In 1971, the Tribune’s editorial staff was the editor, sports editor/darkroom person, and me, part time community editor.
Clive Stangoe was the publisher and usually wrote the editorials. He insisted the women staff wear skirts/dresses, no pants.
I took issue with this. When I asked why I couldn’t wear a pant suit, he said because he didn’t like them.
He eventually gave in, but he was grumpy about it.
The late Audrey Maclise was advertising manager at the time. Knowing we were both a tad strong-minded, a couple of people actually made bets as to how long I’d last.
As it happened, Audrey and I ended up being good friends.
Which brings me to another issue. Affordable housing is, and always has been, in short supply in this city. It’s bad enough driving by the boarded up Slumberlodge, which is privately owned, but what about the Cariboo Lodge building?
The city owns it.
Without Audrey to prod them, are councillors going to let it take up that space forever?
***
Former premier Bill Vander Zalm is in the news again. This time he’s on the prod over chemtrails.
I like him. A lot of people don’t. His policies in government hurt a lot of people, and I certainly sympathize with them, but just because you disagree with a person’s politics (or whatever) doesn’t mean you can’t like the person. I’m hardly a buddy but I interviewed Mr. VDZ a few times when he was in politics, and a year or so ago he was guest of honour and volunteer auctioneer at a fundraiser where GD#4 and her band were entertaining.
When he learned Granny was in the audience he invited me to sit at the VIP table near the stage where he and his wife treated me like an old friend. Have to say it was fun.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.