News Leader News
CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT
The candidates were Mike McLean of the Green Party, Arne Zabell of Democratic Reform, Harry Lali of NDP, and Lloyd Forman of the Liberal Party. The Marxist-Leninist candidate, Dorothy Jean O'Donnell, failed to appear.
Each candidate was given an opportunity to lay out his party's and his personal platform, but the main body of the discussion was in answer to questions from the floor.
On questions regarding health care, Forman said the Liberals spent more money than ever on health care, but he feels there is a lack of local voice in how the money is spent. One question referred to tearing up the hospital employees contract, and Forman said when promises are made and facts reviewed, it may not be possible to keep the promises. He said he does not agree with privatization.
Lali said, "A contract is a contract." He is against privatization. He is against the closure of hospitals and schools, and other services, which hit rural B.C. hardest.
Zabell believes hospitals and schools are essential to the survival of communities. He is against privatization. He said in 1994 there were 3.3 million B.C. residents with 12,001 acute care beds, and now there are 4.1 million people with 7,300 acute care beds.
Forman later said more beds are not needed because people are not kept in hospital as long.
McLean said we must stabilize health care and education funding. He is opposed to a two-tier hospital system, and privatization.
One questioner asked for an explanation of the referendum. Forman was opposed to it on the basis it creates "super ridings" dominated by urban dwellers. Lali asked, "If you don't understand it, why would you vote for it?" He was opposed.
The other two candidates would vote for it to end the two-party domination.
Approximately 100 people attended the meeting, and there were many more questions and answers. Lali stood on his personal record, and NDP principles, while the remaining candidates adhered to party policy for the most part.
MUSEUM HEARS FROM OTHER PRINCETON
Bob Ostrosser has a museum project on the go. He has contacted other Princetons in Canada. Last week he received a response from Princeton, Ontario. They sent a book from their bicentennial celebration, the history of their town and its families 1793 to 1993. He is awaiting a response from Princeton, Newfoundland.The Weyerhaeuser "Jobs for Youth" program has awarded a $1,700 grant for a student to be employed this summer as a museum attendant. The grant is for a first job for a local youth. The museum will be seeking resumés from students. On the job training will be given.
Linda Mills, from BC Archives, visited Princeton Museum archives this month. She looked at the archives and pointed out a number of items which cannot be truly called "archive" material. The archives will be reviewed and items which do not belong in the archives may be sold as memorabilia.
Mills brought several items from the Penticton Museum which properly belong to Princeton Museum. This material included some very old deeds for property, receipts, and memoirs of early residents. One of the items was memoirs of Hugh Hunter, who was Gold Commissioner at Granite Creek. He reported there were 22 saloons and 22 whores at Granite Creek in its heyday!
Mills instructed Princeton Museum Vice-President, Don Coyle, on the correct way to accept donations of items for the museum. She gave him a sample form, and one will be drawn up for Princeton Museum.
Visitor numbers to the museum are down this month, but there was one group of 16 people from England who toured the museum and were quite impressed with all of the displays, and surprised to find the museum had such an extensive collection.
PXA READY FOR EVENTS
Upcoming events were the main topic at the May 10 meeting of Princeton Exhibition Association (PXA). The PXA manages the fairgrounds complex and is responsible for scheduling of events taking place at the fairgrounds.The rodeo was the first event, and discussion took place regarding last minute details about that event. Vern Preston, President of Princeton Motorsports, reported on preparations being made for the June 12 motorsports event. A great deal of work is being done to improve the motorsports track.
There was a lot of discussion about scheduling for crossing the horse racing track. A new policy has been established: anyone doing work inside the oval track must advise the PXA 48 hours in advance so all the horses are off the track before vehicles move across it.
Other discussion about the oval racetrack was in regard to the condition of the track in readiness for the June 30 horse races. Two officials from Vancouver had tested the track and found it satisfactory, but it must be placed in that condition each time vehicles cross the track.
The Fall Fair asked for, and received, support for two projects in preparation for the September 10 and 11 fair. The first request was for money to repair the cracks in the floor of building #1, and to improve the interior appearance of the building.
The second request was for the completion of the antique farm equipment shed and the equipment display. These projects will be done during the coming months.
