BEST 0C?y SUSIE The Prince George Citizen — Friday, July 8,1988 — 3 BOB MILLER 562-2441 L o c a l n e w s City editor Local 503

FIREFIGHTERS O K AY PACT

The International Association of Firefighters, Local 1372, and the City of Prince George have reached an agreement on a three-year contract. The contract, covering 84 members, calls for a three-per-cent raise retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year and an additional one per cent Dec. 30. During 1989, the contract, which was signed Thursday, calls for raises of three per cent Jan. 1 and two per cent Dec. 30. Improved pension benefits — an additional two per cent for those with 15 years of service — go into effect in 1990. According to the agreement, union members may reopen the con­ tract April 1,1990 on wage issues only. The three-year collective agreement expires Dec. 31,1990. City manager Chester Jeffery said the wage settlement is the same as a recent settlement by firefighters in the Lower Mainland. The 1988 starting wage for members is $2,133 per month. A fire­ fighter with four years experience earns $3,047. Jeff Rowland, president of Local 1372, said members voted 100 per cent in favor of the contract. Native leader gives up post Ed John, chief of the Carrier Se-John said issues to be dealt with kani Tribal Council, says he doesat this year’s annual assembly in­ not intend to seek re-election atclude the an interim report of a long- council’s annual assembly nextrange plan for Carrier-Sekani gov­ week in Bums Lake. ernment prepared by Dr. Frank The outspoken John gaveCassidy poor of the University of Victo­ health as the reason for his deci­ria and the recommendations of an The era of luxurious rail travel was derailed years was converted to a business coach after it was gut­ sion not to seek a fifth term internal as management study. ago, but the Prince George Railway Society pre­ ted by fire. The society bought the coach for $42,500chief of the tribal council. served a piece of that past with its purchase of the and plans to make it available for business meet­ Delegates will elect a new chief Yesterday's Nechako Coach. Ron Jansen, president of the socie­ ings and receptions beginning May 1989. The publicduring the tribal council’s annual Brady chosen is invited to tour the coach at the railway museum assembly July 12 to 14 in Bums luxury ty, shows the plush car to son Darcy, centre, and Lake. Raegan Brown. The coach started out in 1913 as a during an open house Sunday afternoon, starting John, who’s led the tribal council for convention sleeper car on the Grand Trunk Pacific line, and with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Citizen photo by Lisa Murdochthrough four turbulent years Aid. dur­ Pat Brady will be one of the ing which they sought recognition nine delegates representing B.C. for their land claims, self-govern­teachers at the annual general ’ELWOOD OF DOGPATCH' ment, improved economic opportu­meeting of the 220,000-member Ca­ nities, better housing and control nadian Teachers’ Federation in of their child welfare and educa­Vancouver July 13 to 15. tion programs, did not rule outBrady, the who is a teacher, was possibility he’d seek re-election elected as a delegate during a 'Regional' chief has m uscle when his health im*proves. meeting of B.C. Teachers’ Federa­ tion’s district representatives in An analysis Prince George-North MLA, agrees: of state for B.C.’s eight economic Ironically, one reason for this is February. by MALCOLM CURTIS “ It sounds like Veitch is going development to regions. the lack of ministry staff to draft M a n j a i l e d The 125 delegates expected to Staff reporter be grand overlord here.” Prince George is part of the Car­decentralization plans, Morley attend the meeting at the Bayshore Elwood of Dogpatch is a super­Lynda Erickson, University ofiboo region, whose minister says. of Inn will be asked to adopt major minister. B.C. professor, is more cautious. state is Prince George-South MLA Another is the “ natural tension” I w o y e a r s policy statements on functional lit­ That’s the verdict of political “ One has to wait and see what Bruce Strachan. between centralizing and decentra­ A 30-year-old Prince George man eracy, children’s rights and educa­ observers in the wake of thispowers he will have,” she says. Veitch will head a review of gov­lizing forces within the bureaucra­has been sentenced to two years tion, in child abuse, teacher retrain­ week’s cabinet shuffle. “ But it could be a very powerful ernment services which could cy. be prison for his participation ing in and a vocational and technical Elwood Veitch, position.” better delivered on a regional basis There are indications that the education. drive toward decentralization isfight outside a local cabaret in the Bumaby-Wil- Morley believes the premier or through government agent May in which a city man wasAmong the guests and observors lingdon MLA backed away from his original in­offices. being thrust to the foreground, expected to attend the.meeting is tention to set up an inner cabinetHe will also chair a cabinet com­while further privatization plansstabbed in the chest. who’s been dub­ ....John Robert Hawkins pleaded Dr.-Joseph Itotoh of Nigeria, presi­ bed by the press of half a dozen ministers “ because mittee on regional development are on the back burner. . dent of the 10-million-member a denizen of Dog- the political firestorm would havecomprised of the five ministers ofThe premier has “ challenged” guilty to charges of assault and ag­ gravated assault when he appeared World Confederation of Organiza­ patch for his been too great.” state and eight other ministers all government ministries to focus tions of the Teacher Profession. homespun speak­ The resignations of Brian Smith,whose positions have an impacton on regional needs, according to beforethe Judge R.S. Munro in Prince ing style, became former attorney-general, and regional concerns. background paper. George provincial court. minister of re­ Grace McCarthy, former economic One ofthe main priorities of theMeanwhile, Bob Plecas/the gun-Court was told' Hawkins had a gional develop- development minister, put an committee end is to renegotiate theslinging civil servant who guided folding knife while he was fighting N E W S U M M E R ment this week. veitch to those plans. federal-provincial economic andthe re­ province’s privatization plans,outside the downtown cabaret on * And the importance that Premier What remains, says Morley, is a gional development agreement is now Veitch’s deputy minister. May 5. During the fight, David Bill Vander Zalm has given to “ re­potentially powerful regional devel­(ERDA) to better serve district Morley says Plecas and the pre­Floyd Liebrock, 30, received a stab HOURS opment ministry. needs. mier’s principal secretary will like­ gionalization” suggests that Veitch, wound which resulted in a punc­For Your convenience 58, will be flexing muscles like Li’l The ministry’s role was outlined Morley notes that since Vander ly have a heavy hand in the regio­tured lung. Liebrock has since re­ Abner. in broad terms in a 27-page “ back­Zalm announced plans to decen­nalization game plan. covered. Mon. to Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. “ Veitch is intended to be the dep­grounder” released Wednesday by tralize provincial government deci­An unknown quantity is Peter Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bazowski, a former acting ombuds­ Hawkins, who has a lengthy uty premier, that’s effectively the premier’s office. sion-making almost two years ?go, criminal record, will also serve the what he looks like,” says Terry Veitch has responsibility for thethere . have been cuts in Victoria’s man and deputy health minister Morley, a political science profes­overall co-ordination and imple­civil service, mostly through earlynamed VanaerZalm’s 2 “ special remainder of his sentence on a WESTSIDE sor at the University of Victoria. mentation of the regional strategy.retirements. There hasn’t been, toadviser.” weapons charge in connection withO n lu jK n AGENCIES “ That’s my interpretation, IAccording to the Dackground pa­date, any corresponding increase Boone is skeptical about Veitch’s a different incident. T n . . - . m Z L LTD. think he’s a super-minister.” per, he will provide policy andin the number of provincialrole em­ in regional development. 1655 • 15th Ave. New Democrat Lois Boone,staff “ to assist” the five ministers ployees transferred to the regions.“ What does he know about the Prince George, B.C. 562-2121 regions? He barely ever makes it BUCKLE UP! out of the Lower Mainland,” the MLA says. “ This is a quantum Seat belts save lives. leap from his previous job as pro­ vincial secretary.” VOLUNTEERS Tim e will tell, say Socreds POST INVENTORY Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Prince Boone favors government decen­ tralization (as an example, she George urgently require responsible The storm over resignations byJackson said he was reassured another lawyer, was appointed to adult men and women to sen/e on by a meeting McCarthy had with thinks BC Rail should move its cabinet ministers Grace McCarthy replace him. “ I think he’s a strong headquarters to Prince George its Board of Directors. We need per­ •and Brian Smith will likely blow Socred president Hope Wothers- person and will do a good job.”since the railway does the bulk ofICLEARANCEJ sons with experience in one or more over, say local Socreds who re­poon in which she indicated sheAs re­ far as the creation of the So-its business here). of the following areas: Public Rela­ main loyal to Premier Bill Vander mains committed to the party. licitor-General Ministry is concern­But she suspects that moving tions, Volunteer Recruiting, Fund Zalm. Don Chalmers, president ofed, Johnsen said it remains to ministry be activities out of Victoria Raising, Finance, Personnel and But several party members de­ Prince George South Socreds, Activities Planning. seen how this will work in prac­may be an excuse to privatize gov­ Our agency provides qualified adult clined to comment on the situation accused the premier for his lack oftice. ernment jobs in the regions, some­ ALL CLEARANCE that has sent shock waves through consensus in doing things, but he thing she opposes. friends for parent-absent boys and Peter Warner, director of the ITEMS girls in the Prince George area. At the Social Credit rank and file. refused further comment saying, “ I think one has to wait and see present, we have over 30 active “ It’s affecting things more from “ I .would hate to be guilty of doingPrince George North Socred riding what will happen, there’s a lot here association, said he was surprised matches but our human resources a psychological view than any­the same thing.” that has to be spelled out,” Profes­ 2 for 1 are stretched to the limit. Please de­ thing,” said Dennis Jackson, re­The riding executive is meeting the premier allowed his relation­sor Erickson says. cide today to become involved in our gional director of the Prince today before taking any official po­ship with Smith and McCarthy toOne thing that can be counted on program, we need your help! Call George South Social Credit Riding deteriorate. is sweeping changes for the role I of Joan Evans at 563-7410 or drop in sition on the situation, Chalmers government agents. I (BoneylSr © erb sl Association. said. “ I ’m alarmed at the resigna­ at 777 Kinsmen Place. “ I guess it’s affecting a lot of The are 61 agent offices in com­f c i n a u i l Similarly, Ted Moffat, treasurer tions,” Warner said. He is taking amunities across B.C. (including people in their thinking but overall wait-and-see attitude on Vander one on Queensway in Prince I think it’s going to clear up,”of the ‘Prince George North ridingZalm’s leadership but said it is association, declined comment. George). According to a briefing Jackson said. unlikely the premier will be chal­paper from the premier’s office,. “ Once everything washes out I ’mLawyer Harris Johnsen, Prince George South Socred vice-presi­lenged at this fall’s annual party they will play a “ front-line role” in sure everyone will get behind the convention in Penticton. local economic initiatives. premier.” dent, said he didn’t think the cabi­ Indeed, the whole nature of the Jackson said he shared McCar­net resignations helped the party.Terry Morley, a political science government agent’s job appears thy’s concern with non-elected offi­However, Johnsen said, “ I ’mprofessor from the University due of for a radical change. cials in the premier’s office. “ Butconfident he has the support Victoria, of the said “ there could be The Prince George office will act that will be resolved,” he said, re­ riding association. I think the mainfireworks at Penticton” but he feltas a clearing house for economic ferring to the appointment of pointPeter is to give Vander Zalm it a is unlikely that Vander Zalm willproposals under a program that Bazowski, the former RCMP offi­chance." leave office. . , nas yet to be announced. cer and civil servant who’s been As a delegate at the leadership “ When the government is in“ Working closely with local mu­ named the premier’s special advis­convention Johnsen supported trouble it’s awkward to have oppo­nicipal and regional governments, sition in your own tent. . .buteconomic right development commis­ er. Brian Smith and he was dis­ sioners, business information cen­ “ Bazowski will make a hell of a appointed by Smith’s resignation.now there’s not much (the dissi­ dents) can do.” tres, and chambers of commerce, $ 2 M IL L IO N difference.” But he is glad to see Bud Smith, agents will be able to take a pro­ Est. active position in the community to encourage local development,” the government brief states. The “CITY PROFESSIONALS’ S canner searches fo r fires “ With the assistance of the Min­ istry of Regional Development, they will be able to institute a gov­ There were three new forest fi­had burned 14,458 hectares. readings due to daytime solar ernment action plan for removing res in the Prince George forest re­ The B.C. Forest Service has in­heating of the forest,” air opera­obstacles which might delay or TALK TO A MARKET LEADER gion this week bringing the total creasedto its capability to detect tions technician Dave Langridge curtail development.” 11 fires still burning, according tolightning-caused fires by using said a in a press release. statistics from the Forests Minis­high altitude infra-red scanner. The scanner is used to detect try. A forecast for warm, dry weath­Jiang-overs or smouldering snagsLand claims CURT So far this year there have been er during the weekend and into theor forest debris that can flare up in PETER 96 fires that have burned 1,533 hec­early part of next week, particular­the wake of drier, warmer weath­ FLYNN TENNANT tares in the Prince George region ly in the south-central Interior, er, has according to Langridge. o n a g e n d a 564-2121 compared to 283 fires last year prompted use of the scanner. The scanner was used in Ontario Indian land claims, self-govem- 563-2608 which burned a total area of 5,909The scanner, which is on in con­ mid-June and in one four-hour ment, child welfare and education tract to the forest service on a hectares. flight, it plotted the perimeters ofare expected to be among the top­G n tU te y, There were 44 new fires in the three-year trial basis, is attached more than 20 existing fires andics discussed during the native In­ province reported during the to last a twin-engine aircraft, which found six new fires. dian forum at the Simon Frasert sCIj t u X WESTSIDE AGENCIES LTD. week, 20 of which were caused by flies at altitudes of up to 4,000 me­Low'level, hand-held infra-red Inn at 7 p.m. today. 1655-15th Ave. Patricia Sq., Prince Geoarge 562-2121 lightning. A total of 687 fires thistres. scanners will still be used to detect Leaders of three of B.C.’s native —THE LARGEST REAL ESTATE ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD- year have burned 3,742 hectares. “ The high-level scanner is flown hot spots during wildfire mop-up groups have confirmed they will EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED At this time last year, 1,353 fires at night to avoid false or obscuredoperations. attend the forum.