Page 2 December Cassiar Courier M.L.A. REPORT Al Passarell Often the Vancouver media show their bias through their reporting of the B.C. legislature. All too often the media does not even sit in legislature press gallery in the Chambers to follow the debates. How they do their report ing and what is subsequently written in the papers or across the electronic media is left for the best imagin- ations to uncover. A perfect example is the constitutional amendment the B.C. legislature passed unanimously to become the seventh province to ratify the native constitutional accord. In a show of statesmanship, members of the Social Credit Party and the N.D.P. voted together to pass the resolution. There were three speakers from both parties and J had the honor to be the designated speaker for the NDP for this historic debate. There was no name calling or people be- ing dragged out of the chambers, just rational debate. But the media never gave debate coverage since they are far ‘too concerned with sensational reporting. Of course, I didn’t believe it was morally right to sit around the clock day and night to pass legislation, nor do I believe it was proper to have the government use its maj- ority to invoke closure and stop elected members from raising constituency issues. But again the reporting coming from Victoria showed a new low level of journalism. In regards to our constituency, the Atlin electoral district, I have just concluded a three week road journey . to the 17 communities in our district. The Atlin electoral district stretches as far south as to within 30 miles of Terrace and Prince Rupert, and north to the Yukon bor- der, as well, east to halfway across the province. I will be doing another constituency trip in January, and would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. Dour J2.B.99. team would like to extend Season's Greetings | and Hope for an improving ae ~« 2ew Bear. | "©" pappy Holidays : | , In | Jim Fulton, Mp. 2" | Al Passarell, ML.G. | : , ——* ATLIN N.D.P. CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION Box 359 ZAIN) oe, Cassiar, B. C. | v2 1EO LONG 778- eao_| SSC J_CS—_—_]] =: Obituary Sandra Carlick of Dease Lake passed away suddenly in Vancouver on October 24th, 1983. Sandra was in her 28th year. Internment took place in the Telegraph Creek Community R.C.M.P. The Holiday Season is soon upon us. Road Blocks and Vehicle Safety Checks will be con- ducted during the month of December. Seat Belt Legislation will be enforced so BUCKLE UP. Let’s have a Safe and Happy Christmas. Cassiar R.C.M.P. ARK A aK Kak aK aK: NEGOTIATIONS CONCLUDED Continued from Page 1 the position/positions available. (Seniority is based on the number of years of continuous employment, dating from the most recent starting date in the district). A teacher on continuing employment and who has one or more years of continuous employment and who is terminated shall receive severance pay. The severance pay shall be calculated at the rate of 5% of one year’s salary for each year of service to a maximum of one year’s salary. Salary on which severance pay is calculated shall be based on the teacher’s salary at the time of his/her termin- ation. Ottawa Viewpoint JIM FULTON ME This is further to my letter to you dated May 13, 1983 concerning the reduction of flights in and out of Watson Lake. Enclosed is the response I finally received from the Minister of Transport. It took 5 months to get an answer! One could walk from Cassiar to Ottawa and back a dozen times before Transport can answer a letter. Received September 14, 1983. Dear Mr. Fulton: This is in reply to your letter of 22 April 1983, in which you requested an increase in the number of flights at Cassiar, British Columbia. I regret the delay in replying to you. Officials of the Canadian Transport Commis- sion’s Air Transport Committee (ATC) have clari- fied with your office that your request concerns the service to and from Watson Lake by CP Air. On 7 January 1983, CP Air filed with the ATC a revision on its Winter General Schedule, for effect 15 January 1983, which entailed a reduction of service to and from Watson Lake from 6 flights to 4 flights per week, operating Mondays, Wednes- day, Fridays and Sundays. These flights were routed via Fort Nelson, Fort St. John and Grande Prairie to Edmonton. Mr. James Mutch, the Northern Operations Supervisor for CP Air, has informed ATC officials that this reduction was the result of low utiliza- tion of service. During peak traffic periods CP Air attained a load factor of approximately 25 per cent, or 25 boarding per flight for a B-737 aircraft having a seating capacity of 105. This level of use was attributed to poor economic conditions and the introduction of bus service on Tuesdays and Thursdays to and from Watson Lake which prov- ed to attract passengers who would normally have used CP Air. With the filing of the CP Air Summer Sched- ule, which took effect 24 April 1983, flights to and from Watson Lake via the points previously mentioned have been increased for the period 21 June to 29 September to 6 flights from 4 flights per week. The additional flights operate on Tues- days and Thursdays and are intended to accomo- date the increased demand for service during the summer period. Since neither a contravention of the Air Car- rier Regulation nor the tariff filed by CP Air is ap- parent, no action is contemplated regarding the reduction in service. Sincerely yours, Lloyd Axworthy Excerpt from Hansard—Debates of Legislative Assembly of B. C.—1st Session, 33rd Parliament, Monday, September 19th, 1983. MR. PASSARELL:—(speaking on the Education Finance Amendment Act 1983—where the pre- sent government wants school board decisions made by Victoria—not locally) 2:20 a.m.—In a part of his debate on why school board decisions should be left to locally elected people, rather than someone in Victoria who has no idea where, or what our school district is all about. “The third school district in my riding is one of the newest in the province, when it comes to a locally elected school board, that is, Stikine School District 87. We were administered by another school district, far to the east, Fort Nel- son. We have seen the district move into its own district, with elected trustees from each com- munity, from the local level. Local districts have i input into decisions about the education of their children, instead of having some administrator 1500 miles to the south in Victoria administer- ing the decisions for their children.” He went on to argue—through many Socred interjections—about salaries of teachers—com- On a recent visit to Cassiar, Jim Fulton was questioned as to why Cassiar residents were not able to direct dial overseas calls and why North- wesTel customers were not able to use toll-free 800 series. This is an answer to these queries. Dear Mr. Fulton: With reference to your recent letter regarding information on how overseas calls are handled. The operator, after receipt of a customer’s re- quest for connection to a overseas point, simply accesses the called country gateway (either Van- couver or Montreal). Teleglobe Canada’s operator records the call detail from our operator and takes responsibility for progression of this call. The Teleglobe Canada’s operator tells the cus- tomer to hang up and they will be called back after the called party has been reached. A normal delay is experienced reaching the called party and then attempting to reach the or- iginal caller. With the recent installation of the new Digital Telephone Switch at Ft. Nelson, we are investigat- ing the addition of International Direct Distance Dialing for our B.C. customers. Our tentative schedule for this additional service is unknown at’ this time. There are a number of reasons why the 800 watt service is not available. Briefly, when the 800-series of telephone numbers was established by the Trans-Canada Telephone System (T C T S), NorthwesTel’s (then C.N. Telecommunications) operating area was not included in the rate zone structure. Over the past two years, NorthwesTel has been involved in discussions with Alberta Govern- ment Telephones about the possibility of bringing 800 service to the Northwest. Two of the major points of discussion have been the establishment of 800-series zones inclusive of NorthwesTel’s op- erating area, and the design of appropriate rate structures of these new zones. The latter subject poses a particularly difficult problem for NorthwesTel, which must structure these rates so that they do not undercut the com- > pany’s toll revenue base, which provides the larg- est source of the company’s operating revenues. To those of our subscribers who have been in- quiring about the possibility of the introduction of the toll-free 800-series to our operating area, we have responded that the company has been ac- tively examining the matter, but that it is current- ly impossible to suggest when this type of service could be provided. Yours truly, D.G. Yamkowy General Customer Service Manager NorthwesTel pared with the U.S. etc. and said of the 30,000 school teachers in B.C. the majority are dedicat- ed—which brings me finally to the point of my letter:—Teachers and the recent strike. Every teacher I spoke to had their pupils wel- fare at heart—and were very concerned for them—and basically that’s what they went on strike for. Partially for their rights as teachers, but also for what was and is likely to happen to our education system, which in the long term af- fects each and every person in this province sooner or later, at some time in our lives. The present government is there to act on the will of the people—you and me. Not their idea of what we want. Through the efforts of a few in our community, B.C.G.E.U. members and the B.C.T.F. members, our voice has been partially heard. The support they had locally should not be forgotten, your signature on a petition to Premier Bennett will not be read by him or. his hired people, but a personal letter will. Support those who gave of their time, wages and moral- ity to stand up for YOUR rights. The fight is not over yet—and the fight is not for more—or wages—but for what our society has projected us to be—free—equal rights—and a voice in deci- sions that affect YOUR life. In Solidarity,. Dave Brocklebank, Pres., Atlin N. D:P. Assoc. CASSIAR Bits & Pieces We hear Cec in the store has been getting alot of flack about her toe. We should have mentioned that Cecile Pratt was the culprit. However, there is a sequel to the saga—something to do with a banana—but you'll have to ask CAE about that. What happened on November 11th—Remem- brance Day Parade. It seems someone got the parade order reversed and let the veterans bring up the rear. On the other hand it was nice to see such a large crowd turn out to honour those killed in wars. Anyone having ANY event that has a trophy for a prize—please contact Ida Walters. ( She: S “never won one). There are some pretty mad cross-country skiers around town. Seems they’ve spent many hours grooming trails only to have them wrecked again by irresponsible snow-mobilers. When there’s so much space, it’s a shame the two sports cannot be pursued amicably. The Wild Cat has returned after 2% months. Seems Ralph Wild’s cat, Minou, went missing somewhere between Cassiar and Dease Lake at the beginning of September. It took 24% months but she finally found her way home. We understand that Peter C. was in fine voice at the French Dinner put on by the Arts and Crafts Society. Apparently he sang so loud you couldn’t hear anyone else. Jim Gilpin is just back from a Club Med holiday in the Caribbean. Said he had a great time, single guys were sure in great demand. Congratulations to Bruce Leckie and Uschi Froelich who became engaged recently. Also to Ken and Joan Smith who were presented with a grand-daughter recently. Joan went to England for the occasion—after all— in words of hubby, “she couldn’t miss the birth of their first grandchild.’ Durk says there are three sides to the story— yours, mine and the truth. FAREWELL & GOOD LUCK TO: Paul and Katie Sevier and children Georgia and Stephen, who are moving back to Australia. Stuart and Sue Borden, Andrew, Kimberly and David. They are moving to London, Ontario. Bill Hornby and Brenda Roberts, who have mov- ed to Tumbler Ridge. WELCOME TO: Brian Toews, wife Kristy and daughter Jannelle. Ken Frenette, wife Evelyn and son Ross. FRESH TURKEYS ORDER AT THE CASSIAR RETAIL STORE BEFORE DECEMBER 16. THEY WILL AR— RIVE ON DECEMBER 22. PROSSER — § TEADMAN NUPTIALS The wedding of Richard Prosser and Lisa Stead- man took place at All Saints Anglican Church on August 6. Rev'd Morrison performed the cere- mony. The bride, given away by her father, Clayton Steadman, wore a long pink gown and carried a bouquet of white daisies and pink roses. Gayleen Connolly, bridesmaid, wore a mauve and pink gown and carried a bouquet of assorted pink flowers. P. J. Connolly was best man. Flowergirl Tisha Steadman wore a beautiful pink and white dress and carried a bouquet of pink and white carnations. Following the ceremony a reception was held in the Lions Den. PKK KIKKK KK KKK KKK Parent Advisory The Parents Advisory Council, Meeting was held on November 2nd. The subject of Block Parents was again raised. The R.C.M.P. have been contacted on the matter but concluded that Cassiar at the moment does not re- quire this institution. If any individual is concerned they can instigate the programme through the R.C.M.P. Some reflective tape had arrived which appeared very good but could not be sewn. The firm was to be ap- proached again regarding a tape able to be stitched. Brinco Mining is to be approached regarding snow removal crews working on Malozemoff Ave. during the time small children are going to and from the school. There was an incident last year when a child was afraid to cross the road with the heavy equipment in operation. There has been some concern by parents that their children are not given enough time to eat lunch at school. There was no satisfactory resolution to this problem. Sports activities at lunch time will be open to different grades on different days and children involved in the lunch time activities are expected to have their lunch at school on the day this includes their grade. Another area of concern was the twice weekly skating periods. Mr. John stated that this was part of the P.E. Pro- gramme and would continue this season. There may not be funding for this programme in future years. THANKS | would like to thank Margaret Voss for the lovely wedding shower at her home. Also, thank you to the people who attended and for the wonderful gifts. Lisa Prosser (SS RE , : a , / Cassiar Courier December Page 3 Erickson € reek Column by Pat Lewis Beaton I've met Agnes! I’ve finally met Agnes! Agnes is the wife of Gerry Davis, the prospector who staked the Agnes claim on Table Mountain in 1935. And Agnes and Jennie Mining Company Ltd. was the name chosen by Kristian and David Ross for their private company at Erickson. I’ve always wanted to meet Agnes since her name is so . Closely associated with Erickson. I’ve met Gerry Davis before. He still placer mines out of Dease Lake, flying his plane in every summer. In the winter he and Agnes live in Las Vegas (a just reward for so many years in the north!). Agnes and I had only a few short minutes to visit. But I did have a.chance to ask her who Jennie was—the name of the claim staked by Hans Erickson in the thirties. She said she didn’t know. And that’s Gerry’s answer too. Looks like Jen- nie’s real identity may fade into the sunset, over- shadowed by the richness of the gold vein named after her. Last month I also had the opportunity to meet another old time local prospector. Joe Reed hoped to fly back to his cabin in the bush but poor weather grounded him near our house on McDame Lake. He came inside for a visit with us. He’s 78 and he’s been around the Cassiar Moun- tains since 1939 when he walked into the region from Hazleton. He’s seen a lot of changes in our area but continues to live the lifestyle he hase over 40 years ago. He has a small log cabin which because of his age he must fly into now. It’s a day’s walk to the nearest road. He lives alone, has no neighbors and no radio contact with the outside world. He’s not interested in the daily news, ‘Afterall,’ he said, ‘there’s always a war somewhere.’ ee Joe reads a lot and thinks a lot—prospector turned philosopher. There’s a spot on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway locally referred to as Joe Reed’s Hill and there’s also Joe Reed’s Mountain. It was interesting to’ put a face to the name and I hope to meet him again. Around Erickson last month we had a terrific fireworks display and bonfire on Halloween. We also had a dance with a live band and an evening of entertainment for the children. Our annual children’s Christmas party is being planned and the tentative date is Dec. 18th. Erickson’s Mine Manager Al Beaton and our Chief Geologist Rick Somerville each gave papers at the recent Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy meeting in Smithers. In all, 50 papers were presented at what many delegates consider- ed to be the best organized conference they had ever attended. Many of the papers specifically dis- cussed the resources of Northwestern British Co- lumbia. B. C. Government geologist Andre Pantal- ayev gave a paper on the geology of the Cassiar gold camp and Brinco engineer Tim Carew discussed underground mining at Cassiar. After the conference ended there were optimistic dis- cussions on the possibility of forming a local Cas- siar chapter of the G.I.M.M. We are happy to welcome several families to Erickson this month. Welcome to Carole, Jim and Kurt Kollar who have come to join Shift Boss Frank Kollar and» to Eileen and Robert Mayer who. have joined Shift Boss Ron Mayer. Pat, Raina and Rory Feldman have moved their trailer to Erickson and as this paper was going to press Stu, Candace, Cody and Ashley McAlister were planning to move into their new home here. Also’ welcome to Cathy and Shannon who have joined our heavy equipment operator Brad Jefferson. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 1984. A a a a a NE