Message from Fairview Tech. to Media, 

and Vancouver Province article below.

[Message from Bernard KLatt to Media re: shutting down ftcnet.com]

> We heard today ftc is shutting down,

Valley Internet Providers Ltd. has acquired the FTCnet dial-up subscribers
from Fairview Tech Ctr Ltd.  Fairview Tech continues to operate as a PC
dealer and network VAR supplying PC systems, hardware, software, LAN's,
peripherals, upgrades, troubleshooting, supplies, etc.. in the Oliver and
Osoyoos area (since 1989).

> due largely to pressure from Sol Littman et al, and from B.C. Tel.

No, SWC, CJC, BnaiBrith, CAERS, whining and complaints were irrelevant.
If the complainants were at all serious, or thought they had a valid case,
they could have obtained a court injunction prohibiting the material in 
question from being posted on a website in the relevant jurisdiction.

There was no 'pressure' from BC Tel, but we were attempting to upgrade
our Internet connection and found that the new BC Tel contract had
language in it that required us to be financially and legally liable
for anything posted to the Internet by our subscribers.

The latest press statement from BC Tel essentially re-states the position
we've consistently maintained- that it is a matter for courts and/or
law-enforcement agencies to determine if material is legal or not.  I'm
certainly pleased that BC Tel did NOT set a harmful precedent by caving
in to the mendacious arguments of special interest pressure groups.

Another factor was the implied threat of commercial blackmail by
the local press against the main street business in Oliver that was 
renting space to us.  They weren't willing to undergo the same type
of media vilification that they'd seen directed against Fairview Tech.

We were also faced with the eventual neccessity of about a $20,000
capital equipment expenditure to support 56K digital modem access.
To date, VIP.net is the only ISP in the south Okanagan that has made
this investment.

> I understand your dialup customers will
> be taken on by vip, but what about your website customers.

The non-controversial web page clients are welcome at VIP, but the
others will be re-locating to other ISP's outside of Canada.

> Also, your reaction at being forced to close due to political pressure
> would be appreciated.

As mentioned above, 'political pressure' was only a minor consideration,
but it'll be interesting to see which groups try to claim credit for
our business decision.

Many Canadians have a very immature understanding of the right to free 
speech. They're all for free speech rights for ideas, opinions, viewpoints 
that they don't personally object to, but can't imagine why someone should 
be allowed to express something that they personally find outrageous,
obnoxious or objectionable.  This shallow thinking is also evidenced by 
recent statements by BC's Atty Genl. who wants to criminalize even the
mere possession of so-called 'hate' material.

I had to smile at the TV picture of Ujjal Dosanjh's buddy Allan Dutton 
proudly showing off a CD-ROM of Internet 'hate' material he's collected.
Does Allan Dutton realize the legislation his patron is calling for 
would criminalize the very activity he's been recently engaged in?


Bernard Klatt   Pres   Fairview Tech Ctr Ltd.

PS: The cartoon at http://www.ftcnet.com/~bwklatt/gmvs0328.htm is NOT to
    be reproduced, but you're welcome to peruse my personal collection of
    related material on that web page for background material.


[ARTICLE]

April 26 1998
Vancouver Province

                _Racist web site carrier shutting down_

GARY SYMONS,
Kelowna Daily Courier



OLIVER, B.C. (CP) - Oliver's unwanted reputation as the hate capital of
Canada' will end next week when Fairview Technology Centre shuts down as
an Internet provider. FTC has been targetted by human rights
organizations for providing internet access for racist and white
supremacist groups. Sol Littman of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre branded
Oliver the Hate Capital of Canada due to the company's internet service.

Owner Bernard Klatt argued he was only providing a service and not
advocating the views of his controversial clients. But Klatt's company
made Oliver the centre of a controversy over censorship on the Internet.

Now the company is closing its doors.

Klatt was not available for comment, but Dan Hidlebaugh of Valley
Internet Providers confirmed his company will be taking over Klatt's
dial-up customers on Monday. Hidlebaugh was quick to say his company
will not be providing internet access for any of Klatt's web site
customers.

"We're going to take over their customer base, but only dial-up
customers," said Hidlebaugh. "We're not taking their web sites (because)
I'm not interest in getting into that."

While Oliver town councillors were relieved Oliver will no longer be the
"hate capital", Councillors Bill Ross and Gordon Hahn defended Klatt.

"I would like to believe it was an issue of principle for Mr. Klatt,"
said Hahn. "It's always too bad when someone loses their business, but
as you say, maybe he took his chances and lost the poker game."

Ross agreed.

"Due to some strong principles he had, I guess he's out of business. I'm
pleased to hear the web sites are shut down, but it's unfortunate it
cost a man his business."

Ross said he believes the company's closure will end the negative
attention showered on Oliver.

"As long as there was something to be bantered about by the racists and
the anti-racists that tag would probably stick," Ross said. "But take
away the source of the controversy, and the controversy will end.

"And hopefully, it's the end of the hate capital of Canada."