Page 2 February 1984 Cassiar Courier Erickson Creek Column Welcome, 1984! This new year finds Erickson hauling ore from the .Troutline side of the moun- tain (previously known as Plaza). We also have in- stituted a new warehousing system which will see a lot of changes in our handling of materials. In the office, Tina Tischler has taken over the se- cretary’s position from the able Jan Anderson. Jan has retired but will continue to fill in for Tina. Also Carole Kollar is now the Payroll Clerk. PWAT c9 | am - bs cd @ pag é @ u@ a | ’ ¥ 5 In December our children’s Christmas Party was a great success. Cassiarite Bob Lefebvre and Erickson’s Gigie McGlynn provided the entertain- ment for tne party. Bob, as Bobo the miner, and Gigie, as Bruce the Moose, put on a wonderful skit. They were searching for the Spirit, of Christ- mas which Bobo had been told was more precious than gold! Many thanks to Bob and Gigie whose professional performances reinforced my strong belief in the many talents of our local residents! ~ Congratulations to Kathy and Brian Mercer on the birth of ‘their second child, a son, Neil More- ton Stewart, born November 3, 1983, in Van- couver. Neil weighed seven pounds, three ounces. Brian is a miner at Erickson. Congratulations also to Louise and Chris Creyke on the birth of their third child, a daugh- ter, Christine Amber, born November 27, 1983, in Whitehorse. Christine weighed seven pounds nine ounces. Chris drives the ore truck at Erick- son. We also had some sad news last month. We were all saddened by the death of Moe Melancon. Moe was killed in a car accident near Cantung on December 11th. He was one of the best miners we’ve had at Erickson and leaves behind many friends here. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife and six children in Mayo. . Well, it’s 1984. I think Ill go back and read that book. It was compulsory reading when I was in school, when 1984 seemed to be a long time away. Now It’s here. May it be a good one for you and yours. Alaskans up drinking age Canadians who are just turning 19 years of age and who plan to travel to Alaska for a week- end to celebrate had better stock up on their fav- orite mix. Because that’s all they’ll be able to drink—the mix, — Rolly Thibault, general manager of the Yukon Liquor Corporation, says the State of Alaska is raising the legal drinking age from 19 to 21 as of January 1, 1984. Thibault says violation of the new drinking law will be a ‘class A misdemeanor’, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of $5,000. Under the new jesislati@n. however, the law does not apply to people who are already 19 or 20. In other words, if a person is born on January 1, 1965, or later he may not purchase, drink or possess alcoholic beverages until he turns 21. If he is born before January 1, 1965, the new drinking age does not apply. ARTS & CRAFTS CENTRE NEEDS HELP! In a recent issue of the Cassiar Courier, I noticed a plea from the President of the Aurora Arts & Crafts Centre, with regards to volunteer help in keeping the operation going. In the fall of 1983, I decided to make a commit- ment to be fund raiser for the Club, by putting on Dinners, with the help of some very talented Chefs in Cassiar. Two Dinners were put on, and proved very suc- cessful, not only money wise, but were popular with Cassiarites as well. Volunteers stepped forward to help me with the Dinners, and I had hoped that maybe we could all work together and see the Arts and Crafts Centre become a viable operation, not only for Arts and Crafts, but a meeting place for various groups and organizations, in town. The existing Executive is becoming burnt out from overseeing the Centre, and it would certain- ly be a reward to see some people step forward and offer their help. In closing, we are very fortunate to have a Centre of this calibre, and it would be a shame to see the doors close to a very worthwhile venture. G. Periard HAVE YOU TRIED TO SEND A - TELEGRAM LATELY? | The other evening I had to send an urgent tel- egram to Vancouver. That happens to be in the same province I live in! I received a recording from Edmonton telling me to call back at 8 a.m. I called directory assis- tance Vancouver and asked for C.N.C.P. Telecom- munications and was given a toll free 800 num- ber. I said IJ cannot use 800 numbers. The Van- couver operator wouldn’t believe me—‘“‘everyone in North America can use them.” I then called my “‘local” NorthwesTel opera- tor and asked for access to the 800 exchange. I was given a ‘‘hassle’’. I said if I cannot send a tele- gram from one point in B.C. to another place in B.C. please connect me with the Federal Minister in Ottawa in charge of Communications. I was given to a supervisor. I again had to go through the baloney and as if by a miracle I was connected to the 800 exchange. I had to send my telegram from Cassiar B. C.—through Montreal—_ to Vancouver B. C.~TOLL FREE!!! If each of us stood up for our rights we might have access to the 20th Century. NorthwesTel de- pends on us in the north for their existance. If they can connect one person to the 800 exchange they can connect all of us! Dave Brocklebank, President Atlin, NDP Constituency Association DELIVER Y CHARGE IRKS CUSTOMER Ms. Rose O’Neill, Manager Royal Bank, Cassiar, B. C. 9 January, 1984 Dear Ms. O’Neill: 1 am writing to you regarding the policy of charg- ing a ‘statement delivery fee’ for mailing current account statements to customers; or rather, re- garding the manner in which this policy is being carried out. There are three major objections to be made: 1. No written announcement was given that this policy was to be introduced. Instead, it was passed on to customers ‘by: word of mouth at the counter. It was a matter of, “Oh, by the Way . 2. The customer has been given no written in- formation regarding the date when the state- ment will be available at the bank. — 3. The customer has not been advised about a cut- off date, after which statements will be mailed, and the delivery fee charged. Surely, if the Bank is going to impose such a fee on its customers, the customer is justified to ask for the following information in writing: 1..A written announcement about putting this policy into effect; 2. A guaranteed date on which the statement will be available at the bank, ready to be picked up by the customer; 3.A stated cut-off date, after which uncollected statements will be mailed and the fee imposed. As things now stand, this policy is arbitrary and haphazard. Without such written communication to its customers, I fail to see how the Bank’s im- posing this policy can be either ethical or lawful. Since the first of the year, further complications have been added to this policy. On January Sth, I asked for the Library statement, assuming that, as usual, it would be ready just after the first of the _month. There was no statement. When would it be ready? The teller didn’t know. Could the teller find out? She wasn’t sure. Would she try? Ten Telegraph Creek man dies ; Edwin Paul Reid, aged 32,of Telegraph Creek, B. C. died of a self-inflicted gunshot on January Ist, 1984, at Telegraph Creek. R.C.M.P. ACCIDENTS DURING 1982 — 84 ACCIDENTS DURING 1983 — 68 Nice Reduction, Cassiar! ACCIDENTS TO DATE IN 1984 —0 minutes later, she had an answer of sorts for me. With the computer, current account statements were no longer done at month-end, but through- out the month. The cut-off date on the Library account was now the fifth of the month, and the statement would be available ‘about ten days af- ter that’, i.e. about the 15th of the month. Let me point out that, yet again, this change in procedure was implemented without any official communication about it sent to the customer. How is the customer to meet bank policies, and especially changes in established bank policies, when heis not advised of the changes? In your reply, I would be grateful if you would address in detail the matter of specific dates on which our statement will be available to pick up, and after which it will be mailed and the fee im- posed: Thank you. Yours sincerely, William E. Morrison, Librarian January 13. When I picked up the Library mail yesterday, January 12, I found the January current account statement in it. The envelope had been metered and postmarked January 9. That means that only one business day elapsed between the day I was told the statement was not available and the date on which, presumably because I had failed to pick it up sufficiently promptly, it was mailed out, with the appropriate fee imposed. Nothing could illustrate better the arbitrary and unpredictable manner in which this policy is car- ried out. Nor could anything better demonstrate how defenseless the customer is when he tries to protect himself against this policy that seems to function on nothing more precise than the bank’s whim. Because this issue concerns many people, I am sending a copy of this letter to the Cassiar Courier. A public airing of this matter is, I think, in the community interest. Kiki Karnival Once again Watson Lake is hosting their An- nual Kiki Karnival Celebration, February 17th, 18th and 19th. They extend a warm welcome to everyone to come and join in the festivities. There will be a curling Funspiel, dog races, talent shows, dances, pancake breakfasts, indoor games, Arts and Craft display, bed races, movie and skating - party for Teens and one for younger children, and finish up with a Pot Luck Supper and Awards presentation. CASSIAR Bits & Pieces Lucky Lou! We hear she got one of those battery, take anywhere type phones for Christmas. We also hear she’s having trouble trying to figure out which end to talk into. Hello? Hello? Visitors out at George and Audrey Zimich’s for Christmas and New Years were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sparkes from New Westminster. Does Playgirl know something we don’t? Seems one of our local law enforcers was invited to pose for the centrefold. Wonder what the qualifica- tions are! Bernd Guderjahn is to be commended for the super job he did on the recent Atom Hockey Team trip south, both in coaching and supervi- Sion. The Christmas spirit was certainly in the Post Of- fice in Cassiar. Because of the large amount of mail, some of the parcels were late being sorted on Christmas Eve day so the staff-phoned the people just before closing time to let them know they had a parcel there. Speaking of the Post Office, a parcel mailed First Class in Edmonton on Friday January 13th, was received in Cassiar on Monday January 16th. On the other hand, a parcel sent Air Mail from South Africa on October 10th (at a cost of approximate- ly $35), cleared Canadian Customs at the end of October and finally reached Cassiar on December 29th, 1983!!! Same car, same person, same place, different year. Once again, Owen doing his annual ‘thing. The gang at the Cookery pe Store had such a good time at their Christmas Party they are plan- ning another one for May. Congratulations to George and June Holman. They were SOY married in Watson Lake. If you ever need a fish babysitter—give Gina a- call. She even performs autopsies on the ones who don't survive. In our last issue we said a special goodbye was said to Hilda Voss, Anne Massin and Mary Toma- shewski, as they were all leaving Cassiar before the next Christmas Tea. Inadvertantly, we omit- ted Mrs. Ines Comper from this list as well. Sorry Mrs. Comper! Hear that Frank, Denyse and Clare got interesting buttons from Santa. Kerry is indignant—they think she’s playing ‘Santa’ What’s this we hear about water into wine and brown paper bags? Belated congratulations to Ken and Joan Smith on the birth of their first grandson, Gavin Bailey, born in England on October 19th, 1983, a bounc- ing 8 pounds, 11 ounces! Dave Macklin fell through the ice on Vines Lake recently. Although it could have been a tragedy, he was able to get out and by the time he return- ed to the truck his clothes were frozen on him. Seems he now has frostbite in some rather un-— comfortable places. We hear Garry Periard has another $100 to throw around! We KNOW we're solated: Bill, but b eiie Secu goods in by Wagon Train??? Winter vacation time for some lucky people: Lorne Armstrong-thawing in the Hawaiian Islands Verna Collett-soaking up the sun in Mazatlan Bill Nymeyer-attempting to hit the jackpot at the Nevada casinos. First day of Down Hill Skiing, Robbie McC. broke his leg—what a bummer!!!Get well soon, “* Rob. Would those persons who sacrificed the pig to bring on the last warm spell in the weather, please try again. The weatherman seems to like burnt pork! Phantom Lady in Taurus Mine—or was she real? ’ What did Robert Service say: There are strange things done in pes midnight sun By the men who moil for anne Ph he We understand that Pat B. had a 6-ender during the Bonspiel, but her first rock in the next end, ended up in the house on the next sheet. Good shot, who’s team were you playing for anyway, Pat? Smoke detectors have arrived and are available from the Fire Department. FAREWELL TO: Sharon and Hans Bierman who have moved to Port Hardy, to take over the family business. hank You | ‘Thank You Our recent mishap was considerably eased by? th e kindness and generosity of the people of ¢ Cassiar. ' Our thanks is extended to all those who do- Pnated food, clothing and household items, to those who heartily gave time and money at the " benefit dance and to those who helped make the Vfestive season a pleasant one for us in spite of all else. , ' The fire department is commended for its prompt and effective response. With much Appreciation, 4 ‘Judy and Ed Duffy and Family es le gg ee eee ee Teen Club by Rob Best On behalf of the teen executive we hope that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Years. The Teen Centre is ready to start off a new year of activity, so to start it all off our first excursion of 1984 will be the raffling of a brand new stereo cassette player, complete with head phones. A limited number of tickets will be sold for the low cost of $1.00 each, so find your nearest teen exec- utive and buy one. Who knows, you may be a winner. All proceeds will go to the Cassiar Teen Centre. After each evening that the Teen Centre is open we are confronted with the task of cleaning up. We would appreciate if any person willing to help out would do so at this time — the more the mer- rier. Thank you. Cassiar Courier February 1984 Page 3 Wedding Ss | Congratulations to Tom May and Linda Benner who were married December 23rd, 19823 in Quesnel. The Civil Ceremony was attended by close family members. who's news Gary Swift Gary Swift, Cassiar’s new Acting Government Agent arrived early in January. He was born and raised at the Coast, but has lived throughout B.C. and Alberta, most recently working in Nelson. Gary enjoys camping, fishing, skiing and was pleased to find that the area provides such a beautiful setting for these activities. tae CAN’T PLAN YOUR WHOLE LIFE AROUND PLANTING ‘FRIGGIN’ FLOWERS IN THE NORTH! By Muriel ~ Sure, I like the fireweed and the daisies, too; but i isn’t there some other thing Sure, I like the greenhouse, ‘Humping’ beets...... lots of fun! Last year the tomatoes froze a week after they'd begun! Sure, the fence needs painting, but let’s not paint it white! I need the rippling of the ocean to sing to me at night; and the gentle rays of sunlight still warm in late September and leaves of Autumn colour before I’m too old to remember! Sandprints I can follow sometime along the shores; gentle blowing breezes; squeaking old screen doors. I wish to see you somewhere, sunbeams on your brow; smiling up at scarecrows as only you know how! Kicking off your snow-boots and lying next tome...... perhaps a little picnic | beneath a maple tree! Instead a northern garden, a perplexing way of life! Handsome, you amaze me..... from your loving, northern wife!