Ee UN ee

OPINION

Cc stl 5; Ny. N
PAGE A4, SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1991
MEMBER OF THE 8.C. PRESS COUNCIL

ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980
INCORPORATING THE MID-WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978 AUGUST 27, 1980

LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUARY 15, 1973

PUBLISHER. - Burt Campbell
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iB

EDITORIAL

Pitching in
ideas for park

Castlegar residents haven’t had a lot of recreation projects to
cheer about in the last few years with the exception of the Aquatic
Centre.

But there seems to be a lot of.enthusiasm for the proposed water-
front park along the Columbia River between Inland Gas Park and
Zuckerberg Island.

Already people are suggesting ideas of what the city should in-
clude in the 70-acre park, tentatively called Twin Rivers Park. One
Suggestion which sounds like a good idea is a pitch-and-putt golf
course.

There are several such courses, generally nine or 18 par-3 holes,
on the Lower Mainland and during the summer they’re packed with
players. With the popularity of golf here in the West Kootenay a pit-
ch-and-putt in Castlegar seems like a natural.

It would also have the added benefit of being a source of
revenue. As one person described it, the course could be a “gold
mine’ for the city which, according to Harry Stan, ive director

} ..MIND YOU..THE SMELL

DOES LEND THIS PLACE A

UNIQUE FLAVOUR...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Vander Zalm is not solely to blame

As a B.C. native (Castlegar) in Political exile
(Queen’s University Department of Politics), I was
overjoyed to hear of the results of the Hughes

of the Castlegar and District Development Board, will need some
source of revenue to help maintain Twin Rivers Park.

“To maintain that large block of area gets very expensive,’’ Mr.
Stan pointed out.

Revenue generated by the golf enthusiasts at the CasNews alone
would probably go a long way towards offsetting the operating costs
of the park!

Other possibilities include a recreational vehicle park, which cer-
tainly would encourage tourists passing through Castlegar to stay
awhile.

But what the park ends up containing should be determined in
large part by the people of Castlegar — after all, it’s their taxes which
will pay a-good chunk of the final cost, regardless of grants and cor-
porate donations.

So put on your thinking caps Castlegar.

Ce But we should not lay the blame for

Vander Zalm’s transgressions entirely in his lap. It

is time for the British Columbia electorate to
emerge from their political naivete. Politics is
more than a charming smile, a photogenic wife and
the parroting of incoherent inanities. A number of
things about Vander Zalm were obvious to all but

the most blinkered observers for a

been a ruthless self-promoter, and his tenure as
Premier was simply an extension of the Philosophy
(widespread, but perfected by B.C. Socreds) that
public office is for private enrichment.

Second, this philosophy extended well beyond
the office of the premier. i
many ships that abandoned the sinking rat, no
caucus would have tolerated Vander Zalm’s
massive abuse of his government position were

the

long time.

As commissioner Hughes reveals, Vander Zalm
does not (and probably never did) understand the
difference between right and wrong as was clear
from his frequent violation of his own conflict of
interest guidelines. For those inclined to look

critically, however, Vander Zalm never
any sense of higher public purpose. He

they not

that will be launched in the wake of this fiasco will
bear this out. The people of British Columbia
would be well served to examine closely the root
and branch of the Social Credit party: they will
surely find that the rot and corruption extends
well beyond the premier’s office. The electorate of
British Columbia will learn that the Socreds are a
class of people for whom government office is an

did have
has always

instrument for unabashed self-enrichment at the
public trough.

Finally, it is now unambiguously clear (as it has
been to outside observers for decades) that the
electorate of British Columbia is politically
unsophisticated. The ‘‘triumph of style over
”* in Kim Campbell's apt phrase, should
provide a sobering lesson. It may be true that
people get the government they deserve, but I
hope that the electorate of British Columbia are

The i not diverted from looking at the nature of their

politic.

better.

party politics by excessive concentration on the
personality of Vander Zalm himself. He was, after
all, only the symptom of the malaise in the body

It’s time for British Columbians to demand

Craig Jones
Kingston, Ont.

VIEWPOINTS

Amor to Zalm: Canada thinks we're kooks

VANCOUVER (CP) — From De
Cosmos to Vander Zalm, B.C.
politics have been dominated by
premiers who have left Canadians
east of the Rockies shaking their
heads in amazement.

Some observers say B.C. voters are
accustomed to off-the-wall premiers
because such oddball types have been
around since 1872, when Amor De
Cosmos became leader.

De Cosmos had changed his name
from Bill Smith to what he translated
as the Greek name for lover of the
universe.

He often cried in public and many
suspected he was not merely eccen-
tric but mad. Years after De Cosmos
lost power, he was diagnosed as
having hallucinations and possessing
an unsound mind.

Or take Bill Vander Zalm, who
may be best remembered as the
premier who mixed private business
with politics in selling his theme park
and home, Fantasy Gardens. He
lived in @ fake castle with the main
bedroom above a drawbridge.

The 56-year-old millionaire gar-
dener resigned in disgrace Tuesday
after a scathing report from conflict-
of-interest commissioner Ted Hughes
was released.

In the 1950s, W.A.C. (Wacky)
Bennett likened himself to a TV set,
saying it ran on electricity the same

way he was directly plugged into
God.

Whatever link he had, it worked.
Bennett — arms waving as he bashed
Ottawa and held back the Socialist
hordes — served as premier from
1952-72.

“It’s part myth but we seem to
have been blessed with more than
our share of characters,”” says Lynda
Erickson, political science professor
at Simon Fraser University.

““We end up making B.C. look
weird.""

At the turn of the century, four

premiers served within six

included Joe Martin,
nicknamed Fighting Joe after he got
into a street fistfight with another
lawyer.

Then there was Richard McBride.
Without _ permission from--the
legislature, McBride bought two
submarines in 1914. The engines
burned out six years later and the
subs ended up in the scrap heap.

“British Columbia has. produced
an amazing string of flamboyant,
controversial, colorful, outgoing per-
sonalities,’’ says political analyst
David Mitchell.

“The personalities are much
more important than the ideology,
philosophy, or policies.”

Still, the rest of Canada gets a

distorted image of zany B.C.
Politicians, says Donald Blake, head
of the political science department at
the University of British Columbia.
Bill Bennett, the son of W.A.C.,
was boring and pedestrian, he says.
But for most of Bennett’s 1975-86
term as premier, circumstances
superseded his dull personality.

Labor unrest and restraint policies
created a volatile political climate.

For much of that period, Dave
Barrett was in Opposition and there
were other colorful ministers who
kept personality politics at the
forefront, says Peter Murray, author
of From Amor to Zalm.

Barrett, the only NDP premier to

interrupt nearly 40 years of Socred
tule, overshadowed -his own 1972-75
government with a pugnacious per-
sonality, says Murray.

““We haven’t bred the statesman-
ship that one might expect from
Premiers,”’ he says.

With Vander Zalm’s departure,
Blake says an era has ended.

Vander Zalm’s supporters were
Populist, long-term members of the
Socred party who did not place a
high value on policy positions, says
Blake.

“The B.C. of the "90s will be dif-
ferent. It’s more urban ‘and
sophisticated than in the ’S0s when
the Socreds first got a foothold.””

Referendums would help voters

By DAVID SOMERVILLE

Three years after the great victory
over totalitarianism in the Second
World Wa Winston Churchill
declared that ‘‘the government is the
servant of the people and not its
master."*

Wouldn't it be wonderful if that
were true, if our politicians were our
servants and not our masters?

Unfortunately, here in Canada,
most politicians seem to be more in-
terested in promoting their own self-
serving agendas than in representing
the will of the people.

Consider for instance, the Meech
Lake Accord, a censtitutional
agreement cobbled together in secret
by Prime Minister Mulroney and ten
Provincial premiers. Acting without
an electoral mandate and without
consulting the citizens, Mr.

Mulroney “‘rolled all the dice”’ in a
high pressure, all- hing gamble

The deal eventually collapsed amid
; past A

laws directly when their political

to get his deal through.

Later the same year, the federal
government rammed through the
Goods and Services Tax in the face
of overwhelming public opposition.
Canadians who had made their views
known through public rallies,
petitions and phone calls to MPs
were ignored by Mr. Mulroney's

from sea to sea are growing in-
creasingly angry, frustrated and
cynical about both. their political
leaders and intitutions.

Fortunately, a solution exists. If
this country were to implement a
system of citizen-initiated referen-
dums, the voters would be able to

refuse to
them.

The use of initiatives can be
likened to what happens in a
Pressure cooker: before the steam
Pressure builds to the danger Point,
the release valve pops up and the
Pressure is released.

Anger and frustration, directed at

iti who aren’t &
build up to the point where voters
feel they must do something direc-
tly. At that point they circulate a
Petition to hold a referendum.

Winston Churchill was right. The
government should be the servant of
the people. Direct democracy can en-
Sure that the people remain the
masters.

David 5.

get a grip on their li
Initiatives allow citizens to make

is President of
The National Citizens’ Coalition.

Public input critical

The birth of British Columbia's provincial park
system occurred in 1911 with the creation of
Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. It
was soon followed by Mount Robson (1913) and

a critical point in its development. The Parks Act
passed in 1965 directs parks to be established for
“preservation of their natural environments for the
inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public."’ The

to future

receive near or

arks

of p

7
while leaving 13 partially represented and 18 not at all

represented.

To fulfill its conservation mandate, BC Parks

90."" Coinci

with the

Process Called ‘Parks Plan

released four documents: Parks Plan 90: Summary,

BC Parks

4 YEARS AGO
From the April 5, 1951

The Castlegar School Board has
fet the date for the formal opening
of the Stanley Humphries high
school.

The board will meet with the prin-
cipal Mr. J.A. Thomas, tomorrow to
idraw up plans for the event.

The Minister of Education Mr.
Straith and the assistant Superinten-

ent Mr. Campbell have accepted the

d's invitation, and will officiate

t the ceremonies.
In honor of this event and also to
honor those who have made the
hool possible, the Journalism Club
is preparing a Dedication Annual
with pictures of school, officials and
students. The printing is being un-
dertaken by the Castle News Print

As a first step towards in-

rll ips Band leds KoyelConadian Legion

Street in Castlegar prior to

bared of
council meeting five years ago this weekend.

here, Castlegar and Kinnaird coun-
cils have recently drawn up a
proposed budget for such an
authority, Mayor R.C. Maddocks
announced at Tuesday’s Castlegar
council meeting.

Now that a financial estimate is
available, meetings to discuss the
question are likely to be held

the y of
a district i

the area during the next
few months.

members down 3rd
egion’s spring zone
~ Coatews file photo,

In a letter to Castlegar council that
was read that night, Kinnaird council
reported its views on other matters
of joint interest that were first
touched on at a joint meeting of the
two authorities last month.

15 YEARS AGO
From the April 18, 1976
News
A letter of intent to strike has been

sent to the various iti
says bargaining agent for the
Canadian Union of Public Em-

Trail, Rossland, Warfield, Montrose
and Fruitvale, has resulted in 63 per
cent in favor of strike action and 19
opposed, and the overall vote for the
West Kootenay-Boundary area stan-
ds at 81 per cent in favor of strike
action and 22 against.
5 YEARS AGO
From the April 6, 1986

News

The president of the Health Labor
Relations Association said Thursday
the decision by the Hospital Em-
ployees’ Union to take a strike vote
at several B.C. hospitals is
“‘premature”’ and won't help the two
sides reach a negotiated contract set-
tlement.

“The strike votes are sabre-rattling
and rhetoric that won't lead us to a
settlement,’’ said Peter McAllister in
an interview with the Castlegar
News.

By LIZ COLEMAN
Special to the Castlegar.News

The five-man, five-woman
Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
and Magicians of Taipai awed a
close to capacity crowd Monday
night at the Capital Theatre in
Nelson.

Among the variety of acts that
left the audience staring wide
eyed was the performance of a
single acrobat slowly and
carefully moving into one-handed
horizontal and vertical hand

stands atop four chairs, balanced
on four bottles, balanced on a
table,

Breaking the stunned silence of

and control.

A spectacular human pyramid
of all 10 acrobats wound up the
evening’s performance to the
i of the

the crowd was one who
whispered in wonder: ‘‘How’s he
going to get down?”

The surprising strength of the
women in the troupe was demon-
strated in the dance of the tea
cups and another act in which the
women balanced six sticks with
spinning plates while twisting
their bodies with amazing balance

audience.

Being a member of the Chinese
Golden Dragon Acrobats and
Magicians takes years of training
and discipline.

The art itself was formed by
centuries of tradition which has
been performed as far back as
200 B.C.

Chinese acrobats dazzle crowd

Formal training begins at age
four or five when children attend
three different schools for the
art. By the time they are 14 or 15
the artists are devoting four
hours a day to their practice.

Along with the skill and
strength of the entire group the
comical skits made this amazing
show enjoyable for young and
old. And though only one of the
Chinese performers spoke
English, there were no
communication barrers.

IF IT’S YOUR TIME TO RENEW
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INSURANCE AGENCIES

CASTLEGAR
601-18th St., 365-7232
Insurance * 365-3368

tT)

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Hwy. 6, 226-7212
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DID YOU KNOW?

If you take your vehicle off the territory in swniich

, fora

period in of

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and new business only.)

We Have
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Ask About It! !

Wed., April 3-Tues., April 9

BATHROOM TISSUE

KLEENEX TISSUE
set $177

PAPER TOWELS

4]

closets.

yourself painting is economical but

make sure that you don't scrimp on

the quality of paint you use or the

time you spend on surface
ration.

Floor coverings count — put your
best foot forward with clean corpets
and tiles. Steam-clean or replace
bodly worn or stained carpets, install
neutral colored, medium-quality car-
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Bright ideas — the right lighting
aupigye a home at its best. Repair or

money ich sell a
home: the kitchen, bathrooms and

Paint pays off — and it gives a
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WITH BARRY BROWN

FIXING FOR A SALE (PART 1)

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URCH DIRECTORY 7

E NOTE: Copy changes taken once per month only.

PLEAS!
Deadline is the last Wednesday

LT
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
009 Merry Creek Rd. 365-3430
PASTOR: BOB MARSH
= ¥ MINISTRY —

‘@.m. — Bible Schoo!
£:30 pens — Evening Petlowsitp
p.
Home Growth Groups (Bible Study
Sauerasscs
WevEVERYONE WELCOME

UNITED CHURCH
OF CANADA
2224-6th Avenue
ai 10.0.m. Worship
NO a.m. Sunday School
Mid-Week jes
ef & Youth Activities
/ Rev. Ted Bristow
3465-8337 oF 365-7305

ADVENTIST CHURCH
147) Columbia Ave., Trail 364-0117
Regular Satu
Pastor Slawomir Malarek
365-7759

each month, for the following month.

ROBSON COMMUNITY
MEMORIAL CHURCH
1st & 3rd Sundays 7:00 p.m.
2nd & 4th Sundays 10..m.
No Service 5th Sunday
nd
SERRE A
ST. DAVID’S
ANGLICAN CHURCH
614 Christina Place
Torn, Femi Eucharist
and Church Schoo!

The Rev. Dorothy Barker
365-2271 or 365-6720
To Know Christ and Moke Him Known

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NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY
602-7th Street * 365-5212

JOIN US IN THIS

[DECADE OF DESTINY
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— SUNDAY SERVICES —
9:20 — A class for all oges
10:30 Morning Worship

6:30 Evening Celebration

CHURCH OF GOD

2404 Columbia Avenue

Church School 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship 11 a.m

Pastor ira Johnson * 365-6762

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GRACE PRESBYTERIAN
2605 Columbia Ave.

Morning Worship
11:30 a.m.

Rev. Murray Garvin
365-2438 1-226-7540

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ST. PETER LUTHERAN

LUTHERAN
CHURCH
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713-4th Street

‘365.3664
PASTOR GLEN BACKUS

SUNDAY
Worship Service 9 a.m
NURSERY PROVIDED

Sunday Schoo! 10:15 o.m.

Listen to the Lutheran Hour Sundoy
on Rodio CKQR

FULL GOSPEL

— SAFEWAY MEATS —
CHUCK | PORK SIDE
ROASTS | SPARERIBS

Grade A ¢ Bone-I
379 x5.

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— DELI DELIGHTS —

BLACK BEEF STEAK
FOREST HAM| PASTRAMI

— IN-STORE BAKERY —

SLICED LAYER
BREAD CAKE

White or Whole Wheat Chocolate Fudge

450 G. Loaf 7" Size
@ aa O

6°?

— SAFEWAY PRODUCE —

WHOLE FRESH
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Mexican Grown U.S. or Mexican Grown

86 is. 31>

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STOCK UP & SAVE——_

ORANGE KRAFT
JUICE SLICES

Bel Air © 355 mL 16s, 24s, 32s

.99| 378

COKE OR
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Betty Crocker

Regular, Diet or
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Caffeine Free

MACLEANS

TOOTHPASTE
100 ml. Tube Assorted

89 | 7%

ADVER USED PRICES IN EFFECT
MON.| TUES.] WED. | THUR.| FRI.

7| 8} 9 {10/11/12

/kg.

TRULY FINE
DIAPERS

SAT.

Park Plan 90: Landscapes for B.C. Parks, Parks
Plan 90: Special Features for Bc Parks and Striking
The Balance (Third Edition) which

Swan Lake (1918). Over the next three decades, 39
new parks were added to the system. The post-war
boom of the 1950's and 60’s saw vehicle and boat use
mushroom, and with it the demand for more
campgrounds and roadside stops. In response, the
park system a period of

growth with 181 parks established during the two
decades.

Provincial parks have been obviously successful in
terms of visitor use, but how well have they done in
Protecting representative samples of the province's
natural environments?
About ten years ago, BC Parks began using
and of landf

wishes to achieve adequate representation of all
regional landscapes. Accomplishing this goal,
however, will be The
is fixed and must accommodate a great variety of -
uses: forestry, mining, agriculture,

and urban as well as parks.
As the Hon. Ivan Messmer, the Minister of Parks,

FELLOWSHIP

1801 Connors Rd.

Phone 365-6317
PASTOR: BARRY WERNER > 365-2374

Mon. to Wed. &Set. Thursday & Friday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

We reserve the right to limit sales te retail quantities.

SAFEWAY

We bning it all together #

Sunday
10 @.m. to 6 p.m.

patterns i.
wildlife, vegetation, climate and water to define
terrestrial and marine

Today, after nearly 80 years of growth, British
‘Columbia's provincial park system includes 390 parks
and recreation areas encompassing more than 5.2
million hectares and attracting nearly 21 million
visitors. And yet, the provincial park system stands at

have 59 regional \
Applying them to the provincial parks reveals that 28