meh, council Terrace | daily herald a VOLUME 71 NO. 134 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 197 Giesbrecht . two years on council. - Helmut Giesbrecht has a reputation for careful consideration of decisions to be made and he comes to every meeting ob- viously prepared. Giesbrecht, a secondary school teacher, wants to stay on because he believes his experience could be a benefit. “I think the first two years are spent learning the ropes,” he said, “an apprenticeship.” Giesbrecht first decided to run for council because he got involved in a rezoning issue in his neighborhood and became very vocal about his opposition. “] thought, if I’m going. to be critical, I shoul junion - join council,” he said. A Jot has. been ac- complished in the last two . years, Giesbrecht thinks, - although he is careful to point out it was the work . of all of council. As a matter of fact, he always uses the pronoun “‘we when speaking of im- provements made by council. Financially, the town was in pretty bad shape when he first took office, Giesbrecht said, but council managed to replentish some of the surplusses which had been depleted in 1975. The Eb Street drainage project is also Fox claims ignorance practices and procedures ' the RCMP. MONTREAL (CP) — Solicitor-General Francis Fox says senior RCMP officials did not tell the government about Oper- ation Cathedral - or Operation 300 before last... week's reports about the” e alleged illegal activities because they did not. think there was anything unusual or wrong about them. “Going through the files, it is very clear that these operations—break- ins and mail diversion and opening—have been going on from almost time immemorable within the force,” Fox . said in an interview Sun- y. . . It also seems clear that most people in the. ' force have been brought - _ dispute, one of projects now into its second phase this year. Closing off the drainage ditches will give Terrace “less of a hick town appearance.” ‘ The Sparks Street lift station improvements, adoption of five year water and sewage projects, expansion of space for local RCMP and management staff cuts which will cut costs ' are some other recent council improvements. | Giesbrecht is con- cerned that voters may have gotten the im- , is. anti- . pression he ! development in light of recent development - issues which he has been opposed to in council. arything,” he otressed, ever "’ he stressed, “that’s ridiculous.” What he does object to are agreements made with developers . which . may not adequately ensure protection to the overall plans of the community. “Pm not against any developer,” he said, ‘‘But I'm firmly convinced that when a-developer comes in he has to abide by the rules.”’ Some of the examples used were the Cloverlawn shopping. centre, -where nothing to date has been done; the ‘so called “potato shed”, | which not make planning sense; and the 4700 block Lazelle which has up” and trained in the context where those practices and procedures were aleady in use. “I think that brings us. to the question as to why ere were any other illegal activities. that should be reported, the answer I received was a negative one.” The — solicitor-general also said’ the RCMP’s mail diversion activities may have been reported to.a royal commission in- ‘vestigating police control in 1969 without the knowledge of the public. “Tt's something I really wonder about, because the commission did : recommend a number of changes ‘in the law to allow some of the Prince George group PRINCE B.C. Representatives of 13 groups, including the British Columbia Wildlife Federation and the United Church of Canada, yotedunanimously Saturday to call: for an GEORGE, — ' immediate halt to B.C. Hydro’s proposed McGregor Dam diver- sion. The resolution came during a day-long con- ference to discuss the 450- foot high earth-filled dam planned for the McGregor River, about #0 kilometres east of this Interior city. The dam would divert water in the McGregor, a tributary of the Fraser River, away from the Fraser and into the Will- ~ iston Reservolor, where it would be used to increase . power production on Hydro’s W.A.C. Bennett . Dam on the Peace River. The 90' delegates were told that the diversion would result in em- ployment and en- vironmental losses larger than benefits the new dam would bring. ENDORSE _ RESOLUTIONS + Resoultions endorsed - at the conference sald the diversion would result in: _ The flooding of over 40,000 acres of forest land and wildlife habitat in the McGregor River Valley. Another 10,000 acres would be destroyed due to the scourlng of tile against McGregor dam Parsnip River Valley by the diverted McGregor River. ' . . The immediate loss of 20 per cent of the ‘prin salmon habitat on e Fraser River, the province’s major salmon producing river. Graham Farstad of the © MeGregor Action Group, ~ a local environmental organization, said that constructuion would wipe out the gains of a salmon enhancement program. MINISTER AGAINST Wederal representative Forbes Boyd told the Meeting that. Fisheries and Environment __ Minister Romeo Leblanc would continue to oppose the diversion until en- vironmental damages were reduced. Conference chairman ‘Bill Otway said the “basic dishonesty’ of environmental issues. ay, executive director of | Wildlife Federation, said in an interview that the Crownecorporation deliberately lied on the forecasts in the pro- ‘yvincial energy ' growth rate so it could get ap- roval to build a dam at velstoke, B.C. He noted that Hydro had predicted a nine per cent energy growth rate in 1976, in contrast to the wildlife federation’s fore- cast of six per cent. bis favorite «=~ ast June, when I asked if, this time. the 35.C.- received only negative criticizm, he said. **You don’t rezone on demand,” he said, “you rezone on the basis of the needs of the community.” Looking ahead for Terrace, Giesbrecht thinks that a lot depends on industrial develop- ment which in turn is dependent on such things as changes. in freight rates and the promotion of a ~ north-south waterhighway. : Terrace does have a future as a com- munication ‘and distribution centre for the northwest, he said; and the economic view has picked up considerably. ad been exercising as far back as 1054,” said Fox. He denied the RCMP. ihad tried to keep - the activities under. wraps .. “Especially where Operation 300 is .con- cerned, it was quite clear to the RCMP in their own minds that the series of breakins were not illegal," he said. ‘*Their position, I think, was that to commit a criminal offence under the Criminal Code, you have to have the intention of committing an offence. “And, of course, in their minds, when they ‘were exercising their mandate for the protection of the national security, they in no way had any intentions of committing an illegal act. “At the moment, a lot of people are becoming instant judges when it comes to the RCMP, and instant judges on very complex legal questions, and to my mind they are Weather day - High {Monday high High pa Cloudy, mixed rain an Tuesday - ow. 7 expansion is not a major issue,” but wanted to get. street- Boundary Giesbrecht believes we workers to work should prepare for it by studying the results. “I wouldn’t. consider amalgamation if Terrace would have to foot the bill for Thornhill and other unorganized areas,” he added. | Councillors ready With only one more week to go until Terrace municipal elections on Nov. 19, the candidates are gearing up for the final push Only three aldermanic seats are 0 d there are seven contenders for ke with incumbants Helmut an Recently we spo non council, ose positions. Giesbrecht and Jack Talstra about their reasons for wan to hold on to their seats. Giesbrecht, a school teacher, and Talstra, a lawyer, had similar recollections on the last two years and both looked forward to some quiet but necessary changes to Terrace in the near future. Talsira Jack Talstra has put in a “touch two years” on council], particularly because of the man changes within counc and administration during that time. There has been almost a complete turnover on council and top ad- ministrators has left the district employ, making for an unstable situation, Talstra said, “We;ve got to have some stability on council ‘for awhile,” he said. “Somebody learns the ropes and they’re gone.” ‘alstra,a barrister and solicitor who grew up in Terrace, first ran for. council on a ‘‘social concern platform.” He with young people and also encouraged police to have foot patrols. Both projects were successful various degrees, he said, “I wanted to balance out what was a business- i group oriented on describes council,” he said, but the himself as completely fog thing that happened for my frien . He positive d cautious...but I don’. mind making my views known.”’ le involved.” As a result, said Fox, his concern is not that ‘ he “will not pu strings hig was appointment as concluded * his chairman of the in description by stating he committee is » @b ani , development “There was a lot of social concerns there,” he said jokingly. Nevertheless, ‘Talstra said, the committee did a food b of organizing-the ction and did a lot of work in years. “Industrial ment was exciting,'’ Talstrasald, There was a lot of dealing with the provincial government the last two and almost every provincial ministry. The outcome of these many talks is that Terrace has now started working towards developing as a regional centre Service is a big part of the town, Talstra said, and he pointed to the -drainage and sewage improvements which have been accomplished by council. There has been a change in procedure for public works projects and a qumber nt orks projects. w ready to 0 ahead in the spring use of the completion of preliminary work. ‘or the next two years, Talstra sees ‘‘more of the same” programs being pursued by council. ‘More basic services to people without increasing taxes.” develop- P2WINCIAL LIBRARY “ARLIANENT BLOGS VICTORIA BC for another try ae He also believes council should continue to plug for secondary industry. Boundary expansion is mot a major area of: -eoncern for Talstra because he believes the inclusion of sparcely populated large areas would just mean more basic service needs which are costly to the tax- payer. He also cautioned that alderman must "get our act together on council.” Debate is fine, but we have to decide on a project, then work together.” A new zoning plan is desperately needed for Terrace, Talstra said, but if one is drawn up counci} has “got to have the guts to stick to it.” % “I would like to see a real effort in: town anning,’” he said. “Not ig stuff, just some basics.”’ Talstra advised that council go easy on rezoning until a master plan is drawn up, something he will push for if re-elected. The economy is picking up, Talstra said, which is evident by the number of new building going up. “This must mean something like the small . businessman is taking their chances with the town," he said. “This town is a young town, a frontier town, Talstra said. “And now we're showi some growing pains.’ Aldermanic candidates speak Terrace municipal and school district trustee candidates will meet with the public in the R.E.M. Lee being very unfair to the Théatre on Tuesday, November 15, at 8:00 p.m. in the peop traditional Terrace Jaycee-sponsored All Night forum. troductory remarks didates by the candidates will be illegal activities are followed by an opportunity for all voters, as well as “pers security service now are intimidated from __per- forming their duties. . “They may he con- cerned that legal charges may be pending against other officers because of an illegal activity,” he said. ‘So my concern is what the role of the security service is at the present time. “It is crucial that this country not lose its security service because of what has gone on in the past, Operation Cathedral which Fox has confirme had been in effect from 1954 until last June, in- volved the ailegal in rcepting and opening 0 private mail by the CMP. “RCMP looked at | TORONTO (CP) — The Globe and Mail says the RCMP gained access to confidential medical files and released sensitive information from them ‘in an attempt to disrupt radical groups in the early 1970s. ; Quoting sources” close to the operation, the newspaper says in- formation on who had been treated for mental illness, who was sexually deviant, who had emotional problems or any information that might humiliate people in in target areas was ob- tained on a regular basis from hospitals or ovinejal health sources neluding the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, The sources are quoted ‘as saying the health records were obtained from paid informants who had .acceas to them or by RCMP officers, predominantly those in the security service, who were permitted direct ac- cess to them by sym- pathetic employers. The Globe and Mail says information was released through an medical files informant “in group in the ho would cause : occurring, but that mem-.-.thone not currently eligi 3°" of - the-+ RCMP: thove persons sta nding for offi ble to vote, to ask questions of dn-the November 19 election. The program, which will also be carried live over CFTK-Radio and Channel 10 televixion, is once again being organized by the Jaycees in a manner which will encourage direct consideration of issues currently confronting the municipality and the local school district. It is hoped that everyone interested in the for- thcoming election will participate in this public forum. London Firefighters walk off the job LONDON (AP) — Twelve thousand hastily- trained army firefighters manning obsolete trucks and 16,000 civilian volun- teers went on the alert as Britain’s 43,000 firemen prepared to launch their irst national strike lay. Government officials said the strike was ex- showing During the spring of 1977, long before the Thompson inquiry was given its mandate, three women were involved in a project, a. Pipeline Project.. Lil Farkvam and Hilda Griffin both of Terrace, along with Sharon McGalvin of the National Film Board, put the tart together an information: that it film for use in the local issension communities. Their-hope or, if the Froup was not was to make the local y the infiltrated the information was ‘what _ this mailed or transmitted Pi through anonymous telephone calls. A source is quoted as the _ most - saying leftists, black and ‘Indian ‘radical groups, RCMP, communities aware of proposed line would mean to this area, and what would be the impact on one of important spawning areas in the lorthwest ... Lakelse right-wing extremists Lake and‘its watershed. . and ‘extremist political Jt was made with the parties were the groups approval of an in con- on which the tactics most junction with TRASK, often were applied. The newspa r also quotes an RCMP source as saying the work was mainly done by members and hopefully will be nted in to fhe OMpson quiry when ponte In this manner ey wanted to’ portray of a counter-subversion what it would mean to unit which, at various this area, where it is times, concentrated on- universities and teachers’ federations,-the control such a line. news media, unlons and litical parties such as presented by. Mrs. Fark-- of vam at the ew meeting of the K'Shaim é Communist Par’ Canada and the Democratic Party. going to go, and what laws are needed to This film is being ular Business = and The source is quoted as Professional Women at saying an investigation of Gim’'s Restaurant, on the dozens of federal and 16th of November at 7:30 provincial NDP members in the evening. Everyone emerged from a belief interested is. RCMP attend. among many invited to For more in- members that the party formation please phone was subversive. ~ 635-2425 anytime. pected to last at least a week, No talks between leaders of the Fire Brigades’ Union and government repre- sentatives -. were scheduled until Wed- nesday. The strike is the most serious challenge so far ‘of the Labor govern- ment's determination to ‘maintain its 10-per-cent anti-inflation ceiling on annual wage increases, now in its third year. The firemen, whose weekly base pay averages &64 (about $123), are demanding a $0-percent increase. ome Secretary © Merlyn Rees in a broadeast Sunday’ night said the government is not seeking showdowns over its pay policy that ‘4s for the good of us all,”’ but it will not back down. Rees said he could not believe “that anyone, for example, would allow: children’s and old people’s homes to burn down around their oc- cupants.” But Michael Brown, one of the firemen at the _ station protects Windsor Castle, told reporters: “‘We won't turn out even if the. Queen “is trapped in the castle.” BOMB BLASTS FEARED The biggest danger appeared to be in strife- torn Northern Ireland, where . security authorities expected the Irish Republican Army to intensify its fireboamb campaign to wreck Ulster's commercial life. Five bombs exploded in Belfast on Sunday night, damaging at least three buildings. Four other bombs were defused. that - In London, where the force of 6,500 firemen gets an average of 700 calls a day, only 1,600 in- experienced troops were on call, Most of them had only a few days’ training in firefighting. ‘We can’t take over fire stations and their equipment to avoid confrontation with fire- men’s pickets," said Maj. Charles Fenwick of the Grenadier Guards, commanding 300 army firefighters at London's Chelsea Barracks,‘‘We'll just have to make do with what we've got.” What they have is a fleet of 25-year-old civil defence firetrucks. They have no radios or sirens and will have to be guided by police cars because most of the soldier- drivers don't know the city streets. _ Typhoon. hits Manila MANILA (AP) — Canadian guests were registered at a hotel in _ Which ag many as 50 people might have died in a fire early today, Philippine officials said. _ Only one of the victims, a Japanese, had been identified as recovery efforts were hampered by a typhoon. orman Scharea, 58, of Selkirk, Man., said he and Roy Armstrong, 72, of Vancouver, were in a second-floor room when they were warned to get oul “We went down the stairs Into the lobby,” said Scharcha. “The fire seemed to be falling from the upper floors. We stood -- dn the rain outside the hotel for several minutes while firemen started working on the fire,” The Cross reported 16 bodies recovered from the burned-out shell of the downtown Hotel Filipinas and Fire Marshal Francisco Agudon pre- dicted a toll of at least 50 dead Firemen fought winds of up to to 80 kilometres an hour to keep the blaze from spreading to nearby hotels, restaurants, air- line offices and shops. The seven-storey hotel caught fire shorily before 7am, while many of the guests were asleep. Armando Aquino, 37, an employee, said the blaze started on the fifth floor, quickly engulfed the top ree floors and then: moved down. Cause of the fire was not determined. The number of persons in the building at the time was uncertain. There were reports that about 240 of the 300 rooms were occupied, and 47 sur- vivors were taken to the Hotel Mirador several blocks away. Other survi- vors were reported to have checked in at other hotels. Recovery teams brought out a stream of bodies during the af- ternoon, most of them burned = beyond recognition. One fireman said he found about 10 bodies huddled inside one room. Three bodies wrapped In:aheets were atop one stretcher. JUMPED TO DEATHS Two persons jumped to their deaths as cameras of the government television station were trained on them. A Red Cross official said other dead had suffered bone fractures, indicating they, too, jumped. Survivors reported panic among the guests, and stumbling and falling as they ran down fire escapes. Meanwhile, Typhoon Kim hit the Luzon coast: near the port of Infanta, then veered north away from Manila. Its . Btrongest winds dropped from 215 kilometres and ‘hour to 170, There were no im- mediate reports of casualties or damage in' the Infanta area, a major ricegrowing region. High waves from Manila Bay knocked down a number of shanties in the Tondo slum area of Manila, and dozens of families were evacuated,