October 23, 1968 SN), Castlégar News (AMMARER OF THE D.C. PRESS COUNCH ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980 INCORPORATING IM MMO WEEK MURMOR PUBLISHED S41PEONBER 12,1978 AUGUST 27, 1980 LV. CAMPBELL PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7. 1947 FEBRUARY 19, 1973 PUBLISHER — Burt Compbell EDITOR — Ron Norman ANT FOREMAN — Peter Harvey ADVERTISING MANAGER — Gory Fleming OFFICE MANAGER — Lindo Kositsin CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hadley NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT: Full, complete and sole copyright wn ar dunt by the adver Vote of confidence The overwhelming support Castlegar-area voters gave last Satur- day's aquatic centre referendum was more than just a vote in favor of a new $2.2 million indoor pool, it was a vote of contidence in the community. For the last half dozen years this community has been struggling to recover from a devastating economic recession. For many of those years it was a difficult and sometimes losing battle. Unemployment rose and house prices fell as our resource-based industries were hit hard by declining prices and slumping world demand. To help cope with that situation a “bunker-type” mentality set in where residents tried to simply survive the rough times. It apears now that those difficult economic times are behind us. The economy has levelled off, though perhaps not where it was in the pre-recession days of 1980-81, but certainly more stable than at any time since 1982 We've seen wage increases in the five per cent range for pulp, woodworkers and government employees; we've seen Celgar Pulp Co., Westar Timber's Southern Wood Products and Cominco embark on ambitious. modernization programs. And we've evga seen the rejuvenation of the downtown commercial sectoyaeht the opening last month of the new City Centre Square. They are all signs that Castlegar is again economically healthier. Yet we still hadn't seen anything to really indicate whether the residents here had changed their attitudes, that they had recognized that times are better — until last Saturday's referendum. Five years ago, or three years ago, or even just last year that same aquatic centre proposal would likely have been defeated. Yet, it was approved this year by a whopping 79 per cent of the voters. In the days following the referendum there was genuine surprise by almost everyone at the huge majority — four of every five voters — that had agreed to the pool The success of the vate-can be traced back tga? change in.that- titude in this community. In that sense, the referendum was more than a vote for a pool; it was a chance to gauge just how far this community has come, and how we as a community see ourselves. We've apparently come a long way and have a good self-image Another frequent comment heard after the referendum was that the aquatic centre may be just the thing to propel this community in- to the 1990s. Castlegar now can begin the new decade on a refreshingly positive note. More on free-trade One of the problems I have with the U.S.-Canada free-trade agreement stems from the name. The agreement is not just about free trade, though that’s the impression the name gives. Presumably, free trade means trading between nations that is free of tariffs. It's a simple concept, but translating it into practice is anything but simple, as we have seen by the lengthy negotiations and the resulting agreement. The difficulty I have with the agreement is that it contains all sorts of items besides the elim ination of tariffs, and it is those additional items that concern Norman me. I'm all for freeing up our trading lines with the U.S. — or any of our other trading partners, for that matter. Already, some 80 per cent of our exports head south of the border tariff-free. I can’t see why we shouldn't expand that to all our exports If that was all the agreement did, I don't think we'd see any major concerns about our social programs or our sovereignty. Our social programs aren't suffering now, when four-fifths of our exports are free of tariffs, so how can opening up the remaining 20 per cent of our trade tilt the balance so drastically? It won't, of course. But don't get me wrong. This current free-trade agreement will put our social programs under attack, basically because those programs are viewed as “unfair subsidies” by the Americans, and are to be negotiated over the next seven years. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll look at the effect the agreement could have on our social programs later. For now I want to concentrate on one section of the pact that will make clear — especially to us in the West Kootenay — that the deal is not simply about a tariff-free border. That section is energy. It more than any other part of the pact pulls us closer to the American economy than many of us would like. Retired Alberta judge Marjorie Bowker says in her critique of the deal. “From its contents it is more an agreement on economic union with the U.S. than it is on free trade.” Here's why she says that. In the agreement the Americans and their industries have the right to share in Canadian energy resources at the same cost advantage as Canadians. Under the trade pact, it will be illegal for Canada to “impose a higher price for exports of an energy good to the other party than the price charged for such energy good when consumed domestically.” In other words, we can’t charge the Americans any more than we charge domestic users. This week Conservative incumbent Bob Brisco tried to dismiss that problem by saying UtiliCorp will be able to sell hydroelectric power to the U.S. at whatever rate it can get and still offer West Kootenay residents preferred rates. That's true. But what Mr. Brisco doesn’t say is that the Canadian or B.C. governments cannot impose taxes on energy heading into the U.S. if it doesn’t also place those same taxes on domestic consumers. Thus, while private industry can have a two-price system — one for Canadians and the other for Americans — governments cannot. It's ludicrous. And what's even more ludicrous is the clause that guarantees the Americans a proportionate share of our energy resources. Only in times of war or military emergency would Canada refuse to share its energy with the U.S. How did discussions about a tariff-free border suddenly swerve to include a guaranteed share of our energy resources and the price at which our government can sell those resources? If we wish to make our energy so expensive the U.S. won't buy it, that should be our business — just as if we want to reduce our supplies to the U.S. (after fulfilling any contractual agreement of course). Next week: social programs, job estimates and other problem areas. Remember when REMEMBER WHEN? 40 YEARS AGO From the Oct. 28, 1948 Castlegar News In response to the petition signed by residents in the vicinity of 25th St, the Castlegar Village Traffic Regulation Bylaw 1948-21 has been approved by the office of the Inspector of Municipalities and is now in effect. The bylaw reads in part: Any official or member of the Village Fire Department while in the course of duty may direct traffic and it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian or driver of any vehicle to fail to comply with their demands. . . The Castlegar United Church W.A. held its regular monthly meeting on Thursday night at the home of Mrs. C. Wanless, with the president, Mrs. L. Grunerud in the chair and 20 members and one visitor present. * * The Kinnaird Badminton Club went into action on Sunday night in Letters to the editor No penalties I wish to comment on Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco's reply to David Clark's letter regarding the Canada U.S. free-trade agreement. If you read Bob's letter carefully it says clearly that there is nothing in the agreement's disputes settlement mechanism that guarantees enforce- ment of the ‘settlement panel's decisions. There are no penalties and no-one has the power to enforce those decisions. All Canada can do if countervailing tariffs are imposed and the U.S. ignores the ruling of the settlement panel is to retaliate or terminate the agreement. That kind of a situation would be far worse than what's happening today. At least now we are still free enough of commitments to the U.S. to develop economic links with other regions of the world if we so choose. In short, Canada simply did not get the to the U.S. markets that was supposedly the reason for the negotiations in the first place. We will still be at the mercy of U.S. protectionism. I don't know where Bob gets the information that the U.S. has agreed that our social programs and regional development programs are not “sub- sidies". Both of these are to be discussed within the next seven years as part of the on-going “harmonization” of our economies. My understanding is that the U.S. views any programs which aren't in place in the U.S. as unacceptable as the “level playing field” between our two countries is built. The recent threats against Cominco are an example of what is to come for us. Montana Senator Max Baucus says that as soon as the free trade agreement is signed, Montana will seek penalties against Cominco because the company has received government aid. This protest may or may not prove to be valid, but it is an example of the close scrutiny that will be given all our economic activity by the_U.S. under the free-trade agreement. I find it unacceptable that the U.S. should be handed this kind of control — both direct and indirect — over what Canada may or may not do with its own economy in its own territory. The U.S. will be telling us even more than at present what to produce; what to grow; what kind of new industry we will be permitted to develop and so on. Don't sell ‘bakery’ I am again writing regarding the current free-trade debate I was raised in a one-industry mining town in northern Ontario. The mine was owned by “the Americans”. They were the stuff of legends; those economic mega-giants. My favorite stories were told around campfires, by hunting guides, in which the fish and wildlife official always got the last laugh There was another side to this American influence. I recall as a child puzzling over phrases like “don't bite the hand that feeds you”, and “always remember which side your bread is buttered on”. It may be true that we like our bread buttered. But let's not give away the bakery. Connie Copps Castlegar The U.S. is already doing this to Israel with whom it signed a free-trade agreement several years ago. According to the Israeli amb- assador to the U.S., the Canadian agreement is 100 times worse. The Israeli-U.S. agreement has given the U.S. virtual control over new devel- opments in the Israeli economy, and is probably one of the major reasons why Israel can’t afford to reduce its economic dependence on the oc- cupied West Bank. We do know that regional dev- elopment programs involving the military-defence sector will be per- mitted by the U.S. in Canada because that’s their mode of assisting poorer regions in the U.S. This is a sector of the economy which ‘produces the fewest jobs per dollar invested and is the least helpful in‘ this war-torn world of ours. I have heard a prediction that makes sense to me that the U.S. will stall until just before the end of the seven-year period following the implementation of the free-trade agreement to negotiate the “harmon- zation” of outstanding economic issues. By then, our economy will be so tied into that of the U.S. that we'll have no choice but to agree to the ending of such social programs as medicare or UIC. By then we won't be able to risk opting out of the free-trade agreement and we won't have anything left with which to bargain in order to hold onto our social benefit programs or our regional development schemes. In the words of retired Alberta judge Marjorie Bowker: “What Can- ada has given away to clear the in pact remaining 20 per cent of our trade is enormous — the most serious is our loss of control over our oil, gas and natural resources, both in respect to supply and price. “We have given unfettered free- dom to American banks operating in Canada; to foreign takeovers of Canadian industries and services; and to the entry into Canada of American workers engaged in any ‘free-trade enterprise or activity.’ We have escalated the threat to all our social benefit programs; govern- ment subsidies and regional devel- opment programs . . . “There can be no equality where one partner is the most powerful nation on earth, the other a subord. inate on the world stage; one with a population of 260 million, the other with only 26 million. Unlike the European Economic Community which is a union of 12 relatively equal nations, this is an unequal union — much like that between a walrus and a frog; an elephant and a mouse. Such a union can have but one result — the smaller being swallowed by the larger.” Retired judge Bowker published an analysis based on the actual text of the free-trade agreement in July of this year. It is available locally and I would urge anyone who hasn't already done so to get a copy and read it carefully. We all need to know what is really in this agreement before we vote on Nov. 21. I am afraid that the very existence of Canada as an independ- ent nation is in the balance. Ann Godderis Castlegar Uncle Sam to have us by ‘short hairs’ After reading) Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco's letter in the Oct. 16 Castlegar News which he wrote to “set the record straight” on free trade, I felt compelled to attempt to set the record straight from the other side's point of view. It seems as far as Mr. Brisco is concerned, no other point of view but his is valid. As far as I am concerned the truth is that no one really knows what effect the free-trade deal will have and we should therefore be intelligent enough to admit that all points of view have some validity and to listen with at least a partially open mind. For the Conservatives to call all anti-free traders cowards because we do not share the same vision of Thanks for tax increase I thought that the vote on Satur- day was to finance a _ glorified swimming pool, not the pool itself. Let's hope that the public gets more time in the pool than it does on the ice from skating. There is already a weight room at the complex, now there will be two. I would like to. thank those non-property taxpayers for increas. ing my taxes. John C. Gibson Castlegar what our country could become is very|small. Some of us do not want to be an American satellite. Even if Mr. Brisco’s claims of ensured access are true, what would be the result of that? We will become totally dependent on that huge market, and would never be able to utter a word against any U.S. policy for fear of the U.S. cutting off our market and ruining our economy. This may be alright with the Conservatives, as was witnessed when the U.S. bombed civilians in Libya and our government hardly let out a whimper but we have had governments. in the. past. which had the intestinal fortitude to speak up when it thought U.S. policy was wrong. (For instance when former prime minister Lester Pearson spoke against the Vietnam war, or when former prime minister Pierre Trud- eau spoke against the U.S. invasion of Grenada). I do not see how we could speak out against U.S. policy under free trade. With the ability to cancel the deal on six months’ notice and all our industry geared up for that huge market, Uncle Sam will have us by the “short hairs.” One of the biggest problems with our economy is that we are too dependent on the U.S. economy. As far as I am concerned, making us totally independent is not a solution to that problem. Rod Retzlaff Glade more letters AS the Ci Hall. About twenty enthusiasts joined the club. There were a number of Castlegar players present. 25 YEARS AGO From the Oct. 24, 1963 Castlegar News A public meeting on zoning was held in the Castlegar village office last Thursday evening with a rela- tively small number of village residents on hand to hear explana- tions of proposed zoning moves and to ask questions on a bylaw on the subject. * « There is no evidence that the Celgar pulp mill odor or fall-out is any way injurious to human health. That was the statement in Trail on Tuesday by Dr. James McAnulty, medical director*of the West Koo- tenay Health Unit. * . Monday night the Castlegar cur- ling club met with the Project Society to discuss terms for rental of ice in the Castlegar arena for the 1963-64 season. An offer of $4,000 by the Curling Club was rejected by the Society. * « « Ownership of the Woodland Park sewerage treatment plant by the Village of Kinnaird became legal last Thursday evening when village chairman Car! Loeblich presented a silver dollar to Columbia Cellulose Co. executive vice president A.E. Penny in full payment for the asset. 15 YEARS AGO From the Oct. 25, 1973 Castlegar News The board of trustees for School District No. 9 has accepted the bid of Boundary Electric for the installation of a complete water system for the new Pass Creek School which is now nearing completion. . The installation of a signal at the intersection of 7th Ave. and 2nd St. in Kinnaird is unlikely to reduce accident frequency and may well increase this factor. This is the word received by council at its last regular meeting from Highways Minister Graham Lea. . 8 « The Department of Highways has let a contract to Boundary Irrigation of Grand Forks to install a pump- house and irrigation system at the Kinnaird interchange on Highway 3. * 8 « Castlegar and District Minor Hoc- key executive has voted not to host the 1973-74 B.C. Bantam Provincial Playdowns. In commenting on the announce- ment, secretary-treasurer Mike Naz- aroff said this step was taken reluc- tantly at the last executive meeting. 5 YEARS AGO From the Oct. 23, 1983 Castlegar News There were no picket lines Sat- urday at Selkirk College's Castlegar campus despite the fact that the 72-hour strike notice served the college by support staff had expired. Nevertheless, the college is pre paring for a possible strike by 100 members of the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada. Castlegar RCMP are pushing for a new building to house its police force that has expanded dramatically over the last 20 years. But Castlegar council is making no promises to construct a building at this time because of poor economic conditions. : * 8 6 Veteran commercial airline pilot Jock Gourlay became a celebrity at Castlegar-Airport Friday as he flew his last commerical flight into Castlegar. 4s the 60-year-old pilot stepped off the Boeing 737 after «fight from Edmonton via Calgary, he was welcomed by family, friends, airport officials and a representative from the City of Castlegar. October 23, 1988 c ‘astlégar News AS COMMUNITY AWARD .. . Harry Rosenbrock, general manager of the Castlegar Sandman Inn, accepts Red Cross community service award frorn Denise Reid. Award was given in recognition of the Sandman Inn's work with Red Cross since 1985. The hotel supplies the Red Cross with a regional office and celebrity golf tournament that raised $10,000. CosNews Photo MORE LETTERS Dark inequities lurk My husband's health is the cause of us leaving Nelson and we do so with a mixture of gratitude and sadness. Gratitude for having lived within a ity that has the to was occupied by concerned citizens, even spending a night himself with the occupiers. When peace vigils and withstand hard times; gratitude for the many courageous citizens who are prepared to defend the ecology and the heritage of this area. Sadness because we cannot continue to support their efforts. We do, however, intend to stay long enough to vote for Lyle Kristiansen in the coming federal election. His support for the welfare and the future of this area has been unwavering. When David Thompson University Centre was closed and the library Subm Not long ago it has been reported in the media that | certain repre- sentatives of a political party were blaming another political party of the seary programs of that party if it was elected. According to the information pac- ket received from the Hospital Em- ployees Union in Vancouver, what is scary is the intent of the Social Credit government in Victoria to pri- vatize, amongst other things, our medicare system. This is really scary. What is also scary is the intent of the Conservative government in Help sought I am a graduate student at UBC researching the history of the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (1942-45). I am interested in hearing from ex-Ran- gers who have memories of their wartime service that they would be willing to share. I would be grateful to receive any information. Letters, diaries, written recollections, and photographs will all help to shed light on the history of the PCMR. Photographs and docu- ments will be copied and promptly returned to their owners. My add- ress is: Kerry Steeves, The Uni- versity of British Columbia, Dept. of History, 12941873 East Mall, Van- couver, B.C. 'V6T 1W5. Any assis- tance would be greatly appreciated. Kerry Steeves Vancouver . andall should be well! Yes, by 9.a.m. Sundays, you should be enjoying your Sunday Castlegar jews Hf you're not; we want to correct the matter {oll consistently to get your News by 9 e.m., ‘end complain. bay 365-7266 end ask for circulation. Castlegar News 197 Columbia Ave. (365-7266 ations were less popular than they are today, Lyle would join them. When citizens protested the takeover of our electrical energy resources by the U.S. firm UtiliCorp, Lyle was there. Lyle Kristiansen has demonstra- ted his commitment to the citizens of this area courageously and without personal aggrandizement. This is in tune with “Honest Ed”, a title that Ed Broadbent has won from all sides. Broadbent would not deceive us into believing that we can have such drastic changes in Canad- ian life as the free-trade agreement with the United States will bring us, as well as the enormous increases in our military spending which is proposed by the Progressive Con- servative Party and at the same time preserve our environment, and our medical and social programs. Beneath the sugar-coated pills of lavish electioneering handouts, dark ills of inequities lurk for a large number of Canadians and profit for a few. I can only hope and pray that Canadians will recognize the trap that has been set for them when they cast their votes on Nov. 21. Rosamund Sorensen Nelson arines ‘scary’ Ottawa to spend $12 billion on nuclear-powered submarines and at the same time refuse to come to terms with the nurses striking for more pay and more nurses in the hospitals in Saskatchewan. We need more nurses in all hospitals across Canada. The Hospital Employees Union is informing us that Premier Bill Van- der Zalm is already negotiating with some American hospital corporations that run hospitals in the U.S. about running the hospitals and the medi- care system in British Columbia. Isn't this really seary? Iam sure that most Canadians will agree that in Canada we have a far more superior medicare system than they have in the U.S. In social aspects we are far more advanced than the U.S. Privatization of any enterprize — moreso the medicare system — is a step backward, not forward. If we have discrepancies and abuses of our medicare system that could and should be corrected, not used as an excuse to change it. But the principle of public ownership and management is correct and should not be allowed to be eroded and changed. Medicare should not be allowed ‘to become a source of profiteering for the profit-hungry American corporations at the ex- pense of the people of Canada. People’s interest comes first and should be number one priority. If privatization of medicare is a condition of free trade, then it is a bad deal. We must not allow for- eigners to interfere in our domestic affairs. That is none of their business. W.J. Lebedoff Glade Public safety issue The public protest over the closing of the Robson ferry seems to have died down as passing time diverts our attention. We have gone on with our lives making do without that important link across the river. The frustration of travelling around the alternate routes contin- ues however. Living on the Robson side, I am reminded several times a week that my time is being wasted, my vehicle is travelling a long way to go a short distance, and that I have been essentially cut off from my favorite services in downtown Cas- tlegar. However, what happened last week really startled me. Picture this: a group of school children coming home from Castlegar on their bicyles. They cross the rail bridge to the Robson side and are confronted by a train stopped on the tracks where pedestrians habitually cross to get to Robson. What do the children do? Some crawl under the train, drag- ging their bicycles with them. Others cross over the couplings between the boxcars. What kind of an alternate route is'this? Now that the days are getting shorter these pedestrians will have darkness, snow and ice to contend with also. I may grumble about personal inconvenience but the real question right now is public safety. Those responsible for the decision to close the ferry must reassess the merits before a disaster happens. Let's have this vital transportation link re- placed. Doug Pinkerton Raspberry Village TYPE SETTING Give your wsletters, meeting bulletins, etc., o professional ap pearance. Camera-ready type for your photocopier CASTLEGAR NEWS 365-7266 DYNAMIC = INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION Requires independent marketing agents in your area: part-time or full-time *Potential for above average income * Product world renowned for 30 years * Proven sales training program * No investment required CALL OR WRITE: Doug Lowry 438-2025 * 5327 Halley St., Burnaby, B.C. VSH 2P9 @ Provincial | Ticket 1S YOUR NAME IN OPEN MO LOOK NOW! DAYS ht to limit quantities to stock on hand. ierective | CENTRAL Foods ws OPEN SUNDAYS Community Owned ves ‘wo 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2717 Columbia, fe se Give the United Way Compliments of Castlégar News Humourist, raconteur, traveller, naturalist, historian and social critic John Charters is all of these and now Over My Shoulder gathers, for the first time, the best of his pungent Castlegar News columns Charters reflects on the peculiarities of # freedom, education and life’s wonders and horrors. He recollect memorable characters, the Kootenays of old, favourite journeys entertaining mix of percept observation from a journa! has been writing with wit and compassion for 30 years 200 Pages $14.95 John A. Charters was born in Vancouver in 1916 and spent his boyhood near Barnet on Burrard Inlet. After attending the University of British Columbia, he enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, attaining the rank of captain, and was decorated for gallantry in action while serving in the Mediterranean Campaign of World War Il Charters moved to the Kootenays in 1947 to teach high school sciences and hos remained in this beloved southest corner of British Columbia because, he says, “It’s a place that takes hold of you After retiring from teaching in 1978, he continued to pursue his enjoyment of people, places and ideas through travel ond personal study and to live his faith by becoming an oblate with the Benedictine abbey of S! Joseph of Westminster. But his first love remains writing. "I like the sound and the taste of words. Writing is a compulsion for me.” John Charters lives beside the Columbia River in Castlegar with his wife Bunny, three dogs, o cat anda collection of ceramic dragons Over My Shoulder is lable at the foll g | i CASTLEGAR: The Book Shop, Central Food Mart, Airport Gift Shop, National Exhibition Centre, Castlegar News, Bear Gross Press (Kathy Armstrong 365-6549). NELSON: by wera ‘8 Books, Nelson Museum. TRAIL: L&J Book: CRESTON: Apple Tree Book sore: Personally inscribed copies ond seniors discount: John Charters 365-524 CASTLEGAR 601 - 18th St., 365-7232 Escape THE BOND-AGE Invest your money locally with a Term Savings Plan. * Competitive rates Flexible terms ¢ Interest paid monthly or yearly CASTLEGAR SAVINGS CREDIT UNION “Your Community Financial Centre" by sLoCen PARK 26. e099 For Your Convenience We're OPEN MONDAY WIN TICKETS bers names are listed below. If pears, you're the ‘hein a e eerettndel ticket tor draws for Gen cent atte fridays! To pick up your FREE tickets, drop into the Castlegar News office Tuesday or Wednesday until § p.m., or phone 365-7266 by 5 p.m. Wednesday to claim. Find your name below and fuck! CASTLEGAR pave stonrs 1128-3rd $1 CASTLE TRE (1977) LTD. GIBSON 2317 6th Ave REST AURANTS RESTA 2 Columbia Ave 222 02nd. Costiegor 365-7782 NELSON MAGLIO BUNDING CENTRE 29 Government Rd. TRAIL AGENCY SHOPPING CENTRES 368-5595 HENNE TRAVEL 1410 Bay Ave 368-5202 To List Your Business tn This Directory Phone 365-5210 J,