A4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 24, 1996 S TERRACE * TANDARD ESTABLISHED APRIL 27, 1988 ADDRESS: 3210 Clinton Street Terrace, B.C. * V8G 5R2 TELEPHONE: (604) 638-7283 * FAX: (604) 638-8432 E-MAIL: terrace.standard@sasquat.com ~ Revolting IT’S AN old joke and goes like this. A mes- senger comes running into the royal court. ‘‘Sire, sire, The peasants are revolting!’’ exclaims the messenger, “‘Of course they are,’’ replies the king. In this case it’s the NDP which would be revolting should it put on a black mask and con- duct an organized banditry of the Forest Renewal B.C. bank account to cover an expected budget deficit. Forest Renewal B.C. is a provincial crown cor- poration set up when Mike Harcourt was the premier. It’s taking money from an added Stumpage fee placed against forest companies and using the cash to replenish, maintain and boost the province’s most precious resource — our forests. It was a plan accepted by forest com- panies, forest workers and environmentalists in a unique coalition not easily put together in B.C.’s highly political and emotional climate. More important was the legislation pertaining to Forest Renewal B.C. It’s quite clear in stating the money is to be spent only — and forever — on forestry matters. A senior forestry executive, when Forest Renewal B.C. was announced, said it was the first time in his career that a govern- ment did something not tied to the political cycle. But now, with this year’s budget in trouble, the NDP is hefting a big hammer while greedily con- templating the Forest Renewal piggy bank. It now holds approximately $800 million and even half of that would go a long way to soothing the MODEM: (604) 638-7247 NDP’s problem. the Wk Speculation is that the NDP won’t overtly gut , Forest Renewal account. Instead, under the .«Qulse.of doing more to boost and diversify the forest industry, the NDP will expand the crown corporation’s mandate to cover expenditures and programs normally handled by various govern- ment. ministries. In doing so, it'll relieve those ministries of financial pressures and ease the EaRPAS budget problem. The problem is that Forest Renewal B.C. depends upon stumpage fees and those fees are tied to the health of the forest industry. In a bad year, stumpage fees will be reduced so the provincial crown corporation needs a healthy bank account to conduct its business in a planned and orderly manner. A wholesale raid would put Forest Renewal B.C. in jeopardy. We only have to look next door to Alberta where a healthy bank account made up of oil revenue was systemically robbed to cover government operating deficits, The result was the loss of what should have been a perpetual bank account to buffer ups and downs in that ptovince’s economy. But the overriding reality is that taking money out of Forest Renewal would be one of the greatest moral outrages in the history of the pro- vince. It would clearly demonstrate that the NDP has no scruples or conscience in its attempt to cover its political backside. It’s our job to tell the government that our forests are too important to be sacrificed for Short term gain. And it’s our hope there will be enough backbench government MLAs with the backbone to do the same. 0." BUBLISHER/EDITOR: Rod Link _-. ADVERTISING MANAGER: Rick Passmore - PRODUCTION MANAGER: Edouard Credgeur NEWS Jeff Nagel * NEWS SPORTS: Dave Taylor Sering the Terrace and Thomhill “Sam Collier, Janet Viveiros, Karen Dietrich & Cheri Reidy ADVERTISING ASSISTANT: Emma Law, Kelly Jean: COMMUNITY: Cris Leykauf OFFICE MANAGER: Laurie Ritter ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS: TYPESETTING: Sylyana Broman DARKROOM: Susan Credgeur CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR: Karen Brunette MEMBER OF B.C, PRESS COUNCIL Ltd, at 3210 Clinton Street, Terrace, British Columbia, VAG 5A2. Storlea, pholographs, ilustrations, designs and typestyles In tha Terrace Standard ara the property of the copyright holders, including Cariboo Press (1969) Lid., ils illustration rapro services and advortising Reproduction in whole or in part, without written permission, is specifically prohibited. Authorized as second-class mail pending the Post Office Department, for payment af postage in cash. Special thanks to all our contributors and correspandents for thalr tinie and talents .. Heady ingade four loecided to take it GLC €45/EF, fan area, Published on Wednesday of aach week by Carlhoo Press (1969) Moneyman Petter must go VICTORIA — “IS THAT Hubert Beyer?" the caller asks. “It is,’’ I say. “I am a little concerned about your health? Are you all right?” he goes on. **Never better,’’ Ireply. I hate it when they do that. Sarcasm cuts deeper than rant- ing aud raving. The caller ex- pressed surprise at my recent column, calling for finance minister Andrew Petter’s resiz- nation over the botched budget. He didn’t say it in those words, but I could tell that un- til he read that particular piece, he thought I was communica- lions director, head spin doc- tor, and chief apologist for the NDP. In any case, he liked what I had said. Of course, it became Unlike the previous caller, Petter wasn’t concerned about my health, but he didn’t like my suggestion waren FROM THE CAPITAL HUBERT BEYER that he resign. Petter pointed out that part of my argument was based on a false assumption. I had said he should have been aware of the plummeting forest revenues Well, he wasn’t. He was ap- pointed health minister in Feb- Tuary. He also stressed that the forest minister isn’t necessarily involved in the ongoing assess- ment and predictions of reveniies flowing from forestry operations. I said I would think about his argument and revisit the issue. I have, and I still believe Petter should resign. My conclusion has nothing to do with politics. Unlike the first caller that evening, I don’t use my platform for partisan purposes. As I said, I call *em asI see ‘em. One of the tradilional un- derpinnings of a parliamentary democracy is ministerial re- sponsibility. The buck stops at the minister’s desk. If some- thing goes drastically wrong in his ministry, the minister is ex- pected to offer his or her resig- nation. It matters not whether Petter was involved in the prepara- tion of the controversial budget. It is irrelevant whether or not he knew that the predicted $16 million surplus would tum into a $200 million deficit. As finance minister, he : because he was‘the minister of must accepi:responsibility for forests prior tovthe provincial: the budgets) wsusc pre qpan Melections< suis ie " ve parliamentary democracy is the most fragile of political systems. Its survival is based not on armed might but trust. A parliamentary democracy cannot flourish without the people’s trust in the system. If that trust breaks down, se will the system. Whatever the reasons, whoever is responsible for the fiasco, the budget is tainted. There are too many questions that will never be answered. Did Petter know or didn’t he? Did anyone in government know before the election that, contrary ta the campaiga thetoric, the budget wouldn't be balanced? Petter says he didn’t know, and I’m inclined to believe him. Premier Glen Clark says he didn’t know, and I’m not so - sure. There’s no question that the government car ride out this storm. If Petter doesn’t want to resign, and the premicr doesn’t want to remove him from his post, there’s no way the fi- nance minister can be made to Step down, But failing te do so, will leave our faith in the system a litle more eroded. The most important pillar of a.. par- liamentary democracy — the integrity of those who serve it — will be tarnished just a little more. Given the prevailing public mood of doubt, cynicism and anger, our system of par- liamentary democracy is in jeopardy and should not be subjected to further assaults, My conclusion stands: Petter should resign. Beyer can be reached at Tel: 920-9300; Fax: 385-6783; E> nail: hubert@coolcom.com Gold mine for employers EMPLOYERS LOOKING to hire energetic, self-motivated ‘staff could shorten their ads and simply ask for someone who travels the weekly garage sale circuit Average dichard garage salers have all the personality trails of a personnel manager’s dream team, They’re energetic, organized, punctual, imagina- tive, adaptable, practical, in- ventive, reliable, good negotia- tors, and devoted to Long range planning. They like what they do. Who but a dedicated garage saler would choose to ex- change a cozy bed on a Satur- day moming for a chilly run through dewy lawn in soppy sneakers? Sale starting time may be clearly posted as 8 a.m. yet they're parked at the end of the driveway before 7:30. Otherwise the best deals will be gone before they arrive, Each gamge saler operates “THROUGH BIFOCALS CLAUDETTE SANDECKI from a mental list of ideal finds. The list reflects her per- sonal interests, the ages of her children, and the state of her pocketbook. Yet she can revise that list quicker than a Macintosh to take advantage of market conditions, say a low- priced skill saw in good work- ing order when she was hoping to find a Tonka toy. Imagination allows her to ‘a oN i. y Ne visualize new uses for outdated products. For instance a crafter may picture a teapot becoming a flowerpot, or a dusty $2 Christmas wreath as eight dol- lars worth of recyclable com- ponent parts. Long range planning is their Specialty. A crocheted afghan on sale in May is a perfect pur- chase for a niece due to be bom at Thanksgiving; a tricycle will be the right size next spring for the toddler learning to let go of walls. Negotiating is leamed through experience instead of formal training in labour rela- tions. A dry flower arranger can negotiate the purchase of peony blossoms from the back garden when what the garage sale offers is children’s clo- thing, games, and canning jars. Teamwork is integrai to a ga- tage saler’s action plan. Troops must be positioned. Hubby is persuaded 10 take the moming childcare shift. Kids are bought off with a promise . of a pre-owned toy. A friend must be found willing to share the thrill of acquiring someone else’s castaffs at a ridiculous price. This is especially impor- tant in this time of random violence. Reliability is a key lo Mom’s time off to indulge her low budget pastime. Not only must she retum home to relieve Dad at the appointed hour, she must do so bearing delights for the offspring — a fifty cent leather catcher’s mitt for the future Blue Jay, a 25 cent Mercer Mayer book for the budding bookworm. Successful building of a cast- effective inventory from ga- rage sales requires goal setting, good financial management, decision making, follow- through, and luck. An experienced garage saler is an asset to any employer. FEVER WONDER > WHY THE GROOM ALWAYS WAITS FOR THE BRIDE. ATTHE ALTAR 7 Op UaQUNART We) Eni LEE