The Morning Star from Vernon, British Columbia, Canada • 1

I i M7rnnrn JLjf L- Li The North Okanagan's Community Newspaper Published Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays Wednesday, October 3, 1990 Vol.3 No. 105 Phone 545-3322 Classified 545-5525 40 pages Newsstand prico 100 It 7 i -1 r. 4 I 4 i Tt I 1 NEWS Several groups took advantage of the high profile of the opening ceremony of the Coquihalla Connector to make their causes known Pg. 3 Office equipment dealers are probably the only businesses around pleased about the proposed GST, Pg. 7 SPORTS Veteran Lake Lome Kanigan finally got on track during Saturday's game against Merritt.

Pg. 17 RobNeidis currently the second best receiver in the Canada West conference of the CIAU. Pg. 17 FEATURES A Vernon teacher has received the top award given by the Toastmasters in this province. Pg.

23 INSERTS Remington Tire Distributed in specified areas Premier Bill Vander Zalm was confronted by a barrage of protesters and media during the opening ceremony of the Okanagan Connector of the Coquihalla Highway, Monday. For more stories and photographs of the long awaited opening, turn to page three. Morning Star Photo by Dave Whitfield COQUIHALLA CONNECTOR foway Hig pein McGRATH MAY RUN FOR MAYOR Vernon Aid. Wayne McGrath is expected to announce Thursday that he will run for the position of mayor of the city. McGrath, who chairs the environment committee, said last week he was considering running for the top post in the Nov.

17 elections. He has scheduled a press conference for Thursday. The engineering consultant was elected to council during the last civic election on the Save Our Lakes slate. He will be challenging incumbent Mayor Anne Clarke. The nomination deadline for municipal elections is noon on Oct.

29. The premier said the 108 kilometre connector, highway 97C, will mean "great things for the Okanagan." In his speech at Merritt, which had a ring of electioneering to it, he said, "We are building highways to open up the country, and to make available opportunities for business and recreation in all areas of the province." Vander Zalm also alluded to the many detractors of the connector. "They said it's just another promise, it can't be done. "But we did it on time and within the budget," he said. "This, like every other promise, has been fulfilled." According to the premier, "It's more than a road, it's really a means of bringing further economic activity and diversity to the province." Rita Johnston, Minister of Transportation and Highways said, "This is a great day for the Ministry of Highways, it's a great day for all of British Columbia." Johnston called the connector the missing link that completes the circle route around the southern interior.

"It will provide a new and exciting travel route," she said. Johnston had high praise for her staff and the contractors who Continued on page 3. by Dave Whitfield Morning Star Writer On a day of great fanfare and ceremony, the long-awaited Coquihalla Connector was officially opened, Monday. Hundreds of people turned out on the cool, very windy, day for two official opening ceremonies, one in Merritt and the other in Peachland. Premier Bill Vander Zalm, Rita Johnston, Minister of Transportation and Highways, and various cabinet ministers, MLAs, mayors and representatives of business, tourism and industry from all over the province attended the festivities..