A6 www.wltribune.com
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Williams Lake Tribune
VIEWPOINTS
• Publisher/Sales Mgr. Lisa Bowering • Editor Erin Hitchcock 250-392-2331 ext 243 editor@wltribune.com Free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad. - Albert Camus
Seems more like theft, to me
Helping kids with emotions
D#6 has her “L” driver’s license. She is taking driving lessons, but my job is to take her on the trials runs. She actually does very well. I am the problem. This is not a new game for me. I rode shotgun (many years ago) for all our sons when they were in the learning driver stage. They didn’t complain when I “put on” imaginary brakes (I think my right leg is still stiff) but they were upset when I gasped. M y French n e r v e s Connection w e r e Diana French younger then. I try very hard not to give GD advice, that’s a professional instructor’s job, and I don’t gasp, but I do find myself gripping the door every time we go around a corner. *** While our attention has been on the provincial election, the Harper government has been up to some sleazies. While Defense Minister Peter MacKay is spending “mazillions” of dollars on war machines, travel, whatever he pleases, veterans of the war in Afghanistan are having to sue the government to get a just settlement for their warinflicted injuries. Then there are the three senators who collected thousands of dollars for living expenses they weren’t entitled to. Wouldn’t that be theft for anyone else? Or doesn’t it count if it’s just taxpayers being diddled? True, the trio have to pay the money back, but Mike Duffy seems to think he’s a hero because he did it voluntarily. Wow. *** This could be the last summer in B.C. for the Mars water bombers. The huge aircraft have been putting out wildfires in this province for 53 years, but according to reports from Victoria news media, because the historic aircraft also have contracts in the U.S., the provincial government decided they need a more consistent service to supplement our fire fighting. Let’s hope this won’t be a case of not knowing what we’ve got ‘til it’s gone. Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.
am lucky to have two sisters that I am close with. However, close doesn’t always mean we see eye to eye. Last week my sister and I were disagreeing about politics. I was so upset I couldn’t even finish the disagreement. Later that night I called my sister back and told her how surprised I was that I was unable to talk while feeling so upset. I see similar reactions in my young children, aged three and six, when they are fighting. The six-year old is taller and thinks faster than her younger brother. When they are fighting over a toy she can get her own way by putting it out of his reach. My three-year old’s response is to either hit his sister or start screaming. I catch myself telling them to “use your words” but the reminder on its own doesn’t actually help them to do so. When emotions run high communication is difficult — for both children and adults. When parents teach their children the language and skills to manage emotions, children grow into individuals who have better relationships at school, at home and at work. Here are a few tips to help your children communicate about emotions: Help toddlers learn the names of emotions (happy, sad, mad, tired, and scared). Talk about your own emotions and the emotions of characters in books and on TV. Help children learn to regulate their own emotions. Show them how to take a few moments to breathe when emotions run high and how to come back when they are feeling calmer. Give children the words instead of telling them to “use your words.” For example, you can say “Scott tell Suzie how you feel. Say ‘when you put the bear where I can’t reach it I feel mad. I want a turn.’” Teach your children simple phrases that help them talk about emotions. For example “I don’t like that” and “please do something different” are very useful during conflict. Older pre-schoolers and elementary school age children are very capable of explaining their feelings with the formula of “when you ‘blank’ I feel blank.’” Calmly coaching children to communicate in times of high emotion and modelling these skills yourself can help children become successful communicators. Julie Lewis is a registered speechlanguage pathologist with Interior Health.
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Our Viewpoint
No excuse not to vote If the last time British Columbian voters went to the polls is any indication, you’re just as likely not to cast a ballot in today’s provincial election as you are to mark your X. In 2009 just 50 per cent of eligible voters in the province turned out at the polls to make their voice heard. In fact, voter turnout has been declining steadily since 1983, when 70 per cent of eligible voters in B.C. exercised their franchise. It’s not like voting is hard work. Short of knocking on your front door and sticking a ballot under your nose, Elections BC has made it increasingly easier and more convenient for residents to vote. Advance polls were open in and around Williams Lake from Wednesday until Saturday. Voters could also cast their ballot at their nearest electoral office.
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This Williams Lake Tribune is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bc.presscouncil.org All material contained in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is expressly prohibited by the rights holder. Publication Mail Registration No. 01990578. Annual Tribune Mail Subscription within Canada $78.75 includes tax.
It was even possible to vote by mail. Residents who won’t be in their electoral district on voting day can vote in any other riding in the province. And while Elections BC has studied the viability of online voting, there’s no guarantee that would increase voter participation in the province. In Markham, Ontario, where residents have been allowed to vote online in the past three municipal elections, participation didn’t increase. But, it also didn’t decline. So really, there’s no excuse not to vote. Today, May 4 there are polling stations open in every riding in the province, including Cariboo-Chilcotin and Cariboo North, and they’re open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Make sure to do your part today and mark your X. - Black Press
Lisa Bowering Publisher/Sales Mgr.
Gaeil Farrar Acting Editor
Gaylene Desautels Sherry Parker Ad Control/Production Circulation
Advertising Representatives: Brenda Webster, Lori Macala and Lauren Phillips. Ad Design: Leigh Logan, Sherri Jaeger, Mary Langstrom, Anne Blake. Staff Reporters: Gaeil Farrar (Community Editor), Greg Sabatino (Sports Editor) and Monica Lamb-Yorski. Tribune Correspondents: Veera Bonner (Big Creek), June Bliss (Alexis Creek), Linda-Lou Howarth (Riske Creek), Rosi Hartmann (Rose Lake/Miocene), Rhonda Kolcun (McLeese Lake), Bruce MacLeod (Horsefly). Tribune Contributors: Diana French, Liz Twan.