an

Page 4, The Herald, Tuesday, October 14, 1979

TERRACE/KITIMAT

daily herald

General Office - 635-6357
Circulation - 635-6357

Published by
Sterling Publishers

GEN. MANAGER - Knox Coupland

EDITOR - Greg Middleton
CIRCULATION. TERRACE: 635.6357
KITIMAT OFFICE - 632-2747
Publlshad every weekday at 32/2 Kalum Street,
Terrace, 8.C. A member of Verlfled Circulation.
Authorized as second class mail. Registration number
1201, Postage pald In cash, return postage guaranteed

NOTE OF COPYRIGHT

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any advertisement produced and-or any editarial or
Photographic content published In the Herald.
Reproduction is not permitted.

~ EDITORIAL

Recent moves by state and federal
agencies in the United States throwing
support behind the pipeline proposal that
would involve supertanker traffic down
the West Coast are already having an
effect here, , ;

There is speculation that the
Progressive Conservative government
of Joe Clark will also endorse the
proposal rather than buck American
pressure.

There was considerable opposition
from tebbles formed in communities on
the Queen Charlotte Islands, Prince
Rupert, Kitimat and Terrace to a

proposal to bring supertankers In to Pr

Kitimat up the Douglas Channel.

We can expect to hear from those
same groups again in the light of
possible decisions. which would see a
threat of oll spills on our coast.

Public pressure played a great part in
putting the Kitimat oil port project to
rest. That same pressure will have to be
used to prevent the only slightly more
distant threat of oj! spills on our
coastline from superfankers travelling
from Alaska to Cherry Point in the state
of Washington.

EDITOR'S JOURNAL
BY GREG MIDDLETON

That the Social Credit Party hacks were advising
and may have been indulging in sending phony letters
to the editor surprises me not in the least.

The letters to the editor column has been a part of
the newspaper that is easily manipulated and it has
been that way since the first newspaper.

_ Samuel Clements, better known as Mark -<Twain,
signed a friend’s name to a letter to the editor and not
only sent it in but sent a copy to his friend with the note

that he used the fellow’s name because it would carry to

more weight.

So while it didn’t surprise me that the Socred flack
artists were touting phony letters to the editor, it did
take me aback a bit to see that a former acquaintance
of mine got caught at it.

Jack Kelly is no stranger to the fast one. A little
Irishman who may not have seen the Emerald Isle for
a while, he retains the legendary Irish gift of the gab.

It was quite a few years ago that Kelly pulled a little
of the boondoggle for me. But it was a nicely done
piece of business and ] recognized the man as a talent.

Kelly was a quiet little fellow who hung around with
the much younger photographers at the student
newspaper I worked on at the University of Victoria. I
was somewhat suspicious of anyone with his number
of years associating with the college kids. It usually
indicates a person who hasn’t made it in his peer
group andis seeking the easler adulation of the young.

Kelly sensed my reservations, however, and came
to me to explain that he was simply back at school to
take courses to help him with his career as a social
worker and was passing the time between classes by
passing on the experience he had gained as a
photographer. ;

While I wasn't completely convinced, Kelly did
improve the quality of our photographers’ work and he
had thelr respect and admiration,

As a gesture of good falth Kelly volunteered his
assistance to me when I ran into trouble with the
student council. He ran interference for me and sweet
talked them into not disembowling me each time I
attacked them in the paper.

Kelly even convinced one aging Joe College that
being called a diletante was a compliment.

Kelly's fineat moment was when he talked the
student government into allowing himself to go to a
conference of student newspaper editors the council
wouldn't let me attend.

Kelly gave me the airplane tickets and hotel and
conference registration confirmations as I was to
drive him to the alrport and see him off. He called me
just as 1 was leaving to pick him up to tell me he
couldn’t go as there was a family crisis at his house
involving a daughter who had been caught smoking, I
believe. Fortunately, I had my bags packed and was
able to go in his place.

Kelly stoutly defended me during the subsequent
attempts to fire me for going to the conference. Kelly
stated that if Thad hot taken his advice and gone in his
place the students would have wasted the money paid
out in delegates fees.

Kelly took the responsibility for the decision. He has
broad shoulders for a man who appears to have no
substance to him at all. ;

1 was rather surprised he got caught. I was not at all
surprised he took the blame. It is all part of the game.

ON THE SKI HILL
Jos Konst offers a reply

Sklers, how many tlmes have you had to chain up
your vehicles to get to Kitsumkalum Mountain?

Seventy per cent of snow removal and sanding costs
are paid by ski hill revenues here. Excluding parking
lots, its a zero expense for Tabor Mountain in Prince
George and Hudson’s Bay Mountain in Smithers,

Do the operational expenses of a dump truck equal
those of a Volkswagon? Then consider those of a
chairlift operation versus a T-bar operation. Kit-
sumkalum has two aix-cylinder power plants, one that
operates 24 hours per day, the other seven hours.
Compare those'‘costs with having hydro at your front
door or only operating a small two or four-cylinder
diesel motor.

To safely patrol an area of 125 acres plus, we need
two full-time ski patrollers. Or should we, as the above
mentioned areas do, without full-time professional
patrol? ;

Our total snow fall was over 12’ as compared to
about 5’ at Tabour Mountain. Which |s going to require
more grooming and likewise cost more to operate? At
$29,000 in wages (supposedly the entire wage expense
at Tabour Mountain for seven seasonal employees and
two year-round) can you realistically consider any
credibility in a statement such as_ that.

The comparisons and the mud slinging can go on
and on, but you wonder, the fact remains that we are
approximately $29,000 in debt after this last seasons
operations and as a tax payer, and therefore an owner
of Kitsumkalum, why are we in this predictament?

Kitsumkalum is a user-pay facility Initially funded
by a community facility fund grant and a referendum
to the tune of approximately $600,000. After three and
one-half years the first phase of development (T-bars
and night lighting and new runs not included) the area
was appraised by Freidrich Appraisals in Vancouver
at approximately $1.47 million, Inflation has done its
part to increase the value despite equipment
depreciation, the ather and most important reason for
this increase is that the hill has each season put back
into the mountain more than it took out and last season
was no exception. About $4,000 ‘went into a mini-
service lift, $3,000 into an area study,$5,000 into
grooming (you've probably noticed that most of the
stumps are gone), $3,000 into preliminary lift-line
ofiles and engineering, for a new capital expansion.
Like any business there are at times, unforeseeable
expenses; like a new rear-end for our packer which is
the same price as a new car, $7,500, and legal expenses
of $9,000, both expenses that weren't budgetted or
expected. The total of the above is $31,500.

Kitsumkalum started out with a very low market
base of about 2 per cent of the population. In regions
with long time (15 years or more) established ski
areas an average of 7 per cent toas high as 17 per cent
in the Rossland-Trail area (established around 1947)
are active skiers.

Our first four seasons of operation catered heavily
te the beginner and expert skiers with very limited
night skiing. Sixty percent of our market is in-
termediates and the night skiing market has never
had its surface scratched. The opening of the new T-
bar facilities, and expansion of our market base to
eventually 7 per cent of the population or more, will, I
assure you, give us in the long run a very favourable
financial standing. Approximately 3 per cent of the .
region's population currently skis and we are at an

almost breakeven point, It takes no mathematical
genius to figure cut the profit potential when we reach
our 7 per cent.

Already this year we have signed up on our “Learn
to Ski" public school program over 2,000 students
versus approximately 1,700 last year and only 700 the
year before. Two years ago we had virtually no full
time instructors on the mountain versus five last year
and six this coming season. We are growing and we
are going through growing pains but the service im-
proves every year.

Now what about that substantial Increase in lift
rates? Have you honestly compared ours to areas
offering equal service? We have a rate comparison
chart at the office of six comparable areas in B.C. for
the 1979-80 rates which places our season's rates in the
bottom half and our day rates the cheapest in the
province.

True, it is a large increase over last year, but the
hours of access to skiing are greater, the vertical drop
is greater, and the services offered are greater. This
season we will be operating all lifts five days a week
and the T-bar with night skiing a minimum of three
nights a week plus full operation through the holidays.

It has been said of me publically that I am grossly
incompetent as your ski area manager (an accusation
that I emphatically deny), and that there should be a
public inguiry into the hill’s operation and finances. A
hill bullt for $1.4 million, complete with T-bar and
night skiing, now. worth $1.75 million--gross
mismanagement?

Gur unforeseen expenses have been out of line in the

past and it would hurt me to see the skiers cough up for -

the cost of a public inquiry, [ therefore propose that
those who wish this inquiry be ready to foot the bill and
if lam proven to have grossly mismanaged the hill, I
will personally pay for such an inquiry. At no expense
to the skier, I would more than welcome an inquiry.

The ski patrol is once again aut in full force
preparing for the coming season and holding work-
bees on the mountain, the ski school is busy organizing
an unsurpassed season of ski lessons, and my staff is
working very hard to make sure that all systems are
“go” for the end of November opening date.

Come on skiers! We have an area second to none for
@ population our size and the best facilities in the
Pacific Northwest. Let’s quit comparing apples to
oranges and get out and promote our mountain. More
skiers equal more profits, equal future lower lift rates,
‘as would everyone's use of good winter tires and
chains, lower sanding and snow removal costs. Think
positive skiers, we need your help. It's your mountain
and it's the time of year when everyone seems to be a
ski area manager. Be specific, if you have some good:
constructive criticism on day to day operations, write
them down and we will be more than willing to con-
sider them.

The ski industry is a service industry and that's
what our aim is, to offer the people of this area a total
ski experience to all levels of ability with the best
possible service, The 1979-60 season will do it for you
on Kitsumkalum Mountain. Think snow, laughter,

fresh air, exercise, and good times, because that’s .

what its all about.

See you on the mountain.
Jos Konst,
General Manager,
Kitsumkalum Mountain

£

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

Dear Editar,

- On behalf of the Terrace cawe.

Downtown Lions, I would Once again, to all those

like to take this ity who helped in any way. ‘
our gratitude to -. Yours truly,

all the ewho canvassed Lion Al Purschke,

and all of the le who ‘CNIB Chalrman

donated so generously to our Terrace Downtown Lions

annual canvas for the
Canadian National Institute

for the Blind.
The canvas to date has
taken in $5,571.34.

I feel that the response

from the citizens of Terrace
and surrounding area to this
very worthwhile cause has
been tremendous,

Unfortunately, we did nat
have enough canvassera to
completely blanket the city
during the campaign so
some, of the areas were not
covered, however, many of
thoay who did volunteer did
double duty making the
canvas an overall success.

We would like to extend a
very special Thanks” to
Terrace Centennial Lions,
CFTK Radio, CFTK TV,
Terrace Daily Herald, The
Royal Bank for its premises,
The Royal Bank employees,
Caledonia Student Union
members, and the area
captains and all the can-
yaasers,

The publle may be in-
teres In knowing that
there are 28 legally blind
citizens in our Immediate
afea who receive servicea
from the CNIB. This
together with the fact that
representatives of the CNIB
are readily available by
appaintment ‘to lecture
achoo] children and peopte Ln
industry on the prevention of

biindness makes this annual |

An open letter to the Skeena
Soclal Credit Assoclation:
Tnote that to date no one —
party member, elected
resentative or appointed
official of the Social Credit
Party has apologleed for the
“dirty tricks’ tape.

Jack Kelly, its author,
says his statements were
“misconstrued”, Mr. Keen,
your party president,
regrets it became public.”
Jack Kempf, MLA has
refused to investigate fur-
ther, even though respon-
sibllity for the tape and its
distribution has now ex-
tended all the way to the
Premier's Executive
Assistant. No comment from
the usually outspoken Mr.
Shelford.

T have two questions;

Did the tape reach
Skeena?

Will the Skeena ~Soclal
Credit Association
disassociate itself from these
statements and attitudes?

Until these questions are
openly answered, a cloud of
suspicion and doubt muat
remain, especially in light of
some of “dirty tricks”
which occurred in this area
during the last provincial

election.
Yours traly,
R. Haslett,
- Smithera, B.C.

Letters Welcome

The Herald welcomes ite readers comments.
All letters to the editor of general public Interest
will be printed, We do, however, retain the right
to refuse to print letters on grounds of
libel or bad taste. We may also edit letters for
style and length. All letters to be considered for
publication must be signed.

possible

ATRILL THINKS

By THOMAS ATRILL

canvas a very worthwhile “Today's ‘subject is'the North american hale :

It is fashionable these days to deplore the plight of the
Native; to condemn the actions of the white man, both
past and present, and advocate special status for
aboriginal peoples. The Indian way is often painted as
the superior way, and the white is blamed for any and
all of the ills that have beset Indian society,

“Halfbreed,” a book by Maria Campbell, paints just
such a dismal picture. Although half-white and
therefore not qualified to speak for the Indian any
more than for the white race, she fills her book with
the usual account of drugs, prostitution, degradation,
ridicule and brutality, somehow blaming all of it on
the whites. The Indian male abandons his pregnant
mate, and whiteman geta the blame; Indians have a
free-for-all fight, killing one or two and maiming
many, and again whiteman is at fault. In this climate
of opinion, the white is in a ‘‘no-win” situation.

Campbell is not totally submerged in her self-
indulgent protest, however. At ane point she mentions
the need for Indlan self respect; for a true feeling of
worth, and a shaking off of any feeling of inferiority.
She correctly concludes that dole, in any form, is a
detriment to the Indian, destroying his self-respect
and making him dependent on  sciety.

As a white native, [ have a few suggestions for
improving the lot of all Indians who at present do not
fee] that they are enjoying equal status with whites, If
they are relevant, you need them; if not, please ignore

“them:

1, Be a person,not a Native. You are a Canadian, an
individual.

2, Ignore the troublemakers. They aim to divide
more than to help,

3. Hold a steady job and pay your share of taxes,

4. Reject handouts. Share responsibility in govern-
ment and the community,

5. Ask for no special status. We are all entitled to
equal opportunity,

6, Come of age. The beads and black hats belong to
another age long past.

We live in what I would hesitantly call an
enlightened age; when logic and reason should govern
our lives. We have experienced an explosion in both
scientific achievements and in general knowledge as

well. Yet we persist in an artificial distinction between
races and a notion of special treatment of one race, at
the expense of the other, Why?

Indian lands and aboriginal rights are a myth. It is
Canadian land and Canadian rights; the equal rights
of all to life, liberty, equality under law, and the
pursuit of our individual and family happiness.

PERSKY'S
PERSPECTIVE

By STAN PERSKY

Bill Bennett's second-term Socred government has
gotten off to a wonderful start.
Less than six months since being re-elected in a
squeaker, the coalltion of car dealers, developers and
born-again ex-Liberals has already produced a

‘phoney letters scandal, a Supreme Court ruling

against its beanbrained heroin cure, and a sheaf of
shady land dealings. At the rate things are going, the
mythical Ogopogo of Lake Okanagan will prabably get
indicted for being the monster who ate B.C.

The $10 million wasted on the compulsory heroin
scheme and the chunks of farmiand parcelled off to
Socred cronies can safely be left for further
developments, while we concentrate on the Creeps (as
students of Yankee politics will recall, that’s the
acronym for Committee to Re-Elect Premiers,
Presidents and Prime Ministers). Our would-be
Bernsteins and Woodwards, who prowl the golf
courses and backrooms of: the province in order to
keep track of extra-curricular Socred activities, have
already turned up enough juicy details that a review is
in order.

The dirty tricks affair began in mid-September
‘when the Goldstream Gazette, a Vancouver Island
weekly, revealed that Socred caucus researcher Jack
Kelly had been conducting penmanship classes for
local Social Crediters in Esquimalt. Kelly had been
teaching them how to write letters praising the
government and damning the opposition, and then
signing them with false names, All you needed, said
Kelly, was a phone book.

In our modern world of electronic communications
the letters were bound to become tapes. It turned out
that Kelly had been purveying dirty tricks techniques
for at least a year, and that some of his advice had
been recorded at a Bayshore Inn breakfast meeting in
September, 1978, The recordings were packaged and
officially distributed to Socreds throughout the
province in April, 1979, a month before the provincial
election. (Inevitably, all this called up comparisons to
the shenanigans of former U.S. President Richard
Nixon's crew of crooks and con men, and the affair
was variously dubbed “Lettergate” and ‘Dirty
Tricks.’’)

The crucial] moment on the tape (unlike the Nixon
gang, no one bothered to erase the more incriminating
evidence) featured Kelly calmly saying: ‘‘The other
question (asked during the meeting) was, ‘Do we play
dirty?' and quite honestly, the stakes are extremely
high and we do play dirty and we don't really worry
too much.” :

Socred MLA Jack Kempf was given the job of in-
vestigating the affair (read: confining the scandal).
Kelly, in due course, resigned, and Kempf then an-
nounced that that was that. ‘That's where it ends,”
said the member from Omineca. But that wasn't
where it ended. .

Givert that Kelly was but a humble employee, and
given that the official distribution of tapes requires 4
Dif of decision-making, it was only a matter of time
before people began asking who authorized all of this.
’*The ‘embarrassing answers to that question
gradually crept all the way up to the highest office in
this province (as Woodward and Bernstein would
say). Kelly’s boss was Glen Mitchell, currently
Education Minister Pat McGeer’s executive assistant.
The man who authorized the tape recording was
George Lenko, Human Resources Minister Grace
McCarthy's executive assistant. As Vancouver
Province columnist Allen Garr noted, “Lenko does not
sneeze without Gracie’s permission." The Human
Resources Minister, of course, denied all ‘knowledge
of the tape.” OAT he

But Les Keen didn't deny all knowledge of the tape.
Keen, president of the Social Credit Party was anxious
to put some distance between himself and the
government (he had already been raked over the coals
for the party's less-than-brilliant showing in the May
election). He pointed the finger at Dan Campbell, a
senior member of Premier Bennett's staff, as the man
who authorized distribution of the dirty tricks tapes.

Campbell, a Socred cabinet minister in the former
government of the late W.A.C. Bennett, was chairman
of the party's general election committee in May, 1979,
and is currently the premier's executive director of
intergovernmental affairs. When reached in Ottawa
where he was attending a conference, Campbell said,
“I had nothing to do with the distribution.”

What does one make of all this? On the one hand, the
whole operation was so dumb, sloppy and amateurish
that it’s almost funny. At least it was at the beginning.
As the Vancouver Sun said in a weekend editorial,
what ‘‘started out to be mildly amusing, has now |
turned from something rather pathetic into something
quite serious” because of the government's inept
effort to ‘‘stonewall’’ rather than get to the bottom of
the mess.

On the other hand, it reinforces public cynicism
about government. (NDPers, rather wisely, have
refrained from pompous moralising during this fiasco,
no doubt recalling some proverbial wisdom about pots
and kettles calling each other names.).

On the third hand, as Vancouver Sun columnist
Marjorie Nichols wrote, “The most troublesome
aspect of this whole affair is the confirmation it offers
previous suspicions that the, Socreds have contempt
for the people who elect them,”

| HERMAN

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“It's hardly sex discrimination just
because | can’t picture you as a topless waitress.”