Serving the 10,000 people of the Castlegar Area, The Castiegar Sun

is p y Sterling Ltd, at 465

Columbia Ave. Castlegar, B.C. VIN 1G8. The Castlegar Sun is politi

cally independent and a member of the Sterling News Service,

Canadian C BC.G

Newspapers. . and the B.C. Press Couhoil. Established
2b, 1990 10420.

PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG
CHRISTINE MOYER
PRODUCTION MANAGER
TRICIA LAKTIN
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
CATHERINE ROSS

editorial comment

Public needs say
in changes to park

Councillor Brenda Binnie’s promise to take the
plans for a fourth ball field at Kinnaird Park to a
public meeting is welcome news:

The proposed ball field has become a concern to
a great many residents who fear that the field will
be built at the expense of the trees in the park.

The public meeting will give residents a chance
to see exactly what is proposed and how it will
affect the trees.

Councillor Binnie said the trees that will have to
be removed to make away for the ball field will be
clearly identified by ribbons, making it easier for
everyone to see just what trees will be taken out
and what will remain.

As well, the city will have a tree specialist exam-
ine the standing trees and identify those which are
diseased or rotten and which should be removed.

This is the kind of participatory approach—
where residents are informed and can offer their
opinions—that the city needs to adopt as a regular
practice, and which should have taken in the first
place with this issue.

Too often issues which have a great impact on
the community are decided in committee without
giving residents a chance to have their-say. A
good example is council’s decision on develop-
ment cost charges.

Council decided to exclude parkland from those
charges. Now, that may be a perfectly sound deci-
sion (council was trying to keep from pushing the
charges too high while at the same time trying to
ensure it had enough money to pay for mucli-need-
ed capital projects). And maybe residents would
have agreed, but we don’t know that because
council never afforded residents a chance to have
any input.

This is mentioned because there is a larger ques-
tion that arises out of the ball field versus trees
issue. It is; what is the future of Kinnaird Park?

How do we want to see that park developed?

Some would suggest making the whole park into
one great big ball complex so that tournaments
could be hosted there, complete with lighted fields
and a proper concession stand.

Others would say the park was intended as a
community facility for use by everyone—not just
ballplayers.

And the latter would have a point.

The park was designed by a landscape architect
— Eric Clough of Winlaw. Its original purpose was
to be a park for the whole community to enjoy.
That’s the reason for the water pond’ near the
entrance and the walking paths across from_Kin-
naird Middle School. is

If council is considering changes to the park, it
should ensure that the public has a chance to have
its say.

Ron Norman

ERRORS:

The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for
damages arising out of errors in any advertisement beyond the
‘amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the
advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such error is due
to the negligence of its servants or otherwise... and there shall be no
liability for non-insertion of any advertisement beyond the amount
paid for such advertisement. All advertising subject to publisher's
approyal. Contracts must be completed within one year trom contract
dats No contingent orders accepted.

Tip LIKE TO OBLIGE YA COUNCILLOR aoe
BuT ACCORDWic To YOUR NEW
ered . SPoT HERE, IW'T A
Dobe FOR ANCHHER Z MONTHS:

While Castlegar c

While Castlegar considers
removing trees to make room for
a ball field, the City of Nelson is
moving in the opposite direction.

No, it is not planting trees on
all its pitching mounds—but
close. It is creating an urban for-
est. And it is getting money from
the Canadian Forest Service to
do it.

Under the Green Streets Cana-
da program, Nelson will get
$35,000 to help plant 600 new
trees. The trees will be developed
trees, as well as saplings and they
will line Nelson’s streets.

The five-year program was
put in place to help communi-
ties establish, maintain and nur-
ture new trees to reduce the
effects of global warming and
enhance the environment for
future generations,

Castlegar, too, can be part of
this program by submitting pro-
posals outlining tree-planting ini-
tiatives. Funding is on a 50-50
basis with up to half of the city’s
contribution being “in-kind”.

A total of 37 cities across the
country have been awarded a total
of $1.5 million, including Radi-
urn, Fernie and Nanaimo in B.C.

Sounds good. So let’s do it.

* * *

I've had it pointed out to me

more than a few times that
Castlegar councillor Brenda Bin
nie has a strong interest in any-
thing to do with ball: softball,
baseball, fastball—you name it.
Now. Ms. Binnie has done

There, in black and white, was
Ms. Binnie again championing
the rights of ballplayers—this
time to Cominco.

It seems Ms. Binnie
expressed concerns that during
ball season the smoke from

Cominco can

get “very bad
and at times
\ intolerable.”

To remedy
that, she pro-
posed that the
board fire off a
letter to Comin-

some very good work with the
ball field user

groups. Most .
notably, she The view
helped get the

Castlegar Ball from here
Association up _?

and running.

That group, Ron
in turn, has | Norman
managed to set-
tle the muddy waters of field use
It has also mapped out a strategy
for future ball field development
in Castlegar.

While Ms. Binnie is taking
some heat over the proposal to
cut the trees at'Kinnaird Park in
order to build another ball-field, I
believe her heart is in the right
place. More than that, she is
doing something to improve the
field situation in Castlegar.

Whether we should log the
trees at Kinnaird Park to accom-
plish it is another matter.

I couldn't help but chuckle,
though, when I read the Novern-
ber minutes of the Central Kgote-
nay Union Board of Health.

Letters to the Editor

co “expressing
the concern over the amount of
smoke from Cominco at Haley
Park, especially during this year's
ball season.”

I would think that if smoke is a
problem (and at times “intolera-
ble”) then it is a problem for
everyone—not just ballplayers.

* * *

Kootenay West-Revelstoke
MP Jim Gouk sets up his tent in
Castlegar tonight to discuss
changes to the country’s social
programs and our federal debt. *

It will be his ninth stop in 10
days—kind of an “‘if-this-is-Tues-
day-this-must-be-Castlegar” tour
of the riding.

Though I may not always

Nelson goes green with trees |
onsiders cutting theirs’

agree with Mr. Gouk, I certainly
like many of the things he is
doing to ensure constituents are
heard.

First there was the questionnaire
in his Christmas “householder”
that asked us to rate his perform-
nance through the first year.

Granted, the questions asked in
the survey are Mr. Gouk’s and
thus reflect 4 ‘icular bias. Such
as this one: “Do you support the
Reform Patty’s ongoing push to
reform MPs’ pensions, bringing
them in line wit. ose of other
Canadians?”

What do you think people are
going to answer: “No, I think
MPs should be paid twice what
other Canadians get?”

It’s a little like asking if resi-
dents want MPs to stop stealing
from them.

That aside, Mr. Gouk’s attempt
to raise the issue of the federal
debt and changes to the social
program is what voters expect
from their politicians, but too
often don't get.

Too often politicians hear only
from special-interest groups.
Now's our chance.

Tell Mr. Gouk what social
programs are a priority for you
and how you want to cut the
debt.

Protect democratic principles

Dear Editor:

As a resident of Area H, I am
writing this letter as an appeal to
the Advisory Planning Commis-
sion (APC) for the protection of
democratic principles during the
process of “consulting” with the
community on the proposed
neighborhood pub to be located
in Winlaw.

Although I do not live within
the immediate area of this pro-
posed pub, one of my children
attends. Winlaw Elementary
School and I have a vested inter-
est in whether or not this neigh-
borhood pub is given the
approval to develop.

However, as a resident of the
Slocan River Valley I feel I
should have a right to comment
upon this enterprise no matter
where I live. Consequently, |
have made a point of keeping
abreast of developments with
regard to the approval process.

It is my understanding that the
Regional District of Central
Kootenay directed that Arca H
director Eric Nygren take the
approval process and community
consultation back to his APC. |
have now learned that he has-con

vinced the to shrink

the boundaries for consulting
with residents and has as well
convinced them to abandon an
open process in favor of a “door-
to-door vote”.

It would seem to me that this
process flies in the face of what
the RDCK board was trying to
encourage our area director to do
as public consultation. I would
trust that the members of the
APC would act as independent
advisors and as guardians of the

Ball fiel

Dear Editor:

Castlegar council's proposal to
create a fourth ball field diamond
in Kinnaird Park is a cause for
grave concern. The plan will
necessitate the virtual clear cut-
ting of the unique wooded area
where the jogging track is
presently located.

Many people are unaware of
the proposed changes. but express
shock, outrage and disbelief
when told of the city’s plan. Sure-
ly the council could consider

process.

Therefore, I would hope that
each member would argue for the
most public, open and fully-
democratic process possible.
This, to me, would make public
input an option for all those who
feel that a neighborhood pub's
emergence in a community is a
matter of great importance to
everyone and not just a select few
who happen to live within an area
defined by Mr. Nygren.

I trust that each APC member

will remember Mr. Nygren’s
involvement in the Concerned Cit-
izen’s Coalition and their unrelent-
ing push for open and public input
to the decision ing process. I
hope they do not allow themselves
to further Mr. Nygren's attempts
to mold the wider community in
coming to a community opinion
to whether or not this neighbor-
hood pub should be given a green
or red light.
Laurie Morgan
Winlaw

d grave concern

alternative Idcations if an extra
ball field is indeed needed

Even many ballplayers feel
that devastating this large area of
mature trees is far too great a sac-
rifice. I hope that the people of
Castlegar will join together to let
our council members know that
we like the park the way it is

We would rather see it pre-
served intact to be enjoyed by
everyone in all seasons of the
year, than devastated for the
convenience of few summer

ball tournaments.

Petitions for the preservation
of Kinnaird Park may be signed
at the Plaza Bakery, IGA,
Mohawk and at many other local
business locations. I would urge
everyone who is interested in pre-
serving Kinnaird Park to support
this petition to save our park
before it is too late and to express
their feelings if a public mecting
is held.

Veronica Pellerine
Castlegar

Wednesday, February 1, 1995

Letters to the Editor

The Castlegar Sun

Page 7A

[

Dear Editor:

craft crashed near Masset with
five people on board, two
pilots, one doctor, and two
paramedics. On Jan, 21 a
memorial service was held for
all who perished aboard this ill-

tary personnel and ,
They came from all over

North America to pay their

final tribute to these five indi-

we listened to the premier, the

We will never
forget victims

On Jan. 11 a Medevac air- .

es, police, coast guard and mili-

team that gave up their lives
because someone called for
help and they answered.

The culogies helped us
understand who these people
were and what they enjoyed in
life. We, as paramedics, deal

Be it by road, by sea or
air, we all clearly understand
the dangers that face us 24
hours a day, 365 days a year,
yet we continue to provide a
high level of care to people of
this great province of B.C.

But I would venture to say
that not one of us would give
up their job in favor of doing

else. The i

paramedic
of today runs an emotional

¢ president of the
paramedics union and others
offer their condolences to the
grief-stricken families and to

‘AS paramedics.
We cried when the pipers
Amazing Grace b

g and in the end deals
with it and with you.
We lost five people but they
shall never be forgotten.
, Say what you need
to today, for tomorrow may
never come,

this was our final goodbye to
our crew, This crew was truly a

1 D. Chernoff
ambolance paramedic,
Castlegar

Bring our peacekeepers home

Dear Editor:

I am writing to urge Prime
Minister Chretien to bring the
Canadian peacekeepers home
from Bosnia. It no longer makes
any sense to keep them there.

It seems our dedicated peace-
workers are being forced into one
unacceptable situation after
another. The recent detention of
more than 50 of them in a state of
house arrest.is only one of many
insults during the last three years

It is not acceptable that sol-
diers of this calibre should be
submitted to ongoing ridicule and
disgrace. This is not fair to the
soldiers, their families or the
Canadian taxpayers who are pay-
ing the bill

I cannot accept the continuation
of this ‘useless, costly and danger-

Riverview

chevrolet oldsmobile itd

|
CS |

1995 CHEVY CAVALIER
We only changed two things...
The way it (s and the way it works.

STARTING AT
by
IKE BRAGA

CASTLEGAR: 365-2296
TRAIL: 368-9134 NELSON:352-1614

2880 Highway Or, Trail, B.C. V1R 2T3

ous exercise to which oul peace-
keepers_are being. subjected
because of the i actions

Sandwich board

sign gets tossed

Dear Editor:

Recently we decided to sell
our home. We chose to bypass
the local real estate agent and sell
it privately because the actual
process is very simple and can
save the vendor a lot of money.

In the true sense of entrepreneur-
ship, we decided to use the good
old-fashioned sandwich board. We
all see this type of advertising
being used in our downtown core
on our busy streets by numerous
restaurants and as we go further up
Columbia Avenue we find that this
method is also used by conve-
nience stores, gas stations and
other types of businesses.

Our medium-sized sandwich
board was strategically placed at
the intersection of Columbia
Avenue and 6th Street on Satur-
day, Jan, 21. The response it cre-
ated was unbelievable. People
could not help but notice our sign
and address.

Then came Monday morning.
Our innocent sign had caught the
eye of Michael Defosse, the
city’s building inspector. Before
we knew it, he had come by and
unceremoniously dumped off our
sign on our doorstep stating at the
time that it was unsafe and could
cause an accident.

Baloney.

Our sign was placed in view in

other peacekeeping forces in
Bosnia, the Canadians are inad-

and inactions of NATO, and UN
and the U.S. This whole scenario
appears to defy the lessons learned
from World War I.

It appears that our trusted
authorities have failed complete-
ly in their handling of this situa-
tion. This regrettable refusal to
confront aggression casts»sertous
doubt on the security of Europe
and the entire world. Is it not
likely that this could lead to
another world war - with devas-
tating consequences?

jlronically, it seems that our
peace workers are not an asset
but a liability — since the Bosni-
an Serbs use them as hostages to
serve their own ends. Like all

ROBSON

ly assisting the aggressors.

In the case of Saddam Hussein,
NATO, the UN and the West—
including Canada — spared noth-
ing in swift response and military
might. Yet equally tragic attroci-
ties are being committed in Bosnia
year after year — while the perpe-
trators go scot free. This double
standard is totally unacceptable.

It is not likely that one letter will
influence Mr. Chretien’s decision.
But there are thousands of Canadi-
ans who are appalled at the incom-
petence and lack of will on the part
of NATO, the UN and the U.S. to
stop — or even curb — this geno-
cidal aggression. Unfortunately
Canada has become complicit in
this regrettable performance,

River OTTERS

VALENTINE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH

CASTLEGAR ARENA COMPLEX

Early Bird
Regular Bingo
EXTRA-DOOR PRIZES

6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.

Licence #794049

=

Coaches ComMENTS:

REBEL

OF THE WEEK

Position: Defence
Ace: 18 Heiant: 6'3"

Hometown: Duncan, B.C.
Favorite Piaver: Kevin Hatcher

" He played well in both games this past weekend. We
had him up as a forward against Grand Forks and then
moved him back to defence. That kind of versatility is
nice to see. His aggressive play is giving him more
confidence and it's good to see him take the body when
he gets a chance." — Garry Sauer

PANAGOPOULOS

PIZZA PLACE

Ss

mm ~~

5 ¢

stleszar

Presents You With

bia Ave
© 365-5666

1 Complimentary

3 Topping Medium Pizza
,

ven
Navanan SUPREMES

: SPECIAL #@1——
TWO Medium
TROPICAL HAWAIIAN
Supreme Pizzas

= $1399
lome
Price i
a
Catch the HAWANAN HEAT WAVE with Pana’s
DELUXE version of the classic HAWAIIAN.
loaded with PINEAPPLE, CANADIAN HAM,
BACON, MOZZA & CHEDDAR, with a twist
our own sweet & smoky tropical sauce!
BUY ONE MEDIUM
TROPICAL HAWAIIAN SUPREME

‘AND ONE MEDIUM 2-TOPPING PIZZA
Make ‘em Larges... 2 for $18.49 ($21.75 Delivered)

&
See us for all yor

the same manner of all other signs
used by many Castlegar mer-
chants, In a later conversation, Mr.
Defosse went on to mention that
we could apply for a permit, Now,
please, someone tell me, do all the
merchants in town using this type

propane fireplac
f

—
ur natural g

he

applianc

HAIR-4-U

UPPER ROOM GIFT SHOP

if FREE QUOTATION
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TODAY

1008 Columbia Ave., Castlegar
5-3388

Discounts every day
314- 10th Ave,

365-2213

of advertising have permits? I
think not. Does Mr. Defosse go
around town tearing these signs
down. No. Then why ours?

An interesting point to mention,
when my husband went to the city
office to ask for a copy of the spe-
cific bylaw being contravened, he
happened to see our mayor and
asked him about the positioning of
the sign on the street.

The mayor felt that there was
no major problem with this. Our
beef is that our public servants
wield their authority in a totally
inconsistent manner. What is
considered legal and acceptable
for some, is not so for others.

And guess what else, Mr.

‘FREE

RRS

P Audiocassette
10 Timely Tips for RRSP Investors

@D) NESBITT BURNS

KNOWLEDGE is POWER

Call today,

Eldofi Worobieff,
Investment Advisor
1-800-416-2882

Defosse also informed my hus-

band that yard sale sigas are also
illegal and in contravention of
Castlegar's bylaw.

So what's.going to happen
when we advertise our

= pli

moving/yard sale in the near
future?

Maureen Forster
Castlegar

which has unbelievably condoned
another atrocity comparable to
Hitler’s destruction of the Jews.

The recent release of Canadian
Pp pers makes no
in my need to write this letter. I
fully expect that it will only be a
matter of time until our sincere
Canadian troops will be used as
pawns again. Now that they are
more or less in a constant state of
hostage, it is impossible for them
to have the independence needed
to work for a just peace.

We need to bring this costly,
dangerous and meaningless exer-
cise to an end by bringing the
Canadian peacekeepers home

Harry F. Killough
Castlegar.

Drawing: Do y6u enjoy drawing but have never been able to get much beyond a
childlike level? Are you already drawing and want to improve? This class is for the
beginner as well as the more advanced artist. Wed., Feb. 8 - April 26. No classes on
March 15 & 22. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. $65 plus GST.

Your Personal Budget: Do you desire financial stability? Do bills seem to sneak
up on you? You'ean learn the liberating effect of a sound budget! Thurs., Feb. 2
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.'$20 plus GST.

Standardized Test of Fitness Appraiser: This workshop is for individuals
interested in becoming a Standardized Test of Fitness Appraiser. Thurs., Feb. 2, 9,
23, Mar. 2, 6:30 - 10 p.m. and Sat. & Sun., Mar. 4&5, 8: 30-5 p.m. $155 ($50
registration and membership fee is due upon successful completion)

Oceupational First Ald Level 1 (Survival First Aid): Sat, Feb. 4, 9-5 p.m. $45

Occupational First Aid Level 3 (Industrial): This is a W.C.B, course designed to
qualify candidates to work as first aid attendants in industry. Covered in the course
are all medical interventions that are within the W.C.B. guidelines plus all the
information found in the Transportation Endorsement course. ‘This program is 7
hours. Certification is valid for 2 years. Mon. & Wed., 6-10 pm., Sun., 9 am - 5 pm,
Feb. 6 - Mar. 12. (5 weeks) $450.

‘Transportation Endorsement: This course gives Level 2 attendants the skills
needed to move and transport injured or ill workers to medical aid. Level 1 First Aid
is-a prerequisite for this course. Sun., Feb. 5, 9 am - 5 pm. $45.

Basic Dysrhythmia Course: This course provides a basis in dysrhythmia
interpretation and is useful for the individual starting out in a monitored area or for
review of specific dysrhythmia. Wed., Feb. 8 - Apr. 12, 7-8:30 pm. $110.

CASTLEGAR CAMPUS
365-1208

Selkirk College

ilar St

Last‘year we introduced a new
RRSP option called StockLink
It was a hit! Probably because it
offers all the high return potential
of the stock market, but none ol
the risk

Customers have already been
isking about StockLink for this

years RRSP purchase, so we're

ock Market

pleased to let

ww will be

announcing the details soon

So stay tuned “Watch for our

1
ad

branch

and keep pestering t

tier

when there

option that let

never

[KS

Kootenay

Savings

Where You Belong

you know that yes

ulable And, we'll be

at your
ll. why gamble
StockLink, an RRSP

vou plat and