ee

. enfranchised

Editorial

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 8,1997 - AS

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

on recall - The Mail Bag

off base

Giesbrecht a valid target

Dear Sir:

Your Sept, 24th editorial entitled ‘‘Opportunism”’
is off the mark in my opinion.

The editorial states Skcena MLA Helmut Gies-
brecht is the same person now as he was in the first
term.

Helmut was practically invisible in bis first term
of office other than to
sing the song of collec-
tive happiness from the
central party in Victoria,

In his second term he
has displayed a hostile
approach to many
people in this riding as
past letters to your paper
would bear as testimony.

These ‘‘Giesbrechlian
blasts’” effectively dis-
many [g
voters in this riding. an

I ask you after being Jae =
publicly ridiculed b ce. ra
Helmut do you think you Giesbrecht
could go to him with a problem?

You state the legislation was written to remove an
MLA for gross misconduct?

This arrogant and irresponsible MLA is exactly
what the legislation was designed to neutralize.

On November 28 over three hundred taxpayers in
Skeena will make history.

Helmut pull up! I think you are going 10 crash!

Ron Town
Terrace, B.C.
Attack was self-serving
Dear Sir:

Barely a month ago your newspaper amply
reported that talks between two huge banks (the
mill owners) and the union were al a standstiil, the
banks having already publicly stated they were
going to abandon northwest B.C,

Faced with such a sizable, imminent, economic
collapse, I read that Terrace city council beseeched
the provincial government to intervene.

Linda Hawes is a member of city council, and
there was no indication whatsoever in this newspa-
per that she voted, or even merely protested, against
her council’s plea for government intervention.

Now, alter this region’s overall economy appears
to have been bailed out, her Sept. 24 letter to the
editor suddenly asserts “‘the province will not
tolerate free market negotiations, unhindered by
governmental meddling, ”

However, wasn’t it ‘governmental meddling’’ by
our very own Mrs. Hawes and the rest of city coun-
cil which brought in the B.C. government in the
first place?

So please, a bit less selective memory would be
greatly appreciated.

‘Free market negotiation” resulted in contractors
being paid zero by the two huge (billion dollar prof-
it) banks — is this whal Mrs. Hawes champions?

If so, may I suggest she defends her position to
Justin Rigsby, among: olhers, who are now
desperately seeking money from the ‘‘meddling’’
government instead of the ‘‘free enterprise’’ banks
which actually stiffed contractors for many tens of
millions of dollars.

Tt is typical human (also crow) nature to be

gteedy and squabble over who is going to snatch
the biggest slice of the pic, but doesn’t Mrs. Hawes
understand that these two banks nearly ran off with
the entire pie?

Isn't it blatantly self-serving for Mrs. Hawes to attack
our local MLA, when the true fact is only last year, in
the provincial election, she acted as. campaign manager
for the politician who opposed him, but lost?

Wouldn't it be an awful lot more sensible if she
re-directed her anger and sarcasm at them?

Finally, isn’t it blatantly self-serving for Mrs.
Hawes to attack our local MLA, when the true fact
is only last year, in the provincial election, she
acted as campaign manager for the politician whe
opposed him, but Jost?

Why has Mrs. Hawes failed to disclose this cru-
cial link to the readers of the Terrace Standard in
her letter?

Jerry Reitman
Terrace, B.C.

Analysis bang on

Dear Sir:

My compliments to Jeff Nagel and Dave Taylor
for the article ‘‘A Tale of Two Cities’? (Oct. 1
1997, Terrace Standard).

This analysis hits the nail on the head, This

. referendum is starting to be blown out of proportion

and is rapidly approaching the heights of the
Quebec referendum.

This referendum is not a bout of Terrace versus
Thombill, but is merely a merger between two
healthy communities to form one sironger com-
munity. In my humble opinion, Terrace is a fantas-
tic place to live and that doesn’t change When I
drive over the bridge,

John Evans
Terrace, B.C.

Town’s spirit shines

Dear Sir:

Whatever happens in the future ] hope that Ter-
race doesn’t change. I know thal there must be
progress and I’m the first to support that,

But whatever happens, please don’t let Terrace
lose the fantastic community spirit and caring for
other human beings as was shown last weekend
with the Toy Run and the fund-raising for young
Cody. Lots of places all over the world could learn
a lot from the oneness and community togetherness
that these events showed.

Although ° Terrace is by no means 4 small town, it
Still has that fantastic feel about it where people are
still people and not just statistics and numbers.

I’m having a pretty rough time of il lalcly and
with winter coming wonder what I’m doing bere.
But you see these things and the great people that
help make up this caring community and I’m proud
to call Terrace home. Don’t lose it

Ken Mansfield
Terrace, B.C.

Store lacks respect

Dear Sir:

I view with concern Real Canadian Wholesale
Club’s management procedure of checking
custoniers paid for purchases before they leave the
store.

It is immaterial whether the employer is checking
employees’ accuracy or customers’ honesty,

‘What is important is the lack of trust, confidence
and respect this action indicates to employees and
customers.

I for one will continue to patronize Co- -Op, Over-
waitea and Safeway where reasonable emplayec
and customer relations prevail.’

, . Bob Childs
Terrace, B.C,

Complacent on dogs

Dear Sim

1 am responditig to Frank Bowsher’s comment
with respect to aniinal control that ‘‘things have
greatly improved in the cily (Terrace). It’s been
pretty good... people are finally starting to listen.”’

This cily has a long way to go before patting ilsclf
on the back. Dog problems in the Keith Estates, es-
pecially the Medeck and Graham area, are far from
wider control,

Dogs ate forever on the loose, getling into gar-
bage, scaring children and barking tepeatedly. -

I'm sick and tired of being wokei up in the night ;

by someone’s barking dog.

These kinds of nuisances are not tolerated in a
larger city. People’s rights to peace and quiet and a
safe environment are strictly enforced.

Why aren’( the animal controt. bylaws enforced
more strictly in Terrace? Is the prablem a ‘lack of
sufficient funds: ta adequately’ enforce the bylaws,
or a view that ‘‘things are pretty good?”

Mr. Bowsher, get with it, the problem i is uot under
control yet!

JT would like to see more public service announce-
ments regarding controlling your pets. 1 would also
like to sce a weekly report in the newspaper from
the animal control officer regarding all complaints
received the previous week.

Just a note to all dog owners that do take respon-
sibility for their dogs, I thank you for respecting
your ncighbours and fellow citizens, If only all.dog
owners could be like you.

To all others, please keep your dogs tied up, or
confined ta your yards, and ‘don’t Iet them bark
repeatedly. Be considerate of your neighbours.

My sympalhy to Mark Stark, and family: I hope
you are recovering well,

My 10-year-old daughter. was. billen on the arm a
year ago, bul luckily the bite was not deep and did, .

not require stitches. Like you, the attack was toially *

unprovoked. She was walking down Graham Ave,
anda passerby. came to her rescue, thankfully.”

I say it again, Terrace get with il, Protect the pub-
lic and our rights, Enforce your bylaws and educate
the public!

A, Leclere
Terrace, B.C.

Clinic story misleading

Dear Sir:

With regards to your Oct. | article ‘‘Natural
health clinic to open ‘soon’’, the statement made
regarding the training of naturopathic medicine as
stated in the article is grossly misleading.

Frances Birdsell does not practice naturopathic
medicine nor did she take a naturopathic medical
course that meets the academic or clinical criteria
as recognized by the Canadian er American

Naturopathic licensing boards.

In Canada and the U,S.A., standards to become a
naturopathic doctor must be very high in order to
properly serve and protect. the public.

Tr Canada, to study naluropathic medicine an in-
dividual must complete a university science degree
(pre-miedical studies), complete four years at one of
the four “accredited colleges in North America and
write extensive board-certified exams for licensure.

‘Naturopathic doctors are the specialisis aud gen-
eral practitioners of natural’ medicine. and pre-
ventive heallh care, integrating scientific knowl-
edge with traditional healing wisdom. Training in-
cludes not only natural therapeutics. (such as
homeopathy, - clinical’ nutrition,’ berbs, © spinal
manipulation, acupuncture and counseling) bat also
includes training in pathology, microbiology, lab
diagnosis and physical diagnosis much like a medi-
“cal doctor would lear. :

Ms. Birdsell will no doubt be an asset to the com-:
munity of Terrace -because: of her obvious —
enthusiasm for the work she docs and her life expe- ‘
riences. However, Ict us be clear. Ms, Birdscil docs
not practice naturopathic medicine. ;
“Tn an age where. there are many people hanging
up a shingle claiming to practice ‘alternative medi-
cine’’, in order to protect ‘the public, it is very im-
portant that there is accountability in the adminis-
tralion of natural treatments.

The only licensed ‘‘alternative practitioners’’ are
naturopathic doctors, chiropractors and registered
massage-. therapists. Regulation aud licensure
promotes responsibility, accountability and thus
promotes pubtic safety.

This does not mean that all ‘‘alternative prac-
titioners’” who are not licensed nor regulated have
nothing to offer — in fact many of these individuals
do wonderful work in the healing arts.

However, let’s be clear about the facts and refrain
from lumping all types of practitioners into a
holistic melting pot.

Tn-order to maintain licensure slatus, naturopathic
doctors must attend yearly upgrading to be knowl-
edgeable of any new developments in the field of
natural medicine.

This fetter is in no way meant to be inflammatory
or antagonistic toward Ms. Birdsell or any other un-
licensed or unregulated ‘‘alternative praclitioner’’.
This letter. is meant to inform and educate the natu-
ral health: care consumer that not all alternative or
complentary practitioners are the same.

Dr. Kathy Graham, N.D.
Smithers, B.C.

Treaty model flawed

Dear Sir:

In-your. Oct. 1 article on the Citizens’ Voice on
Native Claims, readers might be left with the mis-
laken impression thal our pusb for a provincial
referendum on the Nisga’a precedent for trealy
selilements would have no effect on a Nisga’a
treaty itself.

On the contrary, our primary purpose for secking
a province-wide referendum on cither the Nisga’a
blueprint or the provincial government's negotiat-
ing mandate for treaties is to ensure that no treaty
-~ including a Nisga’a treaty —- is finalized without
; the, clear congen} Of most British Columbians.

As you noted, we do not view the Nisga’a settle-
ment as an anomaly, but rather as a precedent for
‘all future treaties ‘that ‘is ‘fundamentally ‘misguided
and unacceptable in ils proposed form.

Tn our view, the Nisga’a agreement-in-principle
will be the blueprint for the other 60 treaties yet to
be negotiated in B.C, It will be the baseline from
which all other treaties are negotiated.

As Bill Wilson, negotiator for the Lheil-Lit’en
Nation put it, ‘Clearly the (Nisga’a AIP) is going
to set some floors, but it shouldn’t set the ceiling.’’

That is why we are so adamant thal the proposed
Nisga’a settlement must not be allowed to proceed
without major changes.

Nor should it or any trealy be set in stone under
the Constitution without a province-wide vote on
either the Nisga’a blueprint itself or, better yet, a

‘ comprehensive negotiating mandate for treaties that

most British Columbians can support.
Martyn Brown
Citizens’ Voice on Native Claims

Gay tolerance rally fallout continues

MLA should apologize for
snubbing Simpson forum

An open letter to Helmul Giesbrecht:

Your response, or shall I say sarcastic response,
on Sept. 3rd, ‘Mike Rosenau may want to read his
letter to the editor from the July 9th issue before he
asks for au apology. No apology is required.” is ap-
palling.

_ Calling you to accountability for your actual
words and actions is not maligning you.

You, however, weren't calling us to accoun-
tability for any of our Words or actions.

On the contrary, without even knowing us, hear-
ing our position on tolerance, or altending one of
our forums so that you-could: actually make ac-
curate statements about it or us, you unjustly
prejudged and publicly labeled us, the organizers
and supporters of the forum, and the hundreds of
parents, and cltizens of Terrace and Kitimat who at-
tended, all your constiluents, with a label that you
know carries a very negative and damaging stigma
in the eyes of people.

People expect you to be honest, If you do some-
thing wrong, admit it, take responsibility for It,
make an effort to change itand make it right. But,
Mr. Giesbrecht, when you refuse to right a wrong,
it sends a loud message to your people regarding
your character and integrity in areas that are critical
to the job they have entrusted to you, This is a fun-
damental moral value virlualiy everyone ‘expects
others to live by in our socicty.

However, if you right your wrong people will
respect you for it. It shows that you value people
and principle more than you value protecting your
pride or politics, Wouldn’t it be nice to have more
politicians that have these valucs?

What would be right for you ta do, Mr. Gles-
brecht, is to publicly apologize and retract ‘your
false statements and the prejudiced and unfounded
label of “*intolerant’? you have publicly placed
upon your constituents.

It would also be right for you to show that you
care enough about your constituents to sincerely

hear out the concerns and views held by the parents
who attended the forum, and which were articulate-
ly expressed at the forum, regarding the proposed
pro-homosexual curriculum and the advancing
homosexual political agenda.
Please, for these, your people, and principle sake,
do what is right.
Mike Rosenau
Aative Citizens of BC.

Manipulated by whom?

Dear Sir:

In his letter to the editor in the Sept. 17 Standard,
Mike Rosenau asked us citizens of Terrace how we
feel about the fact Ibat we are being manipulated
regarding education and homosexuality, Maybe we
are being manipulated, Mike. But then again,
maybe not,

Maybe it’s just coincidence that the Kari Simpson
tallics on homuscxuality and the schools that took
place in the north were held in Terrace and Prince
George, which have NDP MLAs targeted for recall.

Maybe it’s just coincidence thal another Kari
Simpson rally is being planned for Smilbers.

Maybe it’s just coincidence. that at the Kari Simp-
son rally here in Terrace organizers were ready to
enlist people in the recall campaign.

Maybe it’s just coincidence that you sent a letter
to the editor criticizing Mr. Giesbrecht for not at-
tciding the Kari Simpson rally, even though you
knew he was not able to be here in Terrace « on that
day.

Maybe it’s just coincidence that you and the other
organizers of the Kari Simpson rally won’t disclose
the sources of your financial support for this rally,

Maybe it’s all coincidence. But: maybe you're
right, Mike. Maybe we, tlie cilizeus of Terrace, are
being manipulated.

Karla Hennig:

Terrace, B.C.

Let’s be tolerant

_ Dear Siri
This is in response to the letter written by Mike

A RALLY held here July 17 to counter the pos-
sibility of education ministry efforts to promote

homosexual tolerance in schools attracted a
crowd of more than 500 people.

Rosenau, Aclive Citizens of B.C., published in the
September 17, 1997 issue:

Mr. Rosenau, you have directly. asked me if Lam
really against intolerance, prejudice and bigotry.-I
can truthfully and honestly swear that T am, and
have never used any of the slanderous terms (ie.
‘Jesus Freak’) as you suggest.

In my letter I stated thal what we need in our
society is tolerant citizens. Homosexuality is just
one of (he many issues we as competent citizens
aced to become tolerant of. Please refer back to the

second last paragraph of my letter in which I clearly.

state: ‘‘..calour, creed, sex, age, race or sexual
reference really shouldn” matter...’’ What we really

want in Canadian society are healthy citizens who
accept and respect the differences of [ellow Cana-
dians (whatever the difference may be),

* Prejudices only. further the segregation in our
sociely, which subsequently creates hatred. ,
Tolerance works both ways between individuals.

- Jam not asking for anyone to. disregard their own

moral convictions on behalf of someone else.

1 am simply ‘stating that those individuals with
different moral agendas be tolerant of ore another.
This way, our Canadian socicty can Qourish and

“hopefiilly segregation and haired of one another

will cease. Sarah Glen

Terrace, B.C,