6 ~ Friday, December 29, 1989 - North Shore News INSIGHTS Socreds have littie to lose sticking with Bill PUNDITS BUSILY arranging a political wake for Bill Vander Zalm are beginning to wonder if they’re a bit premature with their preparations after all. Following the Dec. 13 Oak Bay disaster — the sixth byelection defeat in a row, three of them in Socred strongholds — the Premier announced he would consult with government and party buddies, and in January tell British Colum- bians his decision on province-wide TV. Two weeks ago that seemed to most a clear signal that he was get- ting ready to jump. But as a beaming Santa Vander Zalm handed out poinsettias to Legislature staff, doubts were al- ready emerging. He didn’t LOOK like the first sitting premier in memory to voluntarily quit. The palace guard of loyalists in Victoria — whatever their private ambitions — has shown no sign so far of breaking ranks. In an ex- clusive pre-Christmas interview shirts (see colurne item). with BCTV Bill came across as the essence of gentle sweet reason and warm goodwill to everyone. Co- quitlam-Port Moody Socreds have launched a write-in campaign for ‘“*The Many Friends of Bill Vander Zalm.’’ And Wednesday saw some 2,500 enthusiastic supporters throng his Fantasy Gardens home for an ‘‘I Back Bil!’’ rally. Although conventional wisdom says that if he stays on, Social Credit will go down the drain with him, the brains of the party may welt be pondering other factors. One being that they’re almost cer- tainly doomed WITHOUT him. Time is now too short to reassure the electorate of their sound judgment if they dump the Jeader whose victory only three short years ago turned into a coronation. MEWS photo Mike Wakefield SENDING THEIR hearts to San Francisco ...Denise Findlay (left) and other Cap Coilege merchandising students fashion their fundraising T- Sober thoughts HE MESSAGE delivered throughout the festive season has become increasingly familiar, but no The 1986 voters — who vigurously endorsed that coronation — may have been equally guilty of faulty judgment, of course, but that won't save any Socred hides. There are rumors of a snap elec- tion to shock voters into weighing their economic blessings under the Vander Zalm government against the risk of a 1972-75 NDP replay. But no regular gambler in his senses would bet money on a snowbound campaign so soon after Oak Bay. One alternative rarely mention- ed, however, is that Vander Zalm, if he stays on, stil] has 20 months before having to face the elector- ate. Though virtually unknown, a full five-year term is perfectly legal. Given the situation of Social Credit and its embattled leader to- day, they’ve little to lose by brav- ing it out to the end. Fortunes can change in much less than 20 months, as Brian Mulroney proved in November 1988. Bill Vander Zalm may already have opted to retire in dignity to Lilian, the family and Fan- tasyland, But if he doesn’t, the party’s one slim remaining hope could well be to stick with him! uae POSTSCRIPTS: Heartwarming Christmas aid for survivors of the San Francisco earthquake came from Cap Colbege’s Merchandising Management students. At Cap Corner, the student store, they sold ‘‘Capilano Sends Its Heart to San Francisco’’ T-shirts sponsored by Action Athletic Wear, Grand Designs and Sanmar Canada — with all proceeds to the Red Cross earthquake fund ... Congrats to North Van’s Krista Haensgen, fourth-year UBC music student and former Windsor grad, on with the highest mark across Canada in the 1989 ARCT exam ... And as if being Mrs. Hefner isn't enough for any girl, West Van’s Kimberley Conrad now has a noble title as well — ‘*Prince (sic) and Lady of Honor.”’ Her 63-year-old Playboy hubby Hugh is reported to have bought it for her for ‘‘a sum in the low four - figures’’ from Prince Frederick von Anhait of Munich, who hap- pens to be Zsa Zsa Gabor’s eighth spouse, Whether the Hefner baby due in April will eventually inherit it isn’t clear! eee WRIGHT OR WRONG: The Egyptians were smart encugh to write their history cn walls. They knew if they put it in files, it would be lost forever. TER. . Photo submitted winning the Royal Conservatory of BEST MASCOT award in New West’s Hyack Santa Claus Parade went to Capilano Suspension Bridge’s Rocky the Raccoon, pictured here with Music’s Helen Tough Murray piano gold medal and scholarship faithful elf Julia Kaffka. less important: if you drink, don’t drive. Repetition can remove impact. But the message here is designed to weave the no-drirking-driving philoso- phy into the social fabric permanently because the realities of disregarding the message are too costly, both socially and financially. While B.C.'s CounterAttack program has helped reduce the percentage of alcohol-related car accidents from 17.8 per cent in 1983 to 12 per cent in 1988, the toll exacted by those who continue to drink and drive remains staggering. Drinking and driving annually kills 200 people, in- jures 6,000 more and costs B.C. residents $130 million. These are only the direct costs. The associated fi- nancial upheaval and emotional anguish for both vie- tims and drinking drivers is impossible to caiculate. While penalties for drinking drivers are getting stif- fer, they are still not severe enough to discourage a laree portion of the public from drinking and driving: every year, approximately 15,000 people in B.C. are charged with impaired driving. The message is obviously not getting through to many. It therefore bears repeating: if you drink. don't drive. Peter Speck Managing Editor Barrett Fisher Associate Editor Noel Wright Advertising Director Linda Stewart North Share News, tounded in 1969 45 an independert suburban newspaper and qualihed under Schedule 114 A Publisher vet $25 per year Subnussioans oe Canest accept responsibdty for Lnsoleted maternal melding manuscripts aad pictures WNICH SHOUId be ac Lonpdoied by # stamped addressed cneeionc SUNDAY + WIONESDAY + FHIDAY 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 59,170 (average, Wednesday Friday & Sunday) s EPA EUVISHOINY Oisplay Advertising Classified Advertising Newsroom Distribution Subscriptions ESS 980-0511 986-6222 985.2131 986-1337 986-1337 985-3227 MEMBER North Shore owned and managed Entire contents «: 1989 North Shore Free Press Lid. All rights reserved.