ve 82 Castlégar News December 21, 1988 SPORTS Free agency situation ‘crazy’ If the last few weeks are any indication, baseball has entered the 1990s a little bit ahead of its time. But what seems to be a quick leap forward may actually have taken the game a few steps backwards. And that will likely leave a number of clubs, including Canada's two entries, the Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays, struggling to keep up. Armed with the knowledge that new television contracts in the coming decade will greatly enhance team coffers, and with recent balance sheets that show encouraging profit trends, baseball has reverted to an era where you can try to spend your way to suceess. period of restraint commonly referred to as ponsibility” by the clubs and “collusion” by players and their agents, the quick-fix solution has once again became a major method of management. It is better known as free-wheeling, free-agent spending. Translating into multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts, it may even be the preferred way of doing things in the 1990s. And that worries a lot of people. ‘GOTTEN CRAZY’ “Things have gotten so crazy this year, it just defies description,” said Cincinnati Red general manager Murray Cook, referring to the rash of free-agent signings over the last few weeks. “We're shooting ourselves in the foot again.” For teams like the New York Yankees, who for at least the first four years of the new decade will earn more than $60 million US in annual revenues from local and network television contracts, spending for success won't be a problem. But for most other clubs, particularly those in smaller markets and in Canada, it will. “We just can’t compete on a payroll basis with a team liké the Yankees, it’s just out of the question,” Expos president Claude Brochu said. One of the main reasons the Expos and the Blue PATTISON BUYING? Jays have trouble keeping up with some of the other clubs when it comes to free agents is the geographical location of the clubs. For one thing, both Montreal and Toronto live much more expensive lives that their 24 major-league counterparts. The majority of their revenues, including those from the i ie televisi contracts, are in weaker Canadian dollars, while most of their expenses are in American greenbacks. What is more constraining, acknowledges Paul Beeston, Toronto's vice-president of administration, is attracting players to the two cities outside the United States. FEAR TAXES “Some guys probably think they're getting into a banana republic when they cross the border, but I think the bigger drawback is the tax situation here,” he said. “Players think it will cost them to play here.” Brochu admitted the combined problems of image and costs put the Canadian teams at a disadvantage in attracting some of the more desirable free agents. However, the he doubts the recent resurgence of free-agent movement will continue, If it does, Brochu warned, the game will be trouble. Despite a couple of profitable years and the influx of new operating capital in the 1990s, baseball is “still not in good enough shape to ignore control of expenses,” he’ said. The Expos had a player payroll last season of about $9 million US, just slightly below that of the Blue Jays. Both teams drew well over a million fans — in fact Toronto surpassed the two-million mark — yet each ended the season with substantial deficits. And the cumulative deficit from the last few years is even greater. What it comes down to, Brochu said, is that baseball has to return to its philosophy of fiscal responsibility. And the leadership must come from cornerstone franchises. Ex-Nords coach resting Li Vv (CP) — the president of the said Tuesday offer imminently,” Year.” games. B.C. Place Stadium,” he said Hogan's statements. offer at its meeting today A written Lions’ general Multimillionaire nessman Jimmy Pattison is expected to make his offer to buy the British Columbia Lions this week, ‘anadian Football League club “We have been working with the organization for a long period of time and we expect to receive an said Jim Hogan “When we have the opportunity to see the offer and digest it, we will then speak to it and to-our board and members and that will take time. Nothing will likely be finalized until at least the early New Hogan would not comment on statements from a government source that Pattison’s offer to buy the community-owned club would be contingent on him obtaining a 15-year lease to manage the 60,000-seat B.C. Place Stadium where the Lions play their home We have nothing to do with the operation of We only operate the football club and anything outside that area would only be speculation on my part.” A spokesman for Pattison had no comment on The provincial cabinet is expected to discuss the application seeking approval for transfer of a team is required under CFL bylaws. the Approval is required from six of the CFL's eight teams in order for a franchise to change GALAT AWAY manager Joe vacation and unavailable for comment busi Mitchell is on v Currently privately owned Breweries 1988 vperations. In 1958, White Spot founder Nat Bailey first tried to buy the Lions for $110,000. By 1961, at least five groups of businessmen were actively seeking to buy the Lions. But none of the offers made it to the floor of a club membership meeting The next serious bid for the Lions was in early 1969, when Ornest offered $500,000. In late 1973, buy the club. At a stormy persuade enough Pattison’ team, hands. Galat was on imminent A spokesman for the CFL said he was unaware of any new developments and commissioner Doug two of the eight CFL teams are bought the Toronto Argonauts from Carling O'Keefe earlie Tiger-Cats are owned by Harold Ballard. The Lions, who lost the Grey Cup final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22-21, have a debt of $4 million to $5 million. They lost $1.7 million on their but the bid was shelved. In February 1975, Pattison once again tried to seeking bids for the team partners, general manager Herb Capozzi, offered $600,000 for prompting Ornest businessmen to offer $1 million On April 14, 1975, a special meeting of 429 club members voted 218-211 against the bid. To be successful, 286 votes (two-thirds majority) would have been needed. tion. Entrepreneur Harry Ornest r this month. The Hamilton Pattison offered to buy the team annual- meeting, he managed to club members to vote in favor of including former Lions and other local Astaphan wants bills paid TORONTO (CP) The personal physician of disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson ‘says he won't return to Canada to testify in a federal inquiry into drug use in sports unless the government pays his legal fees. In a telephone interview from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, Dr. George Mario (Jamie) Astaphan said his ir with the e ZoOr Or Snowphone 365-7614 For current W. Kootenay Ski Area conditions and information Here's My Card... NEWS AR Teen ASTLEC Po RAMEE 309 Cc has already cost him about $40,000 in legal expenses and lost income from his St. Kitts medical practice. Johnson lost his gold medal in the Olympic 100-metre sprint after test ing positive for anabolic steroids. Astaphan said he can’t afford to return to Canada for the Jan. 1 resumption of the inquiry, even if he hurts Johnson's position by not appearing. “This thing might drag on for months and could cost me from $200,000 to $500,000,” said Astaphan, considered a key figure in the inquiry because of his close relationship with Johnson. If Astaphan flatly refused to return, the commission would decide how important he was to the in vestigation and whether to pursue the matter. Defence gets nickname ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Don't call them The Crunch Brunch or The Smother Brothers. The Buf. falo Bills’ defence, top-ranked in the AFC, wishes to be known as The Blizzard Defence That nickname was selected by team consensus from among dozens of suggestions submitted to the Buf. falo News, which conducted a Name That Defence contest over the last few weeks. “That's the one,” said Bills line backer Darryl Talley, who, along with tackle Fred Smerlas, helped conduct a poll of the defensive players on the AFC East champions. “That says it all.” Added linebacker Ray Bentley, a sports columnist for a magazine in Michigan, “I think it captures what nose Fat playing football in Buffalo is all about. Weather is a big factor on our side, especially because the fans still come out no matter how cold or snowy it is. And the way we swarm people . . . it is like a blizzard.” Nearly 4,500 of the newspaper's readers submitted entries and the newspaper then had the players vote on a dozen finalists. The Blizzard Defence was the players’ choice and also the choice of 86 people who suggested the name The runner-up among the players was The Bill Collectors. The other finalists were: The Blue Blizzard, the Buffalo Blizzard, the Big Chill, the Cold Front, the Ice Crush ers, the Snow Belters, the Smother Brothers, the Billdozers, the Crunch Bunch and the Buffalo Stampede CON PAINTING & DECORATING 2649 CASTLEGAR vin 2s! Gary Fleming Dianna Kootniko ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 365-5210 FOURTH HAVE YOU ORIVEN A FORD LATE: y AVENUE ac 365 3563 TURNER SALES AND LEASING SPECia, Res: 362-5923 QUEBEC (CP) — These days, Ron Lapointe can watch the Nordiques make a million mistakes on the ice without being bothered — the former Guebec coach has more important things to be concerned about. “Your priorities tend to change,” said Lapointe, who spent his second day in hospital Tuesday undergoing tests to determine whether a tumor in his kidney is malignant. Lapointe, 39, stepped down after the tumor was discovered last Thursday, but not before coaching one last NHL game. “It would have been unfair to throw the situation to somebody else with what, eight, 10 hours notice,” said Lapointe, who learned of his condition that morning. Lapointe's concern may have been unnecessary. Before he stepped down, assistant general manager Jean Perron had ample time to prepare himself to assume the coaching role. In the days leading to Lapointe's resignation, there was rampant speculation in Quebec that he would replace La pointe. Far from being bitter about his treatment, Lapointe seemed relieved the pressure was off. He also. was able to leave in style with a 6-4 victory over the arch-rival Montreal Canadiens. “I was relieved in some way it was my last game,” Lapointe said, adding that the victory particularly pleased him because he “wanted to leave something for the Quebec Nordiques to build on in the future.” FACES PROBLEMS Lapointe, who became the Nor. diques coach Dec. 4, 1987, had a disappointing tenure behind the Quebec team’s bench, and was under attack from home fans and media all season. After a loss last Tuesday, Lapointe became irritated at the repeated questions about his future. He reacted as if he was alone, battling the entire world. Now he realizes that isn't so. “There have been so many phone calls," Lapointe said. “People have called me and said ‘Hey, I had an aunt, I had a friend who had what you have and they're doing fine now.” Lapointe also had a number of visitors before he checked into Hotel-Dieu Hospital. Quebec general manager Martin Madden dropped by, as did the wife of team president Marcel Aubut. Castlegar. the Castlegar victory. all contributed assists. Playoffs in Nelson The Civic Centre badminton hall in Nelson will see its first competitive action when the Zone 1 (East and West Kootenay) B.C. Winter Games badminton playoffs are held Jan. 7 and 8. Badminton players — aged 16 or older residing in Zone 1 — who are interested in trying out for a position on the team must compete in the playoffs. Entry deadline is Jan. 4. Ten players — five men and five women — will be chosen to reperesent Zone 1 in the Games which are being held in Nelson Feb. 23-26. Contact Marilyn Richardson or Sherry Mclvor in Nelson for further information. Ski trials go Jan. 8 The Winter Games cross country ski trials for Zone 1 are scheduled for Jan. 8 during the Kootenay Cup competition in Nelson. Castlegar Nordic Ski Touring Club president Jaako Hartman says there are numerous openings for skiers aged 14-19. For more information contact the Nordic Ski Touring Club of Pee Wee win pair The Castlegar Pee Wee Reps won a pair of games over the weekend, beating Nelson 4-3 at the Community Complex Saturday and humbling Trail 8-0 in Trail Sunday. In Saturday's game, Mike Hunter scored with 52 seconds left in the game to give’ Castlegar the one-goal decision. It was Hunter's second goal of the contest. Fred Gienger scored the other two goals in Assists went Antignani, Mark Perrier and Shawn Mosby. In Sunday's contest, Gienger scored three goals, Hunter netted a pair and RIck Fauth, Ken Skibinski and Antignani each contributed singles as goalie Marcel Dusseault held Trail off the scoreboard. Steven Brown, Lesly Stoochnoff, Skibinski, Derek Read and Hunter to Mark Carlson, Vince Mid-Week Wrap-up HOCKEY He CAMPBELL CONFERENCE Norris Division wee Montreal Horttord Buttolo bec 2 Patrick Division 20 Putrsburgh " Boston ot Horttord Buttolo ot NY Rangers edn Robitaille, LA STANLEY HUMPHRIES GRAD BASKETBALL Boxing Day Mon., Dec. 26 6p.m. Guys 7 p.m. Spectator Admission $1.00 Savord, Ch ILVESTIA TOURNAMENT Round-Robin (At Moscow) w BASKETBALL nan EASTERN CONFERENCE te Division w CROSS COUNTRY SKI Seth Grelish cob Vi MINI MIDGET GIRLS 2 Km Alex King Nicole Fullerton (MIDGET BOYS 4.3 KM Potrick Blonch Rolf Hartman MIDGET GIRLS 4.3 Kem irene Gugholm JUVENILE BOYS 4.3 Km JUVENILE GIRLS 4.3 Km ry Gibson Use Fullerton SENIOR MEN 12.9 Km MASTERS MEN 112.9 Km MAASTERS MEN 2 12.9 ken MASTERS MEN 312.9 Km Jerry Filippo Klaus Jorchow MASTERS MEN 48.6 Km m Ns! MASTERS WOMEN 1 8.6 Km nruch MASTERS WOMEN 3 8.6 Kin 8. Kootenay Cup Roce Results 0) — Bleck Jack: MEL — Nelson: NSTC ‘ATOMS 5 Kem Costleger PRE WEE BOYS 1 Km Tony Stemneuch PRE WEE OMS 1 Kew Heother Sheppard MAINE MIDGET BOYS 2 Km w TRANSACTIONS ASEBALL ‘Wo Miller ond Bolte sa.) December 21,1988 Castlegar News 83 ALL TOGETHER NOW . . + Guitarist Don Brown leads party-goers through various Christmas songs at the Castlegar library's annual Christmas celebration Saturday. The children also enjoyed a puppet show, skits and finished off the day by decorating a tree. Library holds Christmas party By KAY ME. G Community Librarian Approximately 40 children and parents enjoyed the Castlegar Li brary’s annual Christmas celebration on Saturday, Dec. 17 Led by Don Brown on guitar, the children accompanied their Christ mas songs with various percussion instruments. Sandy Reilly, with family and friends, entertained the audience with several skits and the familiar Rapunzel story. Ann Kelly encour. aged the Christmas spirit with her delightful puppets. Before leaving, the children enjoyed decorating the children’s tree, donated by the Rotary Club The library's Christmas hours are as follows: Dec. 24 — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dee. 25-27 closed; Dec. 28, 29, 30 — open regular hours; Dec. 31 rT a.m. to 2 p.m.; Jan. 1 and 2 Jan. 3 closed; regular hours resume. ON STAGE Kindergarten students perform at the Robson elementary school’s Christmas concert last week Controversy not new to Bourassa MONTREAL (CP) - Bourassa was on the verge of becoming Liberal leader Back in 1983, when Robert again, he told reprters he would “avoid a bitter language debate” if re-elected Quebec premier Well, you win some, you lose some The premiers decision this week to continue a ban on bilingual signs outside stores has antagonized the province's a s, while many francoph furious that bilingual signs will be allowed inside. But controversy is nothing new to Bourassa, who surprised many observers by making a successful return to politics several years after he resigned following the crushing Parti Quebecois election victory in 1976 In 1970, just months after being elected premier at age 36, the lanky six-footer had to weather the October Crisis, in which Front de liberation du Quebec terrorists murdered cabinet minister Pierre Laporte and kidnapped British trade commissioner James Cross. The owlish, slouching Bourassa acquired a reputation as a weak, indecisive leader who was so concerned with his image that he travelled hairdresser. Re-elected in 1973, Bourassa introduced language legislation a year later that made French Quebec's official language and required children to pass entrance examinations before they could attend English schools. are with a INTRODUCED MEDICARE During his first two terms in power, Bourassa, an economist, introduced medicare, children’s denticare, legal aid and improved social services, but amid anglophone disenchantment and rumors his govern ment was involved in various scandals, the Liberals were turfed out of power by the Parti Quebecois. Independent inquiries into the scandal allegations never showed wrongdoing on his part or that of his cabinet A historian who is keen on post-Second World War European history, Bourassa resigned as party leader after his defeat and went to Belgium to teach and do research on the European Community Bourassa, who maintains his’ trim figure by swimming about a half-kilometre daily, is married to Andree Simard, a member of the wealthy shipbuilding family, and they have two children daughter Michelle, 21, and son Francois, 28, a classical pianist Although he had been dubbed a “hot-dog eater” by former prime minister Pierre Trudea id the “most hated man in Quebec” by one of his own backbenchers, Bourassa was cheered by construction workers at ceremonies in 1979 inaugurating the massive James Bay hydroelectric project he had undertaken as premier His rehabilitation continued in 1980 when he campaigned provincewide in favor of the “No” side in the referendum on sovereignty-association. The Liberals’ election defeat in 1981, with intellectual Claude Ryan at the helm, opened the door for the party to welcome a more traditional politician like Bourassa SWEPT ASIDE PQ The Oxford- and Harvard-trained Bourassa con tinued his roller-coaster ride in 1985 when the Liberals swept aside a deeply divided PQ to return to power During that election campaign, Bourassa promised to allow bilingual signs But after last week's Supreme Court ruling striking down Quebec's French-only sign law on grounds it violates the province's charter of rights, Bourassa said he would invoke the override clause in the federal and Quebec charters of rights to maintain the province's French-only rule for outdoor commercial signs. Why the turnabout? Bourassa said the move was necessary to preserve the province's “French face” and because francophones are too uncertain about their future to permit outdoor English signs. Although opinion polls indicate the Liberals are still far more popular than the PQ, Bourassa’s chances of victory in the next election could be hurt so much by a resurgence of Quebec nationalism and by a wave of dissatisfacti¢n among anglophone voters that he might want to remember another of his quotes from 1983. “['ve been through language controversies and I know what it’s like,” he said at the time. “There are other priorities as well, like the economy Pressure mounts for warnings TORONTO (CP) — Pressure is mounting for the implementation of mandatory health-warning labels on liquor, wine and beer containers following a similar move in the United States. Canadian producers of alcoholic drinks are adamantly opposed, arguing there's no evidence that the labels curb alcohol’ abuse. They say they're already spending money on more effective ways to caution people about the zards of drinking. ning labels are not a panacea,” said Tim pokesr Distillers. n for the Association of Canadian “You create for politicians and the public is very pectation that something as_simple as a warning label resolves something that is profundly difficult” to solve. Ss false 1, anti-drinking-and-driving forces, as well as some parliamentarians and government officials, say it’s amost inevitable that the alcohol warning labels will come to canada Pythians elect officers Kootenay Temple No. 37 Sisters, held its final me month on Dec. 8 with { Brothers in attendance. MEC Susan Bycroft presided over . Pythian ting of the Sisters and the routine business meeting. A donation of $100 was made to the Legion food hamper fund, $200 to the Kootenay Handicapped Society, $100 to Multiple Sclerosis, $50 to the Diabetic fund and $70 to the Aquatic Centre. Oranges and a poinsettia plant will be taken to the residents of Raspberry Lodge Final nominations were held with the following officers being nomin ated: MEC, Susan Bycroft; manager Lil Neumann; excellent junior, Carol Churches; excellent senior, Myrtle Thomas; treasurer, Inis McAdam; secretary, Lil Neumann; protector, Edie Ferguson; guard, Lou Ann Bush; musician, Joan Marks; three. year trustee, Kae Andreashuk; cap tain of degree staff, Fran Moffat; director of works, Joy Saunders Mary Gleboff was nominated as in stalling officer at a previous meeting Lil Neumann, Fran Moffat and Myrtle Thomas are on the auditing committee Under good of the order, manager Kae Andreashuk escorted Mother of the Temple Lil Neumann to the MEC’s station where she was pre sented with a Christmas gift on behalf of the Sisters. MEC Christmas. Following the meeting, t an exchange of gifts and the of refreshments byLou Ann Bush and Carol Churches. On Dee. 16, 35 Sisters and Broth ers met at Jenny's Cafe for a supper and then went to the Masonic Hall for a social evening It was a pleasant surprise to have four Sisters from Nelson also attend Susan wished all a Merry The next meeting will be on Jan. 12 The committee are preparing for Grand Lodge which will be held in Castlegar May 10, 11 ad 12, 1989. Recreation news I would like to take this op portunity to thank all our employees both full-time and casual, including our maintenance staff, cashiers, fit ness instructors, pre-school instruc tors and all the other instructors that have taught classes through the Rec. ration Department during this past year. May you all have a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holi days. Good turnout Saturday, Dec. 17 saw approxi mately 400 children and adults come out to see Santa and join in the fun at the Christmas brunch and Penny Carnival. All who attended had a wonderful time with lots of pies thrown, cakes won and candy canes by the dozens given out to the winners of different events. A big thank you goes out to all the Parents Group$, Scouts and Awanas Clubs for putting together their booths and providing the manpower during the carnival. I expect that next year will be even bigger and better. Kinnaird elementary school held a raffle with a quilted stocking made and filled by Eileen Akselson winner is Tommy Wortlby. They also had a beautifully decorated ginger bread cuckoo clock donated by Leona Horvath and won by Donovan Parks. Fitness Classes Over the holiday season we are offering a number of drop-in fitness classes held here at the Community Complex. The schedule is as follows: Dec. 21: 10 - 11 a.m. and 7 - 8 p.m.; Dec ; a.m.; Dec. 24: Christmas Eve work out 9 - 10 a.m.; Dec. 25: Closed Merry Christmas; Dec. 26: Boxing Day Dec. 27: 7 - 8 p.m.; Dec. 28: 10 - 11 a.m. and 7-8 p.m.; Dec. 29: 7 - 8 p.m. Dec. 30: 10 - 11 a.m.; Dec. 31: New Year's Eve workout 9-10 a.m. Drop-in fee for ali classes is $2 so come on out and work off some of those Christmas goodies. Christmas Gifts Are you looking for a very special Christmas gift? Then look no further. Come down to the Recreation Office and pick up a brochure, fill it out and buy someone you love a brick where their name or message will be in scribed and placed on the walls of our new aquatic centre. What a memor-. able gift this will make for only $35. Hockey Jr. Rebels vs. Trail, Friday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. If you played Juvenile Hockey between 1981 and 1983 there is a reunion game on Dee. 23, 5 - 6:30 p.m at the Complex Jr. Hockey — Rebels vs. Ex Rebels, Friday, Dec. 30. Game time is 8 p.m. Come down and cheer on your favorite players (past and present). Public Skating This week — Dec. 21-24 Public Skating is from 2 - 4 p.m. Closed Dec. 25 and Dec. p.m. Free Dec. 28 p.m. 7 27 - Public Skating is 2 - 4 31 Public Skating is 2 - 4 + 8 6 To all Castlegar and district area residents from the Recreation De. partment staff, please have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday Job openings Details of these and other job oppor tunities are available at Trail Canada Employment Centre 835 Spokane Street Phone: 368-5566 certifi are required in Castlegar and Trail Alarm System Installer to security alarms with extensive ex perience or training is required. Wage is $10 to $15 per hour depending on ex perience. (591 A Trail employer is looking tor a Manager for @ Millwork Shop. Previous experience in estimating and a ticket in the cabinet making trade is required. (593 Journeyman Offset Press Operator required in Trail Computer Salesperson required in Trail. Must be experienced in computer programs. (601 Certified Pipetitters are required for three to four months work in Trail, (616 Structural Ironworkers (Certified or with Substantial Work Experience) ore required in Trail for three to tour months work. (617 A Part-time Daycore Worker is needed for the Trail area. Wage is $7.40 per hour. Some experier children s programs is required A program to help 17-24 yea! gain training and experie tourism related industry is be by Selkirk College can call 368-5566. People Answer to swer to Sunday Crossword Puzzle No. Sunday, Dec. 18 Cryptoquip: MY BOLD COCKER SPANIEL TRIED TO USE MY COMPUTER, NOW HIS BARK IS WORSE THAN HIS BYTE