A14 THE FREE PRESS ISSUES OCTOBER 31, 1996 ▼ From Front CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE TALK: Fetterly thinks experiences might help The 43-year-old surprise candidate actually sees his past as representing a big part of what ails the Spruce Capital and one thing he would endeavor to change if he were elected mayor. “I’ve been in Prince George since 1958. I’ve lived most of my life here and 1 guess I’m also a perfect example of some of the social issues facing Prince George.” The B.C. Rail employee knows he’s rough around the edges, but he’s clear on why he’s running. “1 want to make the quality of life better for the average man trying to raise a family; not tax him so bad that he doesn’t have any money left in his pockets. So that he has some money to spend on what he wants to rather than what he’s told he has to. If you can leave money in their pockets, the quality of their lives will go up.” Fetterly But, it’s not necessarily taxation that he sees as the biggest problem facing Prince George; it’s the social issues, whether it’s crime, poverty, affordable housing or the like. “But, that too is a dicey situation. I mean, how far does the city get involved with the social problems. 1 don’t have all the answers to all the questions, but I have an open mind and am willing to listen to any suggestions.” His criminal record dates back to 1972, when he was 19-years-old and facing a marijuana possession charge for which he paid a $50 fine. He faced the same charge in March 1973 for which he was fined $50, again in May 1973 for which he was fined $300, in November of that same year for which he was sentenced to 30 days in jail, and in February 1981 for which he was fined $75. In 1982, he was charged with common assault and ordered to pay $250. He explains this as a matter of “sticking his nose in where it shouldn’t have been.” “My leg was in a cast. Some big guy was beating another guy, so 1 went over and whacked [the big guy] in the head with my knee and later was chain whipped in the Inn of the North Bam for it,” he explains. Mr. Fetterly was also Public has to decide which private matters are relevant A University of Northern B.C. expert in politics and the media says how the media handles controversy is very much a cultural indicator. “It’s often a question of whether it’s the whole person who is being elected to represent local government or the public person,” says Ed Black. “In British politics, the personal life is untouchable. But in American media, anything goes. And our media tends to follow suit with American culture.” In British Columbian politics, says Dr. Black, there hasn’t been much controversial dirt to toss around, so the local voting public’s attitude is relatively unknown. In the case of mayoral candidate Eugene Fetterly’s crim- inal record, Dr. Black calls it irrelevant to the matters at hand. “I am prepared to say, personally, that it doesn’t appear to be relevant to his fitness to hold public office. However, others would argue with me, saying it appears to be an example of his judgment skills, or lack thereof.” What the voter has to do, to be fair, is to weigh all the points of his character - for better or for worse. For Mr. Fetterly’s competitors, it’s not an issue that should make any difference whatsoever in the mayoral race. “I think once a person enters the candidacy race, their private lives become public. I think this exposes the need for a broad range of backgrounds. It’s a matter of charged on three separate occasions - in 1983,1987 and 1989 - with impaired driving. He was handed a $450 fine, a $50 fine and a six-month driving prohibition, and 14 days in jail with a six-month driving prohibition, respectively. ISRAEL, FUTURE CENTRE OF WORLD GOVERNMENT Speaker: Paul Billington Sunday, November 3rd 7 pm College of New Caledonia Room 2-243 Everyone Welcome!______________________ public record and it’s fair comment,” says mayoral candidate Tom Steadman. Candidate Colin Kinsley’s response is somewhat more pragmatic: “The Municipal Act allows for a person to run for an elected position, except if they’re currently serving time for an offence. So, I feel that he’s served his time and has the right to run for mayor.” Lastly, Don Bassermann takes the high road on the matters, saying he has no interest whatsoever in his competitors’ pasts. “I am concentrating on my campaign, on what Don Bassermann stands for and have no interest in the past histories of my competitors. That’s the stand 1 will continue to take throughout this campaign.” TRUE FRIENDSHIP Where is it to be found? Studies in sociology and psychology show us that genuine acceptance, unconditional love, and empathy arc the three most basic ingredients for building lasting friendships. Bibliology confirms this perspective too and takes it one step further by explaining that God also wants to be our friend so much that He allowed His innocent Son lo be sacrificed in our place on the cross so that we could come into a living Iricndship-relalionship with God. This is the good news of the gospel! Having God as your personal friend can make all the difference in the world, and in the world to come. Do you know God as your best friend? All it lakes is a heart of faith to ask God in and soon you will begin to see for yourself the quality of friend God truly is. For Cornerstone, I'm Pastor Dean Crandall. A Renewal Centre 3400 Hart Highway 962-2993 Sunday Services..................10:00am Friday Renewal Meetings..........7:15pm Special Speakers & Ministry Teams Faith Alive and East Gale Fellowships Freewill Offerings will be taken. Everyone is Welcome Come and be touched by Jesus! Colovsian.s 3:10 ...and have pul on Ihe new nature, which is Itcing renewed in knowledge after Ihe imugc of its erealor. ^Celebrating Jest SATURDA' Concurrent Yo 191 FULL GOSPEL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP ■ 2055 20th Avenue Ph. 563-1003 where your need is our concern For Advertising consi and service call Carmen a Cornerstone Christian Fellowship I Sunday School 9:30 a.m. | Morning Worship 11a.m. Cedars Christian School 701 N. Nechako Rd. For more information, call 562-4380 ^ Heritage Free Presbyterian Church 4020 Balsum Rd. (behind Hart Shopping Mall) Sunday services Sunday school - 10:00 am Morning service - 11 :(K) am Evening service - 6:30 pm 963-8897 ption 564-0005 Super Introductory Specials! $30,000 Prize Draw! 1915 Victoria Street 562-6663 Say Goodbye To Thunderbird Home Centres, Say Hello To: