OPINION

Sin The Casti¢gar Sun Z/i\S

Serving the 16,000 people of the Castlegar area, The Castlegar Sun

is published every Wednesday by Sterling Newspapers Lid. at 465

Columbia Ave. Castlegar, B.C. V1N 1G8. The Castlegar Sun is politi

callly independent and a member of the Sterling News Service, Cana

dian N . B.C. C

Newspapers Assocation, and the B.C. Press Council. Established 28, 1990. Mail 10420.

PUBLISHER MARILYN STRONG

Display Adve:

Newsroom .

editorial comment

When crime pays

There’s an insidious disease weakening the health of our community.

Drug use is on the increase and rampaging through our schools and community with a fury threatening to con- sume all it encounters.

But drugs aren’t the only concern. Although drugs are the disease, the symptoms of a society marred with drugs are just as frightening.

Many offenses committed are directly drug-related. According to our local RCMP, drugs don’t only touch those who consume them. They touch our society as a whole. They weaken the fabric of our culture.

‘Local police say a large portion of break and enters, petty thefts, and other similar crimes are drug-driven. Goods obtained through such desperate measures are then sold for money—money which is then used to purchase drugs.

In our community alone there are 15 known heroin addicts. Who knows how many actual addicts there really are? And what about those who are addicted to cocaine or dependent on marijuana?

Heroin, as most know, is a prohibitively expensive drug requiring the addict to have a full time job to sup- port their habit. The fact is, most addicts are incapable of maintaining employment — their time is taken up getting high and pursuing the very drug which is slowly sapping their life and those around them.

Although RCMP are aggressively combatting drug use in our community, some say their morale is suffering due to ineffectual sentences.

Their efforts are being met with judges who, either through lack of foresight, of lack of intestinal fortitude, send the addict, and worse yet, the pusher, on their foggy way with a slap on the wrists.

A recent example is a person who recently appeared in court to answer to charges of possession of a drug with the purpose of trafficking.

This person is known by police to be trafficking to stu- dents. Although Crown Council requested that this per- son be fined $1,000, defense naturally requested a much smaller fine, telling the judge the accused had “lost enough” due to the $450 drug money seized during the bust. Obviously the judge took this into consideration — the dealer was fined $250!

So what kind of deterrent is that?

It makes one wonder if they are in the right profession as they strive to make a living at close to minimum wage

Common sense dictates that a fair portion, if not all, of the seized money was more than likely profit. So, in effect, the fine didn’t come from the trafficker, but rather by the people who purchased the drug.

And, in a convoluted way, it’s society which is ulti- mately paying the price because in that one action, of that one judge, a message was sent — crime pays.

Local RCMP are busy busting those who deserve to be busted — traffickers. But their efforts are lost on a lethargic legal system which generally views drug use and the selling of hard drugs as a non-crime — a recreational activity.

But don’t let anyone tell you different — not judges, nor defense attorneys. Such actions are a crime to our society.

But then, so is sending drug dealers on their way with a smile and a $250 fine KK

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 of its servants or oth 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 approval. Contracts must be completed within one year trom contract date. No contingent orders accepted

Chicago-style car insurance H

Usually, I abhor whining and complaining and I seldom indulge in these activities.

However, following my first brush with British Columbia's socialist, monopolistic vehicle insurance racket, I’m just a little irri- tated.

Insuring a vehicle should be a relatively simple, painless process. But it appears noth- ing is cither simple or painless in B.C

I foolishly thought I would simply transfer my Alberta insurance over to B.C. insurance. I headed into the broker's office to do so. I was told because-my-car is out-of-province, Lwould need to get it inspected as per recent legislation dreamed up by some bored bureaucrat and passed by a process-loving government.

The inspection cost 50 bucks and, of course, my car failed with flying colors. The man at the garage told me the failings had to be repaired before the car would pass. No ticket, no insurance.

I wasn’t aware my car was such a ticking time bomb. It seemed to work just fine until I got to B.C. Over $500 in repairs later, my apparent bomb of vehicle is now fit to drive in B.C.

The fellow at the garage felt bad, but explained he had to follow the rules. Despite my increasing anger, I didn’t take anything out on him. After all, I’m fair-minded enough to realize it’s not his fault. I'm sure he’s been swore at or worse on other occassions since the new.rules were put in. Yup, the small busi- nessman takes it on the chin for the paper

shufflers in Victoria.

After all that rigamarole and armed with my car’s clean bill of health, I head back over to the insurance broker. But things get neither better nor easier.

I’m then confronted with rates which are usurious, to say the least. ICBC’s rates will be nearly three times what my Alberta rates from a private company were. The lady at the agen-

THE TOP

TRENT BANCARZ

cy tries to explain why there’s such a huge dif- ference, but I don’t think she even believes half of what she has to say. She, like the guy at the garage, is just an innocent front-line person who likely has taken the heat many times for things done by the faceless at the ICBC Kremlin.

But there’s hope, she tells me. If I get a let- ter from my old insurance company confirm- ing I’ve been claim-free for the past six years, then my rates will go down 40 per cent. How- ever, I not only have to get the letter, I must send it, a form and a $20 application fee to the

Kremlin and they just might reduce my rates. Although I’ve already paid through y snoot, I'd hoped ICBC would do the check ag_ a service. Instead, I must send a form to shuffled amongst many desks and also get pay for the privilege. s I'm appalled, but not surprised. Service ise foreign concept to a state-sanctioni monopoly like ICBC. It’s the same reason the rates are akin to interest rates charged by your” friendly neighborhood loan shark. Why p vide service or competitive rates when have-no-competitors? There's a bigger issue here. Why is the g ernment involved in the insurance busine: all? There are plenty .of private-sector com nies capable of handling British Columbi vehicle insurance needs. I daresay they wor provide real service, competitive rates that most sacred tenet of free people in a fi market, consumer choice. 7 Freedom or choice are things socialists al other lovers of omnipresent government do want or can ever want. In reality, the above are lovers of mindless compulsion. They try cover this fact by saying heavy state invol

ment is in our best interest and protects a

from exploitation by evil greedy capitalists. Gee, it makes me feel better to know It really has my best interests at heart. I now know how relieved the shop keepemt in 1930s Chicago felt when Al Capone cam along and “sold” them “protection” insurance,

Speaker’s Corner

Castlegar student Tamara Terry is pounding the pavement in search of answers to questions that correspond with news stories that have appeared in The Castlegar Sun. If you see Tamara, it could be your opportunity to appear in Speaker's Corner, which is published each week.

Yes. It's a good plan that would reduce welfare fraud. We don't need people taking advantage of the little money our government has.

— Celina Ziegler

Yes. It's my tax money they're taking advan- tage of. They need to establish a definite resi- dency and work before they receive benefits. — Heinz Wohler

B.C. is known as a haven for welfare appli- cants. This is a good plan because it would act as a deterrent for people who come here expecting a free ride

— Lorne Hadikin

With the way the sys- tem works now, the people already in B.C. are the ones losing. Special ar needs people are get- ting cut in the extra things that make life worth living.

— Sharon Thomas with Jorn Sandperj

Question:

Deo you support the provincial

government’s three-month sidency requirement for co applicants ? ©

F

This new system would fairly deal with the problem. Especially where out-of-province cants are moving here from welfare cut back provinces like Alberta.

— Lori Yithelm

who are

Would you like a chance to voice your opinion? If so, the My Turn column is the place for you. Send in your copy to the Castlegar Sun at 465 Columbia Ave., VIN 1G8, or call 365-5579.

Wednesday, November 22, 1995

Sassen WZ =e Loe F = 4

Don’t take it for granted

Dear Editor:

H Several years ago, I wrote a letter to the Castlegar News voicing appreciation to Ken Nelson for year after year leading a school band trip to Spokane. I specified this was sim- Ply one example of conscientious teachers going beyond the call of duty to provide worthwhile learning experiences their students will remember.

It is time to move beyond the school experi- ence and give credit to what quietly takes Place at Selkirk College; at the campuses in Castle- gar, Nelson, and Trail and also in the learning centres scattered throughout our region.

Yes, some readers will know for many years I was a college board member and I am

now on the board of the Open Learning Agen- cy and also the ident of the Ad d

ter also needs to carry a number of urgent messages.

1. It is surprising how much money can be saved by students and parents if there is access to high quality education and training in the local area. Students sometimes change their minds about their . But even if this does happen, it is cheaper to have the change of heart locally!

2. From our three experiences, there is no doubt the instructors at Selkirk are dedicated, willing and readily accessible. The atmo-

Efforts are being made on a provincial scale to dissuade the federal government from its current course of action, Efforts will also be made to persuade the provincial government to spread the effects of the cuts over more than the three ministries directly affected. But it is vital the public understand the post-sec- ondary system has never faced a funding cri- sis of this magnitude.

In the words of Skills, Training and Labour Minister Dan Miller, “This is the equivalent of taking more than 20,000 students out of the

sphere at the College is very ive for the students.

3. Our involvement happens to have been with the academic program, but I know of many students who have had equally positive

Education Council of BC,

My comments are made with a dee i. sonal appreciation, as a Parent and as 4 Lent dent of the West Kootenay region, but also with a broad knowledge of the status of post- secondary education in our province.

Two of our family spent one year in the university transfer program and a third attend- ed for two years. It is time to say thank you to Selkirk College! Not only was it good from an educational standpoint, but, because our chil- dren could live at home and tuition fees were low, it also saved us between $20,000-

in the careér and vocational pro- grams and in adult basic education and . We are fortunate to have such a broad range of learning opportunities so easily accessible. The big question is: Do people in our com- munities realize their access to public post- d d ion is th d? The

p dary system or raising tuition fees across the board by about 80 per cent.”

As a well satisfied parent, and a vigorous volunteer worker for the Advanced Education Council, I urge the people of the West Koote- nay region not to take for granted what we have in place at Selkirk College.

At the same time as being concerned about fiscal debt and accountability, maintain your concern for access to education and training for our young people and for the many adults in our region who desperately need these

y proposed federal transfer cutbacks will amount to an estimated loss of $250 million in funding for post y ed ion and training in BC over the next three years? This will affect all the publicly-funded instituti

PP and cannot afford to access them elsewhere. The full effects of the budget will be known early next year. Decisions are still being made. Be willing to speak out, if you have the

including Selkirk.

to try to reduce the effects of the

$30,000 over four years!

This year, it is appropriate for me to voice appreciation for the opportunities offered by Selkirk College but, by coincidence, this is

also the year in which an

ing crisis post-;

ary n For this reason, a simple public thank you let-

So-called crisis is a red herring

Dear Editor:

Local teachers are concerned about charter schools and how they threaten quality public education.

It is ing to see refe

ers, the crisis is manufactured to undermine the public system. There is no crisis. Objective studies and reports iin 2

to charter schools in the media por- traying these i-pri institu-

system in British Columbia has made

tions as a positive alternative to our neighborhood schools.

Charter advocates set up a red herring—the so-called crisis in public education—and then pre- sent charter schools to solve the problem

But-according -to-tocal teach-

Progress over the past 20 years, responding well to an ing increase in demand.

Charters allow marketplace education. But our forebearers established public schools precise- ly because the marketplace leaves out thousands of students whose parents cannot afford to pay.

funding crisis on students and on the educa-

tional i

In particular, I urge you never to take for granted our good fortune in having Selkirk College to serve the West Kootenay region.

The teachers’ statement out- lined the characteristics of charter schools its advocates don’t talk about.

Charter schools create a two- tier system, one for the better off and one for the poor.

Charter schools encourage social division, take energy away from improving the public system and can actually increase educa- tion costs.

Charter schools must raise some of their funds privately, so they have to demonstrate high

We're living in the dark ages!

Dear Editor:

Now that we are again head- ing into the winter months of early evening darkness, I sup- port and applaud Blair Suffre- dine’s determination to deal with this problem.

The fact that the West Koote- nays are included in the Pacific Time Zone is a huge puzzle.

On the map of British Columbia, the boundary between the Pacific and Mountain Time Zones proceeds from the Vale- mont area (west of Jasper), south- east through Yahk to the US border.

I believe this line should veer south down the Monashee Moun- tains, through the Blueberry- Paulson pass to the border. Perhaps the area from Christina Lake west to Bridesville would wish to be included.

This alteration would put Revelstoke, the Arrow Lakes and the West Kootenays into the Mountain Time Zone, giv- ing us an extra hour of daylight each evening, year round. And, we would of course switch to daylight saving time each spring, as usual.

T suggest over the next year or so every city, town and munici- pality in the area hold a referen-

WE'VE GOT CRAB LEGS! This Week's Special ALASKAN i KING CRAB

dum in conjunction with their next civic election.

This procedure would entail very little expense. I assume the three Regional Districts would wish to participate. ]

I believe the majority of Arrow

make the necessary changes.

I am sending 27 copies of this letter to area newspapers and city councils.

I would be pleased to hear or read your reactions, for or against, and suggestions for

Lakes and West K: ly resi- dents would favor this idea. If so, then I-assume the federal and/or provincial government(s) would

imp to the above idea.

Fran Horan Nelson

QOOTISCHENIA FIRE

DEPARTMENT

For more In

DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TIME: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm DONATION: Food (non-perishable), Cash, Toys

All proceeds donated to the Castlegar Royal Canadian Legion Xmas Hampers

Donations can be dropped off at the Ootischenia Fire Hall same time as above.

wt r XMAS Foon DRIVE it,

Len Bleier 365-2528 « Harry Lovernow 365-6081

wood work, p

Choose from...ornaments, blown glass, weavings, books,

at the West Koor

oil lamps, j raku, hats & many more items!

National Exhibition Centre Across from the Castlegar Airport on Heritage Way

Ph: 365-3337

y, candles, metal,

Elizabeth Fleet Castlegar

test scores.

That means they exclude stu- dents with special needs who may not perform as well academ- ically. This strikes at the heart of an important goal of public edu- cation and that’s democracy.

The message of the teachers is positive. The current public sys- tem invites parent participation and offers wide choices.

We want parents to help improve the public system and not be drawn away by the appeal Of private schools:

We are confident they will see through the false promise

Margaret Hill President, CDTA

K & A TIRES LTD. 1507 Columbia Ave., Castlegar,

4 NEW TIRES from $25/mo. 0.A.C. ire

A plea to Jackie Pement, Minister of Highways

Dear J. Pement, Minister of Highways:

RE; CASTLEGAR ARTE- RIAL HIGHWAY ISSUES

The situation has become drastic serious motor vehi- cle accidents will continue if improvements are not autho- rized by the Ministry. Access

the extent of further improve- ments and, in particular, the number of heavy trucks has

ded the The

urban renewal program is, ‘works,

Letters Policy

Letters to the Editor are welcome on any topic of local or general interest. Letters should be dou- ble-spaced, typewritten, or legi- bly handwritten, and no more than two pages if possible. Let- ters will be edited in the interests

by the approval of the editor. Send letters to: The Castlegar Sun, 465 Columbia Ave., Castle- gar, B.C., VIN 1G8, or drop them off at the office. No poetry.

HARLEM CROWNS!

PRESENTING THEIR FABCLOUS BASKETBALL CIRCUS

SHSS ROCKERS VS

HARLEM CROWNS:

November 29 7:30 pm SHSS Gym

$6 advance

$7 door tickets at SHSS and MALLARDS

FREEDOM OF CHOICE for only $35.95 a month.

New BC TEL Mobility customers are going out on the town. BC TEL Mobility is bound to be the talk of the town this season, with our new customers showing up in all the right places. That's because, during November, 1995, every new customer who signs up for Freedom Pian, or

any other 3-year cellular rate plan, gets a

$50 TicketMaster gift certificate

Talk. it ticket! Our n «s.taking in th

ci mers will be out there

lays. The rock concerts.

The Canucks. The Grizzlies. The works!

* Offer not available with Partner Plan, Partnership Plan, Basic, Lifeline or Liberty + Certificate and redemption instructions will be sent to customer directly

* Certificate valid thru December 31, 1996

* Certificate good towards purchase of ticket(s) only - it has no cash value,

PETE'S TV wn.

279 Columbia St. “6455 B.C.

Ph: 365-64

This breakthrough plan is based on a 36 month transferable contract. Regular rates of 65¢ a minute apply

during non-free periods. Long distance charges and taxes are exta. Offer expires

BCTEL

44 Mobility

30, 1995.