\ i] Casthégar News fev 26. 1987 MIKE HARCOURT Uncontested leader By GARY KINGSTON Canadian Press VANCOUVER (CP) — He has a backside full of splinters from sitting on so many political fences, And he doesn’t have any legislative experience. But Mike Hareourt's uncontested cakewalk to leader of British Columbia's New Democratic Party should not be surprising, even though some New Democrats consider him too moderate and Socreds says he's a Liberal. ‘The balding, affable 43-year-old former’ mayor of Vancouver is a winner. And if there's one thing the battered and bruised B.C, socialists — losers of all but one provincial election in Harcourt’s lifetime — need badly, it is a proven winner. Harcourt ran and lost for the party in Vancouver-Little Mountain in 1979 but then was elected as an independent to three consecutive two-year terms as mayor. His biggest win came in 1964 when he trounced Bill Vander Zalm, the former Social Credit cabinet minister who recovered from the sh king to win the pi hip in July and a convincing electoral victory in October. ‘That victory spelled the end for Bob Skelly, the solid but bland NDP leader who had been a compromise choice as party leader in 1984. Harcourt, who wisely set out the divisive six-person battle after testing the water and finding it lukewarm, jumped in after Skelly resigned last November. GOOD TIMING His timing could not have been better. Harcourt had run — and easily won — in relatively safe Vancouver Centre. And even as the nervous-nellie Skelly led against the char ‘ic Vander Zalm during the Oct. 22 provincial election campaign, and defeat seemed assured, a consensus was developing around the man most-likely-to-succeed. There was little doubt Skelly would resign. “The trauma of the election was such that it had to be exorcized quickly,” says Terrance Morley, a University of Victoria political scientist. ‘That has meant no time for other rookie members to establish a presence as strong as Harcourt’s. Circumstance also ruled out other potential challengers. Rising star Lyle McWilliam lost his seat in Okanagan North. David Viekers, an urbane Victoria lawyer who finished third in 1984, couldn't get elected in Saanich and the Parliament Nelson Riis, Jim Fulton and lan Waddell decide to say no. and highest-profile female lidate is ei e IN & wD wd D -5210 “Setanta ary sere ip Fans telor the enh earch Accounting The strongest probably Darlene Marzari, but the new member from Vancouver-Point Grey onte was an alderman in the same civie party as Harcourt when he was an alderman, “I haven't always agreed with everything he's done,” Margari says. “I tend to charge headjong into brick walls, while he makes com} on an astute basis. “Mike’s a consummate politician.” LEFT JOINS When union boss Jack Munro rebuffed the efforts of the labor activists and left-wingers, they too threw in the towel. “I think many of (the possible contenders) also came to the conclusion that Harcourt is the right guy at the right time, that he's unbeatable,” says Morley. Harcourt is a populist who brought an “open” style to city hall while managing to hold together a sometimes fractious council of diverse ideological persuasions. He doesn’t have the ebullience of Vander Zalm — a trait the media focused heavily on during the election — but certainly has more charisma than Skelly. Some New Democrats question whether he can carry the crucial rural vote. But the lanky, occasionally rumpled Harcourt has made an early move for credibility by taking his one-man showmoting the NDP as a social movement as well as a political party. Most observers see positive benefits from a one-candi- date race. “The last three leadership campaigns have led to lasting divisions that they just didn't overcome,” says Paul Tennant, a University of B.C. political scientist. Says Morley: “There's a lot of personal resentment that goes with a leadership contest. “They can create real rifts, not so much with the leadership candidates themselves, but with the people close to them. They feel cheated in one way. “Things go on that can get people quite upset.” B.C. ‘flirts’ with gambling VANCOUVER (CP) — The British Columbia govern- ment has begun flirting with gambling and indications are it could become a full-fledged love affair. Somewhere in the harbor of staid Victoria, two govern- ment-owned ferries are being fitted with roulette wheels, slot machines and j cruises between Victoria and Seattle can start May 9. And the B.C. government also has plans for five- hour gambling cruises be- tween Victoria and Vancou- ver and is looking at allowing casinos in at least one com- munity. The ferries — the 1,400- passenger Princess Marguer- ite and the 1,000-passenger Vancouver Island Princess — are owned by B.C. Steam- ship. “What we're doing is in- stigating another attraction for tourists,” says Premier Bill Vander Zalm. GAMBLES ON BOAT Passengers, who pay $37 for the return trip, will be able to gamble for the 90- minute, 10-nautical-mile trip from Victoria harbor to the Washington state boundary. For the rest of the three-hour trip, passengers will do what they have always done — admire the scenery. “Once they hit the waters of Washington, they have to lock up their gambling ma- chines,” said Ronald Bailey, Washington's director of gambling. government business. Vander Zalm squashed the’ slow-boat idea when he re- turned, but has said he is a proponent of casinos in com- munities like Wells in central British Columbia, which has been struggling to survive since the gold mine that cre- ated it, closed 20 years ago. SEES ELEGANCE Vander Zalm_ envisions, gambling along the elegant lines of European casinos as opposed to the bright lights of Las Vegas. No decision has been made on where the revenue from up the gambling rules and began to enforce the regu- lation forbidding dice games, there was no real impact on overall receipts. Even after more than five years of gambling there, Davis said he's still leery of it. “It’s never what I ever wanted Newport to be,” he said. “It’s hard to keep out prostitution and organized crime and the buying off to officials . . . My concern is that I really believe the one follows the other.” In other p , there is no regular gambling, al- though casino nights may be permitted to raise money for charities. Attorney General Brian Smith, who is the minister in charge of B.C. Steamships, announced plans for five-hour will go, charities may be recipients. Newport, Ore. has had gambling for more than five years and city manager Don Davis said in a telephone in- terview that initially tourism flourished at the coastal re- sort. rs cruises Victoria and Vancouver while Vander Zalm was away on , he said room tax receipts show that when the district attorney tig! d TYPE SETTING Give your newsletters. meeting bulletins, etc.. professional appearance Camero-ready type for your photocopier CASTLEGAR NEWS 365-7266 mOoROSO, MARKIN & BLAIN CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS 241 Columbia Ave. Castlegar Ph. 365-7287 Brian L. Brown CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANT 270 Columbia Ave. Castlegar Ph. 365-2151 SOLIGO, KOIDE & JOHN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 615 Columbia Ave. CHANG’S Nursery & Florists Ltd. A complete nursery stock! COMPLETE RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING SERVICE Carpet Cleaning CLEAN-SCENE ENTERPRISES © ROTARY-JET STEAM EXTRACTION (TRUCK POWERED) © UPHOLSTERY CLEANING © WATER & FIRE DAMAGE CLEAN-UP SPECIALISTS “We handle hi-fi stereo, You need a blacksmith.” 365-6969 Castlegar Phone 365-7745 Henry John, B.Sc. C.A. Resident Partner THE KOOTENAYS (WEST) * No Steam or * Economical * Removes even Stubborn Stains © Carpets, Draperies & Upholstery Cleaning All Brand Names Serviced All Parts Stocked Rebuilt Timers Used Appliances and Consignments * Coin-Operated Machines © Industrial Laundry WE ALSO SERVICE: + KENMORE» INGLIS * HOTPOINT * ETC. CASTLEGAR PLUMBING & HEATING LTD. 345.3388 “PERSONALIZED Quicoelan SERVICE INSURANCE © LICENSE PLATES © REGISTRATION © VEHICLE TRANSFERS PREMIUM FINANCING 7 — On Approved Credit — AUTOPLAN REMINDER items. Coverage has changed for equipment in recreational vehicles and for sound and communication equipment and some other permanently attached Autoplan Motorist Kit for Autoplan agent to be sure you Please refer to the 1987 details and check with your have the coverage you need. KOOTENAY SAVINGS INSURANCE SERVICES LTD. 1199 Cedar Ave. Trail dC. 368-9174 1016 4th Street, Castlegar, B.C. 365-8313 Appliance Rentals TIRED OF LAUNDROMATS? ‘And do your wosh at home nce, other 0 available for rei hos ges, fridges, dishwashers, microwaves and dryers. For more information call or drop into Castlegar Plumbing & Heating Ltd. 1008 Columbie Ave. Cestleger 365-3388 —— ae! USSELL UCTION Hwy. 3A, Thrums Buy or Sell by Auction 399-4793 Wont to make a little money go along way? Try Business Directory Advertising! 100% WES CONCRETE LTD. PIPELINE PITT RD. CALL PLANT 693-2430 CASTLEGAR 365-2430 KINNAIRD TRANSFER Concrete Gravel Road Gravel Drain Rock Bedding Sand Fill, Gravel or Sand Topsoil Call 365-7124 ——_—_—_—_—— DR. C. COX Family Dentistry Orthodontics We like Children! Metaline Falls 509-446-4501 CHEM-DRY° OF 365-7312 Open 7 days a wee! 9a.m.-7p.m. 2601 - 9th Avenue, Castlegar Optometrist J.T. (TIM) ALLEN B.Sc. O.D. OPTOMETRIST No. 2 - 615 Columbia, Cost 365-2220 or 366 Boker St., Nelson 152 ML LeRoy raperies ———— THE STORE THAT HAS IT ALL WN DRAPERY! Gwen Kissock In-home drapery estimates — no charge, no obligation. Cc or 9:30-5:30 Tues. to Sat. . 365-3515 Res. 365-6880 1434 Columbia Ave., Castlegar B.S. O0.D. ° * OPTOMETRIST Financial Planning 1012 - 4th St. Castlegar PHONE 365-3361 Tues.-Fri. 9. a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a,m..- 12 noon —— Plumbing & Heating A RELAXED RETIREMENT TAKES should be o time of RON NEGREIFF Bus. 352-1666 Res. 359-7994 Investors Group (PROFIT 5ROM OUR EXPERIENCE Heating Centre American Standard Valley Fibrebath Jacuzzi * Crane Duro Pumps & Softeners PVC Pipe Fittings Septic Tanks Electrical Supplies 365-7702 2317 - 6th Ave. CASTLEGAR FUNERAL CHAPEL Dedicated to kindly, thoughttul service Castlegar AL’S PLUMBING COMPLETE FUNERAL SERVICE ‘Cremation, Traditional Burial and Pre-Arrangement Plan Available, x Neg Granite, Bronze Memorials, 365-8223 Cremation Urns and Plaques Phone 365-3222 Moving & Storage WILLIAMS MOVING & STORAGE 2337-6th Ave., Castlegar Invite you to call them for a free moving estimate. Let our representative tell you about the many services which have, made Williams the most respec ted name in the moving business. Ph. 365-3328 Collect ALL TYPES OF COMMERCIAL PRINTING * Letterheads * Envelopes * Brochures * Roffle Tickets Ss Castlegar News 197 Columbia Ave. 365-7266 THE COLANDER SPAGHETTI HOUSE Specializing in Italian Cuisine “A Trail Tradition” Dinner 5 to 9 every day. Lunch 11:30 to 2 week days. For Reservations Phone 364-1816 1475 Cedar Avenue Trail, B. GOOD TIME MUSIC © Parties * Weddings © Banquets 365-2539 COLEMAN COUNTRY BOY SERVICE Sump & Septic Tank Pumping PHONE 365-5013 3400 - 4th Avenue Castlegar Whether your name starts with A, M, X or Z You'l find Business Directory advertising pay’ Ph. 365-5210