A4 February 7, 1988 Castlegar News ‘sAAAABER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCH ESTABLISHED AUG. 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980 INCORPORATING THE MID-WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPI. 12, 1978-AUG. 27. 1900 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER AUG. 7, 1947-FEB. 15. 1979 Burt Campbell EDITOR — Ron Norman i IN — Peter Harvey OFFICE MANAGER — Lindo Kositsin ADVERTISING MANAGER — Gary Fleming CIRCULATION MANAGER — Heather Hodiey sole copyright in any printed matter provided: Newover” hat Winners and losers make no mistake about who is really paying for the improvemen- The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Com- MIND TOSHARE THE FLAME 2, \ mission's recent decision to allow Shaw Cableésystems Ltd. to proceed with major changes . to its operations is one of those ts: The consumer. Cable rates will iump 23 per cent — from $9.35 a month to $11.50 — though it's still a deal compared to rates paid 1 where ci s win and lose. On the one hand, there can be no doubt that cable subscribers in the West Kootenay will receive a technically superior service. Shaw Cable's $405,000 microwave syst- em will connect the Trail and Castlegar cable systems, permit- ting live community programming to both areas at once. As well, Pass Creek and Ootischenia residents will finally be able to tune in those U.S. stations without a satellite dish thanks to Shaw's $250,000 program to extend cable service to those two areas. In all, Shaw Cable will spend $1.2 million over two years upgrading and expanding its ser- vice-and equipment. It's a huge commitment and one which every subscriber should welcome. On the other hand, we should Go get ‘em Felix Next Sunday Felix Belczyk will carry Canada's colors in the men’s downhill ski race at the 15th Olym- pic Winter Games in Calgary. The eyes of the world will be on him. But Felix won't be alone when the he kicks through the starting gate at the top of Mount Nakiska and races down the steep Rocky Mountain course. He will have the hopes and best wishes of all Castlegar residents with him. The warmth that Castlegar area residents feel for Felix was evident at last Sunday's reception at Castlegar Airport. He may be racing for Canada, but his strongest supporters are right here in Castlegar. Go get ‘em Felix. here in B.C. (such as Osoyoos where the rate is nearly $21 a month.) Shaw has defended the increase by pointing out that it amounts to only 8.6 per cent a year when spread over the three years since its last increase. While Shaw may feel that isn't much, it’s a good bet any worker in B.C. would leap at a chance for an average yearly wage increase of 8.6 per cent, In fact, the B.C. Government Employees’ Union plans to take the same approach in its wage negotiations with the province The union is seeking a hike of 20 per cent, noting that it hasn't had a wage increase for several years Similarly, Shaw argued that its return on assets for 1989 would be only about 15 per cent without the increase, and 22 per cent with the increase. It noted that even with the hike, the return on assets still falls short of the industry average of 25 to 30 per cent But it’s hard to generate any sympathy for Shaw, which seems to be into it's own little world — the world of cable companies; a world where it has a -virtual monopoly and where it faces minimal economic risk. In the real world the situation is vastly different. For instance, area radio stations and newspapers face tough competition for adver- tising revenue and simply can't raise rates 23 per cent without disastrous consequences By the same token, none of the area media are guaranteed a 22 per cent return on assets. But the rate increase is a fait ac- ‘compli. What isn't, is Shaw's com- mitment to improved service. And it will be up to consumers to en- sure the cable company lives up to its promises especially those concerning the community programming channel Letters to the Editor Competition ‘unfair’ Recently, the Rossland Minor Hockey Association hosted a novice house league tournament. Castlegar Junior Novice (ages 5-7), allegedly final were close and competitive, while Castlegar won their games by unsat. isfying and ridiculously one-sided scores. I can't believe there could be any sense of achievement felt by the Castlegar players, coaches, or parenis to win like this against such dis. advantaged competition. by the Castlegar players, coaches, or parents to win like this against such Robson post office may close in fall This letter concerns all Robson residents. It is about the Robson post office, due to close in November 1988. The closure is being forced upon us because the Regional District of Central Kootenay refused to rezone a piece of ground for the new building. I think we should have a public meeting so we can ask our director on the RDCK why we were not informed about these issues, which affect us all. We-had meetings in the area before a new pub was established. Why were we not consulted about this issue in the same manner? If we are denied a meeting we should all write to our local MP, Bob Brisco. Let's hope we can do something before it’s too late, and we all lose a valuable asset to our community. Name withheld by request disadvantaged competition. The idea of these tournaments is not to bring the oldest and biggest team possible but to give all ages and all levels of skill the opportunity to play. I think we have to be very careful not to allow “rep"-level tactics to creep into house-level tournaments. Furthermore, bigger, overaged players are being done a disservice playing with and against younger smaller players. Even if it is indeed their first year playing, their extreme size advantage more than compensates for any skill disadvantage. I am angry abdut several things: The risk of injury to the five and six year olds; this practice seems to encourage cheating and bending of the rules to win; the fact that we made it to the final game but regardless of effort had no chance to win because of unfair competition. Dave Leonard Trail More letters A5 WOODROOM CLOSURE Ron Norman I heard an interesting comment this week about decentralization that also told. me a lot about how people think. It went something along the line that we should stop being so negative about decentral ization and give it a chance Translation: Those who oppose decentralization should abandon their opposition — no matter how legitimate their complaints. Some even take it a step further. They are the ones who say we are simply too negative about every. thing. Translation: Give up all opposition and become cheerleaders for whatever idea is put forward. It is interesting to note that the same people who want us to “quit being so negative,” invariably agree with what is proposed. Take decentralization, I agree that there has been too many negative comments. But then I kind of like the concept. I mean, how else would Rossland-Trail have a direct line to the provincial cabinet? if we didn’t elect our mii state). So I say to all those negative people: “Lay off guys.” That takes care of decentraliza. tion. But what about privatization? Hey, whoa! That's where I say enough is enough. It's OK to be negative about privatization. Why? Because I have real problems with it. For instance, I say that while privatization and decentralization (which they now are calling it “reg- ionalization”) to help sooth any con- cerns that civil servants will be leaving Victoria in a mass exodus) may sound alike, they aren't even remotely similar in their effects on the province. Decentralization focuses on plan ning, priorities, committees, liaison, channels of communication and other abstract ideas. Privatization is different. It talks about selling off services and directly touches thou. sands of individual lives. But those who agree with priv- atization say we're being too negative; give it a chance. I wonder, though, if those same people would fee the same way about “being neg: ative” if the New Democrats were in power and suggested equally radical ideas like nationalizing the banks and assuming control of major forest companies? Somehow I doubt it. * 8 Last week I wrote about priv. atizing the liquor stores. I think it would be a dumb idea for a number of reasons, many of which the Jansen review committee outlined. But I said there are areas for improvement. One is customer service. Historically, the Liquor Distribution Branch has prohibited employees from making any recom- mendations about products. What's a good wine or if one beer is better than another. Though it has changed somewhat in recent years, there's little doubt customer service needs to improve. Too often the employees know only where a particular product can be located and little else. Why so many By the Regional Public Affairs it of the A i of B.C. shortly after. Celgar Pulp Co. must Professional Foresters The recent announcement by Celgar Pulp Co. of its decision to close the pulp mill woodroom has generated a good deal of controversy in Castlegar. Both city council and the Castlegar school board have passed resolutions re- questing Celgar and the Ministry of Forests and Lands reconsider the closure. The reason given