\ July 7, 1990 Castlegar News As OPINION Castlégar News PAGE A4, SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990 MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCIL ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1 NCE WEEKLY MA‘ INCORPORATING THE MID WEEK MIRNOR PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 12, 1970 AUGUST 27, 1980 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUARY 15, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Campbell — Simon Birch “te OFFICE MANAGER — Linda Kositain CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hadiey EDITORIAL Plans for tower need to be told We wonder if Transport Canada could get group discount ratés from Dale Carnegie. If any group of people needs help in winning friends and putting forward a positive image, the federal government’s transportation agency is near the top of the list. Transport Canada’s cancellation on short notice of last Tuesday’s. public meeting to discuss the reduction of operating hours at the Castlegar Airport control tower is a collective slap on the face to the people-of the West Kootenay. Former federal Transport Minister Benoit Bouchard promised there would be ‘‘consultation’’ before Transport Canada made changes to the tower’s operation. But no one was consulted before the decision was made to reduce the operating hours starting July 1 and now three top officials from : Transport Canada’s Pacific regional office in Vancouver Have backed out of a scheduled meeting to discuss that decision and other matters regarding safety and staffing at the airport. The cancellation has created an atmosphere of anger and mistrust and is a poor start to whatever future ‘‘consultation’’ may take place regarding the airport. Transport Canada officials say they will be ready to talk in about two weeks, after Ottawa completes its national review of all air traffic facilities. But if the feds haven’t yet completed the-review, why have the operating hours of the Castlegar control tower already been cut? Or was that reduction based on something else entirely? We don’t know, and of course nobody else does either, because Transport Canada isn’t talking. It never ceases to amaze us how governments and _ their bureaucracies can turn what should be the straightforward handling of an issue into a mess. And.a mess is what the issue of the Castlegar con- trol tower has turned into. Kootenay West-Revelstoke MP Lyle Kristiansen calls it a ‘‘farce.’’ Take your pick. Eight months after a Transport Canada memo was made public ‘ing that a i down of the tower is a possibility, we still have no idea what the government’s plans are. And information we get from one source is disputed by another. In the end, everyone is upset. Meanwhile, the government fiddles. Somebody, somewhere with authority — we nominate Transport Minister Doug Lewis — needs to be upfront and honest about what the government’s plans are regarding the tower. Then everyone can have their say and get this fiasco over with. VIEWPOINT It's business as usual in B.C. By GERALD YOUNG VICTORIA — Summer is here and British Columbia politicians talking travel. It started early in June when Carol Gran, the government services minister, refused a journalist’s request to see flight logs for the provincial government's six jets Overruled by Premier Bill Vander Zalm, Gran released the logs. And the soap opera began. are The major question was whether government members were hogging the planes, which are supposed to be used primarily as air ambulances. But that question seemed to be forgotten as three years worth of flight logs yielded one tidbit after another. While politicians argued about Meech Lake,'the logs offered a peek at a different Side of the B.C. cabinet. — ‘Premier prefers coffee creamers rather than powdered coffee whitener,’’ was the message from one dispatcher on Feb. 26, 1987. — ‘Wants juice on his next flight,” read one entry after a flight by Bruce Strachan, advanced education minister. And the logs hinted of drama above British Columbia. — ‘One muffin ministers?"’ read an entry The explanation was scrawled below. ‘‘The Hon. (Claude) Rich mond was added to flight after catering, so it was Hon. (Dave) Parker’s muffin.”” Another entry spoiled the fun of those who like to idle away the hours by guessing the weight of cabinet mi- nisters. One flight in 1987 carried eight ministers: Grace McCarthy was the lightest at 130 pounds; Elwood (Slim) Veitch topped the scales at an even 200. But there was a miore serious side to the debate, the NDP charged. = Cabinet ministers often fly alone between Victoria and their home towns, regularly on Mondays and Fridays. Spouses are sometimes passengers and occasionally so are children. — Planes can seemingly be ordered at will by ministers to take them for two BILL VANDER ZALM . likes creamer anywhere in the province. The planes are used as air am- bulances only one-third of the time. — Use of the planes for governm- ent travel costs $192,000 during an average house sitting of four months — not including depreciation on the jets or pilots’ wages. The NDP cited cases of patients being unable to get jets at critical times. Health Minister John Jansen demanded names and dates — then attacked the Opposition for politicizing serious matters. Tourism Minister Cliff Michael, meanwhile, said he and his wife fly together regularly because they made a pact that they were in politics together “I think it’s wonderful that a wife would be so caring as to travel with her husband and look after him when he’s away from home,” he explained. In the end, Vander Zalm admitted that logs—_should _be—made—public perhaps every six months, the NDP basked in the political damage they believed was inflicted and Gran main- tained all was proper Not an unusual conclusion in the B.C. legislature Gerard Young is a writer for The Canadian Press. s iy unnewuruyyyeediart GIBCTIVE LOGGING iN BC... | CLEARCUT THE HILL wn \e write THE LEFT... LEAVE THE HILL INTHE MOLE CEAROUT | Al THE HULON TE RGM. Wii” Hi H LOCAL NEWS ae WES Se es <2 eS MWe es fi\ Al), « ry 4 Bae LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Statements ironic I read with interest the letters to the editor in your June 24 edition. I noted that in Mr. (Gary) Wilson’s refers to flight safety speci Safety Specialists Association. I believe the occupation Mr. Wilson is, referring to is flight service specialist and their bargaining agent is the Canadian Association of Professional Radio Operators. Is it not ironic that in a letter that alleges misleading statements by the press Mr. Wilson fabricates the name of the occupational group he represents and that of their association? Don Parrott Castlegar Grads get kudos We recently had the privilege of organizing and attending the first all-night, substance-free after- lists and the Flight letter he Susan Hammond Pam Ball On behalf of the parent organizers of Good Times Grad '90 grad party for Mount Sentinel secondary school students. We would like the community to Know what a fine group of young people the grads and their guests are. Attendance at the party included 45 of 48 grads, along with 120 invited guests and Grade 11 students. Those who attended seemed wonderful time and all were polite and appreciative. These young people are to be congratulated for their responsible behavior on their graduation night. The organization of the dry grad party was a huge undertaking in a small community such as ours and would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and help of many people. We are extremely grateful to the businesses and organizations in the Slocan Valley, Nelson and Castlegar who generously donated prizes and money. The Slocan Valley Lions Club did an excellent job of running the casino all night long. Parents of grads and Grade 11 students, as well as volunteers from the community at large, worked hard at a wide variety of tasks from organization to The provincial and the federal or Canada have been emphasizing the preventative aspect of health care. They have brought out good new programs that place value on healthy lifestyles and healthy attitudes. - to havea homes. How can they ni serving food and mocktails, working as security, running the various contests, distributing prizes and cooking breakfast. Thanks to all who helped. We appreicate the help of Mr. Serge Leukov, principal, in providing sound advice and in carrying out many of the details related to the school facility. Thanks also to the staff members who came for all or part of the night to help out and to spend some fun time with their students. We hope that this year’s graduating class has established a new tradition for Mount Sentinel secondary school after-grad i event renews our confidence in young people and was and excellent community effort. Thanks to all who helped and best wishes to all of the graduates of 1990. Fair deal deserved The emphasis is onggrly hospital di home support and mai by: people in their own do the hands-on work in these programs have less value than a hospital nurse? Their reasoning is certainly difficult to understand. There are approximately 2,500 nurses employed under the government nurses contract. They work in homes, health units, psychiatric facilities, lodges, adolescent treatment centres, correctional facilities, detox centres, etc. They are in a legal position to strike, but the Industrial Relations Council has set ‘‘essential service’’ staffing levels unrealistically high. For example, long-term care assessors have been deemed essential and, while their work is important, they are not relieved for vacation or layoffs. Such an \d-cl: sick time. Some places, such as psychiatric hospitals, will actually have to hire staff to comply with the IRC order as the levels they set are above the summer norms. These nurses make $700 - $800 less per month than hospital nurses,*which is blatantly unfair. But this strike is not only about wages, it is also about safety and workload, shift and weekend premiums and basic protection from privatization and Why is the government treating them as nurses? Why are they unwilling to settle this contract in a reasonable manner? Write your MLA, Minister of Finance Mel Couvelier and Minister of Health John Jansen Room 310, ‘Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. V8V 3C8. Our government nurses deserve a fair contract. Joan Hanson Chairwoman West Kootenay Region B.C. Nurses Union. IN THE SWIM took their recent duck race at Pass Creek Park. Duck race ¢ treasurer Alexia Turner with a cheque for $1,000, the Kiwanis Club's Freed to the pecbiored Centre. day to the Aquatic contre. yes witha few ducks from an e club's District Project Please address all letters to the editor to: Letters to the Editor, Castlegar News, P.O. Box 3007, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H4, or deliver them to our office at 197 C that the nurses who Ave. in Ci Letters should be typewritten, double- 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 published without Nevertheless, 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. cases will letters be the writer's name. the name, address and NDP needs to be more candid By BILL VANDER ZALM Premier How can a political party advocate putting a limit on government spen- ding while at the same time promise to spend $3 billion more? When Mike Harcourt recently put on his pinstriped suit and sipped wine with the movers and shakers in the Vancouver business community, he told them that if he became premier he would limit government spending and encourage the growth of the Private sector. In an effort to try to convince his business audience that his party wouldn’t go on a wild spending spree, he said that he had a strong commit- ment to a balanced budget. He didn’t say an NDP government would balance the budget but rather he had a strong commitment to do it. There's quite a difference. But more significant than what the leader of the Opposition told his new- found business friends was what he didn’t tell them. He didn’t tell them where an NDP government would get the hundreds of millions of dollars they’ve been saying should be put into health care, education and social services. He didn’t tell them that every time there’s a problem the NDP solution is to throw money at it so it will go away. He didn’t tell them about the NDP’s proposal for a municipal tax, a green tax or an inheritance tax. Nor did he mention that one of his can- didates warned that we'd all be paying higher income and corporate taxes if the NDP were to fulfil its promises. He didn’t ‘m that the cost of the Opposii Promises so far totals.more than $3 billion. Where's the money going to come from? The only place it can come from is our paycheques. I don’t know about you, but I think we already pay too much income tax and we don’t need anyone telling us we have to pay more. Our government has put more money into health, education and social services than at any time in the history of our province and yet some People say it’s still not enough How much is enough? It’s easy to be in Opposition and Promise people anything they want in the hope they'll vote for you. It’s much more difficult, however, when you're in government and you have to make responsible decisions for all British Columbians, not just special- interest groups. Maybe the next time the leader of the Opposition has a wine and cheese reception with the business com- munity, he can be a little more candid and tell them how he'd deal with some of the tough problems that gover- nments face. By LARRY WELSH The Canadian Press If Prime Minister Brian Mulroney expects to escape queries about the death of the Meech Lake accord at the Houston economic summit, he may be mistaken. Canada’s domestic woes won't exactly be at the top of the agenda when leaders from the world’s seven richest democracies — the United States, West Germany, Japan, France, Britain, Canada and Italy — hold their 16th annual summit July 9-11 But Canadian officials believe Mulroney will take advantage of the gathering to calm foreign con- cerns over the Meech Lake collap- se. “Meech is an_ international issue, but it’s not well under- stood,”’ said one Canadian of- ficial preparing for the summit, who asked not to be identified. “‘Other leaders will probably ask Mulroney to explain what's going on.” Further, the summit will give the prime minister the chance to inform confused international markets that debate over the Canadian Constitution has dragged on for more than 100 years and will probably continue for some time, another Canadian official said. Foreign investors reacted calmly immediately following the death of the Meech Lake accord. Nevertheless, the investors — who help finance the Canadian budget Leaders may quiz PM on Meech deficit by buying government bonds and treasury bills — are jit- tery. “There is uncertainty generated by the Meech Lake accord arid that’s influencing market prices (for bonds and treasury bills),’’ the official said. “June 23 (the deadline-for ap- proval of Meech oe didn’t Canadian officials, while puz- zled by the currency’s immediate reaction, believe the post-Meech Lake era holds considerable risk for the economy Mulroney will likely tell his G-7 colleagues that the Canadian economy remains strong and that constitutional debate over Quebec’ 's future role in Con. remove that Mulroney, Finance Minister Michael Wilson and severat business leaders and economists had warned that the economy would suffer long-term damage if Meech Lake was not ratified. Yet, the Canadian dollar rose on money markets in the days following the accord’s failure, climbing above 85 cents US. won't dim the coun- try’s prospects for growth. Since the failure of the accord, Mutroney, Wilson, Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa and On- tario Premier David Peterson have all stressed they will do nothing to threaten foreign in vestors’ confidence in Canada. “The markets have been im. Pressed by the consistency of that message,"’ said one official 4 YEARS AGO From the July 13, 1950 Castle News The contract with the excavators, Wade and Wells Co. Ltd., was signed this week and the digging of the ditch in which the pipe will be laid will be in full swing by next Monday. There are 14,000 feet of pipe to be laid and it is expected that 500 feet will be laid each working day. A bit of fast mental arithmetic would indicate a minimum of 28 working days to see the completed pipe laid, but since various fittings, stand pipes, etc., to be connected up as 1 be longer then that. . aly Ball,’’ a_ hilarious burlesque of baseball, will be in- troduced into Castlegar on Saturday. The game, in the last few years, has taken its place as one of the great laugh sensations of all time. It is played in the same manner as baseball, but the players are mounted on real, live donkeys during the game. ._ 8 8 The regular monthly meeting of the Castlegar School Board was held at the board office in Castlegar Mon- day. A letter from the Department of Health and Welfare, approving the application for appointment of an advisory board for the public health nurse, was read. 25 YEARS AGO From the July 8, 1965 Castlegar News “Absolutely no evidence of malpractice by Associated Engineers or collusion between the consultants and the general contractor,’’ G.C. McLeod of Edmonton, was found by the exami) ion into Castlegar’s sewer construction program conduc- ted by the accounting firm of Mac- beth and Moroso at the direction of the department of municipal affairs. “On. the contrary,’’ notes the report received by Castlegar council at its meeting Tuesday night, ‘‘it ap- pears that the project was well engineered, well supervised, and that the village received excellent value for money spent.”” . . 6 An hourly rated employee of the Celgar pulp division here announced on Sunday that he is ready to take on the billion-dollar B.C. Hydro organization in the Supreme Court of this province. Fred Pressacco, whose property was expropriated by Hydro while his case was still under consideration by Columbia River special commissioner Judge McLeod M. Colquhoune said he has written the provincial cabinet to this effect. . . Castlegar council has contacted Celgar seeking an immediate meeting to discuss the matter of a third water well for the village. 15 YEARS AGO From the July 10, 1975 Castlegar News B.C.'s three major forest unions Tuesday set a strike deadline ‘‘not later than July 16” although the largest of the three had been reluctant to take that step. . 8 6 The cost of the proposed Kootenay Tenders for the sewer treatment plant for the south end of Castlegar were opened late yesterday afternoon. . 8 8 Lack of proper definition of ‘flood plain’’ has resulted in the city refusing to issue building permits to some par- ts of the city. * 8 8 The Guys and Dolls Amusement Centre, located on Front St., has closed its door. 8 8 Despite less-than-perfect weather June 28 and 29, more than 200 people — ages one to 80 — turned out to take advantage of the West Kootenay Sailing Club’s offer of free rides on Lower Arrow Lake. 5 YEARS AGO From the July 3, 1985 News In an emotion-charged atmosphere, 85 immigrants were sworn in as new di on Canada Day in Library system to cause some apprehension at Tuesday night's council meeting when a presentation was made by representative Don Jones. Castlegar’s first ever citizenship ceremony. ee Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco isn’t pleased about the chunk of CENTRAL FOODS | Swor-Easy £0005 | op-Easy Foo0s | unday, July 8-Wednesday, CHICKEN BREASTS wxzz:2s....:9751.69 CHICKEN LEGS =: COOKED HAM occ ce cctce sensi TURKEY BREASTS:2x:.<<.. CHEDDAR CHEESE......... ..:652.98 FRYING ATTACHED SPECIALS uly 11 IRVING. 2» 1.19 100 oll roc. 91.59 SOFT MARGARINE........ «1». 1» °2.69 HAMBURGER BUNS... fi .POOR BOYS yam ita * Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Coupon Special $5.00 DISCOUNT ON CARPET CLEANING OF $45.00 OR MORE! Luwirs0 ont ran customen eae acon Expiry Dote August 31, 1990 Summer Special Living & dining ry plus Scotchguard 29% Up 79° chesterfield Living & dining room, 3 bdrms. 1 flight stairs, . GARLIC BREAD. B.C. EARLY APPLE PIES .. 21m ox-.nmen POTATO CHIPS... cm FRUIT DRINKS........ FRESH PRODUCE FRESH NECTARINES $1.82/kg. 2 CENTRAL FOODS 291.49 woo.°1.19 oinen 2.29 200 G. $1.18 4.91.00 HEAD LETTUCE B.C. GI GRADE No. ro est kg. reforestation funds allowed for the Nelson region, but he says the game isn’t over yet. Recent figures indicate the Nelson forest region will receive close to $800,000 in 1985-86 from a five-year eal | “Estate WITH BARRY BROWN 1] _ LOCATION — LOCATION 3) Would the family be unhappy with only a small plot of land surroun ding the home, or does it need o quarter acre or more? Are the city’s cultural adventages important to your family? Some families might feel “deprived” it. took o trip of a half hour or m: « Choosing the best location for a home is probably the most difficult decision @, buyer must ther a the choice of the home it wor) anew yopes! that the family answer following questions before where would like to type of home they would to get fo theatres, museums, libraries or cultural centers. Are the schools, churches and ts facilities close enough for al your tamily members? Remember, you con alwoys change your home's size, appeoran ce or decor but not its loco’ the deci 10 bu 1) Is the distance to your place of employment an important con- sideration) 1! would be, especially members rely on pot Mat on sportat ‘oF car pool for get- ting to work, school or play. 1s the family more city or more suburban ond rural oriented? It sometimes proves difficult to ac- climate yourself to o style of living you are untamiliar with. Hf rural is @ consideration, will the family require on extra car? Is someone prepared to take youngers mem- bers to and from work or recreation facilities? it there 1s anything | can do to help yeu in the treld.of real estate, please call or dgop in ot 3 NATIONAL REAL ESTATE SERVICE Mountainview Agencies Ltd. 1695 Columbia Phone 365- For Your Convenience We're OPEN sida lah WIN TICKETS Two subscribers raanay the mt fv tadeysi winner of a Provincial ticket coder drome tor 1 the nes ve = op 365-7266 we 5 p.m. Wednesday to claim. Find your name below and tuck! CASTLEGAR DRUG STORES 1128-3ed St AUTOMOTIVE MO aA Tres 1d. 1507 Col. Ave, 365-2955 365-3311 KaL 2141 Columbia Ave, 197 Columbio Ave. Cl (621 Columbio Ave. DEPARTMENT STORES 365-7782 wes Tad st $300 million federal-pr forestry agreement. However, Brisco said more money may be coming to Nelson. . . . A truck hauling two tankers full of liquid sulphur dioxide caught fire Tuesday just outside Castlegar. No one was hurt, though the truck was heavily damaged. OPEN: 9 a.m.-5: = Mon.-Thurs., Sat. 230 p.m. Fri. 9a.m.-9 p.m. (WANETA PLAZA ‘BIO Rock Wwlans Hwy “atuoeey Phone 365-5210 (LEARANCE SALE Further Price Reductions in the LADIES AND FABRIC DEPT. e Sportswear ¢ Dresses e Coats ¢ Bathing Suits © Jewellery ¢ Hand Bags e Sleepwear e Jeans e Exercisewear @ Fabrics e Beach Towels Department Store 1217-3rd Street Castlegar * 365-7782