A10 - The Terrace Standard, Mon day, December 30, 1996 BATTLE OF THE LETTERS - Giesbrecht smells a plot IF HELMUT Giesbrecht was to write any more letters to the editor of this newspaper, we'd probably have to give him his own desk and coffee cup. The Skeena NDP MLA has had a busy summer and fall responding to a stream of correspondence addressed to his office but also sent to this news- paper for publication. Sending newspapers copies of Ict- ters addressed to politicians is a time- honoured tactic from those. seeking more publicity for their cause, com- plaint or posilion. In the newspaper business, they’re called open letters to the editor. Bul Giesbrecht detects more letters than nonnal, and says there appears to be a campaign out there to kecp him under constant criticism. “It’s done for political reasons,” he said last week of the open letter con- cept, ‘I respond to any letter ad- dressed to me and to cach complaint.’’ “They don’t have to do that (send copies lo a newspaper) to get a response, It doesn’t add anything to [RSET IRET ah TV’s Stereo’s Tapes & Discs Video Record Guitars | Pianos - Cameras Portables Amplifiers the discussion.”’ What docs happen is Gieshrecht responds in kind to those open letters. The issue of stumpage rates, the ef- fects of the Forest Practices Code on logging and a downtum in the forestry indusiry have made Giesbrecht a par- ticularly attractive target. “It's happening in other . ridings where forestry is an issue, I’m one of them so perhaps it’s nice. to be aoticed,’’ he said. ; Giesbrecht says his suspicions were solidified after an acquaintance told him of overhearing a lunch conversa- tion between several Liberal MLAs. “'The topic was of how they were going to target the MLA in Skeena be- cause of the downlurn in the forest in- dustry,’’ said Gicsbrecht, He says being a target of the Liber- ais doesn’t bother him, adding it gacs with the political territory. One Liberal MLAs said to have been at the table is Val Anderson, who represents a Vancouver riding, Anderson says he does not remem- ber specifically discussing Giesbrecht but docs remember a Liberal party function several weeks ago in Victoria where issues such as letter-writing may have come up. “We always -encourage people to write their newspapers on topics they’re . concerned about,’’ ~~ says Anderson. , “It’s an ongoing situation about any issue and forestry is one of those is- sues that is hot right now,’’ he added. That encouragement to write letters would also come.through the Liberal party’s various ‘local constituency as- socialions, said. Anderson; : “This is really nothing new or dif- ferent. Issues change but not the pro- cess of how people keep in touch,’” he continued, oo Anderson Views letters to the editor as a way to. encourage discussion about issues. “Tf the discussion was all one-sided, nobody would under- stand them and I’m sure everybody would want the issues discussed no malter what side you’re on.” Chamber just representing business, president says THE TERRACE and District Chamber of Commerce is just doing its job when it sends copies of lelters to Skeena MLA Helmut Gies- brecht to local newspapers. Chamber - president Skip Bates says those letters ona & whole range of issucs stem from directions given by its board. “We are the voice for the business community and act | in that manner,” he said. The chamber also sends out ° form letters to its members on certain issues, requiring only a signa- ture before mailing them off to politicians. Recent fetters from the chamber to Giesbrecht, and also sent to newspapers, concern cuts in government spending and the plan to divert money from. Forest Renewal B.C. to general government revenue, Last week, a copy of a fetter to forests minister Dave Zirmbelt was sent to news- papers concerning stumpage rates and Skip Bates Ree mill closures. “In a case like that we don’t want to overreact be- cause we understand. the government is listening (to the companies),’’ said Bates. “But the plan is ta increase that stumpage at the begin- ning of the year and if that happens, we might have to a step in,’’ he said. f Bates is also promising more letters when -the time comes for the NDP 1o pass ize its Forest Renewal money diversion. , ce a Several letters recently on forestry is- sues have come from Linda Hawes, a newly-elected Terrace councillor and the campaign manager to Liberal Rick, Woz- ney — Giesbrecht’s primary opponent in May’s provincial election. Hawes said she was writing as a private person, unnconnected with any political parly or affiliation. “The plea was ‘please, Helmut, please represent us,’’’ said Hawes, legislation needed to formal- Sewing Club Members. Renew or join today. ers Sale Car Stereo. Speakers Receivers Camcorders Mini Stereo Walkman’s -Discman’s Headphones Cell Phones Frames 5 Ss Sea ae rary Pablo S SARE NBS UNSEEN Mapes Sy eet cart er cere KEITH AVE. MALL TERRACE 635-5333 - CITY CENTRE, - KITIMAT 632-5000 our Entertainment. Center ee GE 7 . 04 por SKEENA MALL TERRACE 635-4948 oo Master Card