Page 2 April 1986 Cassiar Courier ~M.LA. “WH REPORT ‘ ow. Al Passarell Your Provincial Government has recently announced a number of exciting lottery grant programs, which can be beneficial to our Northern Constituency of Atlin. One program is the Expo Legacy Fund. The intent is to provide local communities with funding for Capital projects, such as libraries. The Fund will allocate a cer- tain percentage of the Capital cost, with contributions from local organizations. In‘the Cassiar region a service club may ask for 50% provincial funding, as an example, for a Capital project in the Cassiar area. Forms and information are available through my office. Another program involves students. The Provincial Government has allocated funding so students in rural and Northern B.C. may go on a school-class trip to Expo. Already a numberof schools in our Atlin Constituency have applied for lottery funds travel assistance. My office is arranging for one school, who wrote, to receive billets from a local Victoria Secondary School. I have set up a Constituency office in Stewart ably run by Anne Crawley, telephone no. 636-2468. An office has been set up in Atlin, telephone no. 651-7759. A new office in Cassiar is presently being arranged. If there is a problem, or a need for help, please contact myself or one of my Constituency numbers. The Legislature will be reconvened in the next couple of weeks. If you have a community event, or a meeting you would like me to attend please contact my office in Victoria. The Report of the Wilderness Advisory Committee has finally concluded. As your representative in Victoria 1 would like your opinions to pass on to the Minister directly. The conclusions and recommendations seem very positive to me, as to keeping the Stikine as it should be. Would you please write to me at the Parliament Buildings, Government Caucus, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1X4, with your ideas and suggestions. Mine manager leaves Keith Jones, mine manager at Cassiar Mining Corporation, and his wife Sandra, will be leaving Cassiar in April. Paul Clarke will be acting mine manager until a new mine manager is appointed. Challenge 86 LABOR MINISTER TERRY SEGARTY | has announced British Columbia’s participation with the federal government in Challenge 86, a joint initiative to provide summer employment for students and young people across the province. It is expected that the program will result in as many as 18,000 jobs this coming summer, Under the program, businesses and farms are offered wage subsidies to hire students and other young people; and there are incentives for young people wishing to start a small business. THE LABOUR MINISTER, in a move to speed up Workers Compensation Board appeals, also announced that he has doubled the number of panels that will con- stitute a new and more responsive review process. Segarty has appointed a chairman and 35 members to make up 10, three-member review panels to work from the Lower Mainland. “The second phase will see regional panels established throughout the remainder of the province,” said the Minister. Editor s Note: The Courier normally does not print un- signed letters. However, as this arrived just before press time and since it was regarding the future of the Cassiar Courier, we decided to print this letter. THE COURIER SHOULD CONTINUE I feel very strongly that the Courier should be contin- ued, if at all possible. I grew up in Cassiar and have seen our paper grow from a newsletter, to the “Asbestos Sheet’, then to the present. q My family and I look forward eagerly each month to the next edition! So do countless numbers of ex-Cassiar- ites. Most people who lived or still live in Cassiar have ex- perienced a special sense of togetherness. The Courier brings it all together and should continue to do so. If necessary, raise the cost of each edition and per- haps shorten the length of the paper, but don’t eliminate it as a cost saving measure! I have no idea of the costs in- volved in producing the Courier on a yearly basis, but I don’t believe that the amount saved would justify the total elimination of the only voice we all have in the com- munity. Wilderness Committee makes recommendations on Stikine The Wilderness Advisory Committee has reported its findings to the B.C. government. The following is an excerpt from their report: Present plans of the Ministry of Forests in the lower Stikine area call for the logging of 3,000 hectares on which 600,000 cubic metres of timber, mainly cotton- wood, is available for harvest. The Ministry is currently convinced that recreational values can be managed in conjunction with the forest resources, and has had a consultant undertake studies to determine the necessary controls to protect scenic values. Conclusions and Recommendations The issues relating to the Stikine can be divided into the three sections of the river. In the upper portion conflicts are minimal, except for the possibility that the reservoir at Site Z dam would extend as far as Cullivan Creek. Such a development would interfere with rec- reation, wilderness and wildlife values. In the central section, hydroelectric power development would alter considerably the scenic and wildlife values and some adjacent lands. In the lower Stikine, the development of a transporation corridor associated with resource dev- elopment could adversely affect the scenic and recrea- tional values. The Committee recognizes the appeal and variety of the Stikine River and the area’s resource potentials. Having considered the various options, it was concluded that it recognize the recreational values while acknow- ledging that power development may eventually occur in the best interest of the Province. The Committee therefore recommends: 1. The portion of the Stikine River corridor upstream of its junction with Cullivan Creek (as outlined in Option 2B of the “Upper Stikine River Deferred Area Study (1982)”), which contains some 62,000 hectares, should be added to Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park. Recreation Area designation could be used for a time to permit the government to acquire claims, but Class A Park status should be the objective. Trapping, guiding and subsistence use by Native Indians should continue. 2. That portion of the Upper Stikine Deferred Plan- ning Area from the junction of the Stikine River and Cullivan Creek to Highway 37, which includes the flood reserve for the SiteZ dam, should be designated a Rec- reation Area. 3. From Highway 37 to the Alaska border, a Scenic ,, Corridor should be established to protect scenic values. The boundary of this corridor shall be set back from the edge of the canyon to preserve scenic values and along other sections of the river, from the river to the top of the first ridge on either side. 4. Crown lands in the corridor should be managed by the Parks Division. Development should be subject to the Parks Division’s approval on location and desthetics, The lands of existing communities and private tenures would be excluded from the corridor. Community Club Elections The Cassiar Community Club held elections in March for three directors. Gerry Gramek was re- elected for a two year term and Gail Harrison and Ralph Voss were also elected for two year terms. There are seven elected directors and the four who still have one year left in their terms are Deb- bie Ireland, Walter Comper, Pat Madore and Peter Howard. There are also two directors appointed by Cassiar Mining Corporation. They are Frank Zubek, who is treasurer, and Wayne Mayell. At the first executive meeting, a president, vice- president and secretary will be chosen. Walter Comper has been president for the past five years. Gail Harrison Maa Ralph Voss WE PAY OUR WAY A copy of Mr. Jones, “Letter to Employees” is being passed around in Dease Lake. The residents of this community would like to point out that the government does not provide them with water, sewage systems, street lighting or garbage removal. If home-owners want running water, they have to scrape together $10,000 which is the average cost of drilling a well and putting in a septic system. In addition, we pay land taxes as well as property taxes. . Our roads are plowed because two main streets are classified as highways. The sub-division roads are plowed only when the M.O.H. has the time to spare. This is apparently standard policy throughout B.C. Our roads are public; yours are private property. We do have a better deal with power because we are supplied by B.C. Hydro and pay the same rate as the test of the province. However, the cost of the install- ation of poles along the street was included in the cost of the lots when we bought them from the Lands Branch. The people on larger lots had to pay for the additional poles required to bring power to their houses. Letters to the Editor These points should not be considered as arguments in favour of Brinco’s cost cutting measures in the Cassiar Townsite. The residents of Dease Lake are paying a larger proportion of the town’s expenses but we own our property. As long as Brinco continues to run Cassiar as a company town, the townsite will not be eligible for the help the provincial government gives to inde- pendent communities. In other words, Mr. Jones, “he who calls the tune, must pay the piper.” Sincerely yours, Edith Callieou Pat Ferguson, Jr. Marian Bennett Rebecca Frazier Lillian McPhee R. Brown Joyce Andrews Terry Callbreath — Rhonda Quock Neil Brown Doreen Phillips R. Lowe Matthew Frank Clemens Tashoots D. Loverin David Barton Mike Frazier CASSIAR Bits & Pieces If you feel like you've been doing nothing but shovelling snow in March, you're not too far off. From March 1 to March 21, 1986, we had 90.3 centimetres of snow compared to 65.4 centimetres last year for the same period. The record snowfall for the month of March in Cas- siar was in 1962, when 115.06 centimetres fell. Hope we don’t break that one this year. The snowfall to date this. winter has been 12.3 feet compared to 14.8 feet last winter to this date. Hmm.....who is the lady in the Landcruiser who drives her children to school in her housecoat? Why was Jim Gilpin shedding his clothing on the Cassiar Road recently? Don’t know what’s happeneing at Dease Lake, but we hear the Medical Clinic received a shipment of supplies which included a GALLON OF CASTOR OIL!!!! Who was the lady in pink returning the gentleman's hotel key at the Fort Nelson airport recently? Talk about spoiled pets — Lucy’s dog really wanted to join the All Saints Ladies farewell party for Verna. While we're on the subject of Verna’s farewell parties — who was that throwing her buns around — or at least across the table! Wonder who that was that got their 4 wheel drive stuck in Kings driveway — wish we had a picture. Overheard an out-of-town curler at the recent bon- spiel “Too bad Cecile can’t spend more time at the Curl- ing Rink but she has to stay home and look after their four children.” Is there something you’re not telling us, Cecile and Bill? Occasionally the store ruas out of certain things but never such essentials at T.P. Oh well, guess it’s back to the Sears catalogue. Congratulations to Vic Cheropita, who was married in . Honolulu recently. He and wife Mary will be living in _ Richmond after Vic leaves C.P. Air in Watson Lake at the end of April. ‘ t FI lm | eat me em owner y : Pn The Cassiar kindergarten class admiring their handiwork on the Schmoo Daze float. Nice job, kids! The Cassiar Volunteer Fire Department has just received another shipment of smoke detectors. If you wish to pur- chase one just contact any of the volunteer firemen. Some people have their security blankets and then there are some who have security pillows — that must be why Marie got an urgent phone call from Adolf to send his pillow up to Faro. Nice to see Pam and Gary Swift back from their long honeymoon but they don’t have to rub it in by being , quite so brown! Recently 52 cross-country skiers braved 20 below weather to participate in the 40 kilometre Yukon Gold Loppet marathon. Susan O'Connor of Dease Lake participated and placed first in the womens 40-49 division with a time of 4:20:16. Congratulations, Susan! Whose husband had to go back to the Curling Rink to pick up the car his wife had forgotten there recently? Good Luck to the Oldtimers Hockey Team in their tour- nament in Hawaii. What a time to be out of action, Roger — but they ll appreciate a strong cheering section. Why is Allan Studd chasing down balloons these days? FAREWELL: Mike, Ina, Roy and D.J. Pennock. They are moving to Tumbler Ridge, where Mike will be working for Quin- _ tette. ois a Eee ele Fee ee ee ~~ t= Reg Ash retires Reg was honored at several functions just prior to leav- ing Cassiar. Here he is shown with the gift the Curling Club presented to him at the Annual Bonspiel banquet. The box contained a jade clock. . After almost twenty years in Cassiar, Reg Ash retired on March 21, 1986. He first came to Cassiar on July 5, _ 1965 and with the exception of a short period in 1969 and 1970, when he lived in Kelowna, Reg has worked as a sheetmetalman for Cassiar Mining Corporation. Reg has always been active in the community and will be missed by many organizations. He has served as presid- dent of the Lions Club for two terms, Zone chairman for one year and director for many years; was a volunteer fire man for thirteen years; served as director of the Cassiar Community Club and as president and drawmaster of the Curling Club. For the past season Reg has been the bar manager at the Curling Club. He also served on the execu- tive of the U.S.W.A. Local 6536. , Reg will be joining his wife, Marge, in Prince George, where his first priority is to fix up their house and plant a garden. He says he may occasionally help his two broth- ers, one a farmer and the other a sawmill operator. Of course, Marge and Mary Tomashewski will probably try to convince him to join them in their favorite pastime — playing bingo. Reg already belongs to the Senior Citizens Group in Prince George and also plans to take a more act- ive role in the Canadian Legion, of which he has been a member for over 30 years. From the list of activities he has planned, it certainly doesn’t sound like retirement — it’s just another phase in a very busy life — and we wish him every success in this phase. the cookery by Marilyn Forward - Sept/85 Come gather all around me and I'll sing to you a tale About the staff from the Cookery who almost went insane _ It happened on a September night “Reservations Only”’, please The waitresses and cooks were shaking at the knees Now if you pay attention I know I’ll make you grin We ran around the kitchen looking for the Visa machine Old John and Derek got angry and they put us in our place We knew that they meant business F- ys when they grabbed the bloomin’ plates We continued on our merry way serving and smiling sweet Trying to remember which wines to be served with fish and meat Oh, the smell of steak and lobster no man could ask for more They were chug-a-lugging Canadian while our feet were getting sore ‘Bout two o’clock that morning, we bid them all good-night while helping with their hats and coats we knew we did alright No, I’ll never forget that September night “Reservations Only”’, please We ran our bloody feet off, while shaking at the Knees. Gymnastics The wind-up gymnastics display will be held at the Secondary School on April 19th at 1:00 P.M. Everyone is welcomed to this display. Later in the evening, there will be a banquet for the gymnasts and their parents, brothers and sisters. We still have cookbooks for sale. You can pur- chase one by contacting Pauline Snell at 778-7240. Cassiar Courier April 1986 Page 3 Erickson Creek Column “Grae a 4 / 1, a r 2. eo by Pat Lewis Beaton I am writing this on the first day of “Spring” as Mother Nature continues to dump more snow on Cassiar Country. Here “Spring” usually means fresh snow! My 5-year old daughter, Maura, and I were on the way to town this morning, listening to Peter Gzowski and friends speak of “Spring”: of flowers and rain, etc. Maura laughed as the windshield wipers brushed away the wet snowflakes and three times I had to drive into deep snow as other vehicles and I maneuvered to share the one lane of clear roadway. She thought Gzowski was joking. (Well, April Fool’s Day is not far away.) I tried to explain that yes, today is the “First Day of Spring”! She is still puzzled, though. The scene outside our windows doesn’t match the one in her Book of Seasons! Sometimes it is hard to teach the seasons to a’5-year old in the north! Meanwhile though, people at Erickson have been taking advantage of the fresh snow and warmer tempera- tures to ski and skidoo and have a few snow bar-b-ques. Everyone seems to be enjoying the 5 day-a-week work schedule now in effect. ; We’re also enjoying optimistic expectations as some excellent, high, chip assays have been taken from the underground workings at Cusac. A 330 foot ventilation raise was also completed there this month. That’s a major step in turning the exploration project into a mine. Plans are being finalized for an early start at recon- struction of our mill. The new mill is eagerly awaited by everyone involved with Erickson. Our “family” has been scattered by the fire. Some miners have gone to Mt. Skukum and other workers have gone to Faro and Can- tung. In other news: congratulations to Karen Gordon and Keith Marion on the birth of their son, Brandon Ernest McCaully, who was born January 22nd in Kamloops. Keith is the welder at Erickson. Well - it may not look like spring, but seed catalogues and, I hear, bathing suit magazines have been spotted around Erickson. As they say, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? Figure Skating Figure skating season ended March 27, with a Carniv- al in which all the skaters participated. On March 6, a Test Day for the senior skaters was held. Catherine Clark from Fort St. John was the judge. Con- gratulations to all the skaters who passed tests. as PRELIMINARY FIGURE Lisa Lanphear Vicky Storch PRELIMINARY FREESKATE Nicole Deyo Vicky Storch Lisa Lanphear JUNIOR BRONZE FREESKATE Janice Coran DUTCH WALTZ Kate Elhorn Lisa Lanphear Amanda Howard f CANASTA Amanda Howard Lisa Lanphear SWING Nicole Deyo Vickey Storch Stephanie Slana : TEN FOX Janice Coran FIESTA Joanne Coran Mary Molan Jackie Molan WILLOW Jackie Molan Canskate and Canfigure Skate tests were conducted by the Cassiar pro, Holly Harris and badges earned were: ELEMENTARY Jenny Beaton Raina McIntosh Hanna Clarke Miki Hara . Lewis Clarke Sinead McGuinness Shery! Farrell Andrea Gabel Leanne Muir BASIC Raina McIntosh Erin McKenna Jenny Beaton Melanie Dubois Shannon Farrell Farrah Shipley Trina Gleason Sheila Shipley NOVICE 1 Heather Cameron NOVICE 71 Russell Elhorn Tamara Harrison PROFICIENCY & STROKING 17 Krista Randall Russell Elhorn