A6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 16, 2002 Governments must provide for those less fortunate Dear Sir: The recent tragic suicide of Maurice and Belva Baulne in Kelowna who also took the life of their severe- ly disabled son has unfortu- nately once again hightigh- ted the degradation of our society’s social network, The demise of social programs throughout the country has rapidly increased to the point of noticeably dire con- sequences being the result. We have seen provinces ~ including B.C, — either outright cut or significantly reduce social programs such as educalion, health care, home support, etc. based on the desire and pretext of offering an agenda of a “balanced budget”. This has been exposed as a facade by government in order to facilitate rewarding their friends in big business and the corporate world, This is accomplished at the ex- pense of people such as the Baulnes, the homeless, sin- gles parents, the elderly, etc. Many individuals and families have and will continue to fall through the cracks while our provincial govern- ment continues to cut, slash and reduce social programs. The recent tax cuts imposed by the Campbell govern- ment have clearly shown this policy is being financed at the expense of social programs, When will the people of B.C. realize that the govern- ment has a moral obligation to provide social programs that will be affordable and accessible to all the people of our province? Fundamental social programs should not be cut or re- duced merely to facilitate a money grab for corporations Sale of Skeena CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag and individuals who can and should comfortably support our social network. ~~~ It is unfortunate our previous government , the NDP, did not stay true to its stated principles. In my ‘view, the government’s reneging on the obligation to provide an appropriate level of social programs began there. It is apparent many people have been victims of gov- ernment policy which does not put people’s needs. at. the head of the agenda. - NDP leader Ms, Joy McPhail’s recent comments that the current government must accept partial blame for the Baulne tragedy is not conducive to resolving these very serious problems in our society. , Altaching blame and political mudslinging will only widen the polarization. Both the previous and the present governments must accept full responsibility for the tragic events that unfol- ded. My suggestion to Ms. McPhail and Premier Gordon Campbell is to focus both their energies on the develop- ment and replacement of progressive social programs which will benefit all British Columbians. During the current crisis there is no room for Ameri- can style politics — cheap shots and name calling. The development of progressive social programs ap- propriately funded by the taxpayer will ensure those less fortunate in our society will not have to resort to such tragic measures as the Baulne family did to rid them- selves of the anguish caused by insensitive governments. Ross Slezak, Kitimat, B.C. must be done in an open, forthright fashion An open letter to: Premier Gordon Campbell and the Liberal caucus I am wriling this letter because of the concern I have with your government’s handling of the sale of the assets of Skeena Cellulose. First, the process of selling the assets owned by the people of B.C. should be done in an open, honest and forthright manner. The current shenanigans with Mercer International are anything but. Second, the process should result in the taxpayers re- ceiving the highest value, both in the short and long terms for the assets that they own, however unwillingly. The stubborn assertions by your government that Mer- cer International is the only qualified bidder puarantees this will not happen. Third, there has to be a viable business plan, with the financial wherewithal to accomplish the goals set out in the plan. ae meee The bid by Mercer International will leave the north- west quarter of this province with an under capitalized, inefficient operation, unable to compete in today’s mar- Thanks, Mr. Unknown Dear Sir: This is a letter to the person who returned my ATM slip and money to the bank teller at the Toronto Domi- nion Bank. Just a few days before Christmas I needed some money for late Christmas shopping and some incidentals. I finished the transaction, picked up the T.D, card and walked out to start my shopping. My first stop was the Real Canadian Wholesale Club. For some reason I checked in my pocket for my money.| Finding none, I checked my wallet. No money or trans-! action slip. I went right back to the bank to get some more money. out. While I was doing this transaction, I thought I might just check with the tellers and see by some 1000-to-1 chance if my money and slip were turned in. Sure enough. The teller told me that 20 minutes be- fore I care in a gentleman had turned in the money and transaction slip, She didn’t know the man, as I had asked for his name. This sure makes you stop and think, would I have done the same thing? I know from now on I certainly would. Thanks a lot Mr. Unknown, Dave Clarke, Terrace, B.C. Get that well fixed, and soon Dear Sir: On the front page of the January 9 edition of The Ter- race Standard there was a story of the Frank Street well still awaiting repairs, I have two comments. The first is that the engineering department would enter into a purchase of a pump when the well was new that when repairs were needed, those repairs could not be done in Canada, and that it would take months to get those repairs done. ] understand that another new well is to be drilled in the near future to avoid having to pull water from the Skeena. Let’s hope there was a lesson learned when equipment is sourced for this well as to not have a re- peat of a pump repair that is still not back in service. My second comment is that the city director of engin- eering says our current water source from the Skeena River is “really clean”. Ask those restaurant owners that have the ultimate responsibility to provide clean safe water to their clients that have been faced with substan- lial elevated costs for water filter cartridge replacements since the water is being drawn from the Skeena. In the recent annual report by Dr. Shaun Peck, the de- puty Provincial Health Officer, the first of his eight key messages was this: All surface water (lakes, creeks and tivers) is likely to be contaminated, Even the most re- mote. 1 for one will be relieved when We are back on water that is not from an open source with elevated levels of chlorine introduced to attempt to counteract possible contaminants, Remember, we are down stream from other communi- lies where discharges do enter the Skeena. Don Ritchey, Terrace, B.C, ketplace. This in turn will guarantee that the conditions of today will be repeated in the near future. Fourth, it would be nice to know that the latest suitor has broad based support within the communities it in- tends to operate in. Mercer International certainly has not engendered confidence or goodwill with its actions to date. The refusal of your government's agents to deal fairly with NWBC Timber and Pulp and with Forest Capital, because your agents have not spent two years with them, and have nat reached a level of comfort with them (whatever that means) has clearly put these and other potential buyers at a competitive and legal disadvant- age. Mr. Premier, your government was elected on the pre- mise of knowing how business works, and knowing what business needs to succeed. This would be an ideal time to prove it, It would also be the ideal time to prove that business can be done openly and honestly, and not wait for the courts to" open the backrooms for the whole world to see. Allan Chesterman, Terrace, B.C, Did you know, 100 percent of all funds raised during KY wi, the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon directly support Artie 8.C.’s Chitdren’s Hospital? wonton com “February 25th Northwest Tribal Treaty Group _ Aftention All First Nation Community Members Have you heard about Minister Nault’s “Governance Initiative” __{DIA’s plan to make changes to the Indian Act)?? North West Tribal Treaty Group invites you to participate in an open discus- sion about First Nations Governance. Representatives will be traveling throughout Northern B.C. from January to March 2002 to listen to what you ave ta say about First Nations Governance and changes to the Indian Act. Your participation will help provide direction regarding shart and long-term governance in your community. You will have the opportunity to: *receive important information regarding the federal “Governance Initiative” and why NWTT is participating * discuss your vision of governance and your thoughts on changes to the Indian Act Who is the Northwest Tribal Treaty Group? Numerous Nations from throughout northern British Columbia signed a treaty wilh each other in 1997 and agreed ta work together on issues of common concern to us, they comprise the Northwest Tribal Treaty Group. ° Why are we participating? . The NWTT is interested in the “Governance Initiative” to make sure that our interests as northern First Nations are accurately put forward. DRAFT SCHEDULE Week of: ~ Teams will be in the fallowing areas: Jenuvary 14th-20th Terrace/ Kitimat January 21 st-27th Prince George Port Simpson (confirmed - 22nd) Burns Lake to Fraser Lake areas Prince Rupert Hazeltons area Northern B.C, Moricetown/Smithers Northern B.C. (continued) Haida Gwaii Prince Rupert/North Coast Areas Terrace/Kitimat Vancouver/Victoria Members and other areas missed January 28th-Feb. 3rd February 4th-10th February 11th-17th February 18th-24th March 4th-10th March 11th-22nd The Teams will be phoning communities and groups to confirm meeting dettes and seek invitations to meet First Nations and members in the North. Watch the bulletin boards of your First Nation Offices and Friendship Centres for further information on meeting dates and locations in your area. Call one of the Team Leaders or Angela Wesley, Interim NWTT Coordinator {250} 638-1727 to express your inlerest in attending or booking a meeting with the NWTT Governance Team. 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