of the National Citizens s: s as Skydome boxes for n, Rural Dignity of important” But tell that to Canada Post and their p.r. lackies will calmly reply that no money is actually saved by losing post offices, anyway, Whitehorse and they're only doing it to “improve” service. There’s that word again Sc, if no money is being saved and the “improvements” are a joke, shat could possibly be the driving down an entire In one word simply put operation by post off ning postal service case in Ymur, B.C n Legion, as in West r at a school board ybrook, Alberta. improvements in anada Post would are part of this gov- larger ten year plan to all of our 5,221 rural ices plus hundreds more St offices by 1996. er 1500 have been number might have stl believes that are only a rural phe any larger cities such as ntcton wn are now devoid of postal outlets tive for closing untry's post offices rivatization. Quite amline the whole ysing down the less profitable perations, meaning 1. Postal. wicket service. and the nployees making decent wages providing that service (1.¢. postmas up behind ters & C.V.P.W. employees) are toast. Have you noticed how lineups at Castlegar Post office keep getting longer? Ever wonder what happened to all the workers? Canada Post has cut back their hours and marked them for extinction 2. Having closed the post office, dump responsibility for service on to a retailer who can not possibly maintain the previous level of ser- vice, but build it up to the public as “improved service” citing “longer hours of service and better parking”, and bogus public approval ratings. As if Canada Post cares about public approval anyway—they never asked for communities approval to close down their post offices! 3. Having decimated the ranks of workers and replaced them with automation and cater purely to the profitable big business class. Have you noticed junk mail increasing? You're beginning to catch on. The result of all these changes, many of which have been achieved by stealth is to make the whole operation appealing for pur- chase by the private sector. Bingo! Canada Post and the fed eral government will of course deny the existence of a privatiza tion plan. even though much of tt has already been achieved, and even though the government's wn standing committee report on Moving the Mail, April 1990 recommended total privatization However, as the saying goes, the wmniting is on the wall We in Rural Dignity believe What’s the true definition of “improved”? that privatization of our postal ser- vice is a national tragedy. Since the post office was never intended to be a profit making enterprise but rather a service to all Canadi ans, putting profits first as has been demonstrated by the massive postal closures of the past seven years, inevitably means the end of genuine postal service An election footnote: at this time. the NDP. the National Party the Liberals and the Greens all Tory privatization plan For their part. the Reform Party promises to privatize all ¢ reject the Corporations Sandra Groe ing.inm Robson E tor for Rural D en US-Canada Free Trade deal, and I’m trying to warn of the threat of the NAFTA deal that will come about if we do not Stop the madness CP Rail in Revelstoke is currently down- sizing and relocating as a direct result of the National Transportation Act of 1987 which then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan, demand- ed from Mulroney before the larger U.S.- Canada “Free Trade” deal Unfortunately the threat of the so-called trade agreements have. been buried in hypnotic media focus on national leaders, while workers and their families continue to worry about dollars in their pockets and self- Gender politics is not the “Free” Dear Editor: I have voted for the NDP for all of my 24 voting years, but in this election campaign I have to ask the obvious question. Is Heather Suggit the best candi- date for the NDP—or the best “woman” candidate? It was quite clear to me when Gerald Rotering So boldly stepped aside for Heather that the NDP was indulging in affirmative action politics. How many other good male candidates were discouraged from running? Early in the election campaign, Audrey MacLachlan boasted when the NDP nominated its 100th woman candidate by accla- Be practical Dear Editor: I am sure by now, most of us have heard enough Political thetoric to last us until the next election. However, may I suggest at this time, that we forget Poli tics and cast our vote for practi- cal considerations. When Bob Brisco served this Riding, he was on the Govern- ment side in Parliament. Koote- nay West was very well served by our voice with the Party in power. The next Government in Ottawa will be formed by the Liberal Party, according to mst of the polls, and has been accept ed by a major Party Leader. It You are followin Columbia - Kootenay The Columbia - Kootenay in June, Columbia - and resource planning chal Kootenay area region The Columbia River Treat Small Business, Benefits Committee; information with you on communities of the Colu Please drop in for inf The information sessions 9:00 p.m. in these commun October 27 Castlegar October 28 Kaslo October 29 Revelstoke November 3 Golden November 4 Cranbrook November 5 Valemount November 8 Nakusp Kootenay Symposium at 5 each evening. Your input w Wally Penner, Manager Kootenay Region Ministry of Small Business Tourism and Culture toll free in Nelson 1-800-663-7824 Tourism and Culture; and B.C presentation, and some light refreshments For further information, ple “Free” trade, the C have to die. ed workplaces such mation. How many men would have run if they had not been dis couraged from doing so. A week later Audrey again stated that even if only a few NDP candidates were elected it was very important for women. The NDP then held a celebra tion in Kamloops to recognize the special contribution of women to the NDP. I believe men have also made a substantial contribution, but ho special day was set aside to cel. ebrate that. Then Audrey went on the attack against the Reform Party, chastis. ing them for declaring their inten- tion to remove matemity pay from forget politics makes practical, common sense that we send a Liberal to Ottawa, to represent our Kootenay-West Revelstoke Riding Dr. Garry Jenkins is a commit- ted community server and will make an excellent member to represent this Riding in Ottawa. I sincerely hope we don’t miss this opportuniiy to have our Voice in Ottawa be with the Party in power. The next Government will guide this country into a better future. Dr. Garry Jenkins should be part of the Government N.T. Oglow Castlegar invited toa Community Information Session g up on the Symposium of June 1993 Symposium, held in Castlegar brought people together from throughout the to discuss a range of economic lenges facing the future of the y Committee; the Ministry of the Downstream Hydro would like to share their initiatives affecting the umbia - Kootenay area, and receive your views and ideas on these activities. ormal discussion, a_ brief and be sure to bring a friend or neighbour. will take place from 4:00 to ities: Nakusp Recreation Centre Sandman Inn, Castlegar Kaslo Community Hall Revelstoke Community Centre Golden Civic Centre Inn of the South, Cranbrook Valemount Community Hall The Columbia River Treaty Committee will be reporting back on future directions resulting from the Columbia OO p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m ill be welcomed ase call or Josh Smienk, Chair Columbia River Treaty Committee in Nelson (604) 352-6665 If government is to continue on the path, of nada Labour Cod The Code is the legislated relation ship of minimum standards in federally-regulat s railways, federal services, and telecommunications and is a vehicle for the sane, rational interrelationship of government, business management and workers. It contains laws on child labour of payment, health and safety, hours in a day or wee, and dispute settlement obstacle to those interests who would see us enslaved under born-in-the U.S.A that would kill our standards of living and our Code would methods It is also an schemes not realistically be depended upon to keep the The Liberals would not cancel the deals, promise anything to these deals would cause party that opposes these “free” ments, The CCF was indirectly responsible for the initia wimp out on us. They and they can’t alleviate the disaster The NDP is the only trade agree on of the Canada Labour Code Until such that time that all of us accept our own responsibility for maintenance of a civilized relationship, we each will, continue to demand the unatta friends, you know what your priorities are ble...cast your ballots wisely RW Mackie Revelstoke way to a healthy Canada the UIC Audrey stated system. | ‘as women we Does she not think that men have an interest in maintaining matemity leave? Her statement infers that she thinks men don’t give a damn. This week Audrey is complaining about the anti-women vote. In Audrey's Case, it’s not an anti-women vote, it’s an anti-woman vote. Would the NDP represent the interest of all Canadians or only female Canadians. Federally and provincially the NDP seems to be abandoning the principles of democ racy and equality in the interest of pleasing special interest groups. have to stop them Now is not the time for gender site s. Now is the time for all Canadians to work together to save their country We do not need a party that works to please the Women, or the Westerners, or the Quebecers, or the Americans, or the Polls, for that matter. We need a party that repre: sents the interests of all Canadians equally We need a National Party. Not the Best Man. Not the Best Woman. The Best Candidate. We need Bev Collins. Rod Retzlaff Glade of Transportation and Highways total lack of concern for pedestri ans while designing the new Castlegar-Robson bridge From the time that the Castle gar ferry was removed pedestri ans have had to run the gauntlet atong side speeding traffic from the Raspberry Village (Marshall Road) to the Pass Creek bridge with almost no room to walk alongside the highway, especially in the winter when pedestrians are forced to walk on the high way itself inside ‘of the snow ploughed area To make matters guardrails were placed on the approach to the Pass Creek Bridge forcing walkers to walk in traffic twice the distance needed for the actual bridge crossing Finally, walkways have been added to the bridge but loose gravel has been used for the approaches instead of proper sidewalks and persons using motorized wheelchairs and others pushing baby strollers are seen being forced to used the roadway rather then the new walk Snow plowing this approach, likely not considered, will be a difficult problem as well as win- ter nears worse thize with anyone looking for ‘a short cut This has increased the walking distance from Robson to Castlé- gar by three kilometers from the time the ferry was in use and some provision should have been made to shorten this walk. If the Department of High- ways is truly interested in pede$- trian safety, immediate steps should be taken to improve this situation at once rhis should also include a review of the dangerously sharp corner and hazardous Slopes on the new Robson interchange for here it is nat only dangerous for pedestrians, but for vehicles as well Byng Giraud POKER 6:00 pm City Centre Square Sun., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 365-3752 yA th KaaTAGS . <-> dipStore Specials LOO LOWY TO Metmticny '6 DAYS ONLY' Mount and Balance 2 Tires (passenger car) $99 Monday, October 18 until Sunday, October 24 (only with h this coupon) on location - Saturday, October 23 “Join us for coffee and donuts!” OPEN SUNDAYS October 24 - December 5 10-00 am - 3:O0 pm 7 mS 365-2955 24 HOUR ROAD SERVICE 1507 COLUMBIA AVE., CASTLEGAR VIN 1H8