OPINION WEDNES Y, August 5, 1992 i Ky The ca stl jaar Sun AS PUBLISHER JON JARRETT SHARLENE IMHOFF Carnes ROSS EDITOR DENISE CIRCULATION MANAGER DONNA JORY ADVERTISING MANAGER ’'Tis the season for lightning Some time ago we lived in the East Kootenay for several years. During the summers, we witnessed many spectacular “sound and light shows”. As a child, I had experi- enced electrical storms, for they were quite prevalent in the summer months in northern Ontario. In a particularly dry year, we looked forward to the occasional summer storm to fill the irrigation tanks that provided the water supply for our vast gardens. I can remember, as a child, being permitted to dance and sing in the storms, a particularly exhilarating experience, better even than making nude “angels’ in newly fallen snow! On the coast, electrical storms are extremely rare, although storms are not. The electrical storms in the K a from the editorial comment Fall. And why not? The weather will undoubtedly begin temperature drops outside, Castlegar politics up as issues are brought forward and truths are made I's shaping up to be a very interesting Fall. First, there's the Price Report, the Castlegar heats up—politically We have barely slipped into the month of August and already a few Castlegar residents are eagerly preparing for to cool off, providing us all with a welcome releif to this scorch- ing heat. But that won't be the case at City Hall. While the will begin to heat known. completed two years ago. ment, and it's also quite possible they have the support position, as well as elected, is mentioned in the report. or no, whatever they believe. date of the dum, angers local the chances?), do you think they'll vote in favour of allo ing this same council to borrow a large sum of money? is already starting to provide colour to Castlegar’s politi Even though the by-clection will be held to fill the spot an as-of-yet watchdog organization known as CURB has d of performance document which city council paid to have It's safe to say the majority of city councillors don't want to release the contents of this tell-all no-holds-barred docu- of almost everyone who works at City Hall, since every paid ‘The next city council meeting is scheduled for August 18, and the touchy topic of the report will undoubtedly be brought up by Councillor Kirk Duff, alias, the Champion of Truth. His name however, will not be mentioned in the report, since it was completed before he moved to Castlegar. Even though If this isn't enough to rock Castlegar’s political ‘scene, throw in one RCMP building referendum and one by-clec- tion—both scheduled to take place in October. For anyone who holds the opinion that Castlegar does NOT need a new RCMP building—have you visited the current one? The need for a new building is more than obvious, and Castlegar residents should take the opportunity in October to say so— Now, would you believe that the Price Waterhouse Report could have a detrimental effect on the new RCMP building? After the failed paving referendum, Castlegar voters have a reputation for voting on the basis of current mood rather than fact. If the Price Waterhouse report, released near the (gee, what are w- But wait! Things get even better. The by-election, which is unofficially planned for the same day as the referendum, ics. of of a local he Our present day storms are awe- some and, when directed toward you, they can be extremely danger- ous, as can be attested by several families in the southern part of our city just recently. The “strike” brought me, and half our street, up The tragedy of Tory “We can’t spend money we don’t have,” says Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, but he has four thousand three hundred mil- lions ($4.3 billion) to spend on new military heliccpters. At the same time, his pleas of national poverty prevents the gov- ernment from participating in a long-sought joint program with every province, city and town to rebuild Canada’s municipal sewers, roads and sidewalks. Cost to the federal treasury?: $1.3 billion over five years. Go figure This comparison of what a Con- servative government says is “nec- essary spending” and what it says we cannot afford reveals the priori- ties of the governing party. Obvi- ously, military spending after the cold war flame has burned out is more important than services to people and small-town job creation Many other examples are just as bad. Compare these two: A thousand millions ($1 billion) are allocated to low-level air defence in Europe, paid for in part by $200 million — out of our sleep in short order, for the noise sounded as if lightening had hit our house too. Australia also experiences incredible electrical storms, both in the north and in the south. One summer season remains a vivid memory. We had moved up into the hills, into a comfortable home over- looking the valley and the mill. From our vantage point we often sat on the front deck and watched dark, threatening storm clouds roll across the Australian countryside, while the ensuing pyrotechnics illu- minated the scene for miles in all directions. Thus, on a hot afternoon, I was not particularly concerned when the sky d, the wind dropped and bolt of lightening hit the power pole at the end of the driveway. There was a tremendous “crack”, a mush- roomed puff of blue smoke, and a blue fireball rolled down the drive- way towards me and the house. My reason tells me it happened in only seconds, but to me, standing mes- merized with fear, it seemed to take a horribly long time to reach the it was obvious we were about to have another dramatic summer storm, the kind that brings the wel- comed “cool change”. I actually forgot about the storm for a while until I heard a particularly loud crack and went to the windows to watch. As I stood watching the wind-driven rain ripple across the fields of summer grass, a sudden that's only a fifth of a billion — cut these past two years from the Cana- dian Jobs Strategy program. That's the program that creates jobs and brings modest community - build- ing funds into every nook and cran- ny of Canada. Obviously a low priority. Anti-tank guns just purchased cost $250 million, and are presum- ably to fight the former Soviet tanks that today don’t know which way to face and many of which are being shipped home to Russia, Ukraine or whichever other nation today claims them. The Russians are disarming so fast they are asking the West for loans to fund the dismantling of weapons systems! But while the anti-tank guns are a Conservative priority, co-op hous- ing — such as in Nelson which is today building the last of — obvi- ously is not, as the program is ter- minated. Cost? $25 million, or one tenth of the anti-tank guns. This is national policy? Further examples boggle the mind, but of particular note are the “feel good” TV ads you've no panel near the pool. It is true, your whole life seems to roll past before you when you are faced with power and imminent danger of this magnitude. There is an inevitability about such danger, for in the face of it, a human is utterly powerless. There was another noise like a riffle shot, another puff of smoke, and it seemed every electrical appliance in LYLE KRISTIANSEN doubt seen recently. I suppose the idea is to keep us all feeling positive as we go around and around on the constitution, seemingly without end. How much does “feel good” advertising cost? Well, Michael Wilson spent $19 million promoting the so-ca!led prosperity or competi- liveness initiative, while the Privy Council spent $3.8 million, Secre- tary of State $9 million and Veter- ans Affairs $1.1 million during the the house went “Phfffst”. An electrical crew duly came to replace the power pole, the trans- former, the power line, the switch- board and a considerable amount of electrical wiring in the leased house. I was relieved that I had remembered to unplug the stereo system and the computers at the first sign of the storm. Our heating system and other electrical appli- ances were untouched I asked the electrician if he could tell me the amount of power contained in such a fireball. He replied that he would have no idea. He and a friend, while in trade school, had tried to measure a lightning bolt. He said he consid- ered he and his mate were lucky to be still alive. I did ask our electri- cal engineer why the fireball hit the switchboard and I now forget his answer, but I do know our Canadi- an Standards Canadian Building Code) insist on electrical ground- ing on all residences. I am extremely thankful that Australia, like Canada, has excellent power grounding (earthing) codes. “necessary spending” past year. I have yet to find a veter- an who said he felt better because of the ads. I guess Wilson and Mulroney paid for the competitiveness initia- tive by saving the exact same amount — $19 million — by cut- ting three agencies that gave the government some of its best non- political advice: the Law Reform Commission, the Economic Council and the Science Council, eliminat- ing, by the way, 1,985 jobs. These are the daily spending choices made by a Conservative government. A government with different priorities, putting cost- shared programs with provinces and towns first, putting people and social service needs first, could obviously make a great change in where our tax dollars Co) Don’t think the political parties are all the same. They're not. If you believe they are, work to improve your community, and the Mulroney government will contribute an anti- tank gun or a half-billion dollar mil- itary helicopter. NDP act irresponsibly in giving in to union demands “GORDON WILSON Earlier this month, the B.C. Gov- numerous membership, which will collectively show support behind one candidate—a ing to see if he or she will also represent the majority Castlegar yoters—the ones who don't belong to CURB. community. wants the mayors’ job—the top enchilada. His name is Mike O'Connor, and so far there are two things standing in his way to a place on council; the first is his American citizen- ship - he says he has already applied for Canadian citizen- ship. The second hurdle for Mr. O'Connor might very well be Castlegar voters. We've been told that CURB boasts a its candidate. If this person does run wearing CURB's colours, it will be interest- of It's going to be an interesting saat for politics in our iyo — IS POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE Established November 28, 1990 Published by The C: Sun Weekly on 465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. ViN 1G8 Employees Union reached a tentative contract with its employ- er, the provincial government. The talks were closely monitored by the Liberal Opposition and other inter- ested parties, including business and the union movement. This BCGEU contract is significant because it is the first contract negotiated between the BCGEU and an NDP govern- ment in over 15 years. The govern- ment’s handling of union contract demands would signal what kind of Socialist government was elected last fall. Business was hoping the NDP would follow through on com- mitments to fiscal restraint and deficit reduction, and not to spend beyond the taxpayers’ ability to pay. In contrast, the union movement is looking for concessions and rewards for its long time NDP sup- port Despite the BCGEU executive's initial attempt to keep specifics of the contract under wraps, it was not long before details of a very gener- ous deal started to leak out. And clearly, the NDP have caved in to the demands from their union friends. This contract will set a precedent by agreeing to above- average wage and benefit increases It can’t be long before other settle- ments match the BCGEU deal Gone are any hopes of deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility. BCGEU members will receive a six per cent wage increase, retro- active to last August. Next year, employees will receive 2.2 per cent with special adjustments for work- ers at the lower end of the pay scale Settlements in the private sector are currently running about half of what the BCGEU negotiated. This is a very generous contract, especially when taking into account a benefit package which brings the first year's increase to closer to II per cent. Remember, it was only last year that federal civil servants had to settle for a zero per cent increase, despite a prolonged strike. I believe B.C. civil servants deserve fair compensation, and I am sympathetic with the treatment suf- fered at the hands of the previous Social Credit government. This province has a very positive civil service. However, these are tough economic times, and with a budget deficit of $1.8 billion, we must all tighten our belts and make sacri- fices. The cost of the BCGEU set- tlement could go as high as $100,000 million, which is the same amount the government hopes to raise by eliminating the Supple- mental Homeowner Grant from property taxes. The NDP are trying to convey the message they are fiscally responsi- ble. The government loudly con- demned B.C. doctors for demanding more money than the province could afford to pay. Doctors were only offered 2.5 per cent. Before the Legislative session ended for the summer, and when all eyes where still on Victoria, the government played hard-ball with the BCGEU, only offering a 2 per cent raise. Iam sure it is no coincidence that as soon as the BCGEU held a strike vote, and as soon as the Legislative session ended, Premier Mike Har- court and Labour Minister Moe Sihota became directly involved in the negotiations. And it is no sur- prise that after only a weekend of talks, a very lucrative settlement was reached. In light of the fact that govern- ment revenues have already fallen hundreds of millions of dollars short of projections, it is unlikely the bud- get deficit will be held at $1.8 bil- lion — my prediction is the province is probably looking at a deficit well over $2 billion. It is completely irre- sponsible for the NDP to have agreed to pay BCGEU employees more than the B.C. taxpayer can afford to support The Liberal Opposition will be watching for next year’s budget deficit — only this time the mess the NDP inherit will have been their TAMA ~ YOU WANT MECH LAKE, HOLD THE SENATE REFORM.... wuars THAT 7... NATIVE SELF-GOVERNMENT 1S TOO STRONG... NO PROBLEM, WE CAN WATER THAT DOWN ..... WHEN DO YOU WANT THAT DELIVERED, MR. BOURASSA 7.... Si OR # com Sports Dept. Jason Keenan 365-5579 WEDNESD August 5, 1992 B.C. swings to Western championships (ida The British Columbia team snuck up and stole the trophy from five-time champs Man- itoba on the third and final day of competition last Thursday. The team, from left to right, are: Gaveth Martin of Marine Drive in Vancouver; Jonathan More of Shaghnessy in Vancouver; Dan Van Alstine of Kelowna; Richard Lord of Cowichan; and team cap- tain Arnie Sherwood. SUN SPORTS PHOTO / Jason Keenan JASON KEENAN Sun Sports There was a big tourney going on at Castlegar and Birchbank golf courses last week Big, yet it was almost easy to miss. How big? The Western Canada Juvenile Golf Champi- onships were the first inter- provincial tourney ever to be held in the Kootenays. How was it easy to miss? With 16 of the best 16-and- under golfers from the four western provinces at the two courses, it wasn't a big contin- gent. But don't let that fool you. The calibre of play was as high as you can get. After trailing the first two days, British Columbia stormed the ramparts to snatch the crown from five-time champs Manitoba “We finally broke the ice,” said B.C. team Captain Arnie Sherwood. It was the gelling of the team that helped propel them to a final round victory. The B.C. squad was made up of Richard Lord of Cowichan Lake (233), Jonathan More (236) and Gareth Martin (239) of Vancouver, and Dan Van Alstine of Kelowna (237) “They were a group that had only been together for a short time, and they became very close. They became close and played like a team,” he said The team shot 945, good for a 13-stroke margin of victory over runners-up Alberta. Shooting 990, third place went to Saskatchewan. The Manitoba squad had led the tourney by eight strokes after the first two days of play, but were disqualified because of a mistake on a score card. “Unfortunately, there are no double standards, and rules of golf are rules of golf,” was Sherwood comment on the prairie team's disappointment. He said his team played solid golf all three days to eam the title. The main thing he taught his team, who he had met for the first time last Mon- day, was how to deal with the lightning fast greens on the two courses. “I told them ‘Don’t be afraid Red Cross scores a * JASON KEENAN Sun Sports New Jersey Devil Claude Vilgrain did his part to keep the cross red last week. He handed over a cheque for $1,000 to the local office of the Red Cross. The cheque was the Alka-Seltzer Plus Award, a reward for leading his team in the plus-minus department with a plus-27. “I couldn't have found any better charity to give it to,” said Vilgrain. It was golf that helped him decide. Playing in the local charities fundraising golf tourney, he’s seen a lot of the Red Cross’ local opera- tion “I've been in the Jim Young tourney for three years now, so I’ve had the chance to get to know the people involved.” He added that the event has given him the chance to learn about the Red Cross and what they do here in town. The $1,000-reward had its roots in a decision Vilgrain made before the season began “IT used to be just an offen- sive player, but I worked on my defensive game and showed I could work both sides of the puck.” The local Red Cross is, needless to say, thankful for Vilgrain’s decision Harry Grossmith, the co- ordinator of international and financial development for the Kootenay region, said the money will have a big impact “It will be used in providing services in the Kootenay area,” Grossmith said. Those services include emergency services like wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches for people who have just left hospital, water safety and first aid courses, as well as families victimized by fire. “It’s primarily being used locally,” he added. The Alka-Seltzer Plus Award was started in 1990 by Miles Inc., the manufacturers of alka-seltzer. The $1,000 award is handed out to the Harry Grosemith (I) trom the Red Cross office in town shows off the $1,000 cheque donated by New Jersey Devil Claude Vilgrain. The money will help provide emergency services in the area. SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper ‘I couldn't have found a better charity to give it to.’ — CLAUDE VILGRAIN New Jersey Devil leading plus-minus man on each of the NHL’s 22 teams to donate to the charity of their choice. The plus-minus is calculated in this way: players receive a plus when their teams score an even-strength or shorthanded goal, and a minus when the opposing team scores. The $5,000 over-all plus-minus award went to Detroit Red Wings’ left winger Paul Yse- baert, who donated his cheque to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. to hit them, and don't give hole away - concentrate on your weight’.” That advice paid off for the team. He also was pleased with their Thursday performance Not setting sights too high meant aiming for the low eight- ity to navigate B.C. trees,” he said. Despite another second place finish, this year’s trip to the West Kootenay was worth while “We played at two great cours- es, the hospitality was great.” And he warns that they want ‘They became close, and they played like a team’ — ARNIE SHERWOOD B.C. team captain ies on the round. Three of the four came in that day in the high seventies. Alberta captain Garry McCullough was disappointed. “We're always the brides- maid,” he said. Though the team played a steady, consis- tent game, they had one major trouble spot “We suffered from an inabil- to make it to the alter next year when they host the champi- onship. “We'll try to take it next year.” There was a minor consola- tion for the Manitoba team, with James Wilkie of Winnipeg posting the lowest individual score, with a three-round total of 227. He shot 78, 72, and 77 for the six-stroke victory. Blair Buttar from Leduc shot a 238, helping his Alberta team earn the runner-up title. TRAIL TIMES PHOTO / Guy Bertrand Cancer Society $1,300 richer Sun Sports The Dan Markin/Mark Lightle Memorial Golf tournament keeps on getting bigger and better. This was the third year for the tourney, and it raised $1,300 for the Canadian Cancer Society, eas- ily topping last year’s $800. “Oh, it went great,” said Kay Markin. “We had more people than we ever expected.” She said the 110 people who registered for the five-man scramble tour- ney are tuming it into a friendly get-together. “It’s really turning out like a big reunion with all of their friends,” she said. The tourney was first organized by Lightle to commemorate his friend who died of Cancer in 1989. Lightle died two weeks after the first tourney was held in 1990. “They have a lot of friends — in Vancouver they don’t talk about the Sunflower, they talk about this tourney,” she added. It’s the perfect opportunity for old friends to get together and have“a bit of fun together. “They all come home to Castlegar and catch up on old times.” The golfers came from Calgary, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Interior. Doug Knowler won the three- day fishing and golfing trip to Vancouver Island, donated by the Lightle family. The Dan Markin/Mark Lightle trophy for top women’s team went to the five-some of Kay Markin, Bobbi Keraiff, Lil Knowler, Kim Tas- sone, and Colleen Lightle. The Dan Markin/Mark Lightle trophy for the top men's team went to Lyle Stoushnow, Rob McGauley, Scott Jones, Kevin Kirbey and Sean Armstrong. Hey! Where did the stats box go? Like many of the sports enthu- siasts in town, The Sun Standings File has taken a summer vacation from organized play. Fear not, it will return as soon as local teams return to action. If your league is interested in run- ning standings, results, and the like, give Jason a call at 365- 5579 and talk it over with him. He's also open to suggestions about how to improve the file. See you again soon.