OPINION Castlégar News PAGE A4, SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 1991 MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCIL ESTABLISHED AUGUST 7, 1947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4, 1980 INCORPORATING THE MID-WEEK MIRROR PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 12, 1978-AUGUST 27, 1980 CAMPBELL ~ PUBLISHER, AUGUST 7, 1947-FEBRUARY 16, 1973 BURT omupuen PUBLISHER EMERITUS ~ PUBLISHER, FEBRUARY 16, 1973-MAY 1, 1901 PUBLISHER —Dave McCullough EDITOR — Simon Birch PRODUCTION FOREMAN ~ Peter Harvey OFFICE MANAGER ~ Warren Chemott , pie CIRCULATION MANAGER - Heather Hadley % x ADVERTISING MANAGER ~ Mark Davis Costoge, EDITORIAL MILA has a few options Will he or won't he? . Local political pundits have been debating for several weeks whether Chris D’Arcy will find it too tough to give up tn 4 RITA JOHNSTON «+» troubled by Ontario Socreds continued from page A4 own backyard Sunday through Tuesday, she maintained the premiers conference was no place for partisan politics. She said the two didn’t talk in detail about the subject. Rae, meanwhile, challenged any premier who had a probli August 31,1991 Castlegar News AS D’Arcy not running — o MLA says he's not planning to be a candidate but ‘eve By SIMON BIRCH Editor nd-Trail MLA Chris id to rest Wednesd from saying he definitely won't be a candidate. P “At the present time I'm not It's a prospect D’Arcy acknowledged Wednesday. “I intend to be involved with y he'll be a did. ig on being a candidate in in the soon-to-be-called provin- cial election. Or did he? “At this point, my position hasn't changed. I won't be a can- didate in the next provincial election,” D’Arcy said on a Shaw Cable open line program. “The reality is that there are two sincere individuals who rep- resent the major political par- ties who I'm sure will represent those parties very well before the voters when the election is called,” he said. “My role really at this point is not to interfere with the major political parties and the candidates they have put forth.” Ed Conroy, who ousted D’Arcy as the NDP’s candidate at a nominating convention in May 1990, will face Socred Wal- ter Siemens in the upcoming lecti which many 1 with his policies to come hash it out. Joh didn’t bite. his 19-year tenure as Rossland-Trail’s MLA without one more fight at least. Mr, D’Arcy — who is currently the longest continuously serving MLA — seemed to firmly rule out running in the next provincial election with his its at the beginning of a LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please address all letters to the editor to; Letters to the Editor, Castiegar News, P.O. Box 3007, Castlegar, B.C. VIN 3H4, Shaw Cable open line show Wednesday. But by the end of the hour, he made additional comments which left the impression he’s shut the door but hasn't quite locked it. “At the present time I’m not pl. ing on being a in the next provincial election,” said Mr. D’Arcy, who lost to Ed Conroy at a May 1990 nominating convention. “But every did. Woodworkers of Canada “over The headline article in the Castlegar Sun (Aug. 28) reporting the Pulp, Paper and News story ‘blatantly untrue’ The Sun paper is not going to get support from this community for not publishing fact with i ity — and a strong commitment day’s a new day... and that’s something I have to think about.” y accepting an offer from Celgar Pulp Co. is blatantly untrue and goes far beyond poetic to ethical standards. or deliver them to our office at 197 Columbia Ave. in Castlegar. Letters should be typewritten, double- spaced and not longer than 300 words. Letters MUST be signed and include the writer's first and last names, address and a telephone number at which the writer can be reached between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The writer's name and city or town i only will be Only But as the conference wrapped up, Canada’s first woman premier said she might loosen her tongue once she got back to her own business. And Wednesday, on arriving at her weekly cabinet meeting, Johnston kept her promise, albeit subdued. “I'm very troubled and that has not decreased in any way,” she said. “There's a clear differ- ence in the outlook that Social Credit government in British Premier Rita Johnston will call next week. But at the end of the hour- long show, D’Arcy backed off the next lecti told host Richard Maddocks of the Castlegar and District Development Board. “But ever: day's a new day... an ie something I have to think about. “Tm acutely aware there are friends and supporters out there who have faithfully and loyally supported me for 20 years, whether they supported the NDP or not,” he added. “There’s a number of things to be weighed here but most impor- tant is my own family and I feel that very, very strongly.” And if he doesn’t run, D’Arcy said there is life after politics. “Of course there is. There’s family. There’s children. There’s friends. There’s recreational things that you haven’t done very often or enough of. There’s life after politics.” And, NDP Leader Mike Har- court hinted during his visit to the Kootenays last week there'll be plenty of work for D’Arcy if the New Democrats form the next government: r ibilities... in the province of British Columbia,” he said. “I don't know exactly in what capacity. I hope to be of some use to the province. I don’t intend to fade off.” But D’Arcy’s future, even if he isn’t a candidate, depends on the voters — and Harcourt. “The electorate will decide who will form the next govern- ment,” he said. “And if there is a change in government Mr. court will decide what individu. als he wants doing what jobs.” Turning to other issues, D’Arcy tackled what will likely be one of the main planks in the Socreds’ election platform — the Ontario NDP’s budget, which contains a projected deficit of almost $10 billion. He said Harcourt has promised a B.C. NDP govern- ment would balance the provin- cial budget within its term of office. “I can’t speak for the leader or any political party but I know Mike Harcourt has said con- stantly that he intends to have a CHRIS D’ARCY +++ ‘every day's a new day’ balanced budget. He doesn’t know whether he'll accomplish that in the first year.” And D’Arcy said several accounting firms have pointed out B.C.’s budget for 1991 also contains a deficit, i r is he? ry day's a new day’ “Let's remember the real deficit, according to most major accounting firms in B.C. is more like two billion (dollars) this year under Social Credit,” he said. “And . . . on a per capita basis the B.C. deficit in 1991 is very similar to the Ontario’ deficit, even though the economy in B.C. has not been savaged by the recession nearly as badly.” D’Arcy said he doesn’t think the Ontario deficit will be a use- . ful election strategy for the Socreds. “I really think that’s just a bit of a non-starter for the Social Credit party,” he said. “And I think there’s a general aware- ness out there that the Social Credit government has been running some fairly hefty deficits for the last year or so. “That doesn’t excuse the situ- ation in Ontario but there’s a lot of the pot calling the kettle black, (and) sweeping under the rug the fact that there have been some fairly large deficits in British Columbia — and is one indeed in 1991 — while castigat- ing the situation in Ontario, which should be castigated in overall economic terms.” The City of Castlegar MS Castlegar Town Pantry » COMPANIES WHO Motorists, please drive with caution! Ne Castlegar REALTY rp. 1761 Columbia Ave., Castlegar 365-2166 a Students, be sure \ I trust in the future that in-depth report- of eonmned. Onty license as it destroys any fact as to this arti- ing will replace adjectives that i in cases will letter: cle being thy ne d ise tha news for = purpose of one upman- published without the ‘writer's name.s The PPWC has not made other than a ship — and more truly report the situation cre ee pepe cama factual about the Pp of of being forced to accept-a frustrating solu- see eeng we the Celgar proposal. tion of extreme compromise after being The Sun then only reported speaking to locked out for 18 days. Doug Cargill, Celgar superintendent of Columbia has and the NDP gov- ernment has in Ontario.” to use designated crosswalks. Your Castlegar SAFEWAY We bring it all tavther Having Mr. D’Arcy in the Rossland-Trail race would cer- tainly add spice to the affair, and it’s fasci to 1 t about his chances of winning and what he would do if he did win. There’s no question he would draw support locally from Socreds and New Democrats — although he’s been an NDP ATTENTION disclosed to the editor. The Castlegar News reserves the right to edit letters for brevity, clarity, legality, grammar and taste. 365-3655 Dispute from page A3 MLA for 19 years Mr. D’Arcy could hardly be classified as a left-wing ideol His low-key, approach to local issues over the years could best be described as middle of the id. And if he did win as an independent would he then rejoin his New Democrat colleagues if they form the next govern- ment, risking possibly severe backlash from many local NDPers for such a back-door approach? But no matter what he decides, Mr. D’Arcy really has noth- ing to lose, although he can control the degree to which he wins by his decision. If he stays out of the race, he gets to collect a healthy pen- sion and, if the NDP forms the government, will no doubt receive an interesting job of some kind from party leader Mike Harcourt. If the Socreds win, he still gets his pension and can spend some time with his family while looking for work, although we suspect work would come looking for Mr. D’Arcy given his experience and knowledge. If he enters the race and loses, he still gets the pension but possibly sacrifices the job offer from Mr. Harcourt, although, as we said, it’s unlikely he’d be out of work for long. If he enters the race and wins, he retains his job as MLA and gives himself some interesting options, no matter which party is in power. Ultimately though, it’s hard to imagine Mr. D’Arcy will choose to run this time. Staying clear of the political fray seems to be his best option. After all, he’s still a young man with lots of time to try to stage a political comeback four or five years from now if he so chooses. industrial relations. Mel McMullen Castl Socreds prepare to bash Ontario By GERARD YOUNG The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — Ontario- bashing will play a key part of the Social Credit election strate- gy, the party’s campaign ghair- man said Wednesday. The Ontario NDP government brought down a record $9.7-bil- lion deficit budget this spring, prompting Patrick Kinsella and other Socreds to warn of a simi- lar fate under B.C. New Democrats. “Frankly, the morale of Ontario is very, very low,” said Kinsella. “Do we want the threat of that out here?” The Socred cabinet and cam- paign organizers huddled Wednesday to talk strategy. An election must be called by fall. Socreds, short on issues and lagging in opinion polls, say scrutinizing the most recently elected NDP government is a legitimate tactic. Polling suggests B.C. voters are concerned about the econom- ic direction in which Ontario Premier Bob Rae is taking his province, said Kinsella. “It’s not so much that the vot- er of B.C. is worried about the voter in Ontario, but I think the concern is what would happen if the same thing gets going here. Treasurer Floyd Laughren as Pink Floyd. The Social Credit govern- ment, however, ran up its own deficit this year — $395 million by its account, $1.25 billion according to NDP calculati The party has been wracked for several years by internal squabbling, poor polls, six straight byelection losses, the resignation of Bill Vander Zalm as premier over conflict-of- interest all and a divi- NDP Leader Mike Harcourt rejects comparisons to Ontario, saying that province suffered h ie A ; and had to take appropriate sive leadership battle. Premier Rita Johnston, who succeeded Vander Zalm April 2, took up the charge against Ontario's economic policies. action, while British Columb came away relatively unscathed. H ises to bal “I think there is a | concern about the size of the deficit and some of the things they’re doing in Ontario.” Socreds focused regularly in B.C. legislature debate on what they alleged were spend-happy policies of the Ontario govern- ment. They referred to Ontario t pi the budget over a business cycle, probably about five years, a poli- cy the Socred government also adopted this year. Socreds pick on Ontario because they can’t find a legiti- mate issue to fight an election on at home, Harcourt said. ‘8 ing sniping at Ontario economic policies prompted Rae to suggest she get her own house in order and to are taken to ensure the activity doesn’t adversely affect the water supply. The lawyer said road con- struction could result in soil erosion and reduced air quality because of dust and nutrient displacement. Government lawyer Harvey Groberman said the property owners’ suit is based solely on argument the Forests Ministry exceeded its jurisdiction in issu- ing the road permit. He said argument concerning possible nuisance in the water- shed area is irrelevant to the petitioners’ bid to have the road permit declared invalid. Groberman also said there is nothing in provincial forestry legislation that makes the issuance of a road permit a. hether her attitud aided national unity. But she backed off this week as she hosted the 32nd annual premiers conference in Whistler. Although she had Rae in her please see SOCREDS page AS d on the receipt of a cutting licence. Shapcott from page A4 eople aren’t always impressed by the Role-playing helps prisoners with problems quest, I have not been disappointed. Workshops teach alternatives to violence possible.” Assisted by my newfound friends at William Head prison, thaf’s exactly what I did that weekend. With an agenda built around anger, If-est and pi blem solving, parti company I keep. On a recent weekend, for example, I spent three 12-hour days in-a prison, among men serving life sentences for murder, and shorter sentences for armed robbery and assaults. Many of them were, and still may be, classified as dangerous offenders. Many of them had, and still have, serious problems with drugs, alcohol and destructive outlets for anger'that have accumulated over a lifetime. My involvement with the Alternatives to Violence Project, a volunteer organization which offers experiential workshops in personal growth and creative alternatives to violence, typically elicits one of the The most amazing affirmation of my experience with prisoners goes beyond validating the Quaker belief (which I share) that goodness resides within eve . It’s that I don’t have ‘to serve as midwife for the light to shine. The greatest gift I've received through my interaction with prisoners in AVP workshops is their deep- seated humanity, which they are as capable of sharing, teaching and learning as anyone else. My recent experience at William Head, a medium-security federal prison near Victoria, was an advanced level AVP workshop — sequel to a basic workshop in.which I served as a facilitator. With the team in place, there was People are shocked and only one opening left for par I d it up. People are shocked and dismayed, concerned for dismayed, concerned for my Although AVP also my safety; they’re din i Catherine Shapcott were asked on the id day to role-play acknowledgements they would like to receive from people who have harmed them. Because every imaginable scenario made me tearful, I — and several others — decided to pass. A prisoner who taught himself to become more ful through his art d me to esteem, caring for others; and forgiveness. The i ity of gatherings and is regularly relieved through games called “Light and take the risks demanded by the exercise. “It’s good to express tears,” he counselled. “They're not real emotions unless you can let them flow. It solves the build-up that creates Livelies” which bring people ina celebration of purposeful silliness. T have found prisoners in AVP workshops to be disarmingly vulnerable and real. In the morning session of the first day, few can hide their shyness about speaking in groups or fears about disclosing th id feelings. fascinated in the prurient way readers respond to National Enquirer; or they figure Tm a fool to waste my time on a bunch of losers. None of these has Safety; they’re fascinated in the Prurient way readers resp National Enquirer; or they figure I'ma fool to waste my time ona bunch of losers. settings, I prefer to 7 av, my ig thoughts an Exercising their right to pass, making "On the last day, I not only role-played the pivotal character in an angry fami eye contact or avoiding it al d to Ontario and William Head are among the guided my path to prisons. In the spirit of Quakers, who introduced AVP to New York State prisons in 1975 and serve as its volunteer administrators, I was motivated to look not for the darkness everyone expects from prisoners, but the light. In this most p of my life. On a level I’ve never known outside the , anger, guilt and shame — feelings that dissipate through an improved sense of self- behind dark glasses, the men are checking out who's there and who’s assisting them to design their own workshop. At the advanced level, parti decide through group the issues on which they want to focus. Lead trainer Steve Angell — known to those in the workshop as “Super Steve” — reassures the group that even though AVP is a Quaker it No religi > i doctrine, and that “we're all teachers and learners.” If we can get in touch with the good within all of us, he says, “we can do things we never thought In prisons — which generate the punitive responses AVP seeks to redress —I have found unlikely sources of meaning and insight. Among prisoners — with whom I have experienced deeper I inti: and than with any blood relatives — I have explored the on 4 > re the So have the prisoners. Over lunch, one of them urges anoth- er to “lighten up” and let go: “Look for what’s good — don’t get hooked on what’s negative.” I ask a few prisoners why they’re attending an AVP work- shop and what they’re getting out of it. Several cite the tools and support offered to control their anger. One man tells me he wanted to “be able to talk in a group, to break down the walls built up from the street, without feeling tense.” He plans to practise his new skills as a counsellor out- side of prison. In response to the recommen- dations of a prison psychiatrist, the lifers’ group proposed AVP as an alternative to the “bug- house” (Regional Psychiatric Centre). “It helps put me back on track, gives me a sense of u ity,” one ber explains. “I see other people who are vulnerable and can relate to it” One prisoner felt profoundly changed by AVP. “I learned something — there’s a lot more inside of me, and it really wants to come out. This group made me comfortable enough to do that. Everybody has a problem that needs help.” Relocated closer to Lower Mainland prisons, my partner more information, contact, AVP Canada, 1438 Grant St., Victo- tia, B.C. 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