Opinion Couvelier’s support for Rita Based on political survival Mel Couvelier seems to be having a hard time understan- ding what all the fuss is about. After surprising some of the delegates representing Saanich North and The Islands by crossing the floor to the Rita Johnston camp at the Social Credit leadership convention in Vancouver last weekend, an opportunistic feeling filled the air no one could ignore. Clearly, Couvelier looked at the numbers from the first ballot and made his decision based on political survival. To support a leadership candidate who would not win on the second ballot could drastically reduce future political aspirations. To support the winner, on the other hand, would definitely leave Couvelier in a beneficial position going into the next provincial election. The policies of the two front Tunners seemed secondary. But Couvelier doesn’t see it that way. In an interview Monday, the former finance minister said that his decision was not the best personal-decision he could have made. Rather, he said it was the best for the party. By going to the Rita J. camp, Couvelier says the party will be able to recover from any perceived division and mount a strong battle against the NDP going into a fall election. It is questionable why Couvelier supported Johnston after she refused to endorse his initiative for complete disclosure of leadership campaign expenses. Johnston said that disclo- Sure is not required under party regulations, regardless of Statements she has made about honesty and integrity. Altematively, by supporting the woman who fired him as finance minister last April for alleged improprieties in the handling of documents related to Fantasy Garden World realtor Faye Leung, Couvelier’s actions could be accepted as proof that the party’s integrity is foremost in his mind. It seems Safe to assume that, in the future, should one legal opinion question a cabinet minister’s conduct, that minister’s immediate obligation would be to resign or be fired. There is a rift in the Saanich North Socred Constituency Association, left over from the candidate selection meeting where Terry Huberts supporters showed their discontent. Then, at the delegate selection meeting in Sanscha. Hall three lists were circulated with potential delegates included. One was Couvelier’s, another seemed to have the support of MLA Terry Huberts, who supported Grace McCarthy through the convention, and another listed potential delegates that was put forward by the constituency executive. While all the delegates from here supported Couvelier on the first ballot, others anticipated going to McCarthy in. support of Huberts on the second ballot. Despite the impressive welcome given Couvelier by Johnston before the second ballot and subsequent reports of Couvelier being the queen maker, his walk to Johnston likely didn’t change the final result. That’s what Couvelier’s supporters are really disgruntled about. It wasn’t what he did — it was how he did it. If Couvelier’s supporters were told what his intentions were, or if Couvelier followed Norm Jacobson’s lead and not supported either of the front runners, the backlash may never have happened. A last-minute shift of support occurred. Couvelier says he doesn’t know if his actions at the leadership convention have helped or hindered his local campaign for re-election. But one has only to listen to NDP candidate Elsie McMurphy, Liberal candidate Clive Tanner, Independent candidate Bob Bowcott and the local Reform Party executive for the answer to that question. Volume 79 Issue No.30 TheReview Wednesday, July 24,1991 — A6 1. 1S FOR GIVEN, Ait o : vee ® wel NS a ME TRE. iN ae UNI. cle we Ri ee ou TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 First Street Sidney, B.C V8L 3C9 or PO. Box 2070 Sidney, BC. V8L 3S5 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 656-1151 Publisher: Ken Chyz Editor: Glenn Werkman AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER = SS AN ere mRot UN Ua » ocr a tS [oot : Gone SS naan Me VERIFIED \o S a sone pra rens ao SeASe protest CIRCULATION NEWSpapERS COM aa Inequal subsidies for naiural gas use Editor: I have just applied to Centra Gas for service and was told about the government plan to subsidize the cost of changing over some heat- ing systems to natural gas. I use baseboard electric and a wood stove. I am very concerned that the subsidy will not apply in it’s present form. I have to wonder how it can be justified for forced air electric and oil systems, but not for woodstoves or electric base- board systems. We all know that wood smoke pollution has become a serious problem throughout the Comox Valley, so replacing wood stoves with clean burning natural gas should be an environmental prior- ity. And why try to put electric baseboard systems and forced air furnaces in different categories? Both systems use electric heat- ing elements which contribute to Hydro’s peak load. If we are truly interested in holding down this peak load, then I think it’s in the province’s best interest to help all of Hydro’s heating customers to switch to natural gas. My neighbor has a forced air electric furnace. He has received an estimate of $1,543 to replace this system with a forced air gas furnace. Because he already has the ductwork in place, his estimate was relatively low. He expects to go ahead with this, and after deducting the approximately $700 subsidy, his actual cost will be $843. I have received an estimate for $4,200 to install a forced air gas system, and I am not entitled to any relief. This seems extremely unfair. I’m hoping there will be a review of this program and changes made before so many Island customers take service this fall. G.D. Morrison Courtenay School renuion Editor: All former students and staff who attended Sidney School prior to 1951 are invited to a reunion planned for Sept. 20 to 22, 1991 at the Masonic Temple Hall, 9908- Fourth St, the former site of the old Sidney School. The Town of Sidney wishes to honor former students as part of Sidney’s 100th Birthday celebra- tions and several events have been planned for this occasion. Invitations are being issued and as it is impossible for the reunion committee to have access to all former students, it would be advis- able for those former classmates to phone: Rowena Nunn at 656-2229 or Bea Richmond at 656-1471, to be sure they are on the list. For those pioneers who are not former students, but who would like to visit old friends, they will be welcome to attend the Koffee Klatch. Just give either of the above ladies a call. The committee looks forward to the School Centennial weekend of memories and we sincerely hope many will be able to attend. Mayor Marie Rosko Sidney No flights at night Editor: I am concerned that the airport no longer has an air traffic control- ler at night. I feel that the government should not cut out this position. If Transport Canada cannot afford an air traffic controller, the airport should not be open at night. I am against the airport being open at night anyway. Will it take an accident before something is done? Janice Thorneloe Sidney Disappointed by mayor's decision Editor: I am appalled that the mayor of North Saanich has changed his views regarding the construction of a massive interchange at Lands End Road (Moratorium futile, The Review, July 17). I am sure that many residents who listened to his campaign speeches, taking us into the future with a horror story of how North Saanich could appear if develop- ment such as this were allowed to happen, will likewise be appalled. What could have happened to change his mind? Mayor Maurice Ghavones! quotes a Globe and Mail article citing the amount of air pollution caused by vehicles having to stop at stop signs. Has he not had a look at the latest design proposal for a monster interchange at Lands End Road? Yes, the ONE stop sign on the highway is removed, but SIX stop signs are added for local residents, B.C. Transit buses, vehi- cles taking foot passengers to the ferry, and all CPR truck traffic. How does this help air pollution in North Saanich? The people of North Saanich have said time and time again that they do not want this interchange, which is strictly for the conven- a ience of ferry passengers. Why are their wishes being ignored? Partic- ularly by the mayor? Two years ago, when the Minis- try of Transportation and High- ways (MOTH) conducted public hearings, North Saanich residents were overwhelmingly against an interchange at Lands End. The many written responses were on public view at the North Saanich municipal hall and were from residents living in all parts of North Saanich. The elected aldermen of that time unanimously opposed build- ing an interchange and the current council is also on record as being in Opposition. The North Saanich Property _ & Owner’s Association is against construction of an interchange at Lands End and has sent a letter to the ministry expressing this view. The Save Saanich Peninsula Communities Coalition, a coali- tion of more than 20 Greater Victoria community groups has written to MOTH asking that the Lands End interchange be included in the current morato- rium and upcoming Transportation Study. I hope that people will write to the mayor and council of North Saanich expressing their feelings on this very important subject. (Mrs.) Ruth Jacox S North Saanich Continued on Page A8 ELS calla bapa nubs Silas