smasneen OF Ts 8.6. PRESS COUMER

AUG. 7. 1947
20 WER MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPT. 12. 1978-AUG. 27. 108.
— PUBUSHER AUG. 7. 1967-688, 15,1979 .

¥ MAY 4, 1980

Improperly handled

There's no doubt that the
Castlegar school. board's plan to
change all kindergartens in the
district from half to full days has
sparked a controversy.

The issue was the focus of half-
a-dozen questions at the all-
candidates meeting earlier this
week and is the subject of three
letters in today’s paper

But the proposal needn't have
been so controversial if only the
Castlegar school board had han-
dled it properly. The board started
off on the right foot by implemen-
ting a pilot project at Robson kin-
dergarten at the beginning of this
school year. But somehow the best
laid plans went astray.

Troubles began when the board
didn't let the public know that it
planned to eventually change all
the kindergartens to full days —
not just Robson. It should have
been made clear that Robson was
a testing ground and, if the
program proved a success, it
would be implemented in other
kindergartens

Instead, the plan only became
public when the board was faced
with a busing issue at Tarrys kin-
dergarten. In a meeting with
parents of kindergarten children,
school officials announced plans to
change all kindergartens to full-
day sessions.

Later, in an interview with the
Castlegar News, school superin-
tendent Terry Wayling contirmed
that the reason for the change is to
save some $7,400 on noon-time
busing.

In the meantime, the board was

out incerrect and incom-
1S16 Thtormaflon. Board chairman

out of Grand Forks, Nelson and
Trail that still offers noon-time
busing.

In fact, a CasNews survey shows
that Trail school district still offers
half-day ki and noon-
time busing, while Grand Forks of-
fers half-day kindergarten and
provides busing one way.

Only Nelson school district has
eliminated half-day kindergarten
and noon-time busing.

Even worse was the board's
failure to offer a third option — to
continue with half-day kindergar-
ten and have parents drive their
children home at noon-hour, The
option may be the least accep-
table, but it is used in both Grand
Forks and Arrow Lakes school
districts and should have at least

been put torward for con
sideration.
Finally, there is the board's plan

to hold meetings around the
district with parents of kindergar-
ten-age children. The meetings
are supposed to be held behind
closed doors.

But surely the meetings are of
interest to the public. After all,
would-be parents and parents of
children who will attend kin-
dergarten in one, two, three or
four years have oa stake in the
results

Those parents will also have to
live with the decision being made
now. And if that's the case, then
they deserve a say in that decision.

It's time the board got the full-
day kindergarten issue back on
track. It should let the public know
what it plans over the next few
years and hold public meetings

Doreen Smecher said that where everyone interested can
Castlegar is the only school district voice an opinion
ey
Fred / :
Merrima ay
oo

It is not easy to be a conservative
accountant. Translated into simple
English, that means life is difficult
for people who are cheap — or
Scottish — or who are careful
about making large purchases for
their own personal needs.

It is much easier to make de
cisions — even risky ones — when
you can hold out some hope that the
investment will generate some
imeome down the road a piece.

This is all a roundabout way of
introducing the subject for this
week: To buy a car or not buy a car
and if so how much and what make?

The experience is shared for the
benefit of those who also wrestle
with the “what ifs” and “how
comes?” of car buying. This writer is
still smarting for perhaps unfairly
leaning on an area car dealer and a
column calling debt financing jm
moral.

Nevertheless, we press on.
Speaking to myself: “Do you need
transportation? No, but ! Please
reply with a yes or no.”

Then the decision is made and
column cars would end after 978
characters. As all salesmen and,
women too well know motive is

tomer’s reason for being in your
shewroom, or even in your home for
that matter

Ignoring conscience and alter ego,
we get back to the “buts” which are
as follows: The 350 V8 gets about
15 miles to the gallon, unleaded. The
price of ve is rising and is ex-
pected to hit
year end. We
believe that octane rating is
dropping as it has already in the
U.S. which means fewer miles to the
gallon at whatever price.

A truck is a working vehicle; it is
& waste of good rugged machinery
to @mmute or run errands down
town. It is eSmpletely ridiculous to

run a truck any distance with an
empty box

Tail gate drag and rock catching
mud flaps make the unloaded
pick-up truck practically into a road
hugging parachute which brings the
mpg rating to 12 or less.

In bad weather there is no room
for three people and the groceries to
all gather in the cab together. It
doesn’t have a radio. Pick-up trucks
without weight over the rear wheels
are not as effective at handling
winter driving conditions as front
wheel drive vehicles.

Here are the biggest “buts:” I
used to own an MGB. | like cars. I
dream of ‘Owning a BMW. I would
like to own one each of a: Ford
Tempo, Pontiac Firebird, Dodge
Turbo, Honda Accord, Volva sedan,
Nissan 270Z whatever the
number, it's fast.

Don't forget my favorite friends
at Volkswagen either, the ever.
loving Bug or Diesel Rabbit, a Mer-
cedes stationwagon, American
Eagle, Renault Alliance and my
dear Dad's personal favorite, the

Toyota Corolla
I cannot even speak of the
12<cylinder Jaguar for fear you

wouldn't believe me. It is not easy to
buy a car when you like cars, have
expensive tastes and have not yet }
got Mazda and Audi and Cadillac or
Chrysler New Yorker on the list.
Just yesterday, for example, I
was pleasantly surprised by the
performance of » 1600ce Lada sedan
at a completely affordable price that
can be optionally adapted to burn

propane

If any vehicles besides all the fan-
tastie four-by-fours and Subarus and
Ponys and Jeeps have been missed
from my shopping list then please
accept my apologies.

You are all good. We love you all.
The problem common to all car
dealers and the good cars they sell is
this: Find the real need and fill it.

Letters to the Editor

Kindergarten a concern

Editor, Castlegar News:

I am a parent of a child participating
in all-day kindergarten in Robson. |
have heard a number of concerns and
misconceptions brought up by parents
and teachers from the other schools in
the Castlegar School District.

I am also concerned, but possibly for
different reasons. I have been hearing
that the allday program may be
installed throughout the district. I hope
my information is false — for the
immediate future anyway. The board,
the kindergarten teacher and the
Grade 1 teacher all need more time to
do a proper evaluation of this change in

program.
I realize that all-day kindergarten
has been around for a long time in

Welcome
anytime

Editer, News:

Last week I took the Grade 8 class of
Twin Rivers school for a brief tour of
Zuckerberg Island. This week I re
ceived a large envelope with a “thank
you” letter from their teacher, Mr
Verigin, and illustrated “thank you”
letters from members of the class.

I was delighted, both to find that
courtesy has not been forgotten, and to
see how well the children had paid
attention on the tour

On behalf of the city, the Castlegar
Rotary Club and the Heritage Advi
sory Committee, I thank Mr. Verigin
and the Grade 3 class, and particularly
Jolene, Trisha, Sally, Vanessa, Victor,
Christy, Irena, Siran, Emanuel, Jon,
Carmen, and one anonymous young
person, for the fine letters and pictures
and for enjoying our island park. You
are all welcome anytime

z=
Clarif

Editer, Castlegar News:
As a Robson parent of a child in the
full-day kindergarten program, | am
writing to clarify some facts and
hopefully help clear up some of the
controversy
Last spring the school board, along
with the Robson kindergarten teacher,
approached all parents of the upcoming
kindergarten class about the possibil
ity of a full-day class instead of the
traditional half-day. At this meeting we
discussed the merits and concerns of
such a program and with our téacher's
enthusiasm we decided to give it a try.
But it wasn't without some concerns;
firstly, being the size of the upeoming
class. At that time it was quite clear
the class would be large. The school
board would not commit itself to a set
number where the children would be
split; 29 or 30 seemed the possibility. A
class smaller than this would not be
split whether it was full- or half-day
Another concern was the abruptness
of full days for the children at the
beginning of their school year. We
decided in favor of a gradual settling in
for the children: one hour per day for
the first week, 2% hours a day for the
second and then into the full day.
Also of concern was the children's
supervision during recess and lunch

other areas, and looking at the outcome
in those areas adds to our knowledge of
the program's productiveness. But
what works for one school may not
work for another.

In Robson's case the kindergarten
teacher and the parents met with a
number of school board members in the
spring to discuss a full-day program
after a number of parents asked about
it. Our kindergarten teacher was very
enthusiastic about the idea and thought
it would work well with the new
curriculum she planned to present this
year.

At our meeting with board members,
the concerns were many. How will our
children feel’ by the end of the day? Do
you think an overactive child will find it
difficult attending school for 61 hours?
Will our children be supervised well
outside at recess and lunch?

After much discussion and learning
more about the kindergarten program,
the group voted for a full-day program
as a pilot project.

One of the biggest concerns to me
was — and still is — our class size. We
presently have 26 students. I, and
many others, asked if we stayed with
the half-day program would the class
be split. The answer was no, but that
the board would hire an aide for the
time being.

Having a large class is still a problem
to me, but I am glad we have the
full-day program because I feel with a
half-day program and that many
students, the activity time that my
child would get each day would be
minimal.

I understand there are pros and cons
to the program bus at this.time no one
can realistically assess the i
Without the full acceptance from all
concerned, I feel the program will not
succeed in any school.

My main concern as a parent is the
high quality of education for my child

Lauri Andersen

Rebson

Don't tell us how

Editor, Castlegar News:

A wonderful hand-delivered letter
from Westar Timber to all the
members of the Canadian Merchant
Service Guild was read over very
carefully. My conclusion is that after
my husband was laid off for over seven
months already this year, Westar
shouldn't dare tell us how much money
we make.

My opinion of Westar Timber
Operations is that they have an
absolutely careless attitude toward
their workers and their families. The
IWA members experience the same
“will the sawmill be running next week

ying the

when left outside with older children.
We were promised full-time super
vision during these times

A few parents wished to try the
full-day program until Christmas, stop
and evaluate it then, but according to
the board it would have to go all year
or not all. Our teacher then informed us
that a true evaluation could not be
made at that time.

prog) but after jon the
majority wanted to give it a try. We
were promised careful monitoring
throughout the whole year and then —
and only then — at the end of the year
we were to assess the pro and cons of
such a program.
Never at any time had any of us
we would make a decision
that would affect other schools with
different needs.
We have now been in the program

much we make

or next month” routine

After 10 years we are still in limbo,
wondering if the job will continue. No
wonder the company refuses to talk
about job security and severance pay. I
must be a real fool not to trust a
responsible corporate citizen like Wes-
tar Timber.

I would also like to say to Ken
Halliday that staff is not immune to the
callous treatment of this company
either. But you have severance pay,
don't you?

Lynaie Tedesco
Castlegar

facts

have not made any decision at all. It is
impossible.

Personally, at this time I have seen
both benefits and disadvantages for my
child. In a class of 27, a full-day gives
my child a chance to do more than
remove his outer clothes and put them
back on. It is a long and trying process.

On the other hand, after three full
days in a row, I find my child extremely
tired. Breaking up the days may cause
a total loss of continuity and become
more confusing for all.

I personally back the Shoreacres/
Tarrys parents in saying their children
will have too long a day because of the

our program can have no bearing at all
on theirs.

Right now we have the enthusiasm

to assess the

happy at school is the top priority for
all.
Joanne D’ Andrea,
Rahene

A Kinnaird man will seek the presi-
dency of Local 480 Mine, Mill and
Smelter Workers and a Castlegar man
will seek the vice- .

Hillyerd York of Kimaird, who has
served on the executive of Local 480,
will seek the presidency along with
Gerald Flanagan, Chuck Kenny, Frank
Jurick, William Muir and Lioyd Bailey.

Jack Kelly of Castlegar will seek the
viee-presidency along with Al Warring-
ton, Doug Ianson and J.R.C.Archam-
bault.

. 8 @
Radar was used in various places in
Kinnaird and last week, re-

sulting in 19 speeding tickets being
handed out.
. .

Salary raises averaging 6.5 per cent
per teacher have been agreed upon
between teachers and school trustees
of School District No. 9.

Elementary teachers with Grade 13
and teacher training will start at $3,500
and rise to $5,450 in 10 years. Elem-
entary teachers without Grade 18 but
with teacher will receive
$3,000 rising to $3,600 in five years.

Secondary teachers with teacher
training and one degree will start at
$4,400 rising to $7,400 in 11 years. With
two degrees and teacher training, sec-
ondary teachers will start at $4,700 and
rise to $7,800 in 11 years.

Twin brothers are seeking the
mayoralties of the Twin Towns of
Castlegar and Kinnaird. Bob Mad-
docks, a former mayor of Castlegar,
announced his intention to see the
mayoralty of Castlegar some time ago
and last Friday morning his twin
brother, Colin filed papers for the same
post in Kinnaird. The action is believed
unique anywhere in the world to have
twin brothers contesting separate
mayoralty elections.

* 8 «@

The regular meeting of Robson
Women's Auxiliary of Robson Com-
munity Memorial Church was held re-
cently in the church hall.

The question of the distribution of
funds raised during the year was dis
cussed. Donations were then made to
the Anglican Chureh, Robson United
Church, Robson Community Memorial
Church, Resker Hall Building Fund and
the Unitarian Service Committee Anni-

Castlegar

Vandalism has cost the city an esti-
mated $5,500 this year, Ald. Gerald
Rust told city council last week.

Rust, city council's works and ser-
vices committee chairman noted the
damage done during Gate Night and
Halloween represented about $2,000 of
the damage done by vandals in 1979.

. 8

I couldn't help but venture

to peek at the back row to see if there

may be one copy which had gone

unnoticed. It seemed that the vigilant

censors had done their job well, for all
vanished.

had 5

On further the array of
Magazines, my eye caught the title of.
another magazine on a lower shelf —
Special Weapons. The cover had such
interesting titles as “Combat Wea-
ponry’s Death-Dealing New Breeds”
and “Whispering Death-Silencers in
Action.”

Upon opening the colorful magazine,
I was amazed at some of the eye-catch-

was of a SWAT team member
an gunman” during a
bank holdup.

There were a great variety of pic-
tures throughout the magazine of

and SWAT teams and terrorists in ac-

B.C. Tel rate hike
move to deregulate

Editer, Castlegar News:

The application by B.C. Telephone
for a 15 per cent rate increase sparks
me to write to the citizens in your
community, and urge concerned in-
dividuals to intervene in the upcoming
CRTC rate hearings.

It is our view that in every
community in British Columbia where
B.C. Tel is busy trying to reduce local
service operations, close offices, and
introduce technology which aims to

local employ
ities have a right to demand a
reduction in their rates, as well as
vigorously oppose a dramatic 15 per
cent rate increase.

Throughout British Columbia, B.C.
Telephone Company is engaged in a
massive reorganization and technolo
gical change plan. The main aim is to
centralize operations in a few major
centres, for only one reason: to reduce
local service, and local employment,
and increase overall company rev
enues.

None of this is necessary. The
technology which is now being intro-
duced by the telephone company in fact
permits the company to transmit all

possible communications without hav-
ing to move offices, services or people.
But still the company wants to
centralize. The only reason: to cut ties
with local economies.

This is all part of the move to
“deregulate” the telephone system.

Right now, B.C. Telephone is en-
gaged in lengthy CRTC hearings in
Hull, Que., arguing that it should not
lose out in new rate structures if the
CRTC allows telephone system deregu-
lation and permits CNCP and B.C. Rail
to compete in long distance services.

B.C. Telephone is lobbying to have
the CRTC allow “rate rebalancing”,
which is just a fancy term to permit the
phone company astronomical increases
in local rates and minor decreases in
long distance rates. B.C. Tel is also
trying to decrease consumer resistance
to “LMS” or local measured service,
where every local call would be costed
and charged for.

The CRTC phone number is 666-
2111. Deadline for applications to
intervene is December 10, 1984.

W. G. [Bill] Clark, President,
Telecommunications Workers Unien,
5621 Lane Strest, Burnaby

Time to speak out

Editor, Castlegar News:

Recently, the Nicaraguan ambass
ador to Canada issued a plea to the
Canadian government to use its
influence with the American admin.
istration in order to avert an invasion
of Nicaragua and other aggressive acts
directed to that country by American

troops and personnel.
Anyone who has studied the Central
American situation in any depth at all
realizes that it is the millions of dollars
that the U.S. has poured into Honduras
to build up enormous air, naval and
land military facilities that has caused
the Nicaraguan defensive position.
The cycle of military escalation is
insane apd only hurts people

especially the poor in both Nicaragua
and the U.S

If your readers are also concerned
about this escalation and want Canada
to take an active role to try to change
the aggressive U.S. stance towards
Nicaragua, it is essential to speak out
today

Write or telegraph: Joe Clark,
Secretary of State for External Affairs,
House of Commons, Ottawa, K1A 0A2
with copies to John Turner, Ed Broad.
bent, Bob Briseo or even Brian Mul.
roney (all at the above address and all
postage free)

Bud Gedderis

On behalf of the Kootenay Coalition

for Aid to Nicaragua, Castlegar

I am relieved that my

those of my neighbors will be
vented from looking at this horrible

and destruction. How . pit is the Nov. 12 meeting of the
that we wish to be like our: Joy Keillor Bridge Club. The
neighbors to the south who it is

An article in Wednesday's

their God-given right to bear,aems at
the breakfast table. .
News tells of a husband and wife in

isi cars

crashed

jumped out and began

shooting at
other. I have the greatest hope they
were using the proper weaponry.

‘At this times I would Ue to @be the
opportunity to thank our politi@jans for
protecting me from the horrible obs-
cenity of nudity and hope that we allow

more magazines such

Weapons on our newsstands so we can

Let children
be children

Editor, Castlegar News:
I am annoyed with
Castlegar school board
switch kindergarten to ful!
money.
School superintendent

ling stated that research was done.
What type of research did you do Mr.
Wayling? Did you have a show of
hands? Did you publicize your research

meeting Feb. 26.

foundation

Castlegar Sehool Board
chairman Doreen Smecher
was elected chairman of Sel-
kirk College Foundation Bo
ard at a recent meeting at the
college's Rosemont Campus.

At the meeting, foundation
board members also elected
Castlegar businessman Gor-
don Soukoreff as vice-chair-
» man. Smecher and Soukoreff
hold interim positions until
the board's annual general

Penny Freno-Link, Selkirk
College manager of college

College principal Leo Per-
ra was also named as a dir-
ector to the board. Recording
secretary is Marg Pooha-
choff.

ur
children and
pre-

1\

Full Parts & Service
for ALL Chainsaws
HOURS: 9 A.M.—6 P.M. MON.-SAT.
Drop in and Meet Lee and Anite Giesier ot
199 Columbia in the CasNews Bidg.

Joy Keillor Bridge

following winners
NORTH-SOUTH

t

Sheppard 118.
EAST-WEST

Baulne 129'/:,
as Special

Gorkoff 119.
.

Seven tables competed at
the Nov. 5 meeting of the Joy
Keillor Bridge Club. The av
with the

erage was 84,
following winners:

Nine tables competed at

average was 108, with the

Jim and Bev Swain 137'/,
Dr. Kirby O'Donaughy and
Bob Kirby 128, Gwen Krue
ger and Hubert Hunchak 121,
and Joy Ramsden and Judy

Wayne and Libby Weaver
136'/2, Hugh Auld and Myrna
Etuka Cam-
eron and Pear! Palmer 124,
and Ron Perrier and Bill

NORTH-SOUTH

Clara Johnson and Etuka
Cameron 98, Joy Ramsden,
and Judy Sheppard 86%,
Stan Jenkinson and Bill Gor
koff 84%.

EAST-WEST

Ron and Rita Perrier 98",
Don Richards and Rogier
Deweever 94, and Hugh Auld
and Gwen Krueger 90'/.

1984

FIERO SE

*13,688
MALONEY

PONTIAC BUICK GMC LTD

365-2155 364-0213

the present
pushing to
I days to save

Terry Way

and Jet the, parents judge for them

selves whether there really was a
positive reception by teachers and

parents?

Did you let the pilot project go the
ful term? A comprehensive study
should be done before full-day kinder

garten gets the green li

should have a say whether they want
full or half-day kindergarten. Is this
beneficial for the children or for the
school board saving dollars?

These children are only five years
Mr. Wayling. Let

old — some four -

them be children for at least one more

year. They have 12 or more years of

school ahead of them.

Parents, please, vote for the school

trustee who will evaluate
and publicize the results.

ents should know the pros and cons.
After all, it should be for our children’s
benefit, not the school board's.

Bev Maloff
Castlegar

ight. Parents ms

Eléttronionie quality has never Geen so affordable.
Now there’s a mode! to fit every pocket book.
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366-3777

For int to the

of 7,300m. (24,000’) of all-aluminum con-
ductor wire (power line), stolen.from our
Beaver Park Substation near Trail on or
about October 27, 1964.

This 927 MCM wire, about 28mm in

diameter, is heavy, weighing in excess of
10 tons.

Anyone with information concerning this theft is
asked to call West Kootenay Power Security
Department at 368-3321 of your local RCMP
Detachment.

With every $25 purchase Your name
of gasoline you receive [ys intoa draw for a
a 10th Anniversary $25 ticket tobe
ticket FREE drawn Nov. 25
($2.50 value) details at Johnny's

GROCERY SPECIALS NOV. 20 TO 25. (Tues.-Sun.)
JAPANESE

ORANGES ............. 80x $7.50
TOMATO SOUP 221m... 2m O9®
BLUE LABEL

APPLE JUICE iiitre........ EACH 99°

BANANAS oo. 398
LETTUCE ne EACH 59° |
CIGARETTES ........... carton $13.69

1.90 LARGE

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Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday
this week

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LUNCHEON

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MON., NOVEMBER 19 {

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