taff Reporter
that CN could not assure resi"A wheelchair-bound woman dents the chemical wasn't h a m p y a she'll chain herself to rail- ful. way tracks to stop herbicide"We don't want them t o PPra@g her downtown spray," a d Prevost, confined to cower neighborhood. a wheelchair since a 1974 car to our cornMargaret Prevost, 29, says everyone who b w in Four Sis. munib' here and to ouruds." "You have no right, morally or ters Housing Co-op, on Powell Street, is outraged that Canadian ethically, to spray," Oliver KeUNational Railways plans to spray hammer told CN officials. Diuron along its tracks in Greater "If you do, we are going to Vancouver, including the water- fight you," said Kellhammer, a front tracks near her home. member of Strathcona CommuPrevost told a public meeting nity Gardens. h~3dby the Downtown Eastside CN spokesman John ButterReddents b o c f a t i o n yesterday d c k said herbicide was needed
t
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to kill weeds along the tracks. He wouldn't promise to stop the prognm but offeRd to give residents 48 hours' notice before *praying takes place, Residents urged CN to handpick the weeds or use a system employed by CP Rail to steam weeds dead. But Buttenvick a d herbicides were the best method. United Transportation Union official Chuck Lewis disputed Buttenvick's assurance that "98 p e r cent" of CN employees wanted the spraylng. "These people don't want i t , and the employees don't want it,'' I&wh d d q + -+
Canadian N a t i o n a l R a i l w a y s (CN) h a s been s t o p p e d dead i n i t s t r a c k s by t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of p e o p l e i n o u r It s t a r t e d l a s t week when community. P a t r i c i a Sky, R e c y c l i n g C o - o r d i n a t o r a t DERA, g o t a c a l l from a t r a i n m a n . CN w a s g o i n g t o be s p r a y i n g h e r b i c i d e t o k i l l v e g e t a t i o n and had made t h e l e a s t e f f o r t r e q u i r e d by l a w t o l e t t h e p u b l i c know. The t r a i n m a n had c a l l e d b e c a u s e h e and h i s f e l l o w emp l o y e e s were e x p e c t e d t o w a l k & work a l o n g t h e s p r a y e d t r a c k s and had no i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e s h o r t o r l o n g term e f f e c t s of t h i s poison. P a t r i c i a immediately s t a r t e d c a l l i n g CN, g o v t . a g e n c i e s and r e s i d e n t s t o o r g a n i z e a p u b l i c m e e t i n g . Witho u t t h i s r e s i s t a n c e t h e s p r a y i n g , as u s u a l , would h a v e happened w i t h no o n e r e a l l y aware o f i t u n t i l t h e c l o u d s of s t u f f were i n t h e a i r . CN h a d s p r a y e d a l l o v e r t h e p r o v i n c e and was f i n i s h i n g i n t h e most p o p u l a t e d a r e a s , d o i n g i t i n Richmond and on t h e N o r t h S h o r e a few d a y s b e f o r e . A t t h e m e e t i n g , h e l d a t Four S i s t e r s Co-op, 3 r e s p from CN were a l l r e a d y t o overwhelm u s (CN w o r k e r s , communit y a c t i v i s t s and p a r e n t s ) w i t h a 25 m i n u t e v i d e o and s o on. Not i n t e r e s ted i n your philosophy! L e t ' s t a l k specifics and b a t t l e was j o i n e d . The w o r k e r s were most u p s e t on t h e l a c k o f c o n c e r n by CN on making s u r e p e o p l e who would h a v e t o work a f t e r t h e s p r a y i n g on t h e s i t e knew i t . L o c a l c o n c e r n s were c l e a r : We've been i g n o r e d i n t h e p a s t , l o n g t e r m e f f e c t s of p o i s o n s (DDT, t h a l i d o m i d e , saccharine, e t c . ) cause serious health problems y e a r s l a t e r , t h i s i s o u r home and you s a y we have no c h o i c e . Then M a r g a r e t P r e v o s t drew t h e bottom l i n e : " I f you t r y t o go a h e a d and s p r a y , I ' l l c h a i n my w h e e l c h a i r t o t h e t r a c k s and s t o p you."
...
On F r i d a y morning, on CHRX Radio, a news s t o r y r e p o r t e d t h a t CN was s u s p e n d i n g s p r a y i n g i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e i n d e f i n i t e l y BECAUSE A DISABLED WOMAN ( o u r M a r g a r e t ) HAD THREATENED TO CHXIN HER WHEELCHAIR TO THE TRACKS ( ! ! ) . . n o t bad. By PAULR TAYLOR
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Recycle this
paper
TRIAGE proposal a " ~ n i n i - ~ i v e r v i e w "
T r i a g e needs a new b u i l d i n g . They have an emergency s h e l t e r f o r homeless people with mental problems a t Plain and P r i o r in an o l d bank. 1 t ' s not u p t o adequate s t a n d a r d s f o r housing. Triage s e r v e s many peop l e who need a p l a c e t o s t a y f o r a f e w days o r a few weeks. They have s t a f f who a 1 h e a l t h and/or drug/alcohol-related l i t y could be a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o do some sion f o r divisinn.
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T r i a g e h a s p l a n s f o r a l a r g e new b u i l d i n g on t h e c o r n e r o f H a s t i n g s & G l e n D r . , i i a g o n a l l y a c r o s s from Ray-Cam Community Centre. I t would be on t h e n o r t h w e s t c o r n e r , n e x t t o t h e t l a s t i n g s V i a d u c t . The lewp l a c e 'louse 58 p e o p l e , 28 s h o r t term and 30 l o n g term. The s i t e would ,lave t o b e r e z o n e d . T h i s means t h e r e w i l l lave t o be p u b l i c h e a r i n g s , p r o b a b l y t o begin i n t h e e a r l y f a l l . T h e r e h a v e b e e n some m e e t i n g s a l r e a d y t o d i s c u s s t h e p l a n . At t h e m e e t i n g i n Kiwassa t h i s s p r i n g , t h e r e was a l o t o f l o c a l o p p o s i t i o n . Some ~ e o p l ewere v e r y w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e p e o p l e ~ h owould be u s i n g T r i a g e . They were warr i e d a b o u t v i o l e n c e and t h e s a f e t y o f z h i l d r e n i n n e a r b y s c h o o l s . Some p e o p l e nave been w r i t i n g l e t t e r s t o C i t y C o u n c i l . Suggestions t h a t t h e c l i e n t s of T r i a g e are dangerous, e s p e c i a l l y t o c h i l d r e n , inhave been used t o scare t i l e to o p p o s i t i o n . These t a c t i c s a r e u n f a i r t o most o f t h e p e o p l e who u s e T r i a g e . However, w e h a v e a number o f c o n c e r n s t h a t we t h i n k p e o p l e i n tile n e i g h b o u r h o o d should t h i n k a b o u t and d i s c u s s ; The p r o p o s a l d o u b l e s ~ r i a g e ' ss i z e . T h e r e a r e now 28 b e d s f o r emergency s h e l t e r . They want t o add 30 b a c h e l o r uniLs f o r l o n g e r t e r m u s e . We t h i n k t h i s is r e - i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z i n g p e o p l e who w e r e the 'Ornun supposed t o Pe integrated it^. W e want more f u n d i n g s u P P O r t s' t h a t n e n t a l p a t i e n t s c a n l i v e i n mi.:ed h o u s i n g s i t u a t i o n s i n s t e a d o f b e i n g s t u c k somenlhere by t h e m s e l v e s . $;
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The l a c k o f a d e q u a t e s u p p o r t f o r t h e in the l a r g e numbers patients but n f i g h b o u r h o o d - Many l i v e in the c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e h o t e l s a r e poor. They may n o t b e s a f e , a r e o f t e n d e p r e s s i n g and c a n b e i s o l a t i n g . W e have some good s o c i a l klousing i n t h e neigllbourhood but most o f t h e h o u s i n g i n t h i s a r e a w i l l be h o t e l s f o r a l o n g t i m e y e t . We want r lAlY 4
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more a t t e n t i o n on i m p r o v i n g t h e l i v i n g 3.1 c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e h o t e l s and i n g i v i n g s u p p o r t t o t h e p e o p l e l i v i n g i n them. The l o c a t i o n p r o p o s e d i s on t h e c o r n e r o f Glen & H a s t i n g s . I t ' s a good l o c a t i o n f o r b u s e s b u t q u i t e a h i k e t o most s o c i a l s e r v i c e s i n t h e neighbourhood. It is o n l y a b l o c k from t h e RayCam Community C e n t r e , which i s a l r e a d y w e l l u s e d and which h a s a f o c u s on c h i l d , t e e n and s e n i or sactivities. ~ Will Raycam be able t o p r o v i d e a d d i t i o n a l s e r v i c e s f o r t h e i r new' T r i a g e n e i g l l b o u r s ? Do t h e y have tile facili t i e s o r the resources?
m y d i d t h e c i t y go a h e a d and buy t h e l a n d w i t h o u t e v e n t h e i r own p l a n n e r s knowing? There is a planning p r o c e s s g o i n g on i n S t r n t h c o n a and t h e proposed f a c i l i t y i s w i t h i n t h e b o u n d a r i e s t h a t t h i s p r o c e s s c o v e r s . The c i t y bought t + e l a n d and T r i a g e g o t a r c h i t e c t s t o draw up plans b e f o r e anyone in t h e neighbourhood was c o n s u l t e d . c;'
How many h o u s i n g a l r e a d y e x i s t i n t h e neiglibourhood f o r m e n t a l p a t i e n t s and how many a r e c u r r e n t l y b e i n g d e v e l o p e d o r p r o p o s e d ? How many p e o p l e c a l l e d m e n t a l patients a r e currently l i v i n g here? ~ J h a t ' s a r e a s o n a b l e number o f u n i t s e s p e c i a l l y f o r mental p a t i e n t s f o r t h i s neighbourhood and what a l t e r n a t i v e s c o u l d b e l o o k e d f o r ? W e t h i n k t h a t t h i s n e i g h b o u r h o o d c a n do a good j o b o f i n t e g r a t i n g m e n t a l p a t i e n t s i n the housing t h a t is here. already doing this. There could also be some new g r o u p h o m e s , more s o c i a l h o u s i n g and supp o r t such a s e x t r a conurlunity workers f o r mental patients who live in social housing o r hotels. D E M , s Portland Hotel (formerly t h e Lone S t a r ) i s a good example o f t h i s . fc
The c o n c e r n s a b o u t v i o l e n c e a r e n o t ent i r e l y unfounded. There a r e some people who need special housing and supportbec a u s e t h e y a r e sometimes v i o l e n t . These a r e n o t t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e p e o p l e who u s e T r i a g e . T h i s i s a hard-to-house g r o u p t h a t does rleed Their needs and the r e l a t e d question o f neighbourhood s a f e t y i s s t i l l n o t a d d r e s s e d by t h e T r i a g e p l a n . ;k
ibREJ
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w i t h o u t a w e l l thought-out co The T r i a g e e x p a n s i o n and r e l o b e t a k e n i n i s o l a t i o n . We a r e o u t t h e c u r r e n t piecmlczi approach t h a t c o u l d r e s u l t i n b u i l d i n g a new m i n i R i v e r -
not r e f l e c t the areaps population, its
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t i r e r e a s o n f o r b e i n g was c h a n g e d . E l e a n o r worked f o r t h e VPL s y s t e m p a r t t i m e f o r 15 y e a r s w h i l e h e r k i d s w e r e
e n t s a r e expected t o l i v e r a ing really integrated into t The d o w n s i z i n g o f R i v e r v i e w
i n c r e a s i n g numbers o f ~ p a n i s h - s p e a k i n g
s i d e r e s i d e n t s . Most o f a l l we n e e d t o
c a n h a v e a s t r o n g and u n i t e d v o i c e a t City Hall. By tlARG GREEN & MUGGS SIGURG
MEET ELEANOR KELLY E l e a n o r K e l l y , ~ a r n e g i e ' snew l i b r h a s wanted t o work a t C a r n e g i e f o r a So s h e ' s d e l i g h t e d t o b e spending t h e n e x t t w e l v e months h e r e a t t h e c o r n e r o f o f f t o a n o t h e r branch. t h e VPI, w a s a t t h e H a s t i n g s Branch s h o r t -
t y w o r k e r and had h e r d o a n e i g h b o u r h o o d s u r v e y . The outcome showed t h a t the c o l l -
During h e r s t a y a t Carnegie Eleanor
She'd a l s o l i k e t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e l i b r a r y ' s ties w i t h t h e Learning Centre, b r i n g i n m a t e r i a l s t o assist l e a r n e r s & t h e n t a k e on some j o i n t p l a n n i n g w i t h Lex. E l e a n o r vegieves f a t e h a s g i v e n h e r a u n i q u e background f o r b u i l d i n g up t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p between C a r n e g i e & t h e VPL. "Most l i b r a r i a n s come f r o m t h e w e s t s i d e o f t h e c i t y & a r e w h i t e , l i t e r a t e & middl e class.'' E l e a n o r ' s a b i t d i f f e r e n t , & n o t j u s t b e c a u s e o f h e r d a u g h t e r . Her b r o t h e r i s J o h n R u s s e l l , D i r e c t o r o f Ment a l H e a l t h S e r v i c e s f o r G r e a t e r Vancouver
t i e s . So E l e a n o r h a s had some i n t e r e s t i n g experiences t o b r i n g t o Carnegie. S h e ' s o n l y b e e n h e r e a week b u t Eleanor I s a y s s h e l o v e s C a r n e g i e . "1t's a n e x c i t -
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the event that occurred(Ju1y 10). The Bingo program held in the theatre needs three people (volunteers) in order to run efficiently. Two people can handle the early part of the program with a few short-comings, but the last half contains stresses which cannot be volunteers. On the night of the loth, cash flow Dear Folks, In the last issue of the Carnegie Newsletter this graphic headed an incredible piece. It wasn't until the paper came back from the printshop that I saw that both the title and, most important, the author's name had not been attached during layout. For all of you who keep the Newsletter, take the July 1, 1991 issue, turn to the centre and write -
was understaffed. But even before I left, there were complaints made to me
culate payouts. A third person is needed to handle the floor - confirming bingoes, making the payouts, and specials' sales on the floor. Without these three tasks being ful filled, the Bingo is run in an ineffi cient manner, giving rise to complain ts which cannot be answered. Presently there are Paul Taylor, Rob & myself. The problem arises when
hortfall when one of us is unable to ttend. If you volunteered in the ast and are still interested let aul & I know. It would be helpful o train all volunteers in all.aspect of the Carnegie heatr re's Bingo. This would preclude happenstances similar to what occurred on July 10th.
On JULY 2 7 , from 12-6pm, t h e r e w i l l be a community c r a f t f a i r h e l d a t Oppenheimer Park (400 Powell S t . ) , T h i s i s an i n v i t a t i o n f o r a r t i s t s and c r a f t s p e o p l e t o p r e - r e g i s t e r t o show t h e i r work. I t i s a l s o an opportunity f o r a r t i s t s t o a s s i s t i n the development of t h i s f a i r . Tables w i l l be s e t up f o r e v e r y a r t i s t r e g i s t e r e d . Music and economi c a l l y - p r i c e d food w i l l a l s o be p r o v i ded. T h i s i s a chance t o show your work t o a l a r g e a u d i e n c e who w i l l be coming from o u t s i d e t h e l o c a l a r e a . I n t e r e s t e d ? P l e a s e c a l l 665-2210 ( f o r Pam) o r l e a v e messages: 665-2274,
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It t a k e s a l o t of h a r d work t o g e t p o s i t i v e change. Issues are things t h a t a f f e c t a l o t of p e o p l e and some p e o p l e d e c i d e t o work f o r t h e s e changes and t h e media - newspapers, r a d i o & TV, even word-of-mouth - p l a y s a c r u c i a l role. I f no one i n a p o s i t i o n t o make change knows what you want, n o t h i n g happens t h e way you want. On Wednesday, J u l y 10, a b o u t 16 peop l e g a t h e r e d f o r a Media Workshop t o l e a r n how t o most e f f e c t i v e l y g e t 4 p r o g r e s s i v e change.
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C o a l i t i o n of P e o p l e w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s , s t a r t e d w i t h a c c o u n t of how h e r work on d i s a b i l i t y i s s u e s had p r o g r e s s e d ; Board members b e i n g s p o k e s p e r s o n s on s p e c i f i c a r e a s , l e a r n i n g how t o b u i l d support f o r i n d i v i d u a l s involved, a l e t t e r - t o - t h e - e d i t o r a t l e a s t once a week i n p r i n t , t h e d o ' s & d o n ' t s of s p r e a d i n g t h e word a s you hope i t t o be r e c e i v e d . Linda M a r c o t t e of End L e g i s l a t e d Pove r t y , c o - o r d i n a t i n g t h e workshop, gave a g r a p h i c example of t h e ' b i g ' p i c t u r e i n t a l k i n g of t h e c o r p o r a t e agenda p i e c e s of s t r i n g which, by t h e i r l e n g t h showed how w e a l t h i s d i s t r i b u t e d and how t h e media i s used by t h e e l i t e i n power t o r e t a i n t h a t power & wealth. Videos were shown of newly involved people, g e t t i n g f i r s t h a n d e x p e r i e n c e d t h s p e a k i n g o u t on t h e i r c o n c e r n s . Not t o r e i n v e n t t h e wheel, Bob S a r t i spoke on "what t h e media want" and helped u s u n d e r s t a n d t h e i n t e r n a l p a r t of news i n t h e mak,ing & i t s coverage. Debbie E l l i s o n gave i d e a s and ways on b e i n g i n t e r v i e w e d ; be h o n e s t , s a y i f you a r e n e r v o u s , be calm & s i n c e r e , be p r e p a r e d f o r 'scummy q u e s t i o n s ' , know where your group o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s t a n d s , p r o t e c t your p e r s o n a l l i f e from b e i n g e x p l o i t e d , t o t h e e x c l u s i o n of t h e i s s u e . . . and l , k rcady with a p h r a s e o r term f o r t h 2 w b m t of what you a r e b e i n g i n t e r v i e w e d a b o u t . I n Debbie's t a l k s a b o u t b e i n g a s i n g l e p a r e n t on w e l f a r e , s h e c a l l s i t "Crisis S u r v i v a l " and a job of . " p e r p e t u a l c h i l d c a r e w i t h no break". Margaret B i r e l l spoke a g a i n on how to write letters-to-the-editor in a way t o b e t t e r t h e chance of g e t t i n g p r i n t e d ; make i t s h o r t , q u o t e from t h e a r t i c l e o r l e t t e r you a r e w r i t i n g a b o u t , make t h e f i r s t s e n t e n c e t h e 'whole' l e t t e r and t h e l a s t one a s s t r o n g a s p o s s i b l e f o r your p o s i t i o n .
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to which it's Sent; headline, one Pa content to the point..and call the ia to remind them of the-event in RULE FOR GOOD MEDIA RELATIONS
1. 2.
Nothing is off the record. Reporters do not work for you. Don't tell them what to do or expect them to believe what you're telling them just because you are who you are. Never lie. If you don't know the answer say so. If possible, give the name of the person or agency who can give the answer. Never say "no comment". It alienates a television audience and sets the reporter or interviewer on the scent of the real story. Always be prepared with an answer for any question that can be asked. Respond briefly to a negative question and follow quickly with something positive. Don't let a reporter or interviewer put words in your mouth. Correct with charm. "No, that is not what I said (think, feel). I said (think, feel) ..." "Neither of those is correct. Let me tell you what is." Don't ramble. Keep your answers short and on the subject. Condense your answer to 3 points. The press wants pithy, substantive quotes 15 to 20 seconds long. Anticipate questions in advance and have quotes ready.
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Know in advance what your story is and get it across no matter what questions you are asked. Tell the good news.
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Don't engage in verbal sparring with a reporter. Never lose your temper with the press. Don't be afraid of silence. Take your time before you answer and think. On radio or television it's the responsibility of the interviewer to fill silence. S/he may either elaborate or come up with another quest-+ ion if the pause is too long. In a print interview, silence does not have to be filled with sound. Give the reporter or interviewer time to digest what you have said and formulate the next question. Never do more than answer the question. You may say more than you int.ended. Policy statements for your community or organization should be formulated on every important issue so that everyone involved knows what should be revealed to the press.
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Shoot squarely. If the information is confidential, be prepared for the question with an answer that is honest but not evasive. Give service. Keep appointments. Keep promises. Provide information. Be sure of what is happening in any area of your community and issues. (Jacaueline Dunkel
&
Elizabeth Parnham)
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DON' T YOU HATE IT WHEN:
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Y o u ' r e b r o k e o n l y a week i n t o t h e month? Someone s a y s you j u s t s i t a r o u n d a t home a l l d a y ?
a l l week.
You're t o l d t o g e t o u t t h e r e and f i n d yourself a job?
T h e r e ' s a crowd of p e o p l e w a i t l i n e i n f r o n t o f you.
Someone s a y s you need t o b u d g e t y o u r money?
T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g t o budget w i t h
You're t o l d you h a v e t o PHONE y o u r worker t o make a n a p p o i n t m e n t ? You l o o k i n y o u r c l o s e t and d e c i d e t o wear s o m e t h i n g c h e e r f u l ?
A l l you s e e h a n g i n g t h e r e i s s l o p p y clothes
You d e c i d e t o go o u t f o r d i n n e r bec a u s e "you d e s e r v e a b r e a k today"?
You c a n ' t even a f f o r d McDonalds.
You j u s t f i n d o u t y o u ' v e r u n o u t o f
I t ' s t h e same s o a p y o u ' v e been u s i n g t o wash y o u r d i s h e s , f l o o r s , h a i r and
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How many j o b s do I have t o a p p l y f o r ? -------------------____________________________________-----____________________________________---____________________________________-----____________________________________ T h i s w i l l p r o b a b l y b e l e f t up t o your worker. What c a n I do i f I g e t c u t o f f ? -_---------------_-----------______________________________ If you go t o p i c k up your cheque and i t i s n ' t t h e r e , s a y immediately: "I want t o a p p e a l t h i s . I want a n a p p e a l k i t , I want you t o f i l l o u t t h e Minis t r y ' s p a r t o f t h e form.'' Then c o n t a c t a advocacy group o r c a l l End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y (879-1209) f o r t h e one n e a r e s t t o you. Winning a n a p p e a l i s r e g u l a r , and t h e government h a s t o g i v e you a l l your b e n e f i t s unt i l t h e r e s u l t o f t h e a p p e a l i s known. DO I HAVE TO LOOK FOR WORK?
I f you a r e on w e l f a r e and "employa b l e " you DO have t o l o o k f o r work unl e s s you have a h e a l t h problem. The law s a y s you have t o 1. Flake r e a s o n a b l e e f f o r t s t o f i n d work, and 2. Prove you a r e a c t i v e l y l o o k i n g f o r work. What is reasonable? -----------------I f you a s k your worker f o r b u s f a r e and c l o t h e s and phone money, t h a t ' s r e a s o n a b l e . Ask y o u r worker f o r money f o r stamps and f o r g e t t i n g your resume I f you a s k p e o p l e you know f o r typed. j o b s , p u t t h e i r names down. C a l l any of t h e group l i s t e d and a s k them f o r a job. You p r o b a b l y won't g e t one b u t t h e y won't h a s s l e 'you and you c a n p u t i t down on MSSH's form. W r i t e down t h e names of o t h e r p l a c e s you a p p l y . Be s u r e t o w r i t e down e v e r y phone c a l l & e v e r y c o n t a c t you a s k f o r a j o b . What i f I c a n ' t read? .................... ( I f you know someone who d o e s n ' t r e a d v e r y w e l l , r e a d t h i s p a r t t o them.) T e l l your worker t h a t you c a n ' t r e a d v e r y w e l l . That s h o u l d be a good r e a son f o r not being a b l e t o f i n d a job. You might want t o a s k f o r some c o u r s e s t o h e l p you l e a r n how t o r e a d .
What i f I ' m sick o r injured? ........................... Get a l e t t e r from your d o c t o r s a y i n gt h a t you c a n ' t work. Give i t t o y o u r worker and s a y you want t o become "unemployable". What i f t h e s e t h i n g s d o n ' t work? ............................... Get h e l p from a n advocacy group. You are much s t r o n g e r w i t h a group b e h i n d you. They a r e e x p e r i e n c e d i n d e a l i n g w i t h t h e w e l f a r e system. -
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WHY I S THE GOVT. CRACKING DOWN NOW? Norm J a c o b s e n i s t h e s o c r e d r e s p o n s i b l e f o r w e l f a r e . He s a y s i n h i s l e t t e r t h a t t h e numbers o f p e o p l e on w e l f a r e hat's b e c a u s e t h e unemployhave gone. ment r a t e h a s gone up. I t ' s n o t YOUR fault. There a r e a b o u t 40,000 more p e o p l e unemployed i n B.C t h i s summer t h a n l a s t summer. I t ' s a l s o b e c a u s e t h e government i n Ottawa h a s c u t back on U . I . P e o p l e who used t o be a b l e t o g e t Unemployment Ins u r a n c e a r e now f o r c e d t o c l a i m w e l f a r e . , I T h i s i s n ' t YOUR f a u l t e i t h e r . I The s o c r e d s a r e g o i n g i n t o a n e l e c t ' i o n soon. I t ' s p o l i t i c a l l y popular i n some p l a c e s t o b a s h p e o p l e on w e l f a r e . Maybe t h e y t h i n k t h i s w i l l g e t them some v o t e s . What do you t h i n k ?
1 i
(From E.L.P. N e w s l e t t e r ) (Make s u r e you a r e on t h e v o t e r s ' L i s t )
11.
CARNEGIE GOES INTERNATIONAL The Video t a p e i s panasonic B a t t e r i e s f u l l y recharged e x c i t i n g v i s u a l s s h o o t t h e view crowds of h o l i d a y e r s s o a k i n g up sun and d e m o n s t r a t o r s , a few
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blan what a view! e v e r y t h i n g was grand, t h e mountains and b u i l d i n g s b i g g e r an even mix of o l d and new, explorers t o the pier! who played t h e i r music ' t i 1 t h e sun went down w i t h t h e Mamas and t h e Papas (and t h e k i d s on s t a g e ) Vesperus and sweet hay i n t h e a i r Uncle Sam on s t i l t s l a d y walks o v e r and g i v e s me a f a n s h e could t e l l I was h o t , i t shows.
f o r pushing a r u b b e r d i s c between two g o a l p o s t s , o r h i t t i n g a b a l l over a f e n c e , i s given a s excuse f o r chargi n g obscene p r i c e s f o r a t t e n d e n c e and t h e n t h e c l u b owners c h a r g e f o r parking t o ensure t h e i r f a t w a l l e t s a r e s t u f f e d t o overflowing. "WORKING POOR: KEEP OUT !" And t h e a v e r a g e Canadian i s expected t o root & cheer f o r these milliond o l l a r goons whose e x q u i s i t e d e l i g h t i s i n h i t t i n g , even maiming opponents. Real s p o r t i s amateurism, n o t professionalism (read 'big business' & ' c o r p o r a t e s t y l e ' ) . It amounts t o a l o c k o u t of t h e a v e r a g e Canadian worker and f a m i l y . There i s no l i m i t t o t h e G-WED o f t h e s e l f - c e n t r e d r i c h .
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Enmass t o t h e games, f u l l t i l t ! Charioteers pedalling t h e s t r e e t s Take me o u t t o t h e b a l l game Pokey s t r e e t c a r moved r e a l f a s t ! but a l a s I was t h e l a s t t o a r r i v e . T h e a t r e s p o r t s a k i l t i e s game d i d n ' t u n d e r s t a n d t h e symbols P e p s i and p e a n u t s , having f u n t h e f i n a l s c o r e two t o one V i c t o r y ' s c h e e r , we won!!! T. M o o r e v i l l e
M i l l i o n s from Suckers ! There was a time a l o n g , l o n g t i m e ago, when t h e a v e r a g e Canadian f a m i l y c o u l d a f f o r d t o go t o a hockey, baseb a l l o r f o o t b a l l game. T h a t ' s a l l p a s t now. Today a l l major l e a g u e prof e s s i o n a l games ( t h e y ' r e NOT s p o r t s anymore) a r e c a t e r i n g t o t h e r i c h & t h e very rich. s o why do t h e media r e f e r t o t h e s e h i g h l y l u c r a t i v e comme r c i a l e n t e r p r i s e s as t h e 'Canadian' o r 'American' s p o r t ' s teams? The e x o r b i t a n t wages & s a l a r i e s p a i d
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Despite repeated attempts t o get Diane MacKenzie t o pose f o r a Newsl e t t e r centrefold (resplendent w i t h , crown & s c e p t r e ) s h e keeps d o i n g a n okay job. ( T h a t ' s h i g h p r a i s e , b u t d o n ' t t e l l h e r - i t ' d j u s t go t o h e r head .) Diane h a s been hung up w i t h a weird ' b u r n i n g f e e t ' d i s o r d e r f o r about 6 o r 7 y e a r s , making waiking l i k e b e i n g on h o t c o a l s . I n t h e l a s t few d a y s , t h e r e h a s been s e r i o u s concern t h a t she i s getting b e t t e r ! Something i s working; Diane i s , w e l l --a-n-c-i n--g , b u t walking around not quite d a l o t and l o o k s almost normal. Herf e e t a r e s t a r t i n g t o look l i k e f e e t a g a i n . S e n i o r s t a f f have d i s c u s s e d a c a l l t o her doctor, saying a s i d e e f f e c t of t h i s new t r e a t m e n t h a s Diane g e t t i n g t e r m i n a l l y happy!
Television You can b e your own TV T e c h n i c i a n . T h i s i s t h e message I have s t r i v e n t o g e t a c r o s s t o r e a d e r s . However, I ' h a v e a l s o t r i e d t o g i v e t h e b a s i c s on what t h e d i f f e r e n t c o n t r o l s a r e and a d v i c e t o m o v e them g e n t l y . Iiany w o r k a b l e TV s e t s a r e f i r e d i n t o t h e garbage because t h e viewer d i d n ' t know what t o do about t h e bad p i c t u r e o r sound. Many more go t o t h e workshops of t e c h n i c i a n s and o n l y come back a f t e r a ransom i s p a i d . Meanwhile, t h e t e c h n i c i an h a s o n l y t u r n e d a b u t t o n o r some t r i f l i n g t h i n g . The f a c t t h a t I ' v e c o r r e c t ed more t h a n 50% of t h e TV's I ' v e been c a l l e d i n on, without t a k i n g t h e backs o f f , seems t o shod t h a t h a l f of t h e malf u n c t i o n i n g TV's a r e e a s i l y c o r r e c t a b l e . R e c e n t l y a woman phoned me s a y i n g h e r TV had d i e d t o t a l l y . I t o l d h e r t o push i n & hold f o r a minute a red b u t t o n she would f i n d on t h e b a c k . She d i d and t h e s e t came a l i v e a g a i n . A t e c h n i c i a n would c h a r g e h e r $50 & push t h e same b u t t o n . You c a n a d j u s t y o u r own c o l o u r . F i r s t , go t o t h e f r o n t o f t h e s e t and t u r n t h e colour adjustment completely o f f . I f t h i s p r o d u c e s an i d e a l b l a c k & white p i c t u r e your colour i s i n balance.
I f , while t h e c o l o u r is o f f , t h e p i c t u r e h a s b l u e o r g r e e n o r brown, go t o t h e back of t h e s e t & a d j u s t t h e Red, Green o r Blue Screen b u t t o n s t o g e t a f i n e B & W p i c t u r e . Having o b t a i n e d t h a t good B & W p i c t u r e , t u r n i n g t h e c o l o u r on a g a i n w i l l g i v e you a c o l o u r p i c t u r e i n f i n e balance. Keep i n mind t h a t a d j u s t i n g t h e S c r e e n c o l o u r s a f f e c t s t h e Brightness. I f your colour balance is f i n e but t h e p i c t u r e is e i t h e r t o o b r i g h t o r t o o d a r k i n s p i t e of a d j u s t m e n t s made t o main o r s e c o n d a r y b r i g h t n e s s c o n t r o l s , you may have t o c r a n k a l l t h e Colour S c r e e n b u t t o n s e i t h e r up o r down t o c o r r e c t your b r i g h t n e s s l e v e l . The Colour D r i v e b u t t o n s a r e y o u r a c e i f t h e Colour S c r e e n s y s t e m won't o r c a n ' t g i v e you t h e p i c t u r e you w a n t . You p a i d money f o r y o u r TV. You may as w e l l h a v e i t working a t i t s b e s t . You can b r i n g t h a t about w i t h o n l y a l i t t l e knowledge. By ERIC ERICKSEN
SUMMARY OF ELP ACTIVITIES FROM MARCH, 1990 THROUGH MAY, 1991, MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
* Elp has been us.ing the forced employment action group, regional FLAW meet; -ings, food program work and corporate agenda workshops to organise more low income people. * Funding for school food programs has become a provincial issue with both the socreds and NDP promising some action. * Ongoing fighting poverty groups, mostly made of low income people, have been developed out of regional FLAW meetings. * ELP resolutions have been passed in communities from Alert Bay to Zeballos. * Charity has become an issue and people are asking for our input on this issue. * Forced employment is now a recognized issue, and we have a committment from the NDP to end it. * More people understand the corporate agenda. * There has been more involvement of ELP Board members, committee members ?
and volunteers. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES:
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Hundreds of Fighting Poverty Kits have been distributed. ELP resolutions on welfare, forced employment and minimum wages have been distributed to hundreds of groups, towns and cities, arousing much debate and education. Many have passed the resolutions. * Corporate agenda workshops: These have been given at the VSW, United Church, Nanaimo Dube conference, Regional FLAW meetings in Nelson, Victoria, Gibsons Terrace, to low income people in Ottawa (half of the NAP0 executive). * Students come to the office nearly week for info about poverty. * Knowledge Network and Cable TV programs on poverty. * We've written articles for Pulse, the Womanist, Vancouver Sun and Province and the Oxfam Health Newsletter.
the privatizatibn of education, to the NDP on how the economy is affecting poor people, to the Childcare Task Force on child care, to the parliamentary cornittee on child poverty, and to the Senate on Bill C-69. ELP presented talks or speeches as follows: On the GST to the Quadra NDP; keynote at Edmonton poverty conference; keynote at National Action Committee on Status of Women; on poverty and the corporate agenda at OPSEU convention; on economics and violence with Oxfam; on poverty and the corporate agenda to Surrey NDP; on poverty to students at School of Social Work; on poverty to BC Nutritionists; on poverty to National Association of Women and the Law; on poverty and what teachers can do to help poor children at the BCTF conference on poverty; on poverty at LaQuena; to 4 second-year sociology classes. TALKS & SPEECHES:
REGIONAL FLAW MEETINGS:
These have been held in Nelson, Victoria, Gibsons & Terrace. They generally include legal info, how advocates can get involved in ELP campaigns to reduce poverty. The day long workshop helps local residents on what they want to do in their community to help fight poverty. <.
LOWER MAINLAND FLAW MEETINGS: These have been held once per month for advocates in the Lower Mainland to discuss victories and work together to solve problems and raise issues. NEWSLETTERS: ELP has been producing 3 newsletters monthly. They are: - The ELP Newsletter, distributed mostly to people in Lower Mainland food bank lineups, and mailed to advocates around the province. This newsletter contains legal info for low income people. It is funded by Legal Services. FLAWline, distributed,.monthlymostly by mail to about 300 people through out BC and Canada. This has info about welfare advocacy and actions against poverty - ACTIONLINE, distributed monthly mostly by mail to about 300 people. This has info about what ELP has been doing for the last month, and analysis about current issues relating to poverty.
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Sheila Baxter attended the Social Solidarity Conference in Quebec City; Joan Morelli the Human Rights College in Ottawa; Margaret Ennenberg the FAPG AGM in Naramata; Debbie Ellison the Charter Challenges Conference in Winnipeg; Antoinette Naffa and Karen Shillington to the House Committee on Child Poverty in Ottawa; Cathie Yingling the National Association of Women and the Law Conference in Toronto. Staff members have been invited to Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, Winnipeg and Edmonton to give speeches. WORKSHOPS:
ELP staff have given workshops on GST (with Sheila Baxter), food programs, getting advocates involved in fighting poverty, classism, and poverty issues.
ELP'S charter committees worked to develop a court case that would help to get the same amount of money for children on welfare that foster parents get. In the meantime we helped start a charter case on forced employment. As a result the Board decided to put the foster parent case on hold for the time being.
CHARTER:
FUNDS:
ELP raised enough money to continue for the year.
OTHER GROUPS WE WORKED WITH:
Concerned Women of BC to retrieve funding for womens' centres; Women for Better Wages; TRAC: Health Care Advocates; Popular Sector Media breakfasts; PLURA; BC working group on Canada-Mexico free trade and the Coalition Against "Free" Trade (now called Action Canada Network (BC); Women and the Decade Group. '
ACTION CANADA NETWORK:
ELP played a major part in ACN activities, helping with a demo on Oct. 22nd, the GST vote in April; the GST Stomp, national meetings, various demos and distribution of info from the national ACN. ASSORTED MEETINGS & CAPERS:
Victoria Child Poverty Forum, Surrey Child Poverty Forum, Christmas stocking to the socreds, leafletted Les Miserables, organized delegations to City Halls and School Boards, Mother's work is never done event, Food program retreat, Bandaid leafletting and street theatre, meeting with Harcourt and ELP Board, meeting with NDP social services committee and Norm Jacobsen, Sanctuary on forced , employment, Wheel of Misfortune all-candidates meeting. BROCHURES:
'Charity is a Bandaid, not a Solution'; 'Free Trade and the new world order'; 'What can Advocates do about war'; Les Miserables leaflet; quotes from people in the food bank lines; 'Child Poverty in Surrey; Association for Better Communities; welfare deducting money from cheques. FOOD PROGRAM WORK:
ELP has been working with local committees in Burnaby, Victoria, Surrey and Vancouver on school lunch programs. This has been hard work, but this year Surrey put in a program in one school and Victoria in two schools.- although neither of these programs are as good as Vancouver's. Committee members have been working hard, building community support, lobbying politicians, getting in the news, helping each other speak out. We had a retreat for most of the food program organizers in May.so they could get to know each other and share some strategies and experiences. Now that the socreds and NDP have discovered hungry children, the work has focused on ensuring that the food program that the government supports meets ELP's principles for universality, no stigma and nutrition. ELP Staff: Patricia Chauncey, Pam Fleming, Linda Marcotte & Jean Swanson.
. ' fait accompli
fate accompli fate accomplice you've felt the future in the spaces of minutes trying to
be shoes you seem compla there's a skinned golf ball u endlessly inside your stomach and people say that you don't
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ile you reach inside for strength that's
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crusaders do their preying and the cypher reads... I think that makes you Matilda tTe Pun all your protestations and all your consternations end in endless flagellati= but the whip is in your hand and you'd hoped you'd turn a band to go1
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Say Y d Hey fella m a t ? You're a starving poet? Well, you'll have to stop starving people or we'll have to
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INTRODUCING CLEO REESE
I f you a t t e n d e d l a s t ~ o n d a ~ C ' su l t u r a l Sharing e v e n t you n o t o n l y s a i d f a r e w e l l t o V i o l a Thomas, you a l s o met h e r r e p l a c e . ment, Cleo Reese. C l e o ' s a Cree f r p , N o r t h e r n A l b e r t a b u t s h e ' s been around BC f o r t h e p a s t 17 y r s . She's f i l l i n g i n a t C a r n e g i e a s E d u c a t i o n Programmer f o r t h e n e x t 4 months & h e r background makes h e r p e r f e c t f o r i t . F i r s t of a l l , ~ l e o ' sa t r a i n e d t e a c h e r (SFU), a l i t e r a c y c o - o r d i n a t o r ( A r c t i c College, NWT), a p u b l i c programs o f f i c e r (Museum of N o r t h e r n BC, P r i n c e R u p e r t ) . She a l s o h a s a background i n a b o r i g i n a l film-making & i s t h e N a t i o n a l C o o r d i n a t o r of t h e F i r s t N a t i o n s F i l m Makers A l l i a n c e C l e o s a y s s h e ' s done a b i t o f e v e r y t h i n g / i n c l u d i n g working i n a l i b r a r y - b u t s h e 1 : y e t t o d r i v e a cab. No s t r a n g e r t o C a r n e g i e , Cleo h a s t a k e n our c r e a t i v e w r i t i n g c o u r s e ( w i t h r a v e re. vues from h e r t e a c h e r ) & s h e ' s a Computer Room u s e r . Best of a l l , Cleo came h i g h l y recommend. led by V i o l a Thomas, who won o u r h e a r t s & our a d m i r a t i o n w i t h h e r r e c e n t h a r d work here. I f V i o l a t h i n k s h i g h l y of Cleo t h e n so do we! But t h e r e ' s a n i n t e r e s t i n g t w i s t t o Clel & h e r C a r n e g i e s t o r y . L a s t week when s h e came i n f o r h e r i n t e r v i e w s h e remarked on a s i g n s h e ' d n o t i c e d w h i l e w a l k i n g up o u r s t a i r c a s e . "Cree C l a s s e s . J o e D e s j a r l a i s . "What a c o i n c i d e n c e , " s h e s a i d . " T h a t ' s m Dad's name. How o l d i s t h i s J o e D e s j a r l a i person?" "About h i s mid-f i f t i e s , " s a i d Donald. "Oh, t h a t ' s t o o young t o b e my Dad," s a i d Cleo. "He's i n h i s s e v e n t i e s and I haven' seen him f o r 1 3 y e a r s . ' ' 1 Well, h e r second n i g h t a t C a r n e g i e , C l e thought s h e ' s j u s t d r o p i n t o t h a t Cree Class t o s e e what was happening. And, yo guessed i t , t h e i n s t r u c t o r h e r Dad! Cleo s a y s s h e & h e r f a t h e r hugged, t a l k ed a b o u t what h e ' s been d o i n g , g o t up t o d a t e on e a c h o t h e r ' s l i v e s . J o e s p e a k s 3 o r 4 N a t i v e l a n g u a g e s , p l u s Ukranian. He r e a d s & w r i t e s Cree, & h a s j u s t p i c k e d up a new toggue - C h i n e s e , though Cleo d o e s n ' t know i f i t ' s Cantonese o r Mandarin.
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C l e o ' s p r e t t y excited! Anew job i n a p l a c e s h e knows & l i k e s . . a c h a n c e t o g e t t o know h e r dad a g a i n & t o h e a r more of h i s s t o r i e s . Welcome t o C a r n e g i e , Cleo!
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TRUTH I S STRANGER THAN FICTION CARNEGIE ' S NEW DIRECTOR L a s t Tuesday n i g h t Donald MacPherson came a c r o s s hardworking v o l u n t e e r Mary Brogan, i n t e a r s on t h e second f l o o r . I t seems Mary was f e e l i n g s a d & m i s s i n g f o r mer s t a f f member Bruce J a c k s o n . Ever r e s o u r c e f u l , Donald t o o k Mary t o the Director's office & s a t her in the D i r e c t o r ' s c h a i r . Then h e d i a l e d B r u c e ' s number i n N e l s o n , handed t h e phone t o Mary, & t o l d h e r t o t e l l Bruce s h e was t h e new Director. So Mary d i d . And Bruce s a i d . "That ' s an improvement ! "
...who's
who around t h i s p l a c e
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I n c a s e y o u ' r e wondering, t h e r e ' s been a b i t of a s w i t c h i n s t a f f r o l e s o v e r t h e summer Dan T e t r a u l t h a s t a k e n on B r u c e ' s o l d job of Programmer 11. J e r r y S e n t i n o i s t a c k l i n g Dan's j o b a s Security Supervisor. And Robert Begin h a s t u r n e d i n t o J e r r y , a s K i t c h e n Program A s s i s t a n t . A l l of t h i s makes p e r f e c t s e n s e u n t i l you r e a l i z e t h a t Robert Begin, who now h e l p s run t h e k i t c h e n , t r a v e l s t o t h e S e n i o r ' s Lounge t o buy h i s c o f f e e . So what i s t h e meaning of l i f e , my f r i e n d ?
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BINGO.
..B I N G O . . . B I N G O
Have you n o t i c e d how t i r e d Muggs S i g u r g e i r s o n looks t h e s e days? Well, s h e ' s keeping l a t e n i g h t s - t h a t ' s f o r sure - but she hasn't turned into a party g i r l .
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i d e n t of S t a r Bingo A s s o c i a t i o n t o o & i s o v e r t h e r e u n t i l 2 & 3 i n t h e morning. T h e r e ' s been l o t s of a c t i o n o v e r a t S t a ( a b i t of a r e v o l u t i o n you c o u l d c a l l i t ) You s e e t h e r e a r e 26 g r o u p s o p e r a t i n g i n t h e h a l l & depending on t h e t i m e y o u r o r g a n i s a t i o n g e t s t o h o l d t h e i r Bingo you c a make a l o t of money ( F r i d a y n i g h t ) o r v e r l i t t l e (Monday a f t e r n o o n ) The groups who j o i n e d S t a r f i r s t knew l o t s a b o u t Bingo & t h e y c h o s e t h e b e s t t i m e s . A F r i d a y n i g h t group made $125,000 c l e a r i n 1990. A Monday a f t e r n o o n Bingo g r o s s e d $8,000 f o r t h e whole y e a r . The Carnegie A s s o c i a t i o n j u s t b r o u g h t home $20,000 l a s t y e a r . Some k i n d of d i s c r e p a n c y , you s a y ? Muggs s a y s t h i s r a n g e of incomes l e d t o i n • ’i g h t i n g , r e s e n t m e n t , c o m p e t i t i o n and a l a c k of c o - o p e r a t i o n amongst t h e g r o u p s . So t h e member o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f S t a r met & be a m a j o r i t y v o t e decided t o pool t h e resources - t h a t i s , s h a r e out a l l t h e money e q u a l l y a t t h e end of e a c h month. A s you would i m a g i n e , t h e g r o u p s p u l l i n g i n t h e b i g bucks a r e v e r y s t r o n g l y oppose, t o t h e i d e a of p o l l i n g . J u l y 1, 1991 was d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e day t o change o v e r t o t h e pooled s y s t e m s . EIuggs, a s t h e new S t a r Bingo P r e s i d e n t , nelped t o h i r e a new c o r e group of s t a f f . ( F o r m e r l y , t h e r e ' d been 26 s e p a r a t e s e t s 3f s t a f f , a l l p a i d s e p a r a t e l y , w i t h i n d i v . idrial d e a l s . some u n d e r t h e t a b l e .) Now 2veryone on p a y r o l l & t h e o l d s t a f f a r m ' very happy. Muggs & h e r h i r i n g committee. gave l o t s ~ f new p e o p l e a chance t o work a t S t a r . Jnfortunately, these eager f o l k s - j u s t Like Muggs & t h e o t h e r S t a r Bingo Board nembers - w e r e n ' t f u l l y e x p e r i e n c e d i n op: r a t i n g a b i n g o h a l l & e v e r y o n e had t o b e : r a i n e d on t h e j o b w h i l e b i n g o games were l c t u a l l y i n p r o g r e s s . Muggs & t h e gang j u s t c o u l d n ' t a f f o r d t o h h u t down t h e h a l l Eor a day o f t r a i n i n g . We a t C a r n e g i e know Muggs i s g r e a t b u t thy d i d S t a r e l e c t h e r a s P r e s i d e n t ? "Not l e c a u s e I ' m s k i l l e d a t b i n g o , I v s a y s Muggs 'Mainly b e c a u s e I was t h e o n l y o n e a v a i l ~ b l e , " s a y s s h e , modestly. Muggs h a s one q u a l i t y S t a r r e a l l y n e e d s
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r i g h t now: s h e ' s one tough woman. Some groups g o t t i c k e d o f f & l e f t t h e h a l l , s o ~ t h e r swere b f o u g h t i n . I n a d d i t i o n some extended t h e i r t i m e s l o t s s o t h e r e ' d b e no l a g i n b i n g o games. The f i r s t f o u r days o f p o o l i n g Muggs & "The S t a r s ' ' w e r e cons t a n t l y going over t h e i r schedules, not s u r e of who p l a n n e d t o jump s h i p & who didn't. Then t h e b i g guns a r r i v e d . The 3 o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e h i g h income b r a c k e t h i r e d a l a w y e r & came marching i n t o t h e h a l l determinined t o hold t h e i r bingo i n t h e o l d time s l o t s no m a t t e r what anyone s a i d . And a l l ' t h i s happened w h i l e t h e new s t a f f t r i e d t o keep t h e i r games g o i n g . The lawy e r , w i t h QC a f t e r h e r name, t h r e a t e n e d t o s u e t h e S t a r A s s o c i a t i o n & g e t an i n j u n c t i o n t o prevent t h e i r operating a s a pool. Next day Muggs was summoned t o a m e e t i n g w i t h M r . McIntosh, Chairman of t h e Gaming Commission, who came o v e r from V i c t o r i a t o i n v e s t i g a t e . L u c k i l y h e backed Muggs & t o l d t h e o p p o s i n g g r o u p s t o a b i d e by t h e r u l e of t h e m a j o r i t y ( p o o l i n g t h e p r o f i t s ) o r look f o r another h a l l . The 3 i r a t e g r o u p s a r e d o i n g t h e a b s o l u t e minimum a t t h e h a l l . T h e y ' r e w a t c h i n g t o s e e i f t h e new s y s t e m w o r k s - & t h e n d e c i d e w h e t h e r t o s t a y . Too b a d , s i n c e t h e i r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a r e well-paid professional- fundraisers with s k i l l s that c o u l d r e a l l y h e l p d u r i n g t h i s tough chang over s i t u a t i o n . The g r o u p s making t h e e f f o r t h a v e p e o p l v o l u n t e e r i n g t h e i r t i m e . P e o p l e l i k e Bob Muggs who d e f i n i t e l y a r e n ' t h i ~ h l yp a i d professional fundraisers. Muggs s a y s i t ' s s i m p l e . The S t a r p a t r o n come from t h e community. T h e r e f o r e t h e h a l l s h o u l d r e l a t e t o t h e community, answer t o t h e community & i n d e e d b e p a r t of t h e community. S o , N e w s l e t t e r r e a d e r s , g e t o u t & suppo r t y o u r comm,unity b i n g o . P l a y a t S t a r where more o f t h e money goes s t r a i g h t b a c i n t o t h e neighbourhood. Muggs s a y s t h e s t a f f a r e f r i e n d l y , welcoming & happy t o s e e you. And f o r t h o s e who f i n d C a r n e g i e ' s k i t c h e n t o o p u r e f o r you, d r o p i n t o S t a r and e n j o y a smokie on
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7:30pm t h e r e i s a FREE community e v e n t ( 1 2 0 0 Commercial D r ) ' w i t h music from b o t h l o c a l & i n t e r n a t i o n a l g r o u p s , a c h i l d r e n ' s area t h a t w i l l have performances & f u n p a r t i c i g p a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s w i n d i n g up i n a p a r a d e . T h i s g r e a t t i m e i s t h e 6 t h Annua l LA QUENA ( c o f f e e h o u s e ) FIESTA! There w i l l be food a v a i l a b l e b o t h a t La Quena & a t t h e p a r k . Information t a b l e s & g r e e t i n g s from v a r i o u s c u l t ural & p o l i t i c a l organizations w i l l add t o t h e f e s t i v i t i e s . T h i s y e a r t h e f o c u s o f FIESTA i s o f environmental and N a t i v e c o n c e r n s . T h i s c a n b e s e e n i n t h e d e s i g n of o u r 'posters, T-shirts & buttons. ILI The FIESTA i s c o - s p o n s o r e d t h i s y e a r by Co-op R a d i o (102.7fm - CFRO) . By buying a b u t t o n you c a n h e l p s u p p o r t b o t h La Quena & Co-op R a d i o , two o f East v a n ' s m a i n s t a y s . Both a r e non- p r o f i t , volunteer-run organizations, always o p e n t o community i n p u t . La Quena C o f f e e h o u s e (1111 Commerci a l Dr.) h a s b e e n a r o u n d f o r o v e r 8 y e a r s a n d i s open Tuesday - Sunday (Illam - llpm. La Quena p r o v i d e s n o t o n l y L a t i n American food a t an a f f o r d a b l e c o s t but i s a m e e t i n g p l a c e f o r newcomers t o meet o t h e r s . D u r i n g some e v e n i n g s t h e r e are s o c i a l e v e n t s t h a t b r i n g t o g e t h e r o u r d i v e r s e & wide community of f r i e n d s t o s h a r e i n f o r m a t i o n , music & good t i m e s . P i c k up a m o n t h l y c a l e n d a r a n d become a r e g u l a r . . s o o n e r o r l a t e r y o u ' l l j o i n t h e crew f o r a f o u r hour s h i f t o n c e a week. Not o n l y would you h a v e f u n b u t v a l u a b l e s k i l l s can be l e a r n e d . So remember - Sunday t h e 2 8 t h i s a
1 i n Grandview P a r k
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DIANE A l a t e evening i n September, T h a t ' s t h e b e s t I c a n remember; I met t h e s t r a n g e s t g i r 1 , w h o w a s D i a n e . A sad,pathetic creature T h a t n i g h t t h a t I would meet h e r ; There,sitCing i n a bar, T h a t was D i a n e . Diane,biane,my poor Diane, What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. There a r e s p i d e r s on t h e w a l l , S n a k e s a r e c r a w l i n g down t h e h a l l ; No s l e e p ' f o r you t o n i g h t , My p o o r D i a n e . Now a s s o o n a s s h e w a s a b l e , She came o v e r t o my t a b l e ; There w a s n o t h i n g shy a b o u t Diane. She w a s n o t v e r y p r e t t y , J u s t a hooker i n t h e c i t y ; F o r t h a t w a s how s h e l i v e d , That w a s Diane. Diane,Diane,my p o o r D i a n e , What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. T h e r e ' s a monster i n your c h a i r , Blood i s f l o a t i n g o n t h e a i r ; No s l e e p f o r you t o n i g h t , Fly p o o r D i a n e .
Because s h e n e e d e d f o o d t o e a t , Shc had t o work upon t h e s t r e e t ; She was g o i n g t o h a v e a b a b y , s o o n d u e . She was q u i e t when s h e s p o k e , She w a s l o n e l y , s h e was b r o k e ; A very desperate g i r l , ' h a t was Diane. Diane,Diane,my p o o r D i a n e , What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r m i n d . Everywhere i s c r e e p i n g f e a r , And i t k e e p s on coming n e a r ; No s l e e p f o r you t o n i g h t , . My p o o r D i a n e . I s a i d I would t a k e h e r home, So t h e s t r e e t s h e would n o t roam; I gave h e r food and a p l a c e t o r e s t . But s h e c o u l d n o t s l e e p a t n i g h t , She p a c e d t h e h a l l s ti1 i t w a s l i g h t ; One p o o r , t o r m e n t e d g i r l , 'I'hat was D i a n e .
Diane , D i a n e ,my p o o r D i a n e , What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. T h e r e a r e wc[i.ches i n y o u r h e a d , S p i r i t s t a l k i n g by y o u r b e d ; No s l e e p f o r you t o n i g h t , 1.y poor Diane. 1)iane would h a r d l y e v e r s p e a k , l'hough s h e was w i t h me f o r a week; l'hen s o o n t h e b a b y , i t began t o come. On an e a r l y Sunday morn, ller t i n y b a b y , i t was b o r n ; A p r e t t y baby g i r l , She named D i a n e . Diane,Diane,my p o o r D i a n e , What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. Whenever you a r e d r e a m i n g , You a l w a y s wake up s c r e a m i n g ; No s l e e p f o r you t o n i g h t , My p o o r D i a n e . Very g e n t l y , D i a n e p r e s s e d The w a r m baby t o h e r b r e a s t ; F e e l i n g a l o v e s h e n e v e r knew b e f o r e . But t h e n s a d n e s s , p a i n a n d shame, f i e c a u s e when t h e W e l f a r e came, They t o o k away t h e b a b y , That w a s Diane.
Di~ne,Diane,my poor Diane, What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. T h e r e a r e demons on y o u r t r a c k , They a r e c l a w i n g a t y o u r b a c k ; I N O s l e e p f o r you t o n i g h t , My p o o r D i a n e . Not o n e t e a r d r o p t o u c h e d h e r e y e , Not a w h i s p e r o f a s i g h ; Though h e r mind w a s w r i t h i n g i n a s t o r m W i t h o u t a s i n g l e word t o s a y , She w a l k e d o u t o n e r a i n y d a y ; She k i s s e d me when s h e l e f t , That w a s Diane. Diane,Diane,my poor Diane, ,What h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. W e l f a r e came a n d t o o k y o u r c h i l d , Now y o u r mind i s r u n n i n g w i l d ; No s l e e p f o r you t o n i g h t , My p o o r D i a n e . From a b r i d g e s o v e r y h i g h , From t h e g u a r d r a i l s h e would f l y ! I n t o t h e c o l d d a r k w a t e r s f a r below. A l l h e r t o r m e n t would b e g o n e , A s t h e moments d r i f t e d o n ; The end o f a s a d l i f e , That w a s Diane. Diane,Diane,my poor Diane, No more h o r r o r s f i l l y o u r mind. No more s p i d e r s c l i m b t h e w a l l , No more s n a k e s c r a w l down t h e h a l l ; You h a v e a l l E t e r n i t y t o s l e e p , My p o o r D i a n e . M i c h a e l James M c L e l l a n
Vortex The t u r b u l e n t t i d e s sweeping your p a s s i o n a t e n a t u r e -- tumult of s w i m i n g j u s t o u t s i d e t h e boundaries o r t h i s having w i l d e y e s which you n e v e r s i n c e r e l y i n t e n d e d ABirthistle Abe -
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That Cameraman h a s been f o l l o w i n g him a b o u t - i n one form o r t h e n e x t a l i f e t i m e now. They a r e f i l m i n g h i s l i f e s t o r y . From e a r l y babyhood t o t h e p r e s e n t i n s t a n t which f i n d s him making t e a f o r h i m s e l f I i n h i s l i t t l e brown-betty t e a p o t , wirling the windfallen leaves
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Une p e t i t e r o s e rouge en f l e u r dans rnon c o e u r Une r o s e t e l l e m e n t rouge Comme l e s o l e i l b r i l l a n t d a n s rnon c o e u r J e t ' a t t e n d s c e t t e semaine, rnon e s p o i r Mais j e t e n e v o i s p a s Une p e t i t e r o s e rouge en f l e u r d a n s rnon c o e u r Une r o s e t e l l e m e n t rouge Come l e sang d a n s rnon c o e u r J e t ' a t t e n d a i s c e t t e semaine, rnon c o e u r Mais j e n e t ' a i p a s vue Une p e t i t e r o s e rouge e n f l e u r d a n s rnon c o e u r
I1 p l e u t s u r ma p e t i t e r o s e Comme il p l e u t dans rnon c o e u r
Je t e c h e r c h e r a i l a semaine p r o c h a i n e , rnon e s p o i J e d i r a i d e s p r i k r e s pour t e t r o u v e r ' Une p e t i t e r o s e rouge en f l e u r d a n s rnon c o e u r ) Une r o s e t e l l e m e n t rouge Comme l a f l a m e d a n s rnon coeur
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We must work to stop the free trade deals if we want a country that cares for people. That was the message coming from the Action Canada Network (BC) conference - Co-operation, not Competition - held in Vancouver 3115 & 1/6. Action Canada Network (BC) is the new name for the old Coalition Against "Free" Trade in B.C. Tony Clarke, chair of the national ACN, made up of groups representing over 10 million Canadians, told about 120 people at the conference that we have to "sign up for the future of our country .I' Clarke said that when the Tories talk about "competitiveness", they mean that people in Canada should "compete to be poorer." Clarke noted that the Tories have passed a number of laws that create more poverty: laws that cut back UI, medicare, education and social programs. Wage controls also create poverty. Robert Fox, who works with Oxfam
in Central America, told the crowd that poverty is getting worse in the Third World, but not because of free trade yet. Poverty is increasing there because of policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These institutions require countries to cut meagre social programs, produce flowers for export instead of food for eating, and privatize, as a condition of getting loans to make their debt payments. But all of these policies increase poverty. Fox said that free trade would cement poverty in Central Am. Jim Sinclair of the Fisherman's Union in Vancouver also spoke. Free trade means we lose the ability to plan and produce a society based on our wealth, he said. Because of free trade, Canadian companies are buying fish plants in the U.S. They plan to export Canadian fish to be processed in these American-based plants where workers make $5 an hour instead of the $13 that they make in Canada. Sinclair said that forest companies may export raw logs to Mexico to be processed into lumber at low wages. Clarke told delegates to the conference that we need a new kind of trade , trade that will improve the living standards of the people in all areas. Conference participants made action recommendation to ACN(BC). First on the list is to show the video "We Can Say NO" in as many places as possible so people will understand how the trade deals undermine democracy and create poverty. The video includes a guest appearance by ELP Director Paul Taylor. Anyone wanting to "sign up for Canada" by borrowing and showing the video, call the ELP office at 879-1209.
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(End Legislated Poverty is a coalition of 27 BC groups that want governments to reduce and end poverty.)
1Editor, / The C i t i z e n s Advisory Board t o Corrjections ( p r o v i n c i a l M i n i s t r y of S o l i c i i t o r General) f o r t h e Vancouver Metro region i s a n o n - p r o f i t v o l u n t e e r board e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1 9 7 7 , t o , i n p a r t , provide a s o u r c e of p u b l i c o p i n i o n t o t h e BC C o r r e c t i o n s Branch by examining, q u e s t i o n i n g and responding t o m a t t e r s brought t o t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e Advisory Board. One p a r t of our mandate involves c o n s u l t i n g w i t h members of t h e public. What do you c o n s i d e r importa n t t o t h e C o r r e c t i o n s system h e r e i n the Lower Mainland? 1. How should young o f f e n d e r s be treated? 2. Should e l e c t r o n i c monitoring (simi l a r t o being under "house a r r e s t " where t h e o f f e n d e r wears an a n k l e b r a c e l e t and h i s l h e r a c t i v i t i e s a r e mmitored a t a c e n t r a l l o c a t i o n ) be expanded ? 3 . How can govt. b e s t respond t o t h e needs of m e n t a l l y d i s o r d e r e d o f f enders? 4. How can g o v t . b e s t respond t o t h e needs of Native o f f e n d e r s ? What do you t h i n k ? What should be , t h e p r i o r i t i e s of BC C o r r e c t i o n s ? What could be done t o improve t h e a r e a of correct ions? P l e a s e w r i t e w i t h your thoughts t o the C i t i z e n ' s Advisory Board t o Corre c t i o n s , 401-815 Hornby S t . , Van. V6Z 2E6. Darren Lowe
MUTILATING O U R LANGUAGE t o end MEDICARE Frances R u s s e l l had a n o t h e r f a s c i n a t i n g a r t i c l e i n t h e Winnipeg Free P r e s s (May 18). The f i n a n ~ e ~ m i n i s t e r ' s r e p o r t of t h e Western Premiers conference i n Nipawin, Sask. shows t h a t prov i n c i a l governments a r e i n on t h e p l o t w i t h t h e f e d e r a l government t o d e s t r o y Medicare. R u s s e l l shows how t h e f i n a n c e minis t e r ' s r e p o r t d i s g u i s e s , i n t h e i r neoc o n s e r v a t i v e j a r g o n , t h e f i v e founding p r i n c i p l e s of medicare. The f i v e p r i n c i p l e s , e n s h r i n e d i n t h e Canada Health Act, a r e u n i v e r s a l i t y (everyone g e t s medicare), comprehensiveness ( t h e c a r e you g e t i s complete) , p o r t a b i l i t y (you can g e t c a r e i n any province o r territ o r y ) , a c c e s s i b i l i t y (everyone h a s a r i g h t t o g e t c a r e ) , and p u b l i c l y administered (health c a r e i s not f o r profit). The M i n i s t e r ' s r e p o r t changes t h e five principles l i k e this:
p B q f ADDICTED To WHAT?
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becomes " e q u i t a b l e a n d responsible partnership". This means u s e r f e e s , p r i v a t e i n s u r a n c e a n d h i g h e r premiums. Comprehensiveness -----------------
becomes " a d e q u a c y a n d a f f o r d a b i l i t y " . T h i s means a f f o r d a b l e t o t h e p r o v i n c e , and i m p l i e s a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e myth t h a t o u r h e a l t h c a r e s y s t e m i s n o t a f f o r d a b l e now. ?;
P o r t a b i l i t y becomes " e f f i c i e n c y , ----------f l e x i b i l i t y and responsiveness". T h i s means t h a t p r o v i n c e s c a n d e s i g n t h e i r own h e a l t h s y s t e m w h i c h means t h e end o f n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d s . E f f i c i e n c y means t h a t t h e m a r k e t , n o t t h e n e e d s o f p e o p l e w i l l make d e c i s i o n s a b o u t who g e t s h e a l t h c a r e . >?
* A------------c c e s s i b i l i t y becomes predictability". This
"stability & means t h a t g o v e r n m e n t s w i l l s e t l i m i t s on p u b l i c s u p p o r t and p a t i e n t s w i l l have t o pay the rest. P u b l i c a d m i n i s t r a t i o n becomes "sim..................... p l i c i t y and a c c o u n t a b i l i t y " . This means c o n t r a c t i n g o u t & p r i v a t i z a t i o n . J(
It seems t h a t r i g h t w i n g g o v e r n m e n t s w i l l do j u s t about a n y t h i n g t o g e t Canadians t o b e l i e v e t h a t t h e medicare s y s t e m we c h e r i s h h a s t o go.
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(From E L P ' s A c t i o n L i n e )
'Money buys p l e a s u r e , s o c i a l power & a l l :he temporary - t h i n g s t h a t seem t o make Life w o r t h l i v i n g . O r i g i n a l l y , c a p i t a l i s m Jas meant t o p r o v i d e t h i s f o u n d a t i o n on rhich i n d i v i d u a l s could b u i l d a b e t t e r ; e l f . The i n t e l l e c t u a l , s p i r i t u a l & c r e a Live a b i l i t i e s of e a c h p e r s o n might t h e n lave an equal opportunity t o t a k e r o o t i n the emotional s t a b i l i t y t h a t m a t e r i a l s e c u r i t y was meant t o p r o v i d e . Unfortun3 t e l y , t h e i n v e n t o r s of c a p i t a l i s m , who3ver t h e y were, d i d n o t f o r e s e e t h e sed~ c t i v ei n f l u e n c e a l l t h i s p l e a s u r e , soci a l power & m a t e r i a l l u x u r y would e x e r t >n t h e minds & h e a r t s of men & women. The more p l e a s u r e t h e y g e t - t h e more they want. The more s o c i a l power t h e y achieve, t h e l e s s important s p i r i t u a l , c r e a t i v e & i n t e l l e c t u a l development seems t o be. T h i s i s what a d d i c t i o n & o b s e s s i o r a r e a l l a b o u t . When s o c i a l workers enc o u n t e r t h i s a t t i t u d e i n p e o p l e who u s e i l l e g a l drugs o r a l c o h o l , they i d e n t i f y i t a s "The Problem" & c a l l i t h he Addict i v e P e r s o n a l i t y . " When t h e s e same peoplc d i s c o v e r t h i s a t t i t u d e i n someone who i s good a t making money w i t h i t - t h e y c a l l i t he S o l u t i o n " & reward t h a t p e r s o n f o r "being r e s p o n s i b l e " & " t a k i n g t h e i n i t i a t i v e . " This, they b e l i e v e , is t h e path t h a t l e a d s t o success, because they d e f i n e s u c c e s s a s economic r a t h e r t h a n h u m a n i s t i c development. The u l t i m a t e a d d i c t i v e b e h a v i o u r , i n terms of economics, i s u s i n g money t o make more money, i n s t e a d of u s i n g i t , a s t h e o r i g i n a l p h i l o s o p h y of c a p i t a l i s m i n . tended - t o p r o v i d e t h e s i t u a t i o n n e c e s s . ary f o r intellectual, creative & spiritu a l development. Using money t o make morl money i s n o t c a l l e d economic a d d i c t i o n , i t ' s c a l l e d "investment". A d d i c t i v e econ omic behaviour h a s now become t h e purposl o f c a p i t a l i s m . The s t o c k market & r e a l e s t a t e depend on i t f o r t h e i r very existence. J u s t a s a d r u g a d d i c t might s e e k t o und e r s t a n d h i s o r h e r o b s e s s i v e abuse of
I I, j
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a l s o s e e k t o c u r e t h e m s e l v e s of a n o b s e s s i o n w i t h making money f o r t h e s a k e o f money. U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t h e a b u s e o f money i s n w i d e s p r e a d a d d i c t i o n a p p r o v e d o f by soci e t y . Most s c h o o l c h i l d r e n a s p i r e t o become " r i c h & famous". The m a j o r i t y of p a r e n t s , t e a c h e r s & a u t h o r i t y f i g u r e s enc o u r a g e t h i s . They a r e no b e t t e r t h a n t h e drug d e a l e r who h a n g s a r o u n d t h e p l a y ground t o hcok k i d s on c r a c k c o c a i n e . Economic a d d i c t i o n w i l l e v e n t u a l l y c r e a t e an e m o t i o n a l & i n t e l l e c t u a l p o v e r t y & deep s p i r i t u a l d e s p a i r i n t h o s e who g e t hooked on i t . . . h e r o i n & c o c a i n e w i l l p r o v i d e t h e same i l l u s i o n s o f power & s u c c ess leading t o confusion & despair economic a d d i c t i o n i s t h e same t r i p , i t j u s t t a k e s a l o t l o n g e r . By t h e t i m e the! b e g i n t o r e a l i z e w h a t ' s happened t o them< most money a d d i c t s w i l l b e beyond h e l p . Their o n l y d e f e n c e a g a i n s t r e a l i t y w i l l be t o u s e t h e i r money t o c r e a t e a n image o f s u c c e s s & t o p r e t e n d t h e y ' r e happy & s a t i s f i e d w i t h what t h e y h a v e become. The i n t e r e s t i n g t h i n g a b o u t a l l t h i s , t o m e , i s t h a t t h e w h o l e t h i n g h i n g e s on t h e a t t i t u d e o f t h e i n d i v i d u a l . . t h e i r motiva r i o n , o r p u r p o s e f o r d o i n g what t h e y do If t h e i r p u r p o s e f o r making money i s t o joy m a t e r i a l l u x u r y & make more money, ey w i l l l i v e t h e l i f e o f a n a d d i c t . But t h e i r a t t i t u d e t o w a r d s monev allows
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'Laos T r a i l A t s p e e d s twenty t i m e s normal
w e f l y down on a s p h a l t b l a c k dyed r e d w i t h t h e b l o o d o f o u r B r o t h e r s & S i s t e r s : t h e Wing'd, t h e 4-legged, t h o s e t h a t c r a w l Y e s , how c a n we t r a v e l i n P e a c e i n f a c e o f what we s e e r i g h t i n f r o n t o f u s ? ? ? ? What d o e s i t c o s t u s , t o t r a v e l 'i:,is r e d r o a d . Yes paved i n b l o o d & s u f f e r i n g o f o u r R e l a t i v e s ? ? ? ?
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Yes, t r a v e l l i n g @ twenty t i m e s normal s p e e d . Compressing t i m e t w e n t y t i m e s . Ageing p e r h a p s t w e n t y t i m e s n o r m a l t i m e . To c o m p e n s a t e f o r t h i s t r e m e n d o u s s a c r i f i c e Do we grow 20 t i m e s a s f a s t , O r d o we s h r i v e l & d w i n d l e - 2 0 ~a s f a s t ? ? ? ? Yes, on t h e r o a d i n T a o s , t r a v e l l i n g @ 20X n o r m a l . j u s t i f y @ t h e e n d , i n T a o s , we d o 20X t h e Good & R e v e l a t i o n s . Can we s o presume ? ? ? ? ? '1'0
Yes, t o d o 20X t h e good On t h e Road t o T a o s . We s o presume On t h i s B l a c k Road Paved Red With t h e Blood o f Our R e l a t i v e s Can w e s o presume ? ? ? ? On t h i s Red Road t o Taos ? ? ? ?
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DERA HAS BEEN SERVING 'I'BE DOWNTOWN ASr1'S11 1'011 1 t1 YI':AI(S
LZu.::;ntown Eas tside DERA s t o p s homelessness i s what t h e s i g- n r e a d s o v e r t h e d o o r . Downtown on G r a n v i l l e s t r e e t , 1067 G r a n v i l l e , t h e new DERA o f f i c e opens on Monday, J u l y 22nd. Across t h e s t r e e t , a t t h e Chateau G r a n v i l l e , t h e p u b l i c m e e t i n g t o open t h i s a d d i t i o n t o DERA'S s e r v i c e w i l l a l s o be on J u l y 22nd. s t a r t i n g a t 1 0 i r , t h e morning. Mike Harcourt., J i m G;een and t h e c o - o r d i n a t o r of t h e ~ f f i c e- Laura S t a n n a r d - w i l l be on hand t o t a l k t o l o c a l r e s i d e n t s and s p e a k a b o u t why DERA i s t h e r e . The b a s i c r e a s o n i s t h a t th: proposa l s ready t o b e g i n w i l l r e s u l t i n t h e l a r g e s t "redevelopment" i n t h e h i s t o r y of Vancouver. DERA w i l l e n s u r e t h a t t h e r i g h t s and n e e d s o f t h e c u r r e n t r e s i d e n t s a r e p r o t e c t e d and t h a t t h e p e o p l e l i v i n g t h e r e now, e s p e c i a l l y i n S i n g l e Room Occupancy (SRO) h o t e l s
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a r e n ' t j u s t e v i c t e d e n masse. C i t y C o u n c i l - t h e NPA m a j o r i t y r e f u s e d t o fund DERA i n t h i s work. The p r i m i t i v e r e a s o n , as expounded by Gordon P r i c e , was t h a t DERA's p o l i t i c s w e r e n ' t acceptable..DERA's o r g a n i z e r , J i m Green, had r u n a g a i n s t NPA mayor Gordon Campbell i n t h e l a s t e l e c t i o n and t h e NPA now h a s a s l i m 1-vote m a j o r i t y . P r i c e , i n d e b a t e a f t e r deb a t e , seems t h e most v i r u l e n t a n t i COPE c o u n c i l l o r . I t was COPE who s p e a r h e a d e d t h e t d e f e a t o f t h e NPA-desired d e n s i t y & has kept i t t o a l i v a b l e f i g u r e . T h i s k i n d of b a t t l e w i l l be g o i n g on f o r some t i m e as t h e m u l t i n a t i o n a l s and b i g b u s i n e s s t r y t o s q u e e z e Vanc o u v e r i n t o a n " e x e c u t i v e c i t y " and b u i l d w a l l s t o keep o u t t h e homeless. By PAULR
TAYLOR
l a s t i s s u e - f r o n t page. T h i s i s s u e . . b a c k p a g e . . . and t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of F i r s t United Church (FUC) c o n t i n u e s t o i g n o r e t h e h o n e s t q u e s t i o n s & c o n c e r n s of a growing number of p e o p l e i n o u r community. A few members of FUC have i % d i g a n t l y s a i d t h e y were on t h e b o a r d t h e r e . .and I wonder how many o t h e r FUC members d o n ' t even know of t h e e x i s t e n c e of t h e O v e r s i g h t Board, t h e body of a p p o i n t e d power from o u t s i d e t h e a r e a which, i n i t s o m n i s c i e n t wisdom, d i c t a t e s t h e r u l e s , s t a r t s o r s t o p s programs and s o on. The c u r r e n t wisdom s a y s ' h i d e u n t i l t h e s t o r m p a s s e s . . u n t i l q u e s t i o n s So I ' l l r e p e a t what ended t h e p r e v i o u s s t o p . . u n t i l h e l l f r e e z e s ovhr a r t i c l e : T h i s i s t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e . I t ' s no l o n g e r S k i d Road. More and more p e o p l e a r e d o i n g a l l t h e good t h e y can f o r a l l t h e p e o p l e t h e y can i n a s many p l a c e s a s t h e y can f o r as l o n g a s e v e r t h e y c a n . "Theytl(we) h a v e a r i g h t t o know why t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of FUC h a s caused some o f t h e b e s t advocacy w o r k e r s e v e r t o b e p-3rt of o u r community t o l e a v e . A l e t t e r from t h e kevs w i l l b e a b a r e b e g i n n i n g . (The b i g E ' s need t o t h i n k l o n g & h a r d about t h e g r a p h i c on page 6 of t h i s i s s u e .....) PAULR TAYLOR
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