of 55.4 full time equivalent (FTE) students to the district is nothing to sneeze at. A recalculation of funding by this year, the district will be richer by $165,000-$192,500— retary Treasurer John Dascher said in essence the money has already been spent on teaching and support staff needed for the extra students. Although 20 of the 55 students are those enrolled in the Pathfind- ers Program, and therefore not a surprise to the district, the other 35 are a definite surprise: Dascher Wednesday, October 19, 1994 said he can only speculate at the teason for the increase. “Tt appears as if enrollment in the Kootenays is on the increase. More people are moving from the Mainland. The quality of life is definitely better. Everybody wants to live in the Kootenays.” Even though enrollment is increasing, Dascher said the dis- trict will be able to house any future increase. “That wouldn't be a problem. There are empty classrooms in Blueberry Creek School and some of our other schools are closed in the district.” Wednesday, October 19, 1994 The Castlegar Sun Regional research takes flight SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor ‘A ketter from RDCK Area J Director Ken Wyl- to their health status, would mean they would have to move to another long term care facility in the Fearing that another move could result in the death of their loved one, or at least make visit- ing sporadic or impossible for some, the family members met which will then be refunded through the Ministry of Health. But Castlegar and District Hospital Administrator Ken to The decision to let the resi- dents remain in the facility is part of a strategy under the New at Mountain View Lodge have been spared another move, Con- roy said specifics need to be worked out before the concept is fully implemented throughout the ince. lie req that the board also consider approaching the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to inquire as to whether it is prepared to participate in a study to determine if joint- jonal hip and of the air- port is a viable option. “fin making the announcement of new: policy] the federal government has already acted unilaterally. As far as I'm d, there was no tation with pal or regional gi levels at all.” Wyllie stressed that it is important that the RDCK prepare itself by ing its own i i garding the terms and ions of airport owner- ship. More direction on the airport issue is also being requested from the federal government. In a major airport policy released late this sum- mer, the federal government announced it would like to release ownership of smaller airports, such as the one in Castlegar. Municipal or regional governments were listed as possible new owners, as well as the private sector. Kootenay. At least that is what MLA Gordon Wilson, ive Democratic Alliance that if the community is complacent, it will be lucky to receive the $60 million he estimates will be returned. uled to discuss Columbia River Treaty down- Wilson.chides-residents about treaty stream benefits will occur November 3-5. Wilson said that the $250 million paid in 1995 and the $100 million received annually thereafter is not the best deal, and that the $6 billion_package will probably be reduced to a $2.4 billion package. “In 2024 (when full entitlement returns) we will look like chumps. My guess is that they are wrong about the energy supply. In Washington and Ore- gon a cartel is developing to regulate the supply to the greatest demand.” In other words, the price for power is artificially high, and the cartel will elimi- nate the advantage hydro currently has, Wilson said. “The Americans will generate hydro electric- ity energy needed by a number of other methods.” Wilson suggested that the $250 million is “peanuts to a debt of $28 million” owed to this area due to lost land, resources and recreational values. “This region needs a sum of money to Kootenay briefs ——— More violence Cranbrook RCMP Staff berly by, ap J youth earlier fis tater pled with recent reports from school officials that violence is “going on more and more”. impaired Trail RCMP were busy over the Thanksgiving weekend with impaired drivers. Four drivers were stopped after RCMP determined that they had been operating vehicles while impaired. Run over A 30-year-old Canmore, Alberta man, Lawrence Martin O’Brien died last week near Fernie. O'Brien was changing a tire near Galloway, B.C. when he was struck just before mid- night by a passing vehicle. The vehicle didn’t stop at the time of the accident, however, police say it has been located and charges will be laid. Spittin’ mad A 17-year-old youth, of no fixed address, has been charged with assault and causing a disturbance after he became verbally abusive and spit in a downtown Nel- son store Thanksgiving weekend. He will appear in court in December to answer to charges Sooooorrry! Three 12-year-old New Den- ver boys have written a letter of apology to their local fire chief. It seems the boys were experimenting with matches they had just bought at a local store and caught some grass on fire Trial begins The trial of Robert Andrew Robertson, 21, of Salmo for recklessly throwing solvent on a fire and burning seven people three years ago at a party, began in Nelson last week. One witness told the court that the accused was walking around after the incident saying he was sorry and explaining that he never meant to splash solvent on one of the victims. All seven were hospitalized in April of 1991 after the inci- dent. If convicted Robertson could face up to 10 years help with health, highways, bridges, diversification and to access minerals in a benign way.” Continued from 1A faster than ifs transportation structure.” “Until a firm plan is im place, you may have to say “no” to some developers,” said Barcham. “Fat chance,” answered O’Connor. inistry there are 17,000 traffic. Another reason, explained ministry officials, to start working on a street networking plan. As for the possibility of a new pass, Bar- cham said a preliminary design was approved close to four years ago, though both the design and the funding for construction are now sitting at the political level. Barcham suggested to council that it pass a ion of council’ requesting by letter to Pp each day, though 90 per cent of them are due to local the provincial g that the project be com- pleted as soon as possible. West Kootenay is one step Closer to Home region in B.C_ to select its full complement Sun Staff The West Kootenay is one step Closer to of the West Kootenay-Bound- ary Regional Health Board and the five health councils are imp i board are John Anderson, Jean Brunner, Mark Dachn, Anne Jones, Mickey Kimakin, Ellen Kinsel, Laurie Morgan, Margaret Nickle, Marylynn Rakuson, The 15 members of the West Koote- nay-Boundary Regional Health board will be mposed of two bers cach of the five community health councils d, Stan Rusch, Janet Saare, Marion Saffran, Phyllis Stone and Debby Zeeben. The five community Health Councils designated are: Castle- gar and District; Greater Trail; Bound- ary; Arrow Lakes/Upper Slocan Valley; and Nelson and area. Anne Jones, the chair of the now dis- Castlegar Health Council is designated, the work has just begun. “There will be a lot of preliminary work to be done. Nobody should expect dramatic changes for a long time. This won’t change the health care system overnight.” Other Castlegar Health Council mem- bers include Cathy Lafortune, Robert Jack- son, Mickey Kinakin, Brenda Binnie, John Voykin, Nettie Stoopnikoff, Polly Cheroff and Jim In total there will be about 20 regional and five individuals appointed by the banded Minister of Health. Members of the West K B 4 R Community gional Health Health Council. Jones said now that the health boards designated in B.C. by the end of this year, and 85 community health councils by April of 1995. Hearing set A preliminary hearing has been set for a Dean Christo- pher Roberts, of Cranbrook who is accused of murder- ing his wife and twin baby sons. Roberts, 25, will appear in provincial court February 17 when it will be determined if there is enough’evidence against him to hold a trial. His wife was murdered in their Cran- brook townhouse July 18 while his 13-month-old son Josiah was found murdered two day later near and aban- doned city landfill. His twin David died a short time later in a Vancouver hospital. Break and enter Kokanee Park Marine on Highway 3A near Nelson's North Shore was broken into October 12. A substantial amount of cigarettes, liquor and food valued at $1,500 were taken after entry was gained through a bathroom wall. RCMP are investigat- ing the incident. Fatherly advice? Mine eyes have seen n man ask, “Who’s really in the dark?” SHARLENEIMHOFF Sun Editor ——_ } Caregivers of near-blind When Health Minister Paul Ramsey arrived in Castlegar to enlighten residents about funding for new projects in the West Kootenay Health Region, he likely didn't expect to looking for the light. meet a certain blind man — also Keith Fitzp a 35-y Id y Creek resident, listened politely as Ramsey concluded his speech touting the Closer to Home d to wait while then flanked the min- ister, spewing question after question about this latest funding Then, as a arm in an effort to get him out of the building, after all, time was a- waisting, Norma Collier, an advo- cate for the near-blind Fitzpatrick, made her move. With Fitzpatrick silently stand- ing in the background, Collier reminded the minister that her client and friend will likely be completely blind in less than a year if he continues to sit on a waiting- list for the operation that he needs. Fitzpatrick, who has resided with the same family for four years in the small community just south *s aid urgently tugged at Ramsey's ‘1 would like to put a blindfold or a sheet of plastic over [Ramsey’s] eyes and tell him to get around.’ — LINDA FLOYD Caregiver of Castlegar, has Keratoconus, a serious medical condition affecting the cornea which rapidly progresses, Downs Syndrome eventually causing blindness. The disease is drome. often associated with Downsyn- “We don’t want him to be blind before he gets help,” said Linda Floyd, who, along with her husban d and three children, care for Fitz- patrick. “He doesn’t understand that he’s losing his sight, he’s just very frustrated.” Although afflicted with the disease for four years, Fitzpatrick is not : fi an y case, and has been sitting on the same waiting-list for two years. For various reasons, mainly due to a lack in provincial funding, Fitzpatrick continues to be bumped. Frus- trated and now downright angry, Floyd is not sure how much longer he can wait. His eyesight has dete: riorated at a faster speed this past summer. As a result, Fitzpatrick can barely see six-feet in front of him. “We've had to take him off longer see what he's doing. We hav: ings just to prevent an accident.” of certain jobs because he can no e to keep him in familiar surround- Ramsey is well aware of Fitzpatrick’s case, having received letters from advocate Norma Collier and from Floyd herself. Unfortunately, this most recent meeting only resulted in Fitzpatrick receiving sympa- thy from the Mnister. “I would like to put a blindfold or a sheet of plastic over (Ram- sey’s] eyes and tell him to get ar happen,” said Floyd. ound. Maybe-then something will ‘ Page 3A a . ae othing Te Near-blind Keith Fitzpatrick (far left) Minister Paul Ramsey about the lack i tion he needs to keep his sight. listens intently a8 an advocate on his behalf, Norma Collier, questions Health in funding and interest that has prevented Fitzpatrick from receiving the opera- SUN STAFF PHOTO / Sharlene Imhoff Celgar property. RCMP in Castlegar have so far recov- ered more than $4,000 in Sears merchan- dise, stolen from a boxcar parked on The boxcar itself wasjotigiaally bound for Regina, Saskatchewan, but was hooked up site instead. weekend. to the wrong unit and ended up at the mill Corporal Al Hudema confirmed that the seal to the car was broken and cul- ptit(g) entered the car sometime over the Police look to mill employees in search for stolen Sears merchandise — Hudema also said that the investigation at this time is pointing to employees at the mill, “That's the way things are looking at this time.” thus *far are Persian rugs and KAREN Pope & Talbot sympathy strike? Although local has agreed to contract terms, others across the province have not Sun staff Even though members of TWA Local 1-405 at is an obvious indication of the members’ discon- tent with the contract package “It was close; a lot of people aren't really satis- fied [with the contract terms]. There were a whole Pope & Talbot in Castlegar voted in favor of ratifying their contract, it doesn’t mean a strike still can't occur here if other local across the province reject it. Second Vice-President of Local 1-405, Tony Ferreira, said members voted October 16 with 55.4 per cent in favor of accepting the contract, which is only slightly over the 50 per cent plus-one quired. The low p plaii Ferreira, bunch of issues not addressed and will come back in 1997 [when the contract expires].” Even though Local 1-405 has voted in favor of the contract, other mills in the B.C. Interior have yet to do so. Ferreira said the official outcome of those votes won't be forthcoming until “at least” October 2A. If those mills vote to reject contract offers, [Pope & Talbot) could strike in support of other locals. = Disaster m Continued from 1A ing the distribution of food, since that person already has the knowledge regarding mass food Castlegar and area residents who are interested in volunteering for these positions should also ize that the positi McIntosh is also urging local clubs to get involved, as well as local churches, schools, the arelong- K y C bia Child Care Computer equipment targeted in weekend office break-in ae preparation. Likewise, a person involved in hotel management would be best equipped to volun- teer their talents in lodging vic- tims of a disaster. “One of the purposes of a dis- aster plan is to have victims returned to as normal a way of life within 72-hours if possible.” @ Free term, since the plan and its people must be able to jolt into action as soon as ired. “Yes, it does involved a great deal of commitment. But this is important, and the more people we have involved, the easier it will be not only to establish the plan, but to keep it in place.” Society and the Salvation Army among others. If you think you could vol- unteer your services should a disaster strike this area, call Deb McIntosh at 365-8215 or Nola Partington at the Minister of Social Services office at 365-8544. Continued from 1A Walter Perepelkin, a resident of of thanks. New Settlement joined hands at the Y of two roads and said a prayer “Everybody was happy to see us. We went into a Constable Mark Williams investigates the break-in for 17 years, and one of the arrested blockaders, said the homecoming at 1 a.m. October 15 was heart- warming. Driven by a chartered bus to New Settle- ment, the protestors were greeted by other members of the community as well as a large welcome home circle and started saying a prayer and afterwards mingled with the rest of the families.” While imprisoned in a minimum security correc- tional centre in Kamloops, Perepelkin said he and the other prisoners were treated with kindness and at Dr. Margaret Salmon’s office. Office equipment was the target. Castlegar RCMP say a recent made off with a computer, Charbonneau plans personal look at Twin Rivers School KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff Minister of Education Art Charbonneau will see firsthand the dilapidated condition of Twin Rivers School when he visits Castlegar on October 20. Last spring, after being refused $4.1 million by the ministry to build a new elementary school, school board trustees requested that government agencies assess the health of the 45-year-old structure. Inspections by health, fire and other officials this summer found several deficiencies or possible hazards and made rec- ommendations to School Dis- trict No. 9. After receiving the reports, board trustees sent a letter to the minister outlining their concerns along with a copy of the reports, requesting that the minister con- sider the replacement of Twin Rivers Elementary School as a high priority. Board Chair Joanne Baker is glad Charbonneau will be view- ing Twin Rivers Elementary, but wishes he could have visited it before recent repairs. “We're hopeful he will see what we mean about the condi- tion of the school. We've. paint- ed it and fixed it up a bit, he should have come earlier.” Charbonneau will also be visiting Kinnaird Middle Showing appreciation to those who care is more than an annual event A 32-year-old woman told break-in at’ Dr School and mecting with rep- Working quietly behind the scene, care- givers are an overlooked, but essential thread of community fabric. Their care allows Sivideais t0 maintain @ dignity and be able to remain in their staff. board homes longer than would have been possi- ble without their help. have helped the agency provide quality ageacy Laura Williams, said voluntecrs are integral, and should be commended for their many hours they willingly give to those who need care. They're a critical component of the health care system.” hosted Castlegar and District Home Supp knows how cgi are and is those who “Sharing in the Care™, the theme of Community Care Week “94 reflects local trends in health care reform which call for the establishment of Community Health Councils and Regional Health Boards. Under this directive caregivers, agencies and facilities will work in tandem in pro- viding services to those in need of care. Community Care Week is organized by four major health care associations: BC Association of Community Care (BCACC), BC Health Association (BCHA), BC Association of Private Care (BC Pricare) and Caregivers Association of BC (CABC). B.C. Supreme Court in Cran- brook last week that her father told her that fathers should teach their daughters about sex. The woman said her father told her this when she was being sexually molested by her father between 1970 and 1979. sign strung from nearby trees. After leaving the bus the released protestors understanding “They were good to us.” Twenty-year-old Adam Pruss has been charged with failing to keep to the right after he rolled the vehicle he was driving early October 16. Pruss was travelling on Ootischenia Road around 5:30 a.m. when the 1990 Jeep he was driving left‘the road, travelled into the ditch and Driver charged in weekend accident overturned Although Pruss suffered no injuries his vehicle wasn't as lucky. Damage to the Jeep has been estimated at $2,000 Margaret Salmon’s office on Columbia Avenue could have been avoided. “It’s not alarmed. [The cul- prit(s)] knew what they were going for,” said RCMP Consta- ble Mark Williams. Thieves gained entry to Salmon’s office by smashing a back glass door sometime between 9 a.m. October 16 and 8:30 am. October 17 and then printer and fax machine valued at around $7,000, a cash box containing about $200, and about $100 of Visa and Master card receipts. Williams warns business owners that their place of busi- ness should have an alarm, or items should be placed where they can’t be stolen. RCMP are still investigating resentatives of the The Castle- gar and District Teacher's Association (CDTA) and CUPE. Even though the building ts in dire need of replacement, School District No. 9 Board Chair Joanne Baker assures that students aren’t in jeopardy