CIVIC COMPLEX NEEDS A NAME
A huge alien carnivorous plant chuckles, chortles and tries to devour Little Shoo Audrey (Kathy Seney) as Seymour (David Hooper) attempts to rescue
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of Horrors
her in the Kelly Road secondary school production of the musical comedy, Little Shop Of Horrors, showing to Saturday at Vanier Hall. See review, page 6. Citizen photo by Lisa Murdoch
CONFLICTING POLL FIGURES
NDP lead lasted a day
that 30 to 50 per cent of accidents involving youths are caused in this manner.
From a total of 20 deaths among those 19 and younger in 1986, Millar said 17 were motor vehicle accidents and two were suicides.
However, 1985 was also a bad year for teen suicides in this city.
According to the regional coroner’s records six male teenagers, ranging in age from 15 to 19, killed themselves with guns or by carbon monoxide poisoning.
An 11-year-old boy is also among the statistics.
That same year, 67 Prince George adolescents attempted suicide, but failed.
Davis informed the group about a teenage crisis line being established at the Crisis Centre.
In 1980, there were 269 calls from youths, but by 1985 the number had grown to 853, according to Davis.
These figures and a survey taken among highschool students, showing 55 per cent of teens in crisis turn to friends while only four per cent turn to teachers and 23 per cent’ turn to no one, caused the centre’s officials to push for the crisis line.
Today, 26 youth phone counsellors ranging in age from 18 to 21 are being trained to “handle every situation which comes their way.” The line should begin operating seven days a week, from 4 to 11 p.m., as of Aug. 1.
The proposed drop-in centre, now in the early planning stages, would probably have an adult board of directors to guide and oversee the project, but youths would have much input as to social activities and programs offered.
Lynch forsees development of self-help programs “to help them do the things they want to do”.
To get the project under way, those heading the project are looking for volunteers to form a committee. Anyone interested in lending a hand can call Lynch at 565-6380, or Krause at 564-7310.
The amendments do clear up some of the complaints teachers initially outlined in meetings with government officials and school trustees.
“The amendments introduced clarified the intent and cleared up some of our fears about the ambiguity of Jie bill,” Taverner said.
But differences remain, particularly over the establishment of a College of Teachers responsible for disciplining, licensing and professional development of teachers.
Taverner said since Premier Bill Vander Zalm and Education Minister Tony Brummet have steadfastly maintained that major changes to Bill 20 will not be made, teachers probably got all they could expect.
“If it had been our only fight I would think this would be a wonderful time to claim victory, not a complete victory, and call the whole thing off,” Taverner said.
But he said teachers are also fighting Bill 19, the industrial relations reform act.
The government is proposing that teachers have the option of organizing into local unions. If they do, they will be governed by the new code.
“One of the worst things about Bill 20 is Bill 19,” Taverner said.
The B.C. Teachers Federation has agreed to co-operate with labor in its campaign against Bill 19, but not as part of a solidarity-like coalition.
by VERN GREENSHIELDS Southam News OTTAWA — After 24 hours on top, the New Democratic Party finds itself back in second place today in a Gallup poll that differs sharply from an Angus Reid-Southam News survey and shows the Liberals with a healthy lead.
Gallup found the Liberals with 42 per cent support among decided voters, compared with 30 per cent for the NDP and 26 per cent for the governing Conservatives. The
“When we say co-operate, we mean whatever actions are taken in the next days, weeks and months we will look at and decide whether to join.
One action local teachers will be discussing tonight is whether to participate in a mass rally protesting the legislation next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the teachers and School District 57 are continuing and Taverner said he is optimistic a settlement will be reached soon.
“Quite honestly I thought we would have an agreement yesterday but things broke down over one clause in the wording.”
He said the two sides are meeting this afternoon.
. . .and in tomorrow's Citizen. . .
To an increasing number of workers today, commitment to their employer has as much to do with perks as their salary. Read Friday’s Citizen for a look at how companies have come up with creative new ways to motivate employees.
Also planned:
■ A guide for prospective car buyers.
■ A complete rundown of tonight’s NHL and NBA playoff action.
K
Reid poll placed the NDP on top with 37 per cent, the Liberals at 36 and the Tories at 25 per cent.
Pollster Reid offered several explanations for the differences, starting with polling techniques — telephones for Reid against in-house interviews for Gallup — as well as different methods of selecting poll respondents.
Timing could also be a significant factor, Reid said today, noting that the Gallup poll was started last Wednesday and completed Saturday.
The bulk of Reid’s sampling, particularly in Quebec, was done over the weekend, the same time as the Liberals began a nasty squabble over the Meech Lake constitutional accord.
Reid said this difference in timing could have influenced voter perceptions of the Liberals and, consequently, the Reid poll finding that the NDP was well ahead in Quebec. Gallup found the Liberals were leading strongly in Quebec.
So different were Reid’s results from Gallup’s results in Quebec that it could have affected the outcome of the entire poll, Reid added.
“I feel very comfortable with our stuff,” Reid said, adding that his poll of 1,677 adults was more than 50 per cent larger than the Gallup survey.
Gallup also found a much higher percentage of undecided voters — 32 per cent versus 23 per cent for Reid.
This alone could explain the differences, Reid said.
Commenting on the Reid poll Wednesday, NDP Leader Ed Broadbent, who took some good-natured ribbing in the House over his party’s historic position, told reporters that Liberal vacillating on various issues recently could be one reason for that party’s slipping fortunes.
At 36 per cent, the Liberals are down six points from the last Reid poll.
“There are probably a fair number of Canadians who are dismayed that the Liberals have been able to take two positions, confiict-
t
ing positions, on a variety of major questions: the constitution, free trade, cruise testing. They aren’t consistent and I think Canadians are looking for. . .fairness and consistency and they’re not exactly finding it in the Liberal Party,” said Broadbent.
Former Liberal cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy stressed his party stands for a balance between the private and public sectors. He said the party also stands for an elected Senate that would give regions of the country a greater say, while the NDP wants to abolish that institution.
He said he took the poll results seriously and admitted that differing positions taken by Liberal members recently may have been a factor in the ebbing of support.
Bulletin
OTTAWA (CP) — Colin Thatcher, the former Saskatchewan cabinet minister, must stay behind bars until at least November 1999 for the murder of former wife JoAnn Wilson, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled today.
The court rejected the bid by the 48-year-old former rancher-politician for another trial, meaning he won’t have a chance for parole before then. He was convicted of first-degree murder in November 1984.
Thatcher and his former wife had been involved in a bitter battle over custody of their three children and a court-ordered $800,000 settlement to be paid to her as a result of the divorce.
She had married businessman Anthony Wilson and was living with him in Regina when she was murdered.
Bank rate
OTTAWA (CP) — The Bank of Canada rate dipped to 8.07 per cent today from 8.17 per cent set last week.
hold strategy meet
The Prince George
Citizen
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1987 40 CENTS
Turner begs for unity >
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Barbie will miss trial 7
Red Wings grounded 13
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The building committee for the city’s proposed cul-tural-convention centre has a name-that-edifice complex.
That’s the diagnosis after the deadline for a contest to name the $21-million project came and went Wednesday with only a handful of entries submitted.
“The response has been less than startling,” said Bill Woycik, spokesman for the building committee.
Woycik said that “no more than 25” names had been submitted.
As a result, the competition is being advertsised again in The Citizen and the deadline has been extended to May 29.
Coast Hotels and Canadian Airlines International are providing a trip for two to Vancouver as a prize for the winner. In the event several people submit the same winning name, a draw will be held.
The proposed building would house an art gallery,
theatre and multi-purpose room clustered around the existing city library.
It has variously been referred to as a multi-purpose and a cultural-convention centre. Bob McFar-lane, building committee chairman, hopes a less cumbersome moniker can be found.
No-one has so far suggested “white elephant” as a name, said Woycik, who believes the centre, far from being a boondoggle, will be “the making of the city.”
Arthur Erickson Architects of Vancouver is scheduled to present a final proposal for centre to council on May 25.
Erickson, internationally recognized designer, will personally make the presentation, Woycik said.
The architect is also scheduled to speak to the Prince George Chamber of Commerce on the same day.
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High Friday: 17
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Teen deaths spark youth project here
by BERNICE TRICK Staff reporter
In an attempt to stem deaths by suicide and motor vehicle accidents among the young, a group of citizens are attempting to create a drop-in centre for the youth of Prince George.
Termed “youth challenge pro-
J'ect” and spearheaded by Murry Crause. executive director of United Way and probation officer Rudy Lynch, it would provide a “supportive and encouraging environment for persons aged 15 to 21
Sears to organize and co-ordinate lemselves, their ideas and activities on a positive and constructive basis.”
Here, young persons could meet and discuss issues pertaining to youth, learn basic life skills and re-
ceive information about what community resources are available, according to Dr. John Millar, medical health officer for the region; Maureen Davis, executive director of the Crisis Centre and Lynch, who were guest speakers at a public meeting at the College of New Caledonia on Wednesday.
The critical need for the project stems from surveys taken recently in this area which show too many youths die from either suicide or alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle accidents, and the discovery the majority of young persons deal with crisis situations by talking to their peers rather than counsellors, parents or teachers.
“In terms of death, accidents caused by use of alcohol and drugs is the overwhelming factor facing our youth,” said Millar, adding
$25 million okayed for Yellowhead work
by JOHN PIFER Special to The Citizen
More than $25 million has been approved for major upgrading work on Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George, with tenders for the work to let almost immediately.
It is part of a $36-million agreement between Ottawa and Victoria for improvement on the Yellowhead Highway in B.C., announced today by B.C. Transportation and Highways Minister Cliff Michael and federal Science and Technology Minister Frank Oberle, Prince George-Peace River MP.
The agreement, with costs shared 50-50 between the federal and provincial governments, is the second in a $100-million program over three years for the Yellowhead, from Winnipeg to Prince Rupert.
The latest work will include $10.2 million for the widening of Highway 5 north of Kamloops to Heffiey Creek, and $25.6 million for Highway 16 improvements between Prince Rupert and Prince George.
Michael said tenders on all but $5 million of the projects would be let immediately, with work expected to begin within the current fiscal year “and possibly as early as July.”
Michael praised the efforts of the Yellowhead Highway Association, the provincial caucus of MPs and his cabinet for “paving the way” to allow B.C. the lion’s share of the money, especially as the province had higher costs and more miles on the Yellowhead than Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Under the agreement with the federal government, Saskatchewan and Alberta each will spend $22 million, and Manitoba, $20 million for Yellowhead improvements,
with Ottawa picking up half of the tab.
Michael said that jobs would be created by the highway improvements, but he was unble to give any number at this stage. Oberle said B.C. resource industries and tourism “are certain to benefit from the federal contributions, and they will provide better access to the North for all.”
Under the B.C. agreement, the Highway 16 work will include $17 million to upgrade 10 km from Khyex to Aberdeen Creek, Tyee near Prince Rupert; $3.8 million to construct the Pleasant Valley overhead, west of Houston, and $5 million to upgrade a 10 km stretch from Carnaby to Kitseguecla, west of Hazelton. The latter 10 km will not be under way until 1989 or 1990, Michael said.
Teachers
Local teachers will meet tonight for an update on B.C. Teachers Federation strategy for opposing provincial labor legislation.
Bob Taverner, president of the Prince George and District Teachers Association, said members will meet behind closed doors to consider recommendations coming out of a representative assembly meeting last weekend.
Teachers have already held a one-day study session and launched an instruction only campaign to protest the legislation.
The instruction-only campaign is continuing despite the introduction of two packages of amendments to Bill 20.
HERMAN
don't have a fire escape."