"The view from — Victoria — by John Pifer — VICTORIA — | have b before me the latest appeal for elec- tion dollars from Peter ‘Webster, chief fund-raiser for the Social Credit Party, which gives remarkable insight into the strategy of the party and its premier. And for those of you who have been wondering if the first week of histrionics and over- acting in the Legislature is all part of a plan to try to keep power, the answer is Yes. Herewith the evidence, courtesy of Mr. Webster: ‘This session will be crucial in determining the precise tim- ing of the election call. Don’t underestimate the importance of the events that will unfold over the next 30 to 60 days. (The letter is dated April 4). ‘‘Never is there a time more crucial in the election cycle than right now, the days direct- ly preceding the decision on whether or not to go to the polls. “Mike Harcourt and his fellow NDPers know that, too. And they'll be doing everything they can to gain maximum media attention over these next 60 days... —_ ned “They'll try to ‘intimidate our MLAs. Provoke our Cabinet ministers. And em- barrass our Premier,’’ writes ’ Webster in non-sentences. This political observer might inject here that the intimidation and provocation of the first few days of this sitting have come more from the govern- ment front benches than the Opposition, but I will not ‘digress. Continues Mr. Webster in - even higher dudgeon: “‘They (NDP) are so desperate to win that they’ll do anything to set a trap, to force an error. No tactic will be over- looked. When it comes to get- ting their hands on the reins of power, they will stop at noth- ing. “Don’t let ‘their games’ WRC thanks Letter An open letter to the Terrace Cancer Society: The Terrace Women’s Re- source Centre would like to thank the Terrace Cancer Socie- ty and Ms. Helen Bergen for of- fering the time and expertise to give a workshop on breast health. The presentation was very clear and precise and Ms. Bergen’s personal experiences, which were so graciously shared, added a sense of reality and im- ' mediacy to the workshop. I ‘know that everyone who attend- ed the workshop learned a great | ~ deal, and many women probably | went home ‘and did their very first breast self-examination as a - distract you. Don’t take your eye off the ball.” There is more in that vein, but you get the picture. Webster’s pitch for pennies says the Socreds need $1.5 million more, on top of the 1986 budget of $1.8 million, to conduct the campaign. He pleads with party mem- bers to send in $200 each — “If 7,500 people made a special Election Fund Contribution of $200, we would achieve our goal!’’ The wily businessman knows one must not underestimate an opponent, either: “The Opposi- tion is obviously strong. That, combined with their solid financial position, means that if an election were called today, we would bé in a head-to-head race to the finish,”’ he writes. And Webster also admits that party finances are feeling the pinch from six by-election losses. ““We’ve suffered defeat in six consecutive by-elections, each costing on average, just slightly more than $75,000. That in itself has put an enormous strain on party resources.” Couple. this letter. with the repeated rallying cries from Premier Bill Vander Zalm about the socialist hordes being at the gate, and it is little wonder that rumbles continue about a spring election. It would appear that the ma- jority of senior Socred MLAs and party officials are leaning towards late summer or early fall for dropping the writ, but they are also watching fora foul-up of foolish mistake from the NDP which could give them The Big Issue, and trigger a late-May or June vote. From this corner, methinks Mr. Webster overplayed his hand somewhat, and that one of the aforementioned phrases from his letter more accurately sums up the feeling within his party right now. Consider this for a moment, cancer group result of the workshop. The workshop was successful — enough to encourage us to give other health-related workshops. We plan to give workshops on PMS and menopause, and other health issues related to women. We appreciate you agreeing to lead our very first health-related workshop. We invite you to use our center for any information you | would like to distribute about cancer,.and we wish you success on you 1990 Cancer campaign. Karla Hennig Coordinator, Terrace Women’ s s Resource : PTTL OED gee OLS What if, in each instance where ‘they’? is mentioned, one read it as the Socred government, not the NDP as Mr. Webster intended? It’s a fun exercise in doublespeak: ‘*They are so desperate to win that they'll do anything to set a trap, to force an error. No tactic will be overlooked. When it comes to getting their hands on the reins of power, they will stop at nothing.’’ And who says politics is a ~ non-contact sport? Parting Thought: A footnote on the attorney-general’s al- leged spur-of-the-moment deci- sion to conduct a public in- quiry into the Bill Reid Affair. Yes, it shows that the govern- ment apparently is determined to ensure that the process which kept Reid from prosecu- ‘tion was all above board. But, surprise, surprise, it also con- veniently removes the matter from Question Period and the public domain until the inquiry is concluded. Spur-of-the- moment, my eye! HOM ‘Letter. to the Editor: - Thanks to church group | To the Editor; The Terrace Anti-Poverty Group Society wishes to send its | heart-felt thanks to the ‘“‘Transmitter’? Catholic Youth Group for its generous endeavor of raising $200 — this compas- sionate contribution shall insure — an extended month of service to the less fortunate members of our community, people on. low and fixed incomes. This and any contribution made by concerned citizens, groups and businesses are used toward the-cost of rent, phone, postage and office sup- plies for the society’s opera- tions. I was honored to comply with the request by Harley Packer, the group’s program coordina- tor, to attend the weekly meeting as guest speaker, to explain the mandate of our society : — what . poverty issues most affect our community, what are some of the causes and effects of poverty in the local, national and global communities, what are some alternatives to this condition, and other topics. It was very fulfilling for me to witness young people in their quest for awareness on issues most directly affecting mankind in today’s world of ever- decreasing resources and insen- sitivity to man’s future. Most rewarding was the attendance and participation reflective of all churches’ awareness of the posi- tion of people living below ac- ceptable standards. Gerald King, Terrace Anti- Poverty Group. Water, sewer extended _ It’s good news for property owners on Halliwell Ave. between Thomas and Kalum Lake Drive. The final tally on their ‘road upgrade project came in under budget, and refunds on cash pay- ments or lower levies on amnual taxes are in order. A total of $13,531.19 will be refunded by the city to those prop- erty owners who paid cash, and for the rest, the annual per foot repay- ment cost has been reduced from $1.93 per foot to $1.63 per foot. The reduction is due to an actual construction cost of $9.61 per foot, compared with the original esti- mate of $11.36 per foot. 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