~ left from right anymore. MLA can’t tellleft — from right Dear Sir: lam writing in response to the Dec. 27, 2000 Terrace Standard article in which MLA Helmut Giesbrecht is quoted as describing trade unionists as tight wing “raggedy assed capitalists”. Tt would seem that Mr. Giesbrecht, like many of ‘his colleagues, is no longer able to tell left from right. His diatribe implies that unions have negotia- ted such great contracts lately, that members have lost sight of the social agenda, and become complacent rightists. For the record, Helmut, over the past ten years private sector wages have barely kept pace with inflation, and under your government intro- duced legislation that ended a legal strike by CUPE workers, and was viewed as a violation of free collective bargaining tights by trade union- ists everywhere. You voted in favour of that legislation. How very left of you. I would say to you that the failure of the hard- working CAW members in Kitimat to follow the advice of their leaders and support the NDP at Your government introduced le- gislation that ended a legal strike by CUPE workers. You voted in fa- vour of that legislation. How very left of you. election time, like many other trade unionists right now, has more to do with your failure to fol- low a progressive labour-oriented social agenda and has nothing to do with fat cat complacency as your remarks would suggest. _The vote is a protest but clearly you’re not _petting the message. ‘Later in the same paper, you go on to make - $tatements about off shore oil and gas explora- tion that will certainly upset environmentalists - who have fought for so many years to protect the delicate ecological balance in our northern wa- ters. ‘T see. that these remarks won you a ringing en- dorsement from our Alliance party MP, another ; bastion of left-wing sensibility, I’m sure. AE you do intend to fight the good fight in the upcoming provincial election then you might want to start listening to the people who have “traditionally supported you, instead of ‘bad ‘mouthing them in the media. JE you don’t then, whe.do you suppose. will be + thereto, fight. the.good fight-with youloig yasut on _’ The-message is clear Helmut, we can’t-tell you from the other guys, just like you don’t know Don Philpott Terrace B.C. A a A ‘raggedy-ass’ insult “Dear Sir: : ] would like to comment on Helmut Gies- ‘brecht’s latest insult, as published in your De- ~ cember 27th paper. Just who does this man expect to corivince to -yote for him (or his party), if he’s calling us “ragpedy-ass capitalists’? What does he expect to achieve by constantly (on pretty much a weekly basis) insulting his constituents? Well, he must think people are pretty stupid around here. Heze in Terrace, we're used to being ignored while Helmut kissed those raggedy asses in Kitimat, as we all know that is where his sup- port came from in the iast election, Thank God I can say I didn’t vate for him. Perhaps the NDP would get more support from British Columbians if they actually cared about what we care about. Personally, I care about the hundreds of mil- lions of dollars wasted on fast-cat ferries that could have been spent on social programs. I care about the fact that there is no longer a pediatrics ward or real nursery in the hospital, despite the fact that recently, Helmut made the comment Mills had not lost any services. I care about the fact that far too many politi- cians in his party have come under criminal in- vestigation. I care about being taxed ta death, to a point that paying for the basic necessities of life is a hardship. I care about the NDP taking ctedit for how well the oil and gas industry is doing, thus provi- ding their government with a surplus due to the taxes it’s raking in because of it, yet not under- standing that we're suffering for it. 1 see no evi- dence of, or plans for, any real tax relief for us. This NDP government is a joke. It always has been, always will be. The sooner we get rid of them, the better it will be for all of us, whether we're the taxpayer _ making minimum wage or the high-wage. union member (capitalist). earning big bucks. Sheltey Fisher Terrace B.C. Right-wing dream can seduce workers — MLA Dear Sir: A few folks in Kitimat misunderstond my point and thought 1 was insulting them whea I was complimenting the work done by unions and discussing why it is that some union members feel comfortable voting for parties that hate un- ions. Lam reluctant to put it into print again..I don't know if it is because you should never say “ass” _or. whether a few sensitive CAW workers thought 7 I was calling them all capitalists. In reference to‘ the story in the Dec, 27 Stan- - dard, allow me to clarify the comments I made. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - AS ” CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag THE BIG LOGS from old growth stands will increasingly give way to second growth timber, say foresters. But that's not necessarily a good thing, says one writer. Forest growth optimism irrationally short-sighted Dear Sir: Having read “Quicker to mature second growth forests called key to area’s future” (Terrace Standard, Dec. 13, 2000) 1 can’t help but wonder about the foundation of Archie Mac- Donald’s optimism. Unless there was a misquote, or misinterpre- tation, it seems that his predictions and concepts ate boldly contradictory. There is some truth in the stated high re- growth rates in the clear cuts, at least in this first rotation, and where good conditions are pro- vided, but the tree farms are, al their best, a cride experiment based on outdated science. The phrase “second growth forest” is a mis- leading term when applied to these heavily “manipulated sites. A forest is a vast communily on inter-relating species, of which conifer trees are just the most obvious feature. ---fPhe: forest ‘that exists. in the tree farms is.a grdatly "simplified one that mimics nothing which ‘accurs” naturally. In. the clear-cut process, the needless injury, and/or death of many fragile species creates a shattered foundation on which to build a sky- scraping tree. ‘ The regenerative species, which naturally occur in forest openings, spring up in the dis- turbed soil, but are annually kept in check by crews of brushers, so the young, planted conifers will have less competition for light and nutrients. By eliminating the species not involved in the lumber and pulp economy, we also lose everything they provide. The health of conifers depends on the organic bio-mass from deciduous leaf-fall; on the moisture retention of that ground cover; on habitat for birds, and beneficial insects that prey on harmful insects; and the addition of nitrogen, and other essential nutrients and inter- relationships that these species provide. To base the future economy of this area on the quick first crop in the conifer farms is extre- mely short sighted. It is true that the first rotation, in many cases, will provide a greater per hectare yield of met- chantable timber, but subsequent rotations have shown a reduced yield, due to nutrient defi- ciency, until timber is not merchantable at all. While this is an excellent example of how to further deplete an injured forest-scape, this is a very poor example of a sustainable system. In the first rotation, the per-hectare percent- age of merchantable timber may be greater, but with the gain in volume comes a dramatic loss in quality. The quick growth of this crop shows in wide annual Tings. This timber provides a vastly inferior piece of lumber at the mill- and on the market. The large growth rings have also proven eas- ier for insects, and fungi to penetrate, increasing the already high risk of infestation in these lar- gely mono-cropped, single-aged stands. Mr. MacDonald is quoted referring to prices “the future does not look good for lumber, so the only way for us to compete is to reduce our costs”. This quate has truth solely because the pre- sent management system does not allow for a future lumber economy. : Considering that he also predicis Skeena Cel- lulose will increase ils percentage of saw-log dependence to 90 percent over pulp, I think that he needs to get his facts and figures down before he projects our future scenario. West Fraser chief forester Bruce MacNicol’s view of environmentalists is typical on industry thinking, based on their very teal fear of' losing grip on our re- saurcees, The term environ: mentalist by literal definition is ‘one who thinks about his or her surroundings.” MacNicol MacDonaid Lf our foresters are noi environmentalists, then - we need to reevaluate their training, Many environmentalists view themselves as conservative on forest issues, because they see that the only model for the future forests is in in- tact ancient forest systems, fram a diverse se- lection of habitat conditions. In my opinion, those views are not radical, for they are based on common sense. A forestry based solely on extraction, and reducing compa- - ny casts is a radical, and extreme approach, and it deserves some serious questioning. It is hard to believe that the economic stabili- ty of our region’s future could be based on such a loose foundation of possibilities. With industry describing bright futures beyond the obvious grim reality that they’ve created, it hopefully will not be long before the public sees behind the facade, and places its collective foot down. Then we can get beyond blind progress, and place the next foot forward with some assurance of stability. Rob Mercereau Terrace B.C. People who work for low wages, who are as they say “relatively poor” but who support politi- cal parties that ignore workers rights, limit the influence of unions and favour employers have always puzzled me. Some workers just don’t connect the issues. We ail want to believe that with a bit of luck and hard work we can be the next Bill Gates. ‘The reality is very differ- ent but this dream is what the right-wing peddies quite effectively. My old CCF friends had Baa a term they used for a per- son whose vole seemed in- consistent with his financial status. In a recent article some of your readers may have taken exception to that term sa permit me a clarification. I have found at times that even some union meyubers sitpport political parties who work against the very union trying to get a better deal for them. It usually happens after a long period of calm at the workplace when job security through se- niority provisions, pensions and benefits ate in Giesbrecht ‘place. Union members get ‘complacent. about the "benefits in the collective agreements which were probably the result of struggles in the past by members who have since retired. Without the connection between the struggle and the achievement, today’s union members sometimes take the efforts of the union leader- ship for granted. They may even go 50 far as 19 resent the monthly dues that support the union’s work, No labour union operates in isolation. Govern- meat’s labour policies affect the union as well as its members. If you are not part of a union the effects can be more tragic — just look at Ontario and imagine the workplace without any unions setting the benchmark for things like safety, wages and benefits, The B.C. Liberals vow they will change the B.C. Labour Code to make it favourable to em- ployers. Labour unions have done a very good job in the past few decades. The leadership should take some credit for that and having a government sympathetic to labour and one that sees union- isation as positive instead of negative has helped. Unions have been so successful, they have created the comfort levels which allow their members to forget just how tenuous some of the contract provisions are and just how easily. the . provincial labour legislation can make life more difficult for workers. So if you took exception to the term | repea- ted from my oid CCF friends, sarry about that. The real issue is as I have stated above. Helmut Giesbrecht MLA for Skeena Fear drives gun control Dear Sir: Gun registration is all about fear. Our govern- ment fearing its citizenry, When a government fears its citizens, it is time for the people to be concerned about its government. Handguns have been registered in Canada since 193 and that information has never been used in solving a crime. Then again, is there anyone who would accuse our governments of being interested in investigating a crime? We have seen this all before. During the 1930s-in-Germany, the Nazis had firearms registration prior to firearms confisca- tion. In Canada we have no property rights, be it land or possessions. :*. - J.R. Walker Terrace B.C. Writer wrong on range of city issues An open letter to Mr. Bourdon: Please let me give you an informed view of: 1. The proposed dump at Onion Lake was fa- voured by the regional district and in fact it will be less costly to use than the current Thornhill refuse dump. The cost per ton for Thornhill is $43.51 per ton and the cost for the Onion Lake site is $43.10 per ton. 2. Your statement that the airport revenue will be short by $262,000 this year is again mote ill informed information you have received. All in- frastructure development at the airport would be funded by the developer and not the City of Ter- Face taxpayers. The city will actually reduce its grant in lieu of taxes to the airport in 2001 from $125,000 to less than $60,000. The audited financial state- ments for the year ending March 31, 2000 show revenue of $1,022,642 and expenses of $982,939 with net earning of $39,703, Their budget for the current year ending March 31, 2001, anticipates revenue of $1,068,540 and expenses of $893, 463, providing an operating surplus of $174, 076 that will be ap- plied to projected capital costs of $202, 425. This yields a small deficit of $27,349. Our current quarterly report indicates we will have a surplus; this will be applied to current year capi- lal costs and next year's capital expenses esti- mated at $468,000. 3. Your comment re: the Multiplex. The bor- towing projected without any fund raising or grants would not double our debt service costs. This councillor is committed to raising funds to build a multiplex with as little burden to our tax- payers as possible. | again urge you to get your information from an informed source. Whoever has been giving your information surely isn’t. 4, Your comment about the- ROMP. is.wrong, There has not-been any ‘wasted’ monies paid for ‘police ‘services. In‘ Vernon; they Weré quite sli prised to hear that they do not have any RCMP in place. Are you sure about that also? Please give them a call. This council has worked hard to give our citi- zens an equitable solution to. policing costs with- in its boundary. . ; Rich McDaniel Terrace B.C. Keep focus on local needs, not mine road An open letter to: The mayor and Council- lors, City of Terrace. Dear mayor and Council: On page Al of the Dec. 20th Terrace Stan- dard, a story on a new road to a mine reports Texrace’s mayor stating the city has not yet agreed to put any money into the road project, but it doesn’t rule out the possibility. It would hardty seem pood business to issue a money grant to help build a road which most of us will never see, while announcing the raising of taxes and the cutting back of the ordinary up- keep of our streets, which we all use every day. The finances to open and operate a mine and all that it entaits are usually raised by selling shares on the stock market. The promoters are tolally responsible for the success or failure of the venture. Gerald Duffus Terrace B.C. Health action needed Dear Sir: The B.C. government must see the trees of the’ forest and needs to listen to the health care con- sumers and citizens of Terrace and their districts, They demand that the government step out of supervising and hiring in our hospitals by appoin- ted government groups and allow regional gov- ernments to elect local hospital board members to obtain qualified personnel to staff our hospital | departments and to fill administrative duties within basic provincial standards. The present health council members (government-appointed) are not doing an ap- propriate job of funding in necessary areas of health care in our hospitals with the allotted funding. One example — why has Mills Memorial Hos- pital only have one and a half physiotherapists, while other places have three or. four? . And, there is no regional physiotherapist in the Terrace area. Edna Jensen Terrace B.C, About the Mail Bag The Terrace Standard welcomes letters. Our address is 3210 Clinton St., Terrace, B.C,, V8G 5R2, You can fax to 638-8432, Or you can e-mail to standard@kermode.net. No attachments ‘please. We need your hame, address and phone number for verifi- “cation, Our deadline is naon Friday or. noon Thursday. if it is a lang weekend.