Ai2- The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, Oclober 2, 1996 Fulton, Scott trade shots Angry words continue after the TV cameras are turned off IT WAS bitter and it was personal. Former Skeena MP: Jim Fulton and Reform successor Mike Scott spent 10, minutes on national TV last Thursday trading shots over their conflicting: views on native land claims. The debate, carried live on CBC Newsworld’s Politics program in. most parts of the country except for Skcena, was marked by sharp per- sonal attacks, Scott maintained that the govern- ment’s land claim policy will lead to the formation of ‘‘enclaves of semi- , sovercign stales’’ around B,C, where residents will live under different miles from the rest of the population | ~—— not unlike the South African sys- tem of apartheid. Fulton called that ‘‘a crock’? and said the voters of B.C. obviously don’t share Scott’s paranoia on the is-_ sue. He pointed to this spring’s provin- cial election campaign, in which he noted land claims failed to become a top or even Jeading issue. “Politicians wha espoused Mr. Scott’s views were defeated roundly all across the province,’’ Fulton said. He also noted that the three con- Stiltuencies closest to the Nisga’a treaty arca ali elected NDP MLAs, and Dan Miller — whose North Coast constiluency includes the Nass Valley — was retumed with one of the largest margins in the province, Fulton said calling the Nisga’a- agreement and the treaty process: “apartheid” is ‘‘the sleaziest misuse of the English language.’’ ; “I's dishonest, false, historically inaccurate, misleading, and it’s sleazy.’” Fulton said Scott's dealings with na- tive people and native issues have FROM Ail Shames discount proposal debated Corporation officials have warned that the ski hill can- not operate at a loss forever and that more loca] support is necessary to sustain it Shames bought the old Kitsumkalum ski hill lift equipment from the regional district in 1987. The corpo- ralion owes $313,650 on the principal and $170,000 in unpaid interest. Shames has renegotiated the payment schedule four times and made just one in- terest payment since buying the old equipment, much of which was subsequently condemned by lift in- Spectors. Kitsumkalum ski hill was operated by the regional dis- trict wilh usually insuffi- cient snow until it closed in the 1980s, The regional district loan isn’t the only outstanding debt to government that the ski bill will have to setile in the future. In four years time, Shames will have to come up with about $325,000 to pay off an outstanding —_federal- provincial tourism develop- ment loan. Sbames has been paying the 2.5 per cent annual inter- est on that $502,000 loan’: approved in 1990, But since it’s amozlized over 20 years, | and is actually due in-10 years, they'll have to pay out the bulk of the loan in the Year 2000. Finance ministry account manager Barry Biltner says that although the tourism development agreement pro- gram that spawned the low - interesi loan is long defusct, the province has no inten- tion of writing off the loan. “We would be pushing . hard to see that repaid,”’ - Bittner said, “It is tax- payers’ money and we have . a mandate to collect — in- cluding going into receiver- ship.”’ Bittner took actlon forcing Apex Alpine ski area into receivership In September for failure to pay a loan, Eliminating the regional district debt would give Shames more room | to manoeuvre when it. comes time to refinance the federal-provinclal Joan. : Fulton Scott “I told him that if he felt that strongly about it to get his rear in gear and come up to Skeena and run for the NDP in the next election and we'll have a real debate,” been an embarrassment to him and the entire riding. **These are people who have fought long and hard. They are honourable people and to see them treated in this skunky way makes me sick,’’ He said the ‘‘underlying racism’’ beneath the ideas of Scott and people like him make them ‘‘undeserving to serve in public office.’’ And the bile continued to Dow after the cameras were turned off, when Scott accused Fulton of engaging in *‘pure character assassination’’ in- stead of dealing with the issues. ‘T told him that if he’ felt that strongly about it to get his rear in gear and come up to Skeena and run for the ‘E97 Pontiac suntire, @ Dor'tlorget to use your GM Card Earnings toward the purchase or lease dewn payment of your next Eee .| new GM vehicle." What's you card done for you lately ? When you're behind the NDP in the next election and we'll have a real debate,”’ Scolt told the Standard. He says Fulton replied that ‘‘you’re going to be surprised who mins against you”’ and advised the Reformer to not even bother thinking about running again. Fulton, however, says no exchange of that sort ever happened, adding Scott didn’t slick around for any more. ‘Mr, Scott ran. off like .a mouse,’’ he said. Fulton says he’s not contemplating running against Scott, but said he is “absolutely confident?’ the voters of Skeena will remove Scott at the ear- liest opportunity. ' “7 predict Mike Scott and the Reform Party won’t even get their deposit back,”’ Fulton said, “I know of no olher MP since Confederation | who’s represented that seat who’s vigorously gone before the public and told mistruths, And that’s an insult to the intelligence of some of the finest people in Canada.” Fulton said Scott’s responses amounted to ‘‘desperate Janguage from a desperate man.’? “T was just amazed at how poorly informed he is,’’ Fulton said. ‘‘If what he says on Newsworld is the basis on which his party is opposing a Nisga’a treaty, he better get the hell out of politics. He's too small a person and these issues are too important to all Canadians.” About two minutes of the 10-minute debate was rebroadcast on CFTK’s Fist News television broadcast: last Thursday. The TV station plans to rebroadcast ‘the debate in its enlirety as part of the Oct, 9th edition of Skeena Journal at 7:30 p.m, ba resem the hottest thing 6n \ Asami SE? < 4 ‘ A 7 tH Le ‘CIGRADUATE UVGLo Travel OUTSTANDING VALUE FLY/CRUISE HOLIDAYS ® Jubilee, a floating resort with an intormal atmosphere @ Thrilling (DN Vegus style entertainment @ Fine dining ™ Much more M@ Departs every Sunday, 6-Oct-96 F _ “ONE WEEK 999 ma round-tip air trom 7 Vancouver. through 25-May-97, from Los Angeles @ Optional land packages also available. Program may not be combined with any other promotional offer and is capacity contioled. Prices are per person, dcuble occupancy. Prices range from CONS999 te CONS2.059 depending on duration, accommodation, depadure city and date, Air and Port Charges: $249. 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