v Opinion/ News TheReview Wednesday, September 26,1990 — AS Gallery by the Sea successful A new security system kept the work in Sidney’s annual gallery by the Sea safe during the summer- long display: Last year one of the paintings was stolen but this year all nine paintings were returned safely to the artists, organizer Luann’ Cal- lingham said. “Last year my painting was stolen so I decided to run it this a@gyear and make it better for every- one,” Callingham said. “Through volunteers’ and spon- sors’ support, there was a security system installed in July.” Nine local artists participated in the Peninsula Celebrations Society sponsored event, producing three foot by four foot paintings which were mounted on the Satellite Fish Company building at the wharf end of Beacon Avenue in Sidney. Visitors strolling on the wharf from June to September were invited to vote for their three favorite paintings. When the ballots were counted, three paintings of sailboats col- lected the most votes. First was “Phantom” by artist Brenda Milne, second was Rebecca Smith’s “Sidney Spit’ and third was Jackye Mills” paint- ing “Re-fit.’ Other participating artists were Jo Lundstrom, Rosalinde McKib- bon, Marc Hansen, Cynthia Glen- nie, Treena Lindsay and Helen Anderson. Don’t buy that white elephant again by Hubert Beyer, Special to The Review VICTORIA — Political poli- tics, W.A.C. Bennett used to say, are the worst kind, and he would, no doubt, say so again if he had a chance to comment on the non- sense the NDP is peddling with regard to buying a white elephant — for the second time. The elephant in this case is the Princess Marguerite, an aging spinster of a ship that should have been salvaged for its scrap metal years ago, before she ripped off the B.C taxpayer. For decades, the Maggie ferried tourists between Victoria and Seat- tle, but when she began showing signs of fatigue in the early seven- ties, Canadian Pacific put her on the auction block. Against the judgment of many experts, the government bought the vessel. It was a charitable reaction by an NDP administration to the demands expressed largely by downtown Victoria merchants, a peculiar alliance if ever there was one. From that moment on, the B.C Steamship Corporation spent a lot of money, taxpayers’ money, to keep the old girl afloat. The main problem was that its aging steam engines would break down too often. Repairs were expensive and ate up any profit the ship might have made otherwise. As part of the privatization pro- gram, the Maggie was sold to B.C Stena Lines Ltd, a Swedish firm operating ferry routes in a number of Enropean countries. Stena bought the Maggie for one dollar, which wasn’t all that good a deal, considering that with it went the promise to continue operating the vessel. At first, Stena faithfully kept the Maggie running, but it soon became evident that a private com- pany couldn’t afford to operate on sentimentality. A couple of newer vessels replaced the Maggie, and the old lady was offered for sale, once more. A hotel concern based in Bris- tol, England, has expressed inter- est in buying the Maggie. The company wants to tow the ship all the way to England and moor her permanently in Bristol Harbor as a floating hotel. No sooner did Stena reveal details of the offer, than all hell broke lose, especially on the NDP front. Victoria MLA Robin Blencoe said selling the vessel to England was unacceptable because she was an integral part of Victoria’s marit- ime history and a substantial tour- ism resource. Victoria Mayor Gretchen Brewin, former candidate for the NDP and wife of John Brewin, Victoria NDP Member of Parlia- ment, became rather shrill, telling Finance Minister Mel Couvelier to buy the Maggie from Stena or resign. Couvelier didn’t seem to be too rattled by the political rhetoric or political politics. 652-3981 Perfect for Nature Lovers and Adventurers COSTA RICA Exquisite Nature Tours, Swimming, Wind Surfing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Cycling, Hiking, Bird Watching Come to a free PRESENTATION at Saanichton Fair Hall 7:30 pm, 3 October, 1990 Call for a reservation BEACON TRAVEL INC 656-0961 people are 70 murdered YOU JUDGE THE DANGERS OF DRINKING AND DRIVING |200 people are killed in drinking driving accidents | | armed robberies 3 000 are committed | 6,000 people are injured in drinking driving accidents| And that’s what it was. With an election in the wind, any ink is good ink, and renewing the Mag- gie-merchant-NDP menage a trois was as good as anything to grab a couple of headlines and kick the Socreds in the shins at the same time. Tourism Minister Cliff Michael wasn’t rattled either. “Talk is cheap,” he said, adding that nobody had come to him with a workable plan for the Maggie. Actually, last December, a local hotel made an offer to Stena for the purchase of the Maggie. The hotel’s plans were similar to those of the Bristol hotel chain — turn the Maggie into a floating hotel. Maybe Stena can be convinced to sell the ship to the local hotel rather than to England, even if the ptice is lower, but let’s hope that the government isn’t going to get involved in the purchase of this white elephant for the second time. We are pleased to Welcome _ IAIN WATT to our Pharmacist Staff, sorry he’s married and has 1 1/2 chil-, dren. A graduate from U_B.C. and born In Victoria, Is looking for- ward to serving you with all your Pharmacy needs! aane — ) SUMLOAT -DRAPES >, - BLINDS - BEDSPREADS_ - UPHOLSTERY . SLIP COVERS oO H Complete ; 7 : HINTON LOCATED INSIDE STANDARD FURNITURE 10th FLOOR SIDNEY CENTRE 655-1514 > RECYCLE TheReview Western 66 Seaboard Insurance All Routes Express Realty World Sidney Flint Motors Lynn Hunter, M.P. Brewsters Horticultural Centre of the Pacific Ann’s B&B Dairy Queen Christine Laurent Jewellers Hotel Sidney Pharmasave Panagopoulos Coca-Cola Pisces Dive & Charter NRS Block Bros. Muffet & Louisa Sunflower Health Foods Sidney Florist "Ter Muls B&B BFI Waste Systems The Board of Directors of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to Thank the following firms for their assistance in making the first annual Golf Tournament a success. sidney Travel Fable Cottage Sidney Tire Airport Travelodge The Review Slegg Lumber Dunsmuir Lodge Arbutus Acres B&B Capital Iron Hemlock Printers Standard Furniture Pet Foods Delight Grant’s Small Motors Pinch, Flader & Greene Pandora’s Closet Safeway RBC Dominion Securities Odyssia Steak House Michell Farms Sandown Racetrack Latch Restaurant Tommy Tuckers Pacific Coast Savings & Credit Union @ Ad “ps Van Isle Marina Prudential Insurance McKimm & Lott Smiity’s Brentwood Tanners Book Store Rumrunner Pub House on the Corner B&B Camelon House B&B All Bay Marine Classic Flowers Sweet Talk & Lace Harvey’s Sporting Goods Windsor Plywood Peninsula Community Association Dewit Insurance island Brewing Ardmore House B&B Mount Newton Cottage B&B Sidney Super Foods Squeegee Prints Magic Colour Creative Comfort for Pets