The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 28, 1997 - AS Battle of the signs escalating as election campaign powers up WHETHER THEY'RE going up or coming down, someone's getting mad about it. The issue is election signs — a chance for voters to watch a silent battle between the parties. ‘Reform MP Mike Scott fired the first shots — he had his signs out before any other candidate. He’s also had more of them come down. Hundreds of Mike Scott signs have been vandalized, from here to Rupert, in Kitimat, Smithers and Kitwanga, say party workers. ‘We keep going out and replacing them and fixing them,”’ said campaign worker Arlie Wat- SON. Another volunteer, Bobby Ball, speculated that NDP volunteers might be to blame. ‘'They do this every election,” he said. He wasn’t sur- prised at the large number of signs being vandalized, saying, ‘‘it means they’re getting nervous,”" At the NDP office, volunteer campaigner Les Watmough said the Isaac Sobol signs haven't suffered much vandalism. “Our signs are staying up remarkably well,” said Watmough. “‘Not like the (MLA Helmut) Giesbrecht campaign. We went through 40 big signs. Some of them we put up five times.’’ Watmough thinks that might have been a per- sonal attack — aimed more at Giesbrecht than the NDP. This election the NDP are dealing with a new type of sign tampering — one thal seems to in- volve practical jokers. The NDP have been blamed for putting signs on private property where they weren’t welcome. Naomi and Wemer Heid own property in Kitwanga, six km. north of the Hwy. 16 and 37 junction. They claimed that recently someone climbed their fence to put an NDP sign up. The Heids took the sign down and put a Reform sign. Soon after another NDP sign appeared, this time in front of the Reform sign. “They had no right coming on my private property,”’ said an angry Naomi Heid. Watmough said he talked to volunteers in the NDP Hazelton office and no one there put a sign up on the Heid’s property. ‘“We respect ask properly owners before pulling any signs up. He thinks what probably happened is that someone stole an NDP sign and, knowing the Heids are Reform supporters, put it on the Heid’s property as a practical joke, The Progressive Conservatives haven’t suf- fered muck sign damage in Terrace, but they’ve had a few problems with their signs in Prince _ Rupert, Smithers and Hazelton. Candidate Kent Glowinski thinks some of the vandalism looks like the work of bored teenagers. The Christian Heritage Party’s Rod Freeman has Jeapt into the sign fray with renewed vigour. He started the campaign a few modest signs, the smallest ones in the campaign. Now his signs are featured prominently at the comer of Hwy. 16 and 37 and by the Sande Overpass, and ‘they’re bigger than anyone else’s. Freeman also posted large signs in each of the communities in the riding. ‘‘We wanted to make sure people know there’s such thing as the Christian Heritage Party,'’ he said. a Torn apart Reform volunteer Bobby Ball surveys” the damage done to a Mike Scott sign at the corner of Hwys. 16 and 37. Hundreds of Mike Scott signs have been vandal- ized during the elec- tion campaign, he says. Other parties have different things happening to their signs. private property,” said Watmough. He said they ELECTION MAIL BAG Part2 No to deadbeats Dear Sir: Canada has one of two futures. Follow the ex- ample of the U.S. and build a fortress society because of government cutbacks and increased poverty leading to increased crime. Begin now to divert capital destined for more prisons and increased police services by investing in the so- cial sector to build up 4 new economy. No matter who gets in our politicians are out to lunch. Twenty years ago they were told we are in a post industrial era and the high tech global society of computers is going to replace the old mass consumer workforce. This new economy, unfortunately, only affects a small, elite percentage of the workforce. the mass of workers will never be employed in cyberspace. France recently passed legislation in which government offers to pay 100 per cent of the payroll costs to industry for the first year and 45 per cent of the next five years if that industry will cut back work hours by 15 per cent and hire additional workers. The government there realizes that in the first few years this venture will prove costly but once there is an increase of on-line workers there will be more consumption and more tax revenues generated because of it. You have to spend money to make money. We need leadership in Ottawa and Victoria, not promises by a bunch of deadbeat politicians. ms Brian Gregg, Terrace B.C, Those nasty Liberals Dear Sir: Those willing to extend the Liberals’ mandate for an additional five ycars must be cither gul- lible, misguided, or gluttons for punishment. It was the federal Liberals under Pierre Elliott Trudeau who increased our national debt from less than $17 billion to more than $250 billion. Assisting in this process was Jean Chretien him- self, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, The Tories allowed the debt to compound it- self to approximately $500 billion. Today, notwithstanding the rhetoric and posturing of Paul Marlin, it is over $600 billion and growing. Chretien, asa former finance minister, Is well aware that it is not necessary for the federal government to boitow money at interest from private financial institutions and individuals. It has the sovereign right to obtain money interest- free from the Bank of Canada, which it created. By failing to avail himself of these facilities, he has demonstrated his subservience to private financial interests. Howard T, Ennis, Jr., Kispiox, B.C. Surprised at letter Dear Slr: In response to the May 14, 1997 ‘‘Not Sur-. prised” letter by Walter McConnell, it is neces- sary to convey the facts and reality as they exist, While I can not comment for Mr, Scott, I feel he has performed a credible job in responding to + UNwary, particularly the person now in the 50 - the grave concerns that his constituents have raised with regard to the Gnancial difficulties in- curred by the Repap financial crisis. As an elected officia}, our MP has an inherent respon- sibility to deal with concerns raised by the people he represents. I do not believe any insults have been directed at Repap; rather, questions have been asked and inquiries made as to how this situation arose. In no way have contractors asked for a bail out from government — they simply want to be paid for the services they have rendered. To say myself and Don Hull & Sons Contract- ing ‘‘planned the event for Scott’s re-election bid’? is ludicrous. The Repap crisis stems from poor pulp markets, labour management prob- lems, unmanageable debt loads and interest costs, poor cash flow planning and costly government regulations. As constituents in a democratic society we have the right to support whichever party and nominated individual we wish and to display that support. If that bothers some people, then I suggest they cite fact in their comments not pretentious rhetoric. Justin Rigsby, Terrace B.C. “As constituents in a demo- cratic society we have the right to support whichever party and nominated individual we wish and to display that support.” Seniors at risk Dear Sir The federal government’s proposed Seniors Benefit 2001 is the “‘most pernicious, punitive and confiscatory tax grab to come out of Ottawa in a long time’’ to quote David Louis, editor of the Tax Letter, When fully operational the Seniors Benefit package could improve the government’s balance sheet by as much as $12.2 billion an- nually. Of this amount, an estimated $4 billion will come from increased taxes paid by seniors and $8.2 billion from savings as a result of reduced benefits to seniors. This will occur after 2001 by which time, the present government assures Canadians, the na- tion’s annual budget deficit will be far behind us. Some benefit. People who were 60 or over as of December 31, 1995 may opt to retain their present status but that doesn’t mean they won’t pay more in taxes. For example, age tax credits and pension income tax credits will be eliminated and for many this could mean paying up to $2000 per annvm more in taxes. Income will be taxed on the basis of family in- come with income over $40,000 triggering as much as $2,200 more In personal taxes. * The very namé, Seniors Benefit 2001, lulls the 60 age bracket. The tendency is to think that Seniors Benefit 2001 is of no great consequence to them, They should look again. Those under 60 as of December 31, 1995 will have to option but to be fully victimized by Senior Benefit 2001. Seniors-to-be whose in- come will exceed $40,000 will be subjected to an additional (clawback) tax, increasing by $1,100 to as much as $7,200 per annum depend- ’ ing on income and marital status. Worse still, some financial experts suggest that unless one’s RRSP at retirement is worth . more than $250,000 the senior-te-be may be better off having no RRSP, This is because of the program's 20 per cent clawback feature which targets family income as cppased to indi- vidual income. Senior-to-be should check their future situation with a lax accountant, Ron Macleod, Past President, 411 Seniors Centre, Vancouver B.C. Vote for humanity Dear Sir: Four years ago nearly 1,700 of the most dis- tinguished scientists from 71 different countries signed a waming to humanily, It details much critical stress that our environment is suffering in the atmosphere, fresh water, oceans, soil, forests, living species and population. They caution change must occur within a few decades “if vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on this planet is not to be irretrievably mutilated.’ Eliminating poverty is particularly urgent. Ex- perts report that 50 per cent of the determinants of health are socio-economic factors such as adequate income and healthy, satisfying employment. Next week Canadians who are 18 or older and willing to vote will go to their polling places. No one can tell anyone else how to vote, but | am willing to share my own personal approach. First, this is a federal election, not provincial. I close my mind to provincial politics while I consider federal parties, federal opportunities and federal candidates in our riding. Secondly, I listen to some wise and thoughtful critics who argue persuasively that we are living “under corporate rule.’’ If we are dissatisfied with federal budgets and policies that rip holes in our social safety net, slashing funds and downsizing staff in services we need, such as health, education, welfare, CBC Radio, training, research and environment, we are only wasting our time trying to influence Members of Parlia- ment or to change them through this election. Critics say that politicians are only puppets manipulated by the power and wealth of trans- national corporate interests which control the elite think tanks, the economic experts, the most powerful lobbies and the establishment media. Our best hope in this election for any sig- nificant support for universal human health care and for restoring health to our planet is an in- crease in seats for New Democrats, Walt Taylor, Smithers, B.C. ELECTION MAIL BAG Part i Pile of bunk Dear Sir: The May 14, 1997 article ‘‘Candidates trade shots at federal election forum’' quotes the concems of Mary Dablen of Cedarvale who is from the Gitksan nation. She states “with land claims settlements we'll be refugees in our own country.'? What a pile of bunk. She failed to mention that we as First Nations people are presently wards of the Crown and that we are not considered Canada citizens within our own land, If she feels that we are refugees within our own coun- try and traditional territory, it is because Mike Scott and the Reform parly want to continue to make us refugees by continuing the system of apartheid called the reservation system’? and issuing one First Nations - person to justify it. Most people don’t know it, but when South Africa was setting up its system of apartheid, it modeled its system on the Canadian reservation system, While treaties are the key to bringing an end to this form of oppression, Mike Scott and the Reform party want to preserve it by opposing the treaty process. Scott then has the gall to describe treaty making as a form of apartheid. Joanne McKay, Terrace B.C. Sobol switch a shock Dear Sir: I could not believe my eyes when I saw pictures of Mr. Sobol on name tags attached to the lapels of promi- ; nent NDP members. At the Jast federal election, Mr. Sobol was the thunderous candidate for the National Party, which is now extinct. People must surely recall Mr. Sobol’s - words of wisdom during that campaign when he de- scribed the NDP as, “‘A party which has introduced no new ideas for too long and which has chosen our riding © as the spawning ground for a political dynasty.” : What has happened to the NDP riding association . that they would promote Mr. Sobol over other long- time supporters? Have they lost both their pride and their memory? : One can only marvel at how the desire to again ap- . pear on the political stage has changed Mr. Sobol’s political tune. It tums out Mr. Sobol was mostly right about the NDP, but on the provincial rather than tbe na- tional stage. The NDP provincially would certainly | carry the mantle of being bad for B.C. Afier Mr. Sobol fames out with the NDP, one can - only wonder which party he will run for in the follow- ing election, The Conservatives or Liberal could use a person of his experience. ‘ Leon Dumstrey-Soos, Kitimat B.C. . Native angle is wrong Dear Sir: . I completely disagree with the faise impression your | two May 14, 1997 stories saying natives are leaning toward Reform and of comments made by Mike Scott supporter Mary Dahlen, ; I am a native person and I cant tell you that Mike | Scott has done nothing but criticize native people in - this riding, Scott was the Reform aboriginal, critic. and has never to my knowledge gone out to meet the native people in this riding, He does not talk to’ the’ ‘native people in this riding. Scott docs not make us feel wel- - come in our own homelands. I feel sorry for Mary Dahlen who does not recognize what kind of person Mike Scott is and what kind of party he represents. All I can say is that she does not - speak for any native people except herself. Pearl Campbell, Terrace B.C. Terrified by Reform Dear Sir: - [am absolutely terrified by the fact that & racist party like Reform is allowed to sit in our parliament. There is no doubt that Reform is racist. Even some of their own members have lefi Ottawa to join other parties because of being uncomfortable with Mr. Manning. I feel certain that it's just a matter of time until they attempt to take their seats in Parliament wearing white robes and pointed hats. I urge all minority groups, including natives to do everything in their power and tum away the Reform _ Party June 2, I also ask the two or three candidates from minority groups who are running for the Reform Party to drop Mr. Manning like a hot potato — leave - now before it’s toc late. We do not want racists being paid by taxpayers money and let us all never forget that we (ihe voters) have the power to stop them in their tracks, Andy Nabess, Terrace B.C. No equality here Dear Sir: After three and a half years of representation by a Reform member in Parliament, a fundamental con- tradiction has become obvious between Reform’s Stated philosophy and its practical application. One of the foundations of Reform’s platform is the equality of all Canadians. Yet Reform’s policies seem not to seriously respect that equality. For instance, relations between our native and non- native communities — Reform’s party line and Mike Scott's oft-stated position both maintain that the out- right assimilation of aboriginal people is the only way ‘to go. On multi-culturalism, the same thing: assimilate and become more like us and then maybe we'll respect your rights, On relations with Quebec: well they've had _plenty of time to assimilate. Wonder what’s wrong with them? In Reform theory you've got the equality of all citizens.But in practice, Reform allows no special status, no matter how distinctive you may be; no affir- mative action, no matter how disadvantaged your posi- tion. That’s equality, all right, but it’s the equality of an accountant’s ledger totally lacking in the compassion and the equity we expect from a civilized society. It’s an equality that in the end does not differ much from the law of the jungle in that it doesn’t respect an indi- vidual’s inherent right to stray from the herd. In Reform’s world, if you’re different there's likely some- thing wrong with you (unless, like Mike, you're a Martian). Reform is once again touting recall as a part of their so-called fresh start program — if a politician promises one thing and does something else, you can fire him. Well, Reform promises the equality of all Canadians; it delivers little more than thinly-veiled intolerance of the most despicable sort. We don’t need to re-elect Mike Scott in order to fire him. We can do that on June 2. John How, Terrace, B.C..