LETTERS

Land claim information is getting out to people

Dear Sir:

Ever since the provincial and federal. governments com- — menced negotiations with the

- Nisga’a on. their land claims

- Sétilement, the Terrace Stan-

~--dard-~has- printed — edilorials-

“which. reflect. the notion a. settlement of land claims is a fearsome ‘development in the history of the northwest,

The ¢ditorials have played on the Paranoia of some, that by giving aboriginal people eco- nomic independence, great sacrifices will have to. be made.

~ There has been an absence of _’. an appreciation that by settling ‘long standing grievances and economic uncertainties, every- "one will benefil. © _ While the Standard has on occasion recognized the need -f0 settle the land question, the’ editorial in the Jan. 5 issue ‘pads with a paragraph which ~,fgain plays on the same fears and is followed by more of the same in “‘ Access needed”’, -| First, there is not enough Kpace lo go into the issue of ‘Fairness and justice for aboriginal people, — . |. But even if pure economic - _self-interest is the only consid- “s Sration, it suggests that the -pvorst fears will not be real- ed. ‘Terrace is the shopping and ervice centre of the Nass Val- . fey: If the economy of the Nass ~ Malley improves, which com-

Inunity j is likely to experience Pinas always pt benefit?

_ |. [t has always puzzled me thal this potential is not recognized, ai Secondly, negotiations with an the Nisga’ a involve three - parties. The rules of negotia- ~ fion were. sel by the previous _ Socred government in the

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to voice concerns that I have about the ~ recent pun control measures.

The .deparied and current governments, media, and other ‘factions of society have ignored all of the facts of this issue.

In their blind knee jerk . mentality they have labeled ob- ~ jects.as evil, possessing mind

o controlling powers over individu- ~ als. -

.. By the use of an order in coun- cil they have restricted military . firearms, banned high capacily magazines, imposed a wailing pe-

-Tiod of up to 90 days (by use of “*policy”’) and instituted a host of other restriclions.

- They. feel that by imposing

these laws they will increase pub- ~ lic safely,

Criminals and psychopaths do “ not adhere to the law.

“What the government and gun ~~ grabbers have accomplished is the stripping of rights ofthe law

abiding ‘citizen.

The: ability to possess firearms “is the cornerstone of a {ree demo- " cratic society,

“< No matter what steps the gov-

-eming powers may take, they cannol protect the public from deranged individuals,

* Drunk drivers will still kill in-' - necent people, people will still

. commit murder and criminals will

Framework Agreement and they included a confidentiality provision.

Even so, the New Democrat government established no less than six third parly advisory

“-proups which are being consul- ted on a regular basis.

Those commiltees get brief- ings on the current state of the negotialions and are given an opportunity for input on issues of concern to their respective constituencies,

There exists a Regional Third Party. advisory com- mitlee with mayors fom Hazelton to Prince Rupert as well .as the chair of the

_. regional district.

The suggestion the Aboriginal Affairs ministry is out of touch on the “most crucial issue facing the northwest’? is wrong.

It has representation from guide outfitters, trappers, the sports fishing industry, Terrace chamber of commerce, the Steelhead society, Smithers ‘Tourism and the Nass Valley residents.

There is also a Regional Self |

Government and Taxation ad- visory committee which has representation fom the regional district, Terrace chamber of commerce and school districts #88 and #92. The mayors of Terrace and Stewart are also on this com- miltee.

The Regional Wildlife ad- visory committee cousisis of representatives from the Ter- race chapter of the B.C. Trap-

still prey upon society; this is the Price of freedom. These are simple truths. ; By their actions, gun control] ad- vocates have done the opposite of

‘what they claim their objectives

are.

I find it difficult to believe that intelligent people think that this kind of legislation is in the inter- est of public safety, and it leads me to question their true motives,

Why is the government in such a frenzy to disarm Canadian citizens? ,

Don’t be fooled, there will be more restriclions imposed.

Many people would say that such statements are the result of

_ Paranoia, but history teaches a

different lesson,

I strongly support firearms edu- cation and instruction and I strongly oppose restrictive firearms legislation.

Many people in society feel the way I do and believe that we could work together to right these wrongs that have been imposed upon people.

There will have to be change in the do-nothing attitude that is prevalent . today toward — the ominous clouds boiling on the fu- ture’s horizon.

Think about it. . Fred Shaw, President,

Terrace Rod & Gun Club

Helmut Giesbrecht

pers Association, the northwest chapter of the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Guide Out- fitters Association of B.C,

Next is the Regional Forestry advisory committee which consisis of representatives from five forest companies, the Northwest Loggers, the Truck Loggers association and three forest unions.

The Fisheries advisory com- mittee also participates with representation from fish com- panies, unions, Princé Rupert council and commercial and sports fishing organizations.

Finally, the Regional Mines advisory committee also par- ticipates and has representa- tives of seven mining com- panies, the Mining Association of B.C. and the B.C. Yukon Chamber of Mines.

In addition to the above ad- -

visory committees, there has been a Memorandum of Un- derstanding signed with the Union of B.C: Municipalities.

' The negotiators, federal and provincial, are and have been available to discuss the negoti-

alions with interested groups in the area.

One such session was last Sunday’s town hall meeting in Stewart.

Currently the negotiating leams ard the Nisga’a are making efforts to provide in- formation without jeopardising the success of the lalks.

The suggestion that the Aboriginal Affairs ministry is “cloistered in Victoria’? — and therefore oul of touch - on the “‘most crucial issue facing the northwest’? is wrong.

The suggestion that we need a few more people in an office in Terrace is interesting, but it will not necessarily facilitate getting more information to the public, especially given the confidentiality provision in the Framework Agreement,

Many people have had some experience with a formal nego- tlation process and usually that experience is labour negolia- tion. Those people will have some appreciation of the dif- ficulty with negotiations on this scale and involving the peoples of B.C., Canada and Nisga’a.

There is no blueprint to fol- low. Any settlement will be between the Nisga’a, Tepresenied by their negotia- tors; ihe people of B.C., tepresented by the provincial government; and the people of Canada, represented by the federal government

The New Democrat govem- ment will do everything it can to ensure the people of B.C. are Consulted on the issues and effectively represented at the table.

Yours truly, Helmut Giesbrecht, MLA Skeena.

- Waitresses deserve better

-_ "Dear Str: . I beleve thal everyone should have to wait on tables in the food ~, and beverage industry for at least one week of their lives. This would make people under- - gland. the. situations waillresses have to deal with, - My biggest complaint is people thal bilch about-every little thing. Although these people end up etting the best service, they still on’t leave a tip cxcept ‘‘don’t eat yellow snow.’? | , It seems that in-their “own litile world’? everything must be. per- ' fect That’s fine, they can stay home in their own litile world and cat ~ their own perfect food and serve ~~: their own perfect selves, .° Afother problem that I run into ‘Is people who think they are the

"only ones’ that exist In the entire

establishment,

It doesn’t matter how many times you go to their table and ask them if they would like an- olher drink, ihey only want some- thing when you are busy wilh the olher customers.

These type -of people really

retentive customers who think just because I ain a waitress, I am lower on the social scale than they are.

] think men enjoy ‘bashing’ wailresses because they think that we fale somewhere in between strippers and hookers.

I get the feeling that they actually think that they Should be able to “cop a feel” whenever they like.

should learn how to make up their minds in thirty seconds or less by taking a time management course.

My job is to serve the public, not: 10 work as somcone’s per- sonal servant,

I think the worst possible silua- tion is when n you have rude, anal-

I get the feeling that they ac-'

tually think that they should be able to “‘cop a feel’? whenever they like.

_ Men seem to. think they- can ireat waliresses Ike dirt and get away with it. A good question to ask them if this does happen is, “Do you speak to your bank tel-

‘Ter like that?’

I’m really sick and tired of the ignorant drunk men that whistle at me for a drink, or call me *“baby’’.

For these special creatures | have one thing to say, ‘‘it’s a long walk to the self-serve line, buddyl’’

Being «a waitress isn’t a demeaning or degrading job. I know personally that there Is a lot

of money to be made if you can .

handle the pressures,

I just believe that if everybody expericnce the busiest shifts, the complaints, the ignorant, cheap ptople, this world would be a bet- ter place. .

Well, maybe not the entire

world, but at least the. restaurants,

pubs and nightclubs. R. Apolezer

* ‘Terrace, B,C.

The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, January 12, 1994 - AS

ceprapmrmanemns erin snpe tg | CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

The Mail Bag

CT Scan vote of thanks

Dear Sin

Now that the C,T, scanner is in operation at the Terrace hospital it is time to congratulate and thank all the people involved in getting the service for the region.

First there are the people of the R.E.M. Lee Foundation who organized the fund raising and the many residents of the region who contributed the $600,000 needed to buy the scanner.

There are also the doctors and staff at the hospital and the people who served on the hospital board over the years who deserve our thanks as well,

We also need to thank those who were instrumental in assuring the operating funds for the CT. scanner.

Without operating funds we would just have expensive equipment collecting dust at the hospital.

All the fund raising was undertaken without written assurance that operating funds would be forthcoming once the equipment was pur- chased.

Many letter and requesis went to Victoria and to the former M.L.A. without any commitment on operating funds resulting.

It is time to recognize the efforts of our M.L.A., Helmut. Gies- brecht, who got a promise from the former Minister of Health, Elizabeth Cull, for operating funds for the scanner, .

I once had to drive to Prince George for a C.T. scan. The cost of the trip and the overnight stay were not cheap and I didn’t lose a few days wages on top of it.

Having the service in Terrace will save people a lot of expenses out of their own pockets,

I'm one who really appreciates having the C.T, scanner here in Terrace and | think it is important to thank all those involved,

. Sincerely, Walter McConnell, Terrace, B.C,

A special resolution

Dear Sir:

As the new years opens, |'am faced with once again trying ta‘con- jure up a New Year’s resolution that I can actually accomplish. «

I've tried the self-help stuff; lose weight, cat better, exercise MOTs, be patient, etc, etc.

Well, these past resolutions have always started with a bang and then fizzled to ashes after about two weeks,

This year I wanted to do something meaningful, maybe not sO .

, self-centered, (since that does not work anyway) maybe something

that might help to promote world peace.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward men. A very important part of what humans try to portray.

It was this’ thought that led me to believe I could make a dif ference, [ could set an example and hope others would follow.

All it would take is the promise to express how thankful I was to

others for their efforts. How many times have missed’ the op-

portunity to say “‘thank you’ '? How many times have I complained about service, yet hot sald thank you when I was treated well? How many times have I not expressed the full extent of my ap- preciation? alt is too! easy.to complain, ta. be angry’ and 10, be, mMoisy; when-you, are.discontentedtnri: setiinmes sd slike baspen Horse I promise this year I will [say thank you, and express ty gratitude with as much passion as I allow my anger. . Diane Collins Terrace, B.C.

About letters | The Terrace Standard Letters are subject to editing

welcomes letters to the editor. —_ for reasons of length or good We ask that they be signed and taste, |

a phone number be included. You can also fax your letters Unsigned letters are thrown to 638-8432. The deadline in away. noon Friday.

THE START IS FOR PEOPLE LEARNING TO READ

The Start

Mushroom pickers unite

MUSHROOM PICKERS here are getting together to stop the government.

A Pine Mushroom Task Force is investigating the mushroom business. It is worried that the’ mushrooms _ may dissappear. 7

They may decide to regulate the industry, and possib- ly charge fees to people who pick or run depots, wy

The Northwest Mushroom Pickers Coalition i is asking them to stop.

The coalition wants the task force, to Jisten to: > people . in this area first.

Building a playground

CASSIE HALL Elementary Students Meghan Dus- dal, Brenna Smith, and Rachel Mendel know how to make money. 7

They sold paperback books before Christmas, They = collected $400 that way,

The students gave half of the money to the school’s Parents Advisory Committee. .

The money will be used to pay for an. adventute playground. at Cassie Hall. ae Soe $2300 need to raise $30, 000. So far they b have a ut : $2,300.00