AA 2, Castlégar News April 2, 1989 OPINION Keep fingers s your crossed The opposition may blast if as an attempt to buy votes and others may call it boring, but the bottom line is the provincial gover- nment has come up with a balanced budget, something of a rarity tor governments these days. Like them or not, the Socreds that accomplishment Still, there are some concerns. deserve at least a little credit for Finance Minister Mel Gouvelier is betting the economy will con- tinue to grow at a sufficient rate to sustain the $13.5/billion the government plans to spend in the 1989-90 fiscal year “We hope he's right. Also, there's the mattet of the province's total debt of $4.9 billion excluding the debt of Crown corporations. Mr Couvelier plans to pay down just $250 million of that debt this fiscal year, saying the seven-per-cent interest rate the government must pay on the debt is more than offset by currently higher interest rates the 9 rnment is earning from its inves But Mr. Couvelier, pressed on stments. the question of the interest rates during a television interview after announcing the budget, admitted that not all the government's debt is at seven-per-cent, interest, That's a concern Perhaps a greater amount of the government's year-old Budget Stabilization Fund now sitting at just over $1 billion should have beén used to pay down the province's debt Of particular interest locally is the announcement that funding for transportation and highways is up almost 47 per cent to $1 billion — the largest boost of any major ministry ond that the gover- nment will spend $500 million over the next 10 years on a main- tenance and expansion program for the B.C. Ferry Corp including the construction of four new ferries by 1994 and: improvements to terminal facilities We hope the government hasn ferry sitting idle on the Columbia R t forgotten there’s d small cable iver between Castlegar and Rob son that a great many local residents would like to see put back into operation Surely the government could spare some money in such an op timistic budget to end the hardship caused by its poor decision a year ago to end the ferry service. _Infant formula— promotion blasted There_is currently a boycott on all Nestle and American Home Products to protest these companies’ agressive promotion of infant formula in Third World marketing technique that has been condemned by the World Health Organizatior (WAHO), UNICEF, and other leading Srelbeational medical ausnosiie indiscriminately pregnant countries, “a selling women and nursing mothers on using infant formula can result in infant malnutrition and disease. In many developing countries, the water avail able to mix the formula is contamina ted, and the children do not receive the natural immunizations that they would normally through breast-feeding When this recently came to my at tention, I Was quite surprised, as it was my understanding ‘that this problem had been resolved several years ago. | investigated further, and discovered that Nestle had signed an agreement in 1984 promising to abide by the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and to | future clarifications of the Code, nonor thus international ending a, seven-year boycott of Nestle products The Code included a clear statemer of the benefits of breast-feeding well as an interd by r tion on the provi anufacturers of samples of stitute products to pregnant mothers, and the members families, as Well as on the a of such products to the public; a ban on-health care facilities being | promote infant formula or give free samples; turers, agents performing educational functions with mothers of infants a ban against manufac pregnant women or It also required that labels on infant Gun pro Two stories in the media can be merged tc expose an unintended fact One story recounts how Southern California attacked a school playground with an AK-47 fifle. This weapon had been purchased in a sporting goods store for $400. It further turns out that the weapon is of Chinese origin and is sold in ‘some places for as $200 Assuming the manufac turer is not losing money at $200 and the retailer has made some mark-up, the production cost of an AK-47 would be $150 or so The other U.S. aid to Guatemala of $13.4 million — $14 million would have required Congressional approval. The aid was recent seemingly unrelated a man in assault low as Chinese press account reports formula state the superiority of breast feeding, that formula should be used only on the advice of a health worker as © its need and proper method of use, instructions for appropriate and a health inappropriate preparation and use, hazard warning about preparation By June 1988, Nestle and American Home Products still had pot provided a plan of action detailing how they would implement the WHO Code and also how they would stop supplying hospitals with free or subsidized infant formula. Ina flyer from Action for Corporate Accountability, Dr. Raj Arand, a professor of pediatrics in Bombay, In is quoted as saying, ‘There is ‘charitable ations. dia, nothing called do industry in bringing the formula to the about these so- The purpose of the Is is to induce sales, this is their Formula sup- plies induce sales by undermining and, hosy one and tonly purpose in some breast feeding education and initiation cases, preventing 1 find it appalling that-companies aWay with such gross corporate with can get irresponsibility a profile as Nestle I fully support as large the boycott of all the products of these two companies for what appears unreliabl health © be their thoughtless, and greedy approach to care and mothering ir developing countries. It is disappointing, that an agreement if not criminal, signed ‘with the World Health Organization has been held in so little respect Marcia Braundy Nelson/Creston New Democrats Constituency Executive fits high The M-19 is a better but similar for the assault rifles. ubstantially to the AK-47 10 $670 weapon The cost per weapon works out Since American manufacturing is at as Chinese, we are looking at a profit margin of about 340 least efficient per cent on this government purchase. why the International and the Council on National Issues always call for cuts in social programs and never in I am also left what disarmament could Mr. Gorbachev possibly make that is more attractive than a 340 per cent profit margin? George Richards Castlegar So we see Monetary Fund Business armament wondering proposal purchases r— MEMBER OF THE 8 ~ estapuisie Aucus!’ INCORPORATING THE MID. WEE PUBLISHER A\ PLANT FOREMAN ADVERTISING MANAGER OFFICE MANAGER CIRCULATION MANAGER Castlegar News €. PRESS COUNCIL Burt Campbell Simoni Birch Peter Harve Gary Fleming Linda Ko Heather’ Hadley USEITORLOSEIT!-USEIT OR: LOSEIT!USEITOR LOSEIT! ai chool budget not formed in secret disturbed to read your will “How did they get the num was mittees torial * work suggestions and return them to thé through these district and the reason for that direc LETTERS Ministry shares concerns The disposal of CFCs (freon) in a manner consistent with its environ mental threat continues to cause con: cern The Ministry of Environment, as represented by the Waste Management The way to public Branch, shares this concern. ministry believes the eliminaté CFCs is through awareness and the resultant power of persuasion wielded by consumers and best voters alike The March 6 incident three discarded refrigerators placed in the Nelson government offices did in crease public awareness and therefore had jits desired effect. The ministry must emphasize that however worth which saw while the the demonstration could have been carried out in a more cause, responsible manner Ministry staff took the abandoned government await refrigerators to the building’s loading bay to removal. A subsequent odor-in the bay refr lor was but rather sulphur that not CFCs, revealed one leaking used as a dioxide, a poisonaus gas refrigerant in the [940s and early 1980s This refrigerator was mediately before anyone was adversely removed im affected. This incident illustrates the when dealing with unknown need for caution hazardous and chemicals COMMUNITY NEWS Apiil 2, 1909 Castlégar News Remember When? 40 YEARS AGO From the March 31, 1949 Castlegar News Ata special meeting of the board of commissioners, the directors of the Castlegar Community Club presented a resolution whereby it was proposed to transfer the land, buildings and assets of their club tothe Corporation of the Village of Castlegar as a Com munity Centre Miss Neiilie testant in the Search for Talent contest conducted by the B.C Federation in Nelson on Saturday Brodman was a con Teachers Mr. S building Ross, equipment and the British » announced engineer of Columbia Telephone Co Tuesday that the construction of the Office commence within three weeks. 2S YARSAGO From the April 2, 1964 Castlegar News The Welcome Wagon, hailed as ‘‘a_personalized plan_of public Castlegar Telephone would relations at alocal level,"’ has started in Castlegar, Kinnaird and Robson Welcome district is Mrs, Orla Granstrom. Wagon hostess—in_this For the first time since the aros¢,: the-Consolidated- Mining and Smelting Co. of Canada Lid. took a public Stand on Columbia River basin development President W- S. Kirkpatrick. said that the company endorses the treaty will issue projects and feels they have Devon Stewart Romney, son of Bruce and Carol Romney of Castlegar, and Lynnette Carol Jenkinson, daughter of Robert and Linda Jenkinson of Elk, Washington, married Dec. 27, 1988 in the Seattle Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Receptions were held in Elk and Castlegar. The couple is living in Castlegar. Sizemore guest speaker Darlene Sizemore will be the guest Speaker at the Castlegar Women's Aglow luncheon meeting to be held at the Fireside Inn at 10:30.a.m. on Wed nesday, April 5. Although currenily living im Mon tana, Sizemore is originally from Seat The Family of Arlee Anderson invites you to attend a tea in celebration of her 70th Birthday Sunday, April 2 2to4p.m. Activity Room (Second Floor). Rote Villa we No gifts please —- Just Your Company! VITATION Valhalla Street tle. She has served as a missionary in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Mexico, Israel, Italy, Greece, to name only a few Sizemore speaks and ministers to people through prayer and counselling in seminars, many retreats, churches of denominations, schools, radio television broadcasts all across Canada and the United States. colleges as well as for and She also conducts marriage seminars and works with young people involved in alcohol and drugs to-help them get their straightened taking them into her homg until they are rehabilitated lives out, often Sizemore will share information about past happenings in Germany, England, Holland and witnessing: on the Miami and New York streets with David Wilkerson World Challenge Pulpit & Pew Kootenay Office Outfitters Ltd Featuring (UHQ) ini the FAX. anon’s exclusive L (0 delivers detailed text and photographs clearly— and in 64 shades of gray. It also offers advanced features like Error Correction Mode and Delayed Transmission Canon FAX-270 BLACK FOREST tion we share freely with the public ber 2" in the March 26 issue of the hool board Ca: wh we workable process to develop a budget for Ca budget in secret mu We listen to them and where possible we get tio budget mi: bu Examples are the pui these are public documents available for the public to read ts an the school district budget which we plement. go suggestions pa and stlegar News. consideration This editorial describes a situation ich is not true and asks that in future school trustees follow an un our school district The editorial stlegar implies thatthe school board ‘develops its called the This is untrue, school board The unity requests the budget com submissions for work the suggestions into the bud This year, many of these sugges: ns form line items of our 1989/90 due to budget cost The school board asks for or com ssions educational reports for the ns. At policy debated second this dget and general debate and language the com- All of the district review, ter committee report, etc Thes¢ public submissions and repor are considered by the school board d, where feasible, implemented into Those items this cannot at time im either as reports or to various schol board Many of the school board have mmmittees. The school mmilttees representatives of rents groups, support staff, teachers staff and students. administrative staffr These com The editorial asserts that the school board does not meet with people who have a concern with the school budget You know this is not true! The school board attended a public meeting put on by an_ad hoc group Castlegar Education Committee before we made final decisions on the budget. Several of the issues presented to the meeting were later withdrawn A couple of weeks later, group came to the regular school board meeting and again the school board listened to and addressed their concer meeting, we voted school buildings in our district At both meetings, your paper had a reporter in attendance now say we do not discuss publicly the school budget and its implications for the school district? The editorial asserts that the school district should “have line items of the budget discussed in public forums This suggestion is unworkable. items have personnel and confidential student-learning implications. board irresponsible if it publicly discussed its The general direction of the school dividual trustees, we encourage the public to involve itself in the education system. We sincerely try-to-answer its questions and meet its concerns board, as an body, I believe, is unique in its open approach to the public. We ask for Taxpayers’ submissions to the budget, we attend We did this as a board meetings, we ask for representatives to sit on our school board committees. The school elected concerned citizens’ Does a hospital board, a college city regional 4 provincial government or a federal government act as openly with board, a council, a this same district, its taxpaying public? We accept that this openness may lead us to criticism, but this criticism is what sharpens our ability to sound decisions. We do not see our selves asa perfect school board, but we publicly on_changes to make How can you are a group of people who with all our personal differences make a sincere ef fort to be open and responsive to con cerns of the people Your editorial asks, ‘How did they get. the numbers We got through public budget submissions, administrative recommendations, them Many educational reports, staff public meetings, and a good deal of heated debate in dur school board meetings. Mickey V. Kinakin School Trustee would be Budget leaves | room to improve By WENDY ECKERSLEY VICTORIA ‘(CP) Political junkies tackled budget documents in British Columbia on’ Thursday with the intensity of old women peering into tea leaves, seeking any sign that an election is coming What budget. Rich enough to seduce votes from a wide swath they found was a ready-when-you-are Of the electorate if necessary, but with room to improve if the government decides to wait at least another year Premier Bill Vander Zalm’s Social Credit gover fment can’t help but get credit for producing the first balanced budget in a decade in a province defined by its boom-and-bust economy Not only will they avoid a politically unpalatable something few other provihces will but the Socreds have promised to boost spending by almost 13 per cent through 1989-90 operating deficit escape this year Nothing could sound sweeter, from Victoria all the way phrough the Interior. Voters have vivid and bitter memories of the restraint program imposed by former Socred prentier Bill Bennett in 1983 News that Bennett's successor is willing to shrug off fears of inflation and fling generous amounts of cash across the economy will surely win back for Vander Zalm some of ihe support that has faded since he won a majority in October 1986 British Columbians believe they suffered enough during the recession. Now that the regional economy growing a healthy four per cent in 1988 they want to share in the wealth SEE THE MONEY While there are literally no tax breaks for in dividuals (other than token help for lower-income home buyers and renters), almost everyone will see, if not get, some of the $13.5 billion to be spent by Victoria this year has recovered Finance Minister Mel Couvelier promised more and better highways, expansions for universities, new ferries, 4,000 new housing units for renters and $200 million to tackle environmental problems. Legal aid gets a boost, as does welfare for the handicapped. Young people get job training, while senior citizens get an earlier property tax deferral and a task force to-study their particular problems Not even steadfast supporters of the Opposition New Democrats could find much to discredit in the broad direction of the Socred spending plan. Recalling Bennett’s drastic slash of social programs in 1983 and 1984, few B.C. voters would fault Couvelier for pulling $500 million from the magician’s hat calléd the Budget Stabilization Fund because, as he said, “essential social service expenditures must be increased significantly.” Amaccountant by trade, Couvelier knows full well that popular measures sell better than prudent ones That's why he opted to cumulated debt by only $96 million last year. And why he’s going to shave only $250 million from the $4.9 billion debt this year COULD SAVE MORE That move alone will save $69 million in interest payments. With the option of saving many times that amount by paying off a bigger chunk of debt, the gover nntent instead decided to launch a 12.8-per-cent spen. ding increase. In addition, it plans to top up the stabilization fund to bring it to $1.4 billion by this time next year That does little about the burden of accumulated debt. But it provides a shot of stimulation to the economy should things slow down this year. And it sets iip+the-Sacreds wonderfully for an even more generous budget in 1990 should they decide the electorate needs another hit of cash before an election Beaming during his declaration of a balanced budget and better times ahead, Couvelier must have felt the irony of lecturing other governments in Canada for “adding to through unwise deficit spending.”* He apparently has chosen to ignore the question of whether it is fiscally responsible to spend at triple the rate of inflation and stockpile the surplus, while making only a token effort to cut long-term debt He and other astute Socreds are gambling better than even odds same choice. pay down the province's ac inflationary pressures with that voters would make the _widespread benefits to Canadians. and he Teason Waste nt Branch cannot accept special wastes at the government offices two The-remaining refrigerators were taken to a local appliance repair depot where they were found to be em pty. Apparently the freon- they once contained. had-escaped. at_an earlier date It is not the ministry's intent to discredit valid concerns regarding the disposal of CFCs. The Ministry of En vironment shares those concerns and alternative arrangements for the safe collection and disposal of CFCs are explored. In the in accept CFCs currently being terim, the ministry will for storage eventual disposal the CFC pressurized freon gas However must be submitted in-an-appro 4 prearranged time ce repair center may nee in this matter Ministry of Eny Waste M Nebon Canvass for funds underway The Ca R the ch Society is at moment — soliciting. -funds throughout Canada by means of amail campaigr The C Re headquarters in arch Society has its Montreal and should not be confused Canadian Cancer Society worked in years. Both funds for Canadian Cancer financial se units has munity for many organizations provide arch, but the Society also gives and emotional support munity and ional projects such cancer patients in our cor undertakes educ as the breast self-examination clinics held each year It is unfortunate that the two groups have names so similar that confusion between the two is almost inevitable, ations conduct operations during and'that both their organiz fund-raising the spring The € group Castlegar, anadian Cancer’ Society, the operates _in joing its whose unit will be annual door-to-door canvas during April. In the last week of April, information and envelopes for donations which will be mailed to each household for the convenience of generate tax credits those the canvassers have been unable toreach Ruby J. Marsh President, Castlegar Unit, Canadian Cancer Society Please address all Letters to the Editor to: The Castlegar News, P.O. Box 3007, Castlegar B.C. VIN 3H4, or deliver them to our office at 197 Columbia Ave nue, Castlegar letters must be signed and in the writor’s Tull feme snd address “Only the name ond address of must be disclosed to the The Castlegar News reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity legality and grammar " IS YEARS AGO From the April4, 1974 Castlegar News Castlegar voters on Saturday elected their amalgamation” ‘as mayor of British Columbia's newest ‘father of city Ed Mosby, amalgamation committee that saw the amal put who chaired the special successful mation vote before the residents of former towns of and Kinnaird in December, Mayor John Landis and Deputy Mayor George Bondaroff Castlegar defeated The eighth consecutive surplus for the Castlegar and District Hospital, a record not obtained by hospital in British Columbia, and a any other By Rev. CHARLES BALFOUR St. David’s Anglican Church “Hf God exists, why doesn’t He do something aboutthe mess this world is in?”’ Good question. As Christians, probably most of us have both won been asked about it by critics of our faith. The that God has done constantly doing to help this world gone dered this ourselves and thing is, of course, something and is something wrong God’s cure for all that ails us is His Son, In His life we know Jesus Christ truth, justice and love as nowhere else. In His death we see the mercy of God reaching out to redeem and heal every twisted amd broken par of our lives. In His resurrection we see the triumph of goodness over evil, of lifeoverdeath Christ is God’s cure for the world (ohn 3:16). If we did not believe that, then we wouldn't bother Christians and Good Friday Easter would nothing challenge is to help the world to see the significance of what God has done in Easter. The challenge is great because Calvary is far away in both space and time. How can the atoning death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth become real for the people of Castlegar in 1989? The secret lies in being and mean Our “living out”’ our f dey-by-day-In-the. of baptism we become one with Christ Weconsciously share both in His death and in His resurrection. Our old sinful and selfish nature we gladly crucify and bury with Jesus and we live new lives of holiness in His resurrected power If we will let selfishness die in us, then the world will see the true wonder of Christ’s victorious death. If we will live lives full of hope and joy despite our circumstances, then the world will rejoice in the living Christ. God still acts in Easter, but He does so through you and me. May our lives demonstrate His amazing grace ahd sul love! TUES., WED. ..99° 12-9th Avenue South Cranbrook, B.C. VIC 218 yok... 426-2241 368-3644 Costlega: Nelson dra High Quality processing system, THE “SHOW ME” MACHINES PROCESSED CHEESE SLICES $998 Pp CHICKEN NOODLE (OR 7 UP. REG. /DIET SOUP MIX LIPTON. 2-POUCH PACK, ¢ mt PLUS DEPOSIT 99° We reserve the right to limit quantities Prices limited to stock on hand. PRICES EFFECTIVE IN., MON. OPEN SUNDAYS 10 o.m.-5 p.m. CENTRAL FOODS Community Owned & 2717 Columbia, Castley probable budget exceeding $1 million for 1974 was) reported by finance chairman J. ‘W. Scott when the Castlegar and District Hospital Society held its annual meeting last Thursday evening Cartoonist Nick Hobart, whose-ar Listry. dresses the editorial page of the Castlegar, News each week, has received word one of his cartoons has been accepted by:the Saturday Evening Post for its April isstie Mr. Hobart naird library 5S YEARS AGO From the April 1, 1984 Castlegar News Ministry of Transport officials con at the Kin- is librarian tinued their investigation this morning into which killed af instrac’crand student from the Castlegar Flying Se Cessna Skyhawk Cessna-tS0 in Thursday plane crash hool when their collided with a mid-air two kilometres north of Trail Glade residents have won the fight to keep full operating hours their ferry’s The ferry’s hours of operation were to have been cut to 18 hours from 21 hours beginning today, but Highways Minister decision Alex Fraser has reversed the Slocan Valley residents may have the chance to vote on whether or not they want the Slocan Valley plan. The four regional district directors from the valley are revising the controversial Slocan Valley draft plan and hope to hold a referendum on the final version ofthe plan "TRUCKLOA]) BIKE SALE In Stock Norco, Vetta & Bell HELMETS Starting From pproved almvete ! and all should be well! ». Sundays. you should r Sunday Castlegar it youre matter If you fail consistently to get your Sunday Castlegar News by 9 a then phone us Monday and tomplain: Call 365-7266 and ask for circuletion. Castlegar News 197 Columbia Ave. 365-7266 Over 150 Bikes All Sizes and Great Colors Tons of Cycling: Accessories ONLY + . THT Save 5100 Renegade Ranger 15 speed SIS Mountain Bike Mon., April 3 — Sat. ‘April 8 Fantastic $ avings All Week Limited Number of LAST YEAR’S BIKES ROAD BIKES From... --+-- MOUNTAIN BIKES FROM .......---- $149.99 $9999 Renegade Sierra 15-Speed SIS Alloy Rims, Oval Tech, Mountain Bike ... $349 99 Kuwahara Edge 18-Speed SIS Oval Tech ......- $359 99 Renegade Laredo 18-Speed SIS Bio-Pace Etage Mountain Neon Colours ....- $499 99 it Apollo Destiny 18-Speed Etage SIS Mountain Bike. Bio-Pace, Cro-Mo. $589°° Renegade Lil’ Bronco Boys & Girls MOUNTAIN Specialized Rockhopper Comp Deore Hyperglide. 21-Speed, all the Toys! . jc 5 $869 BIKES 16", 20", 24 149% And Up 7 5K & SPORT Castleaird Plaza * 365-5588