WEDNESDAY, June 9, 1993 6A

Si
The Castiégar Sun
AS
PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG
SHARLENE IMHOFF CATHERINE ROSS
EDITOR ADVERTISING REP.
MARGE LALONDE NICOLE BEETSTRA
CIRCULATION MANAGER PRODUC TION/OFFICE
JOHN VAN PUTTEN LINDA ANDERSON
SPORTS REPORTERVPHOTOGRAPHER PRODUC TION MANAGER
KAREN KERKHOFF CHRISTINE MOYER
REPORTER ART DIRECTOR

MELODY SEMENOFF
ADVERTISING REP.

Direct Department Phones
General Office 365-5266
Ciretlation 365-5266
Classified Ads -7848
Display Advertising 2278
Newsroom 5579
Fax 7762

SUZ
The isti¢gar Sun
ZS
465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. V1N 1G8
1S POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A

MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE
Established November 28, 1990

Published by Sterling Newspapers Ltd
Weekly on Wednesdays
Member of Canadian Community Newspapers Association
B.C. Community Newspapers Association
and B.C. Press Council

editorial comment

A bad
compromise

n an age where parents have a lot to worry

about when it comes to their children, it stands

to reason they will take action if pushed in a
comer—especially if the provincial government is
doing the pushing.

The parents of children who use the crosswalk at
the intersection of Highway 22 and 24th Street have
many reasons to be both fearful and angry. The fact
that a number of near-misses have occuffed, involv-
ing young children innocently crossing to and from
school, has parents both shaking their heads in dis-
belief at local drivers and their fists at the Ministry
of Transportation for not taking appropriate action.

Clearly, a pedestrian-activated light is necessary at
that intersection—not an overhead sign, and not a
dummy crossing guard. A pedestrian-activated light
is one solution which everyone agrees upon, includ-
ing the city, the school board, RCMP and of course
the Parents Advisory Council. In fact, the only agen-
cy not in favor of a light is, you guessed it, the Min-
istry of Transportation

The Ministry, for more than two years now, has
been asked to do something about the intersection,
since it is clearly their responsibility and not the
To no one's
surprise, the provincial government has, in its own
special way, come up with excuses listing why a
light is not necessary. Again, to no one's surprise, the
excuses are backed by statistical data derived from
traffic flow patterns and actual pedestrian use

Well, statistics look good on paper. But like
sausages, they only look good until you find out
exactly what's in them. If a tragedy occurred, those
Statistics would be nothing short of a sick joke

Try deciphering those statistics to a parent, who's
overwrought with grief after leaming her eight-year
old has just been hit by a car

What exactly is the Ministry of Transportation
waiting for? How can something like this go on for
so long ? Why doesn't anyone do something? Does
someone have to die first?

The latest near-miss, involving a young child,
occurred just over two weeks ago. While using the
crosswalk, a vehicle whose driver was not paying
attention, passed on the right side of another vehicle
which had stopped for the child. You can guess what
almost took place

But it's wrong to point all fingers at the ministry,
after all, it has no control over local drivers It does
however, have control over what type of safety
devices are necessary to allow safe Passage of chil
dren to and from school. By lessening the serious-
ness of this particular situation however, the
government is doing a severe disservice to not just
children, but anyone who crosses the intersection at
24th Street. This disservice, which compromises
safety for dollars, has only one conclusive ending
and it will be tragic

City's, as it involves a major highway

ERRORS
The advertiser agrees that the publishe
damages arising out of error
amount paid for the space actually ocoupied by that portion of the
advertisement in which the error occurred. whether
to the negligence of its servants or otherwise
liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount
paid for such advertisement
All advertising subject to publisher's approval
completed within one year trom contract date No

any advertisement bey
uch error 1s duc

and there shall be nc

ontracts me

ontingent ord

accepted

—_—___]

John

Karen lets get one thing
straight, you obviously have a
personal bias on this topic. You
are a woman, and I think you are
letting it stand in the way of
unbiased, journalistic reporting.

Does it offend you when you
hear the terms chairman, man
power, manhole cover, or does
just the word MAN drive you into
fits of-outrage?

It is really frustrating to me that
you are so strongly opposed to
Sexist terminology, and find
offense in something as minor as
a few words, considering that you
make your living ((no matter how
small) working with words

What is the real difference
between referring to a manhole as
a utility cover. Would it really
change. what it is? No—but would
you be happy if we: started to call
them people-accessed mainte
nance portholes? As you can see
the absurdity could go on endless.
ly.

A somewhat ironic point which
should quash the fire of your main
argument is that those women
who are doing the majority of the
complaining have missed a big
point. Remember one thing, the
root of the word WOMAN is
MAN. Would it suit all the
WOMEN out there if I use the
term female? Well I can see that
we now have run into another
problem—the word MALE makes
up a portion of the word as well

I can’t understand why so
many people (mostly women) get
so offended by terms of reference
that have become so entrenched
in our daily lives and vocabulan
Is this just the start of a new wave
of feminism which is aimed
directly at our daily dialogue and
terminology which have been a
part of our regular vocabulary for
ctemity’”

Since when did the M word
(man) become as cvil a the F
word?

Karen, if you feel so strongly
about this I am sure there is a self
help group out there which can
cater to the needs of you and all

the women like you. Is this a
spreading disease, for which ~w
should find an immediate cut
A cure would be not ¢ han
those words and how they ar
used, but to end the animosit
associated with this truith
issuc
I agree with you that v

in changing times, but don
WOMEN have anythin,

do other than to spend your tir

better

trying to change mere word:
attitude and intent that s
with the words which need t
changed.

The
*xpanding
opportunitic
women
ability

chap

m
Com
Let th
of th
hould |
being of
women alik

Call the newsroom at 365-5579 or fax us your c

7

eek

heek

John, sometimes you get me
© angry I could scream! Here
you are a young man who was
taised in the eighties and you
sul insist on putting handles
on titles and words which are
outdated and gender specific

For example—what is so
wrong with calling someone a
hairperson? The accepted ter-
minology used to be chairman,
but anybody with half ‘a brain
could see that the person who
ometimes occupied the chair
a woman. Now
being

was in fact
nstead of
red to as chairpeople, or
hairperson, somebody (was it
me up with the termi.
hair, The last time |

‘people

do humans and chair
ok anywhere alike
m fucate you a littl

it policeman, but

t Those hole cov
ireets_ which work
metimes access 18 not
Hed a manhole, but rather a
ty cover Take‘the word
That ter

nology might have been

man for example
pted in the stone age when

te the bosses, and

Sexist terminology

Karen

women the workers, but it is
no longer accurate. Nowadays
it is not unusual to ask for the
foreman, and out walks some-
one whois definitely not a
man. Why not just call him or
her a supervisor?

As Dylan (I suppose you
don't:even know who he is)
said “The times they are a
changing", and it is up to you
and your generation to facili
tate that change. I don’t know
where you grew up (MANito
ba?), but in British Columbia
iis now correct and_accept-
able to delete the word man
from most titles

Would it help any if I post
ed acceptable terminology
next to your computer? Would
that help you MANage
(oops—that word again) any
better? Of course, just so you
are really certain, it is still
acceptable for a man to be
called a man (if he is a man)

I suggest you go through
the dictionary and pick out all
the MAN words. After you
have picked them out delete
the MAN word and insert per-
son in it. Does it fit? Is there
another way in which the word
can be changed which will
accurately reflect the terminol-
ogy? Of course there are cer-
tain words which, if you insist,
can still be kept gender specif-
ic. In fact I think the words
aren't just gender specific, but
appropriate for you

For the record here are the
gender specific words you can
keep if you insist. You can
keep bogeyman, mandrill (a
large fierce baboon), mantis
(an insect), mangy, manikin
(they're just dummies any
way), manatee (ugly aquatic
mammals), maniac (self
explanatory) and manure (no
explanation needed)

So, the next time you insist
on using gender specific termi
nology remember one thing
you're definitely outnumbered
here at work.

If you have any comments or questions 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.

ts and r

q

ts at 365-7762

Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Letters to

the Editor |

The Castlegar Sun

Canadian vi

Dear nds

I would like to thank all of you
who sent faxes, made phone calls,
prayed, donated and otherwise sup.
ported us during our recent visit to
Guatemala.

We were aware at all times of the
network of support which was pre
sent to us that stretched across Cana
da and the United State

To “accompany 0 with”, “be
with” Marta Gloria Torres, Raul
Molina and Frank LaRue to
Guatemala City was to be with the
people of Guatemala who continue to
resist their exploitation and oppres
sion, They will go on standing firm,
even if it may cost them “blood and
martyrs”.

To really fathom the suffering of
these people, especially that of the
Mayan Indian people who constitute
the majority population of
Guatemala, is not possible for some
one such as myself. It is a suffering
that has gone on for many. years with
an imensity and a depth that passes
understanding

I have known Marta Gloria Torres
and her family for at least a dozen
years. Now, after such intense days in
Guatemala and Mexico I feel I know
her and understand her and her peo:
ple in a much deeper way.

It has always been clear to me
how much she loves the people of her
country, especially the children
Before we left Vancouver, she asked
Ine to Carry in my suitcase children's
Sweaters which were passed on when
we arrived in Guatemala.

I have now seen how much the -
Guatemalan people love her. I have
witnessed the warm embraces and the
animated dialogue between them.

How sad that Marta, who loves
her country and its people so deeply
must have someone like me to
accompany her into her country and
that she must, for her own safety, be

-———

Thommes, Rudolf (Rudy) Jacob

doing things with his family

Richard, and daughter Anna

Being a single parent is a hard road to travel

I would like to share with you
the pros and cons of parenting on
your own and being young

These are some of the problems
as$ociated with being a young
mom, and/or a single young mom
The first problem is privacy—the
unknown word among mothers
with children. You are lucky to
have privacy while in the wash
room. Teens having unprotected
sex don’t realize the long, hard
journey ahead of them. You have
to grow up pretty fast when you
learn that in nine months you will
have someone who will depend on
you for survival. You will also find
that freedom and money are scarce
No more freedom with friends—if
you still have. any friends, Money
is really scarce for diapers, formu
la, and Tylenol (and you also need
food). The rent is due in two days.
and you begin to panic

The time before the baby is born
is very stressful: You feel sick to
your stomach most days, and
sometimes, you get dizzy. The sev
enth or eighth month is really
uncomfortable. No more sitting for
long periods, and the baby moves
around a lot, which can get painful

Labor is not fun either, but I

un look forward to your
hurd day after th

baby is borr people may feel

new bu: Th

depr
from mul
just feel dead

After the baby come
there are long nights ahead, with
three t
ick them back to

honte
feedings every four hours.
and trying tot
leep. It hopefully gets
the time they are six months—until

better by

their teeth emerge

Raising a child is a hard job, not
just the hours involved, but th
feelings of having no lit hon
age of money, no free space, and
the stares from older mothers wh
feel you are way too young to
know anything
The doctors treat y
ferently when you a
a sick child. They
out too easy
mothers, which | fe
Being a single mother
collect child support f
father who always tell
broke

Fhe nice thing about 1
child on your own ar

irenting

compar

you receive from him
being there, and the prou
when they begin to walk

41 are potty trained. I would tell
uny young person that if they are
considenng having a baby to talk
it over with their partners and see
if they are ready to have a baby
now in their lives and if they are
ready for such a big responsibili-
ty. Before you find yourself with
the dilemma of a pregnancy, talk
to your doctor, or your parents, or

en your closest friend. It is not
the end of the world, just a hard
road for awhile

Pregnancy and young mothers
is out there, and it can happen to
you if you're not careful!

Keitha Cummings is a single
mom living in Castlegar with her
ld daughter, Kara
Kettha is currently enjoying suc-

sin the Young Mom's back to

four-year

hool program

Obituary

Rudolf Jacob Thommes

bell River May 29, 1993. Mr. Thommes was employed by BC Hydro
and worked with Associated Root Services, Kelowna, B (
Rudy enjoyed gardening, carpentry work, fishing and especially

He was a wonderful husband and father, and will be sadly missed
by his family. He is survived by his wife, Hilda

Service and Burial took place in Cumberland House, Saskatoon

escorted out of the country by repre
sentatives of the Mexican and United
States Embassies.

Her only crime is that she loves
her country and wants the people to
be treated with dignity and respect
‘That is, of course, also true of Raul
and Frank.

As a health care worker, I was
interested in the status of health care
in Guatemala. While there I had an
Opportunity to talk with Benita, a
Mayan Indian woman, about health
care in her country. She told me there
was a time when their people were
able to look after their basic health
care needs through the use of herbal
medicines, They also had midwives
to accompany mothers giving birth

Now, she said, there are new. dis
eases, many the result of extreme
poverty. One of these diseases is mal
nutrition. If a child becomes malnour
ished, she will give the child herbal
medicines or even buy other
medicines that might be available
But that will not be enough, and she
will have to watch the child die. Even
if the mother were able to transport
the child to a hospital, the care and
resources the child would need would
not be available

As most of you know, on May 25,
then-President Serrano, in an army
designed coup, suspended the consti
tution, the Congress and the judiciary
and began to rule by decree. It was
this suspension of any legal process
that caused us to have cut short our
visit and quickly leave the country
Since then, several notable events
have taken place, and changes contin
ue to happen on an almost daily basis

The coup was deemed necessary
by the army so as to try to regain. full
control over the growing political and
social demands from many sectors of
Guatemalan society for freedom,
Peace, respect for human rights and
the ending of corruption

passed away suddenly in Camp

ons Michael and

The almost universally negative
reaction, both internationally and
to the coup has now
caused the army to move to a “back

internally

up option, which was to have Serra
no resign (June 1), and to form a new
government which the’ army intends
to fully control. The army hopes to
portray itself and to be seen as the
Saviour” of democracy in the coun
try *
Meanwhile, the democrati¢e and
popular organizations in the country,
led by people such as Rigoberta
Menchu, de Leon Carpio, Helen
Mack and many, many others, are
demanding other solutions which
would lead to a genuinely peaceful,
just and democratic country.

The response of the international
community to all this will continue to
be very important. The Organization
of American States (OAS) met on
June 3 and its reaction will be closely
monitored, as will that of the United
Nations.

We in Canada must continue to
insist that our government, through
the Department of External Affairs,
support the democratic option in
Guatemala and not buy into another
army-designed charade. This may
mean applying various economic and
political pressure such as suspending
the bilateral aid agreement, holding
back assistance to the business
investment community and even
instituting arms, tourism and other
boycotts

We can directly support the
Guatemalan people by continuing to
write and phone External Affairs

gilance is still needed in Guatemala

MSisting that our government take a
leadership role in Guatemala at this
lume. We can also help to break the
silence around Guatemala by letting
the media know we want more con-
sistent and knowledgeable coverage

Joining the “Urgent Action” net
work of the Christian Taskforce on
Central America is one very practical
way lo stay involved in this solidarity
effort. The Taskforce provides a very
200d introductory package to new.
comers, plus ongoing analysis and
information.

It's possible to specify the fre-
quency of requests for “action” and
also which, if any, particular Central
American country you'd prefer to
focus on. If this work is not possible
for you, a donation towards the net-
work would also be very welcome.

It is my hope that all of us’ will
continue to accompany Marta, Raul,
Frank, Benita and so many other
Guatemalans in this and whatever
other ways possible.

One final observation. It is my
conviction that if we are not vigilant
regarding the basic rights.of our
Guatemalan brothers and sisters, we
may be next in line. There is no guar-
anteed immunity anywhere from the
forces of power, greed and hatred that
lead to oppression and violence. I do
believe that the power of love and
hope expressed through international
solidarity actions will go a long way
fo resisting those forces and to build-
ing something new.

Solidaridad
Bud Godderis

“More letters continued
on page 8A

If your plans include
building a new home
talk to Pacific. We're
B.C.'s leading manu
facturer of quality
homes. Pacific has
complete home pack
ages to go - delivered
to your site anywhere
When you're ready to
build, Pacific's ready
to roll with pre-assembled components and
materials to save you time and money

&» Full support services

=» You build, or we'll arrange construction

t=» Stock plans or custom design service

fab Pr quality cr direct from

the producer

@ PACIFIC HOMES
..WEST KOOTENAY REPRESENTATIVE
CORINTHIAN CONST. LTD.
DOUG MACDONALD 825-9398

Serving British Columbians for 35 years

HELIUM BALLOONS
FOR THE KIDS

PECIAL
DRAWS!

th 1988 - 1993 mith
se sNNIVERSARy >
WINLAW Minl-Mart

Hwy. 6, Winlaw

CAR WASH

Supported by: Winlaw Mini-Mart
Donation to: Winlaw Fire Hall for "Jaws of Life"

TIMED
PRIZES!

ON NOW)

Here Are a Few Examples
SCARPA BALDO
HIKERS

eee 129"

Italian Dress Nubuck

Shoes 1 29°

Reg. $207 to $230
ROCKSHOE
RESOLING
with Stealth C4 and Re-randing
BIRKENSTOCK SALES,
RESOLING & RECORKING

Autharized Scarpa Dealer
2016 Columbia Ave., Rossland

362-5393

are here at

Sunfest Western Daze

Carl's Drugs

with

TRAIL BLAZE

sFrECIALSsS

Hin!

with a 24 exposure
Kodak Gold 400 film

Light Up Your Life Kodak Fun Saver Disposable

Built in electronic flash LOADED

Kodak Fun Saver 35 the original

FOR THOSE "FUN IN THE SUN" MOMENTS!!

Kodak Fun Saver Weekend 35 Camera.
F 5 ; 2 4
Weatherproof & Waterproof $19 °

GET A LITTLE CLOSER $4049
with Kodak Fun Saver Telefoto 35 16

| WANT IT ALL MOMENTS
Kodak Fun Saver Panoramic 35 Camera
Panoramic prints twice as wide as standard
LOADED with a 24 exposure roll of

Kodak Gold 200 film. °16*°

Cologne
Spray 115ml.

Jontue
Cologne
Spray 22mIi.

REVLON WILDHE

esl £228

save *315°

When you purchase any model of

KODAK FUN SAVER
-. 35 Camera

La
en Coupon valid only at: Carl's Drugs
“!” Coupon expires: June 26, 1993

(Limit one coupon per purchase) | I UU
4

[a

SALE

FAMILY PACK OF BAND-AIDS 40's 3. 50's
SUMMER TOYS AND SUNGLASSES

“Your Friendly Pharmacy”

$ 37°

CARL'S PLAZA DRUGS
(Castieaira Plaza) 365-7269

Tig

Cost - Cutters!

Hours of Business
10 am - 6 pm

Mugho Pine Dwarf 1 gallon reg. $8.49 $4.29
Spreading Junipers 1 gallon
Tam ¢ Golden Pfitzer * Sabina * Prince of Wales .... $4.29
SPECIAL $15.00
oss 25% OFF
wn $1.99
-99 each
. $8.99
20% OFF
$8.99
Hanging Baskets reg. $24.95 SPECIAL $12.95
20% OFF Regular Price

Fruit Trees reg. $18.50
Flowering Trees & Shade Trees
Ivy Geraniums reg. $2.99.
Geraniums & Fuschia 3° pot
Alaska Fish Fertilizer 1 U.S. gallon reg. $12.95
Lilacs * French 2 gallon

F Weed Control Fabric reg. $17.99

Upright Blue Junipers

Columbia Valley Greenhouse

behind Mohawk Service Station
Columbia Avenue, Castlegar