Page 2 December 1985 Cassiar Courier . WHY PASSARELL WALKED Dear Friends, * © °°. * 7 By now you will probably have heard that I have had to make a hard decision on your behalf. Since I was first elected to be your M.L.A. in the B.C. Legislature in Vic- toria, I have always tried to put your needs first — and politics second. For some time now, I have been concerned that the N.D.P. was bogged down in fighting the government, and had lost sight of the needs of the people — especially those of us who live and work in the North. Development in Northwestern B.C. must continue to involve independent-minded people like the prospector, the placer miner, the small logging outfit, the guide out- fitters, trappers, fishermen and so on. I could not go along with being negative — against every government action — particularly when I saw many of these benefiting our own people in the Atlin Constituency. I found that when I approached the government one to one, they were genuinely concerned about the people and economic possibilities of the North — and were ~ willing to act on our behalf. Highway 37 development, the Klappan Coal and other development potential have been, and will be extremely important for our future well-being. As I said in my statement to the press, the simple humana issue of health care has been a heartbreaker in our community. The fact that the government has pushed this issue even at risk of alienating a group as wealthy and influential as the medical profession tells me that of fat cats who. don’t care about little people. Not only did the government respond to our requests for a Clinic at Dease Lake and a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at Aiyansh, but it brought in legislation to get new doc- tors out of the big cities into areas where they were badly needed, such as our own. Incredibly, I was the only N.D.P. M.L.A. who voted for this legislation! | have found that Premier Bennett, himself an M.L.A. for an Interior riding, has a vision of the future which includes all parts of our province. Since I could no longer say this about the N.D.P., I decided that I could do far more for the people of Atlin as a member of the Social Credit government than I could by remaining in an increasingly negative N.D.P. I hope that those of you who have supported the N.D.P. as I-did, will take these comments to heart — they are the result of a lot of soul- searching on my part. 1 hope that I can play a particularly positive role in advancing the discussions between native people and our provincial government. I am interested in building cooperation instead of conflict between native and non-native people in British Columbia. It is vital that progress be made very soon in this area. I will be home soon, so I look forward to seeing you then. Yours truly, Al Passarell, there is more to Social Credit than the N.D.P. mythology M.L.A, Atlin Socreds Welcome Al Passarell by Tom Waterland, M.L.A. for Yale-Lillooet The surprise move by N.D.P. Al Passarell, member from Atlin, has given cause for the rest of us to reflect on our own commitments and beliefs. Mr. Passarell, now 4 member of the Social Credit Party, has been accepted by the Premier, my colleagues and myself as a member of the Social Credit caucus and when the legislature re- convenes, he will be seated on the government side of the House. Mr. Passarell has ‘‘crossed the floor” in legislative terms, and his work has been cut out for him. It takes a great deal of courage, as one can imagine, to make the decision to change direction, and obviously a great deal of thought and soul searching would go into making such a decision. What we take for granted, as members of the Party, Mr. Passarell has intensely reviewed, Atlin has been my ‘buddy. riding’. I have served the people in that riding in that capacity and even though they now have Social Credit representation in the legis- lature, | will continue to be of whatever assistance is required of me. Whenever possible, as a buddy M.L.A., I travelled to Atlin (Stewart) and met with the constit- uents there in order to get to know and understand their concerns. The buddy system assures those ridings with a non-government member, a direct line to elected govern- ment policies and information. I suppose I have a soft spot for Atlin, too, because that’s where I was born. I am now looking forward to working with Mr. Passarell as a Socred member and M.L.A. As he said in his statement: Atlin is a long way from Vic- toria....Prince George is only the half-way point in B.C. and the other half of the province deserves to be heard because it represents so much of our future. My constituents in Yale-Lillooet know this has been my belief and my philosophy too, as it is with the Premier and our government. The construction of the new Coqui- halla Highway and the related infra-structure highway system expounds this belief. The highway will open up the rest of the province, not just beyond Hope (which has always been my “in house” comment in Yale-Lillooet) but beyond Prince George. That’s the great vision we see and it continues to move closer to reality. Mr. Passarell, in his term in the legislature, has recogn- ized our Premier’s deep and sincere concern for all people in all regions of B.C. and he is very impressed with what the Premier is doing to stimulate the economy. “Bill Bennett is a person who understands his duty, has true compassion for people, has a plan for the future and has the skills to lead a united caucus.” I know that’s why I am doing what I am doing. It’s nice to have the opportun- ity to reflect on it. MP Jim Fulton Condemns Passarell’s Move I regret the decision of Alan Passarell, M.L.A. for Atlin constituency, to leave the benches of the New Dem- ocratic Party and sit as a backbench Social Credit member. It is apparent that Mr. Passarell was facing a challenge to his nomination as 2 New Democratic candidate. When it appeared that he might lose the nomination he decided to compromise his political philosophy rather than continue his involvement with a democratic electoral process. Hi py I have known Al and the people of Atlin constituency for many years. For some time now Mr. Passarell was encountering a number of problems in illustrating his ability to represent the interests of northwestern British. Columbians. Despite attempts by myself and others to assist Mr. Passarell in effective representation, some dissatisfaction with his performance could not be pre- vented. By turning to the Socreds, Mr. Passarell has turned his back on the majority of Atlin voters who desired - New Democratic Party representation and continue to feel that New Democratic policies best. address their concerns for the future of the region. The Social Credit government has an abysmal record on the issues of job creation in the primary resource sector and the need to provide basic services to northern, and often isolated, communities. If Mr. Passarell feels that principles are more important than personal ambitions, he should do the honourable thing and resign his seat. Clearly, it is the voters of Atlin who have the right to decide between the New Democrats and the Socreds. Board Answers Questions At the September meeting of the Stikine District School Board several residents presented their concerns about various aspects of the board’s operation. Chair- person Sherry Sethen answered some of the questions put forth by Dave Brocklebank in a letter to him released at the November school board meeting. One question asked where the cutbacks had been made in School District No. 87. ; Mrs. Sethen said in considering reductions the pri- mary concern of the Board was in retaining the teaching staff in the schools. The following is a list of the major reductions made from the original needs budget which was $437,037 in excess of the funding provided by the Ministry of Education: . area reduced extent %saved red/elim District office salaries Dist office .95 reduced District office Dist office .30 reduced Teacher aide salaries Dist wide .92 reduced N.N. Studies aide Tahltan 33 reduced Speech therapy Dist wide .51 eliminated _ Clerical salaries Dist wide .39 vu eee ie 8s eee! + 6 eA RS OY CLUE - reduced . $ Supplies Dist wide .36 reduced Libraries Dist wide .11 reduced Dist.Resource Centre D.R.C. 12 reduced Program deveiopment Dist wide .05 eliminated Dist orientation Dist wide .02 eliminated Staff development Dist wide .03 reduced Elementary self assess Dist wide .02~ — eliminated Psychological testing Dist wide .44 ~ reduced Custodial salaries Dist wide .84 reduced Custodial supplies Dist wide .02 _ reduced Utilities Dist wide .67 reduced Maintenance seminar Distwide .02 eliminated Maintenance salaries Dist wide .1 reduced Maintenance ~ Dist wide .67 reduced Equipment Dist wide .34 reduced Student travel Dist wide .11 reduced Mr. Brocklebank also asked why School District 87 has a: full time superintendent and a full time secretary treasurer when we are only funded for part time positions. aA ‘ PTL AC Re ae eer Oy Ne Se gee He AS WR 5 aS as ay: Continued on Page 24. It could be © your life — I would like to take a moment of your time to dis- cuss the problem of false alarms. Perhaps as parents and citizens of Cassiar you can pass it along to your children. When the fire alarm sounds, the firefighters respond extremely fast and the adrenalin is flowing — perhaps a life is involved is always the question. When repeatedly you get false alarms the question enters your mind — Is this just another false alarm? Why rush? We have had one vehicle accident answering a false alarm! You are also pulling people away from their work place. It all adds up. Let’s all work to solve this problem. Under Section 128 of the Criminal Code, a charge of public mischief could bring a maximum of a five year sentence or up to a $500.00 fine for a summary conviction. San Antonio - Exploration Continues Cassiar Mining Corporation announced on November 20th that San Antonio Resources Inc., a company owned by Inco Limited, Quest Resources and private investors, has commenced an extensive diamond drilling program at Cassiar’s San Antonio Gold Mine at Bissett, Manitoba, 160 miles northeast of Winnipeg. In early 1985 Cassiar Mining Corporation granted to San Antonio Resources the right to earn a 50 percent equity interest in the San Antonio Mine and a large group of mineral claims within 15 miles of Bissett by completing exploration and development work valued at 7.5 million dollars by the end of 1988. By October 31, 1985, San An- tonio cumulative exploration expenditures were one mil- lion dollars. Work during the 1985 field season has includ- ed geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys on claims adjoining the San Antonio mine and on care and maintenance expenditures at the mine site. Cassiar Mining Corporation reports that current prov- _en, probable and possible geological reserves at the San Antonio mine consist of 1,041,000 tons grading 0.22 ounces of gold per ton. These reserves include 830,000 tons grading 0.21 oz./gold/ton in the upper levels of the mine and a higher grade reserve in the ninety-seven vein in the lower levels of the mine of 211,000 tons grading 0.25 oz/gold/ton. _ The recently commenced program of 20,000 feet oi drilling from the lower levels of the mine will cost one million dollars. The work is managed by Inco for San Antonio Resources Inc. The object of the program, which should be completed in early 1986, is to define economic reserves at depth. M.L.A. REPORT Al Passarell Many things have been said in relation to the Indian ~Land Claims’ question but none so interesting as those at- tributed to. the New Democratic Party Leader, Bob Skelly, in an article in the November 1, 1985 issue of the Victoria Times-Colonist, headed “Skelly calls settlers thieves’’. I’m sure those of our citizens of whatever political _ stripe are happy to know that their grandparents or par- ents, the people responsible for building and developing this great province of ours, are considered “‘thieves’”’ by the Socialist leader. In a letter to one of B.C.’s most respected forestry ex- perts, Skelly also slams economists and professional for- Continued on Page 24. COURT NEWS Court was held in Cassiar on November 28, 1985, with Judge J.B. Varcoe presiding. The case against JEFFREY QUOCK, on a charge of driving without insurance, has been adjourned to Feb. 13, 1986 for trial. | A warrant was issued for the arrest of KIM HOZACK for failing to appear in court on a charge of failing to display a license plate and using an illegal towing device. A warrant was issued for the arrest of THORN: CAL- BREATH for failing to appear in court on a charge of littering the highway. The case against MARVIN GRANT QUOCK, on a charge of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace and assault, was adjourned to Feb. 13, 1986, for a trial or hearing. ; LUTHER RITTER pleaded guilty to a charge of com- mon assault. The case involves an incident that occurred on Nov. 19th involving a juvenile. Judge Varcoe suspend- ed the passing of sentence for nine months, ordered Ritter to complete 30 hours of community service work and to attend counselling sessions. ri Hy) ra Ses WFD OSE EES Oe et Continued on Page 24. 5 a ~ CASSIAR Bits & Pieces One consolation about the extremely cold weath- er we ve been having lately is that it doesn’t snow. As of November 29, 1985, we have already receiv- ed 142.6 centimeters (56.14 inches) of snow this winter. Last winter by this date we had 106.1 centimeters (41.75 inches) — and last winter the snowfall was one of the heaviest recorded in Cassiar! Now that the snow is here again (hardly ever left), it would be appreciated if Cassiar residents would co-operate with the snow removal crew by obey- ing the “No Parking” signs. SORRY! In the lastissue we printed the names of the children at Snowridge Elementary School who earned Excellence Awards in the Canadian Tests for Physical Fitness and we missed one! Billy Carter was the missing name. Gary P. have you figured out how to secure a tensor bandage yet? Ida and Eric played their own version of the “Samaritan” story at 3 a.m. after the Dinner Theatre. _ Eric drove Ida and Jenny home, but managed to get his truck stuck. Eric pushed and in a loud enough voice to wake at least one neighbor, ex- explained to Ida how to ‘“‘rock’’ the truck. The sleepy observer, seeing that everything was under- control, went back to bed, only to be startled by loud shouting. Springing from the warm bed with the thought “Oh my God, Ida has run over Eric,”’ she was thankful to see that all was well, just ex- uberance and the neighborhood settled back to its usual quiet state. Our condolences to Sandra Sandvik and Warren: Cocking on the recent passing away of Sandra’s father in Vancouver. I don’t know what the sopranos were up to but the All Saints altos were complaining recently about being led astray! Ed is still telling Marian that when someone comes to the door with a stray kitten you don't just stand there with your mouth open, you say “No!” By the way, Marian says he is a lovely kitten and she would sure like to find a good home for him. It’s okay, Gary. Honestly, Santa hasn't forgotten your house! We hear Evelyn F. purchased a sleeping bag from Sears for her little dog. However, when Ken found out, the sleeping bag didn’t get to the dog- house — but we think Evelyn did!!1! Scowls to the youngsters who set off three false fire alarms in town recently. We hope they've learned the seriousness of their actions. Pat, Lee and Marian at the Courier office would like to wish all our readers and especially our con- tributors a “Very Merry Christmas’. HAPPY 26th GUNNER! ee —— — — McPHAIL — OVERTON NUPTIALS On Saturday, November 9, 1985, at 4:00 p.m. at the St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Burnaby, B.C., Jud Neil Overton of Cassiar and Susan Bernadette McPhail of Beavercreek, Yukon, were joined in marriage. The bride was beautiful in a full length white satin gown, trimmed with lace. A white derby hat with a shoul- der length veil completed her outfit. The maid of honor and bridesmaid wore full length satin royal blue gowns with blue flower spray clips in their hair. The flower girl, Sue’s niece, wore a full length royal blue gown with an overlay of white lace. The groom was dressed in a blue tuxedo, as were the best man and groomsman. The groom’s two brothers were the ushers. és About ninety guests enjoyed the reception which followed. Garry Periard.was the master of ceremonies for the occasion. Attending the wedding were the bride’s parents from Beavercreek, the groom’s parents from Cassiar, as well as many friends from Cassiar, Vancouver, Tumbler Ridge, Alberta, Alaska, Washington, Williams Lake, Prince George and Vancouver Island. After a short holiday, the bride and groom will reside in Vancouver where Jud works for Finning Tractor & Equipment Ltd. Cassiar’s second R.C.M.P. Ball, held on November 1, 1985 was a huge success. Approximately 200 guests enjoyed the lovely meal and danced to the music of the Royal Can- adian Mounted Police Dance Band. Out-of-town guests attending the Ball were Assistant Com- missioner, E. Division, Donald Wilson and Mrs. Wilson, Office: Commanding Prince Rupert Sub-division Robert Currie and Mrs. Currie, Const. Colin Abel and Mrs. Abel, Vancouver, Cpl. Chuck Lok and Mrs. Lok from Stewart, B.C., Cpl. James Steele and Mrs. Steele from Dease Lake, Const. Scott Morrison from. Victoria Sub-division, Drug Section, and Const. Marty Butler and Mrs. Butler from Watson Lake. DQDPDDPDO DDD DQ GD GGA OG eGrOr Orr WELCOME TO: Wayne Murray, the new furnace «mechanic, Wayne's family will be joining him later. Julius Kirsch, mine garage foreman Mr. and Mrs. Albert Quinn and two boys from Edmonton. Albert is the new retail store manager. FAREWELL TO: Richard Bernier, who is leaving to join Patsy and the children in Quebec. Larry Prince and family : Joe Boguski, who will be living in Vancouver. Charles Cadoret and Michelene Robidaux, who have returned to Quebec. Mike Pinter, who has returned to Ontario. Bob Greenway To our friends and acquaintances We wish you a Safe, Happy Christ- mas and the Very Best in the New Year. Happy Holidays Helen McKinley, Ron, Karen, ~ Lianne and Melisa Muir ROMP Bail rye ra Cassiar Courier December 1 985 Page 3 Erickson Creek Column — by Pat Lewis Beaton For the first time in its seven years of operation the Erickson mill has closed for an extended period of time. With the departure of the geologists, the drillers and now some of the mill crew, the camp has settled in for a quiet winter. But first — we had a party to celebrate the opening of the Ross Road from Erickson to the Cusac portal. It was also a goodbye party marking the end of the explor- ation season which ran quite late this year. R. & S. Ser- vices, who did the trucking on the Ross Road, D. & J. Drilling and Erickson all sponsored the party. Needless to say the crews are pretty proud of themselves for the quick construction of the road — six kilometres of road were built through mountain and forest in only six weeks. We’d like to welcome Don Smith of Whitehorse and the people who will be working on the mill modernization. Erickson’s mill consultant Michael: Ross will also be spending some time here in discussions with mill superin- tendent Jasman Yee while the mill is being upgraded. Michael and Don were a key part of the team that put together the mill for Mt. Skukum this year. The Erickson Recreation Society was happy to receive the O.K. from head office to complete our Rec Hall. The company will be providing a $12,000 loan to help us finish the building. It primarily needs inside work — plumbing, wiring and interior finishing. The Christmas season is here again and our social calendars are filling up. At Erickson we’re planning an adult Christmas party for Dec! 14th and the children’s party for Sunday, Dec. 15th at 11:30 a.m. We’re also hoping to have a skating party and bonfire by the lake on Dec. 24th. Hope your Christmas season is a happy one and Good Luck to everyone in 1986! J have a oream...... They talk of the Spell of the Yukon; Of men, how they mucked for gold; They speak of the hardships of winter, But the beauty was left untold. To know this you have to be there, And follow the trails of the past. Chilkoot, Bonanza, Dawson City — A dream I’ve accomplished at last! I’ve felt this “‘spell’’ that they speak of; It’s ever calling to me. It tugs at my heart and whispers Of unsurpassed beauty to see. Mighty rivers tumbling, cascading — Untamed, unharnessed, carefree; From majestic snow-capped mountains, They wind their way to the sea. Mountain sheep on high rocky ridges; Moose in the marshes at dawn — Grizzlies roaming the woodlands And streams where the salmon spawn. The mountainside covered with flowers In carpets of pink, red and blue; The fireweed blazing its glory Still wet from the morning dew. It’s true what they said about winters; They are long, harsh and cold, But each season brings its magic; Northern Lights — a sight to behold! They shimmer and streak a velvet sky _ With colors of red, green and gold, Silence steals all around you, And the air is crisp and cold. There's so many things that hold you, Like friendships that last till you're old; But I know the “Spell of the Yukon” Is the beauty that’s there — not the gold. Someday I know that I’m going, When my work in the city is done To where my heart soars with the eagle, To the Land of the Midnight Sun. Gladys Dowgray (ex-Cassiarite ) FLASHING LIGHTS Just a reminder, when the Red Lights are flashing on the School Bus, traffic MUST stop no mater which direction you are travelling. Please do not proceed until the lights have been, turned off. 2... - Violators can be charged! See