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THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN THIS ISSUE:

• HEY! Dave Sharp is going to put the newsletter ON LINE.
• Harry Killough's passion in keeping the Columbia & Western railbed open (page 2)
• of course, another bicycle story, The Basic Bike Club, and the "TOUR de KOOTENAY NORTH. (pages 5-6-7)
• Elaine Robinson leads us to believe that the "user impasse" on rail grade will be solved .. (editorial .. page 1)
• Hurst & Killough's Map Update on page 4.
• pictures on p. 8 --- workers and hikers and anything else left over.

THINGS TO DO:

1) Friends will NOT be having a Christmas party.
2) pay your 2005 membership fees … see form on page 4.
3) attend the AGM on Feb. 17 - 7:30 pm Thursday; at the Rec Centre.
4) and, have a very Merry Christmas

Editorial

RAIL TO TRAIL DEVELOPMENTS

Elaine Robinson

It is heartening to read in the Castlegar News, that our MLA, Sandy Santori, is providing leadership in resolving the "discussions" which have been ongoing in Castlegar concerning the use of the rail trail between here and Christina Lake.

He refers to the stewardship agreement for use of ATV's that has been signed for the Grand Forks section of the rail trail and suggests it could be used as a model here. Mr. Santori's second to last sentence reads, "No one has to pick winners and losers and they all can enjoy what the trails have to offer."

The word "all" is the key. I am certain all the people who live in Castlegar and our rural area want the same thing, and that is to appreciate our extreme good fortune in natural surroundings and to know our descendants will have the same opportunity.

Surely with some goodwill on the part of all interested groups, this workable system can be agreed upon for a specified length of time. Modifications can then be made, if desired. If that can be done in Grand Forks it can be done here.

A similar agreement is already operational in Castlegar. The Columbia & Western Trail Society, led by Harry Killough, is the designated stewardship group for the Castlegar to Farron section.

A number of people who attended the first Castlegar rail grade meeting have signed on. The opportunity is available for others to do the same.

For an excellent comment on this situation, on page 3 we have re-printed the letter that Margo Saunders wrote to the Castlegar newspapers.

Margo has extensive and varied knowledge of outdoor activities, motorized, non-motorized and water born. She has spent countless hours of volunteer work supporting all her activities. Her letter makes ultimate sense.

Tourism BC, the new owner of the Boundary Subdivision of the KVR, has the financial means to set up this rail trail as a permanent asset for this area, not only for tourists, but for us, the local citizens.

It needs our support and deserve it. Problems will be peacefully resolved as a little time goes by and cooperation and common sense prevail.