OPINION | WEDNESDAY, June 24, 1992 WY The Cast Cr r Sun A\\S PUBLISHER JON JARRETT SHARLENE IMHOFF CATHERINE EDITOR ADVERTISING REP. DENISE GOLDSTONE BOB FIRTH CIRCULATION MANAGER ADVERTISING REP. DONNA JORY NICOLE BEETSTRA ADVERTISING MANAGER PRODUC TON/OFFICE JASON KEENAN LINDA ANDERSON REPORTER PRODUC TION MANAGER BRENDAN HALPER CHRISTINE MOYER REPORTER ART DIRECTOR Direct Department Phones General Office ...365-! Circulation Classified Ads Display Advertising Newsroom Fax editorial comment Public getting the chance to ‘see’ the problem Castlegar City Council is not going to make the same mistake twice Preparations for a referendum this Fall regarding the new RCMP building is well underway, and nei- ther city officials, nor the general public, should be ill-prepared when the time to vote finally arrives. A series of meetings have taken place where members of a planning committee have been work- ing hard to ensure all pertinant information will be relayed to the public After the statistics, building plans, cost figures and whatever else are put together, public meetings and open houses will allow the public not only the chance to do their own indepth study, but the chance to ask questions. For anyone who thinks the current RCMP station house is adequate, and that a new building is only money tossed out the door, an invitation has been extended for all to take a look. By allowing anyone and everyone the chance to see the inside of the Castlegar RCMP station (by choice of course), Castlegar City Council and the planning committee (which also consists of RCMP officers), is banking on the fact that the dire need will be evident One walk through the station will clearly reveal why a new building is long-overdue. And it's much easier to sell an idea to "the people” if they clearly understand and can see for themselves what's needed to be done The opportunity for local residents to take a gan- der inside the RCMP station comes this Thursday. It will be interesting to see just how many Castlegar residents use this opportunity to see with their own eyes and then reach a decision based on the straight facts. Then again, there is the possibility that only a few locals will show up—ikely the same residents who always make the effort to gain knowledge and insight. These are residents who truly care about the future of their community The opportunity is here on Thursday. Castlegar residents would be wise to make the most of it. +e OREERINGS By Don Addis " wh? 1S POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT AND A MEMBER OF THE STERLING NEWS SERVICE Established November 28, 1990 Published by The Castlegar Sun Weekly on Wednesdays 465 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. VIN 1G8 Negotiations becoming exhausting and unsolved The past few weeks have been a kind of national constitutional teach-in. Even if you have no inter- est in the subject you can't help but know they've been talking about nothing else here for longer than anyone cares to remember. But in the same way he wore down the provincial premiers dur- ing the Meech Lake negotiations, Brian Mulroney's been wearing down the public's patience in this round. Watch for a national TV address by the prime minister during which he will lay out in exhaustive (bor- ing) detail all of Ottawa's efforts over the past year to involve Cana- dians in constitutional renewal. He'll explain how after months of negotiations, there is widespread agreement on a range of important issues, except on how to reform the Senate. Given that state of affairs, it is expected he will announce the fed- @ral government has decided to Make changes in areas where there is agreement — Quebec and Natives, say — but to put reform Mike Duffy Syndicated Columnist of the upper chamber off to another day. To take such action, the PM needs to have the okay of seven Provinces, with more than half of the country’s population. Mulroney believes he'll win the approval of the Liberals and New Democrats in the House of Com- mons, and he'll enjoy painting the two other parties, Reform and the Bloc Quebecois, as opposite sides of the same coin - as people out to destroy Canada. In the seven-50 lineup, Ottawa can count on Ontario, and believes the governments of Quebec, British Columbia, New Brunswick, PI and the Yukon will be on side. But the Yukon isn't yet a province, and that still leaves the federal government with five provinces and in need of two others. This is where the going gets tough. New Democrat Premiers Mike Harcourt and Bob Rae have been trying to convince Saskatchewan's Roy, Romanow not to insist on a Triple-E Senate as a pre-condition for any constitutional reform. And sources say Rae seems to have got- ten that kind of undertaking from Romanow in their recent meeting. Saskatchewan would therefore bring it to six provinces with 50 per cent, Nova Scotia is the fed’s other big hope. But Premier Donald Cameron has only a one-seat edge in his Leg- islature, his government is under constant attack because of the Westray Mine disaster, and he may feel it is better politically to take a strong stand for Triple -E, than to be seen to go for a package t hat benefits Natives and Quebec, but which does not overhaul the Senate. In an effort to soften up the Triple-E holdouts - Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories - sources say Mulroney is privately declaring he won't hesitate to make a constitu- tional package - one that doesn’t include Senate Reform - the issue in a national referendum. WANE ’ $$$ CONSTITUTIO Is there a season for equality? Equality is a concept much on the minds of Canadians. On our National Stage, the First Nations and the French want to be equal Our Maritimers want their equal share in Canada Westerners know they are equal but want everyone east of the Rockies to recognize it Canadian women want equal pay for work of equal value and are demanding it. Canadians agree that everyone should be treated equally, except for themselves, of course, for they are exceptional and there- fore should be treated exceptional- ly. It is understandable, therefore, that we have some exceptionally intelligent people stumbling around our constitutional crisis, the crisis no one wanted, few understand, and for which nobody has yet been able to propose a reasonable sohution. Canadians understand the diffi- culties, taking into consideration our many diverse regions, their various economic realities and vast vari- ables in populations and their cul- tural mix. There are those who think our Canadian Senate, if we have one in the future, should be weighted in favour of the less populous area. The discussions are fraught with deal irrati y and They appear to centre more on Seasons Elma Maund where you happen to live than on any scenario for a cohesive Canada. Canada seems in danger of splitting apart, at a time when a good portion of the rest of the world in amalga- mating. Most of us are simply tired of the whole performance and ask- ing our politicians to just get on with solving some of the economic woes that affects us all. Canadian women are now suffer- ing from the affects of belt tighten- ing through societal pressures that have nothing to do with their com- petence and abilities but more to do with the cultural and moralistic atti- tude& Thus, when men have diffi- culty finding and/or maintaining their jobs, you will hear people say that women should go back to their homes and kitchens, thus creating more jobs for men. This tactic was used, to great affect, just after the Second World War. It took more than twenty years for women to regain their place in the work force. Women were accepted back into the work force out of necessity, and remain in the work force out of necessity. The improvement in their work conditions, wages, and career options have been hard won. Given that most women are still in low- paying service-related jobs, are these positions really going to be filled by men? As if the gender bias was not sufficient discrimination against women in the work force, others state that women should go back to their kitchens and spend all their time with their children, in spite of the many statistics that prove that well-balanced children come from homes wherein both parents shared equally the duties of the home and family. Others still, expect working women to make 4 room for young workers just enter- ing the workforce, as if an eighteen- year-old could easily replace a woman who has a good education and twenty years of experience! Some cannot even see the irony in that statement A local woman took on the work, supervision and management of a local business in order that the owner could leave the area for a time. In the absence of the owner, she not only opened and closed the business each long day, she under- took the management of cash flow and initiation of new products so that the business showed a two-fold increase in profit in a very short time. Upon receipt of her pay cheque, she quit because, as she says, “I am not going to work 14 hours a day, in a management posi- tion, for minimum wages and no overtime!” I suggested she had every right to expect to be appreci- ated for her efforts and did not expect, because of her output, to be treated as a casual employee Would a man have been treated similarly? For all those who were born before 1945 We are survivors. We were born before television, before penicillin, before polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses, Fris bees and the PILL. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens. Before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes ... and before man walked on the moon. We got married first and then lived together. How quaint can you be? In our time, closets were for clothes, not for “coming out of” Bunnies were small rabbits, and rabbits were not Volkswagons Designer Jeans were scheming girls named Jean, and having a meaning- ful relationship meant getting along with cousins. We though fast food was what you ate during Lent, and Outer Space was back of the Riviera The- atre. We were before house hus- bands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers and commuter mar- riages. We were before day-care centres, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electronic type- writers, artificial hearts, word pro- cessors, yogurt and guys wearing earrings. For us, time-sharing meant togetherness ... not Computers or condominiums. A chip meant a piece, of wood. Hardware meant hardware, and software wasn't ever a word. Back then, “Made in Japan” meant junk and the term “making out” referred to how you did on your exam. Pizzas, McDonalds and instant coffees were unheard of. We hit the scene where there were 5 and 10 cent stores, where you bought things for five and ten cents Sanders or Wilsons sold ice cream cones for a nickle or a dime. For one nickel you could ride a street car, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy coupe for $600 ... but who could afford one? A pity too, because gas was 11 cents a gallon! In our day, grass was mowed, Coke was a soft drink and POT was something you cooked in. ROCK MUSIC was a Grandma's lullaby and AIDS were helpers in the Prin- cipal’s office. We were certainly not before the difference between sexes was discovered, but we were surely before the sex change. We made do with what we had. And we were the generation that was so dumb as to think you needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder we are so confused and there is such a generation gap today. But we survived it! What better reason to celebrate ? Canada-125. This article was submitted by a local resident who requested its publication in The Castlegar Sun. Wednesday, June 24, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Letters to the Editor Police intent on making celebrations difficult Dear Editor “Every year injuries or deaths occur with grad nights through- out the province, usually involv- ing drinking and driving. However, lack of sleep from late parties, overcrowding in a vehicle and other distractions while operating a motor vehicle on grad nigh have also contributed to such accidents. The effects of an accident on grad night are felt throughout the community, Par- ents, families, friends, teachers and students are devastated. This is never more apparent than ina small community where the loss affects virtually everyone.” This is an excerpt from a letter written by the British Columbia ambulance service “Ride of Your Life” Graduation Transportation Service. This program is endorsed by the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Premier, and other public and community agencies all over the province. The ambulance service in Castlegar implemented this pro- gram for last year’s grad. They worked very hard to ensure that our kids could have a good time but be safe. A lot of the grads parents volunteered time and effort to the same end. It worked very well and all our children came through grad weekend Safe and very much alive. The Ambulance Service tried to do the same for this year’s graduating class, but found that their hard work, and that of the parents met a stumbling block. The RCMP! There were road- blocks (2 of them) set up between town and the party sight, and they were searching every vehicle t hat tried to get to the party. Par- ents going there to provide food and security services for all the grads, had their cars searched. There were no roadblocks last year! There were no incidents last year! Everyone was well behaved and the night was a suc- cess. It is beyond my comprehen- sion why the police were so intent on making it a difficult evening for everyone. Just flex- ing a little muscle, I guess. I fully understand the position of the police about minors drinking. It is against the law. But the reality of it is that the kids are going to drink regardless. In my opinion it is easier to have 200 kids con- ‘ fined in a small area to party, where they can be supervised and driven to and from their homes by competent people, rather than having 200 partying kids out on our highways where they are a would make grad weekends less of a headache for the police, as the responsibility for our children's safety is in our hands, not theirs, but it seems they can’t leave well enough alone. So in closing, I'd like to thank the RCMP for making Gradua- tion 1992 one that the grads, par- ents and dedicated ambulance drivers will not soon forget. Maureen Chernenkoff Castlegar. This year's grad will not be forgotten Dear Editor: My husband and I have come 400 miles again this year, as we did last year, to take part in our niece’s and nephew's gradua- tions. This year, I must say, was one we will not forget too soon. I was thoroughly disgusted with the RCMP and the way that they treated not only the kids but the people and parents who were vol- unteering their time and services to ensure that our children party but stay safe. I find it really hard to believe that the RIDE FOR LIFE PRO- GRAM can be endorsed by the Minister of Health, the office of the Premier and other agencies, yet the RCMP do not seem to feel that they need to conform to any of these agencies wishes. I would like to thank all the drivers with the ambulance ser- vice who volunteered their ser- vices again this year. Also, I thank all the parents, friends and family who tried their hardest to make this grad party something these kids would not forget. For these officers who were out in force making life miserable for everyone, you're number one in my books. Colleen Thompson Burnaby Ex-premier deserves an apology Dear Editor: I believe we will soon see Bill Vander Zalm’s good name totally vindicated. There is a Hand far greater than ours and He looks after His own. All the prayers have not been in vain. I believe that God took Bill out of a terribly wrong situa- tion in the only way that was pos- sible, other than death. Bill would have stayed there until the end, killing himself trying to please everyone, and there is no way he could have done it no matter what he did. I don’t believe it is fair to just worry about whether Bill Vander Zalm will be cleared of criminal charges. He deserves that the people he loves, know the truth in their hearts. He deserves an apol- ogy from the people who should have stood behind him. I’m not just talking about the Social Credit. I'm talking about people who profess to be Christians. Everyone knew the real rea- sons Bill was being attacked was because of his Christian princi- ples. The rest was only a smoke screen. The Fantasy Gardens stuff was only the end result of the escalated attacks against him. As Christians, we all have to come together under Jesus and stand firm against such attacks against our brothers and sisters. If we want leaders with high moral values we are going to have to stand up and be counted with them. If we don't change our ways and stapd behind people who are willing to take a leader- ship role which promotes such values, we will only get what we so rightly deserve. Iris Bakken Salmo Dear Editor: An Open Letter to All Broth- ers and sisters; There has been some confu- sion in regard to our union’s (P.P.W.C. Local #1) position on picketing sites. Many construc- tion rank and file have been informed that there is an “agree- ment” that our pickets will not interfere with the construction Respect and be aware of cause work. This is not so; in fact we are abiding by the repressive law of the land. (Industrial Relations Act Section 85 (5)] and not by any agreement whatsoever. The Industrial Relations Council has not made any orders restricting picketing on the Cel- gar site, but it was made clear to us by Vice-Chairman Longpre that section 85 (5) will require mandatory restriction of picket- ing on very short notice if the picket line affects anything but the Celgar Pulp Mill. Please respect our cause and actions while being aware and respecting the struct portion of the “common site”. P.P.W.C. Local #1 Local doctor's offices will close to protest government Dear Editor: ‘ The Doctors of Castlegar are closing their offices Friday after- noon, June 26 to protest the gov- emment of B.C. for the way it is destroying medicare. The new Medical Services Act (Bill 71) contains articles that are com- pletely unacceptable to us and the doctors of B.C.. Mrs. Cull, the health minister, wait, physiotherapy in Castlegar is 2-3 weeks, cardiac surgery in Vancouver is 6-12 months. Because there will be no money, the lists will become longer. By the end of the budget year, doc- tors will be in the position of either getting proper care for his or her patient including referrals or investigating, or there will not has put forth the legi for first reading this week after promising the B.C.M.A. that it would not be considered in the house until June 30. How does this affect you the jient: 1. The bill places a hard cap on Medical Services Plan budget. When that money is used up for doctor's services or investiga- tions, there is no more. Even if an epidemic or disaster occurs in B.C., no allowance will be given to increase the budget. The pro- posed figure, 1.27 billion is what was spent in 1991 plus a two per cent increase for population . There is no allowance for increased patient utilization, Patient aging, new technology, AIDS testing, CAT scans, and new diseases. 2. Already B.C. suffers from unacceptable waiting lists for and investigation. A CAT scan in Trail requires a 2-3 month D& & Calerers Big or small, we cater to all C Tax notices for 1992 have been mailed. if you have not received your notice please contact City Hall at 365-7227 In order to avoid a 10% penalty, application for your Home Owner Grant and payment must be received at City Hall no later than 4:30 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 1992 ee) 365-5304 Sunfest Week Snack Special 2 pieces of golden delicious chicken for only $3.49 with your choice of fries, JoJo's or freshly make salads. “Remember, Anytime is Chicken Time” Celgar & Cominco meal tickets accepted 2816 Columbia Ave. | SHOP+EASY FOODS Ipr (_IT's OUR FIRST || SIRLOIN FOR BBQ TIP DRUM STIX Family Pak COMPLIMENTARY ICE TEA AND COOKIES STEAK y XN (— $ 4's \ 1.36 kg. / (SOFT & GENTLE BATH) TISSUE = PARKAY )( 58 C® WATERMELON AHOT WEATHER 1 TREAT Ib Bi & .. .40 kg. 40kg. Ef NECTARINES 128 kg. 58. DINNERS \225 grams Carton doz. (‘star Kist (— XN y) (No Name & fRovon .\ MACARONI 4 EGGS $49 a SAN yy < Lunch Box (sun Spun » DRINKS APPLE Assorted JUICE 3/250 mi. litre hatha) ninth ae UI Htre ce S\ Better Bu’ HOT BREAD MARGARINE vibe ee Oreni 454 grams idaves $ 99 ‘ 5" 91) Sf, {Johnny's Bakery L y Sun Rype ea yp GRAPEFRUIT JUICE og 7 (miss Mew ~ or Pampers CAT FOOD TWO FOR | ea Buy 300 grams of Ham or Turkey on special and check for extra savings In a fortune cookies SCHNEIDERS Cheddar Cheese mild, med., or aged SAVE A FORTUNE wi Schneiders | Old Fashion M 100 grams BREAST $ 09]lrurkey +49 grams grams BONANZA Bulk Wieners Reg. or BBQ 990) 'Y MORE IN STORE SPECIA CKQR on location ' Saturday, June 26th 1-3 p.m, FREE balloons forthe young. | ' In-Store Draws ’ ~ COUPON ROGERS % SUGAR S 4kg. with a minimum $25 grocery order Offer Expires Saturday, June 27, 1992 98 4 ‘eon YOUR COMMUNITY AWARD WINNING FOOD STORE Control Foods 2717 Columbia Ave., Castlegar Phone: 365-5336 PRICES IN EFFECT JUNE 25th, 26th, 27th SHOP+EASY FOODS Pr WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES