ere ati A SAY HELLO to Prince Rupert or perhaps the Nass Valley, These and other possibilities await resi- dents of Terrace and area once the elec- foral boundary commission visiting here next week does its thing. There simply aren’t enough people in the current Skeena riding of Terrace, Kitimat and Kitwanga/Gitwangak to justify its con-' tinued existence in its present forin. At the same time, there are too many people in some southern ridings. The commission has some wriggle room in that it can, if it deems necessary, recom- mend increasing the number of MLAs in B.C. to 81 — six more than the present 75, Adding more constituencies could help satisfy the need to give extra representa- ton tn the urban south, where most of the population increases have taken place. More MLAs won't help us up here By CYRIL SHELFORD NO DOUBT, the easy route is to create a few more elec- toral ridings, which would be mainly in urban areas to the detriment of those living in rural areas. I would ‘not recommend this, as 1 feel strongly that we have too many members now — aid such a move would only reduce the representation from the interior. When I was elected in 1952 there were cight of us representing one-half of the province in a Legislature of 45 members —- roughly onc-filth of the total. We had a rea- sonable amount of influence on the government of the day Whatever the changes, they won't take effect until the next provincial election. There are several possibilities, but here are some of the most likely options: Mi Divide the riding: It might choose to cut Skeena in half, putting the Kitwanga area into Bulkely Valley-Stikine and lumping the Ter- race and Kilimat areas into North Coast, which is presently represented by deputy premier Dan Miller. That move might also jus- tify the removal from North Coast of the mid- coast areas of Bella Bella and Bella Coola, which have less connection to Prince Rupert than it does to northern Vancouver Island. Mi Add the Nass: If major surgery isn’t per- formed on Skeena, then ihere’s a chance it might get more population by carving the Nass valley out of North Coast and adding that to Skeena, Commission members noted that most of the people in the Nass already have to travel through Terrace to get to Prince Rupert. if that happened, Stewart might ulso get trans- ferred into Skeena. That would leave North Coast with fewer people, forcing more radical rejigging elsewhere in that siding. Wi Steal from the east or norilt: A chunk of the Bulkley Vatley-Stikine constituency could be hacked aff an added to Skeena, Most likely areas would be the Gitsepuckla and the Hazelions. , ' Whatever happens, the MLA who will represent Terrace in future years will have a larger area to cover and a bigger job than what Skeena MLA Helmut Giesbrecht does right row. Below are conunents by Mr. Giesbrecht, retired MLA Cyril Shelford and Dan Miller, the MLA for North Coast. They were made at hearings held by the electoral boundary com- mission down south. ; MOTASE ~—— 7 PK. 24u1 . “\gHELAGY OTE Fk 2436 and brought about rapid development of the province. “We were instrumental in building roads all across the province, as well as rail extension into the Peace River and major hydro development on the Peace and Columbia Rivers, which gave industry confidence to spend lots of moncy on developing mines, pulp mills, etc., once cammu- nication and hydro power were available. I feel confident had there been an overwhelming number of Members from the urban areas, this development Strategy would not have got off the ground and most of the development dollars of government and private developers would have ceutred around the Lower Mainland. This same area of one-half the province is still represented by only eight Members out of a total of 75, Which Icaves future development in doubt — since these members represent only one-ninth of the total. This makes it obvious that we are worse off than we were 46 years ago, Granted, the population in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island bas increased by leaps and bounds. This bas resulted in many more members and the total arca cach member has to represent has got smaller aid sinalier, There is no way you can compare rural representation and (hatin a city, so true representation is getting more and more off balance than they were whea | represented the north in Omineca. The province needs more MLAs like they need a bole in the head. This is especially true now when member of all parties seem to vote the parly line so thal more members don’! achieve anything — unless we get bold enough to change the present system completely and move to a pro- portional representation sysiem where the members truly reflect the percentage of votes won by the party. I clearly recognise my position on representation is nol polilically correct in a society that is completed dominated (both federally and provincially) by the large centres of populalion. Cyril Shelford represented two ridings, Omineca and then Skeena, for the Social Credit Party. He was also ag- riculture minister. Now retired, Shelford lives in Victoria and is an author. North needs equality of access By HELMUT GIESBRECHT MEA, Skeena IT ISN’T just imporlant to get equality in terms of rep- resentation on the basis of one person, one vate. It’s also important to gel equality in the sense of ac- cess to govemmuent and ac- cess to oile’s representative. In some cases in the north, it would take a person a day's drive to get access to their MLA, and thal adds to the burden. [i certainly adds to the alienation that north- ermers feel as far as who's got political power in B.C. and who doesn’t. We have in the north a lot of diversity in terms of the communilies. It’s important, T think, when drawing boundaries, to get com- munities of interests togeth- er. There are communities that are perhaps 90 miles aparl that have very little in common, and il might be a bit difficult for one person to represent them. The other point I want to make is that there is a certain alienation up north, Political power, | guess, is -considered to be vested in the southem, densely popu- lated part of the province. We have seven MLAs out of 75 that cover the area of Highway 16 North. That isn’t an awful lot in terms of ay toon 2 men, wi; wis oe Ex = ore ‘ng . akaliart_C hist Yr. } mer io Ae | ew. HOUSTO LG Okina? Praia | 8 aS ) a P (3-7 i 1 ak 2 9 $ wap a n Devosiition 7, 4 Channa POWELL\: op nT ain Resch iN £ltintass Pkt es zoiz | D3 Odedenes, Borris\ . LX ' ‘ cl! " ra . Sweege noe. 1 Tatisg = pe 7 (=) ain Wiitesoil “ peach, a= Troilsa mo OSE -[; —| i iat) . ‘Cela i on La et at “Sy Thorpe ee: ord t idoriee L See caamAan© TS yt : eS “sh A + a voice, If that’s reduced any further, it presents some major difficulties for us up there. . The other issue that’s im- portant to understand is that if you make the ridings very large, those of us who represent these ridings al- ways have some difficulty in terms of representation. We have to locale an of- fice somewhere centrally in - the riding or somewhere where the bulk of the popu- lation is. You can’t effectively have two offices, really, because you can’t be at bvo offices at the same time. I’m speak- ing of when the House is nol in session. So size is some- times critical. 1 could bave an office in Kilimat, for example, which is the other urban centre thal T have. Unfortunately, if thal were the case, | wouldn’t be there very often. I’d have to split my time between Terrace and Kitimat, and then people wouldn't necessarily feck that the office was thal worthwhile. If they walked down there, they wouidn’t find me there; ihey’d be talking to one of my assistants. I'd submit to you that maybe an increase in the number of scats would be betier than trying = to redistribute boundaries +— Skeena riding under siege GEOGRAPHY AND popu- lation don’t mix well in the efforts of the electoral boundary commission to keep the numbers of people in each riding of no more than 25 per cent and no less than 25 per cent of the provincial average, Below are some excerpis of the commission’s questioning of North Coast MEA Dan Miller. Commission chairman Josigh Wood: We can recommend a devialion in an electoral district beyond the 25 per cent if we feel © that very special circum- siances exist. You're not the first north. em riding person thal we've heard from today, and we. understand and the problem, Bul what do you say to people in the lower main- land who complain that the north is already over- represented in terms of the extent of the deviation? Dan Miller: I'm actually surprised. Do they say that? I doa’t think they know recognize whal’s going on up here. | Ask any person in Van- couver how many = scats there are for northern B.C, and Ill bet you can’t get an answer, There’s a disconnected- “ness, In fact, to some de- gree, a growing alicnation in this province, It’s something that does disturb me, te i kok Commission Katherine Hough: There’s a suggestion, Mr. Miller, that we split Skcena in half and give half to Bulkley Valley-Stikine and the other half to North Coast, thereby improving the population stals in both of those ridings. What do you say about that? Dan Miller: 171 tell you if there’s a gulf, it’s the 90 miles thal separate Terrace from Prince Rupert. Katherine Hough: Why? Dan Miller: 1(’s_histori- cal, but the two com- munities really are quile dif- ferent, I’m a coaslal guy myself. The coast is dif- ferent, kkekkk member | Under more questioning from the commission about placing Terrace and Kitimat with the North Coast riding, Mr. Miller had this to say: I don’t know how you would really do it justice. There’s a difference, I've gol one large com- munily by our standards, which is Prince Rupert. it has taken a terrible beating over the last year and will over the coming year. Believe me, those com- munities, with all of the small ones, require a great deal of attention. You throw two others in there, and I’d say thal any- body. would have a serious problem ‘ia iezms of trying Helmut Giesbrecht recognizing, of course, that the greatest population in- crease is in the lower part of the province, and that’s probably where same of the extra seats would go. ‘Dan Miller to adequately deal with the issucs that need to be dealt wilh, The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 10,1998 - A5 eecigany “pepper ister wee ns pts were] CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Dirt bike warning Dear Sir: I was truly sorry to hear about the tragic accident that occurred on Highway 16 concerning Kristin Acker. Tragedies such as this are terrible and really strike a nerve in the hearts of everyone, and | give my con- dolences to her family. I read where Staff Sergeant Doug Wheler talked about the dangers of riding dirt bikes near bighways and active roads. This I agree with, being an active motorcyclist mostly, -of the dirt type. But let’s be realistic, most gravel pits and unfinished subdivisions are near active roads. For example the airport pit, Cop- per flats, and Eurocan pit are all close to major roads. ” Where arc we expected ride? We need a track or desig- nated area. My letler serves as a warning from one dirt bike rider (o another, Dirt bike awareness is now heightened in Terrace. Views are now changed and, I am predicting a massive crack down on any thing with two wheels. Our friendly RCMP will be paying visits to all those gravel pils, unfinished subdivisions, and river flats, so beware. I can personally attest to such action, Just the other evening my brother and I were stopped, at one of the frequented dirt bike areas, and firmly asked to go somewhere else. We have been visiting this area for many years wilh our ‘‘interference causing equip- ment’’, It has also been home to children and their parents, beginners, and sometimes the serious enthusiast. We are nol out lo annoy anyone, damage anything, break aity laws, or gad forbid become fatally injured. I think riding a dirt bike teaches people valuable les- sons, One learus mechanical know how, responsibility, and respect for the law. I believe a solution must be reached. We need either a dirt bike club with a zoned riding area similar to that in Kelowna or some other means of providing a safe, semi-controlled, environ- ment for kids to learn to ride and enjoy the outdoors. Once again my condolences to the Acker family. Maybe if we had a track or a zoned area this tragic ac- cident may not have happened. Happy wails, safe rides. Dean Campbell, Terrace, B.C. (received via email) Leash those dogs Dear Sir; This is in response to your June 3, 1998 article about the lady and three dozen other people who petitioned to . be walk their dogs at Ferry Island without leashes. Get a grip. You should feel lucky you get to bring your dogs there at all. Who do you think you are to de- cide it would be better without having to leash your dogs? Better for whom? Certainly not anyone who is afraid of dogs. Isn’t the safety and rights of people more importaut than being able to let your dogs run loose? Shame on any council members that even entertain the idea of passing this ridiculous petition. Is bad cnough that we have to worry about dogs running around the neighbourhoods, scaring and at- lacking people {mostly children) because of ir- résponsible dog owners. So when we go fora family outing to walk the trails of Ferry Island, 1 certainly shouldn't have to worry about it there. Besides, the trails are there for people to enjoy, not dogs. Leash 'em up or leave ’em at home, One dog running loose is bad enongh. Could you imagine three dozen? Michelle Williams, Terrace, B.C. Don’t endanger safety Dear Sir: Is Terrace moving backward (June 3 article on a peti- tion to unleash dogs on Ferry Island)? Leash laws were implemented for a reason and I al- ways thought peoples’ rights come first, How many familles frequent Ferry Island with young children and shouldn't their safety come first. The trails are there for everybody to enjoy, but I would also be concerned if ] owned a little dog as well, With larger dogs running loose, not just people would be in danger. City councillors should think twice before passing a pelition thal could endanger the safety of so many. Christine Kofoed, Terrace, B.C. Men need help, too Dear Sir; I got home from Smithers last Saturday after spend- ing the best day I have had in the six months with my wife whom ] have been separated from. When | pulled into the driveway I received the sad news that a friend of mine, Randy, had committed suicide while I was gone. Why? Well this is why, He made some mistakes and poor judgement like most of us dumb males do with their wives and kids. He ended up having to be away from the people he loved because of the mistakes he made. That's good and fine most people would say. But Randy did know he made mistakes. He didn’t know how to control his temper. He wanted belp really bad, So he phoned all the numbers in the book for the help that he and a lot of us men really need but was told, and so was I, that most nrograms are for abused women. They do have counsellors that will talk to men, yes, ‘between 9-5”, But where do they go when they are hurt and troubled. Where is our 1-800 hot line. Please people make my friend the last of us to hurt alone. Belicve it or not we are also victims, Robert Gagnon, Terrace B.C, The Terrace Standard welcomes letters to the editor. Our deadline is noon Friday for the following Wed- nesday's issue. Our mailing address is 3210 Clinton St, Terrace, B.C. V8G 5R2. Our fax number is 250- 638-8432, We parlicularly welcome letters via e-mail. Our e-mail address is standard@kermode.net More letters, Page Ato.