Saturday, July 18, 1992 Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER Mum’s the word. Castlegar city council is no closer to releasing the results of a 1990 survey it commissioned to review its overall operations. And some people are cry- ing foul. The Coalition Unaccepting Rash Bureaucracy says the veil of secrecy around the $24,000 study is ridiculous. “It’s a typical city move,” says CURB president Michael O’Connor. “If @ Councillors says Price Waterhouse study shouldn’t be released they felt it was important enough to have done, with taxpayers’ money they should reveal what was in it. “That would go a long way to ex- plaining why they’re getting rid of all these people.” dential. I agree. Councillor Jim Chapman says the report should be kept private. “Council resolved it be kept confi- “I have to go along — I’m a team player. Unless I really disagree.” Chapman said. Coun. Lawrence Chernoff feels the report is a sensitive document. “The word I would use is that there's some private material in there that should not be released,” Chernoff says, “but it is a constructive document.” Former city councillor Albert Calderbank also said the report should not be published. “Everyone was interviewed, council, staff, everyone,” Calderbank said. “Let sleeping dogs lie,” Calderbank continued, “if (council) hadn't accepted it, I would be with you all the way. “It was money well spent, and I sup- pose in many ways it’s still being im- plemented,” Calderbank said. O’Connor says, “they don’t have to mention people’s names... but they can give you a general consensus of what was found. “That’s all they have to do.” Conroy says BCMA lost power struggle Glen Freeman NEWS REPORTER British Columbia doctors say mediation is the best med- icine in the Bill 71 dispute. But local MLA Ed Conroy feels the physicians may be suffering from hypochondria. As reported in the July 15 edition of The News, B.C. Med- ical Association President Steve Hardwicke wants medi- ator Vince Ready to settle dif- ferences between his organi- zation and the NDP govern- ment. “They just don’t get it,” Con- roy said of the BCMA. “You see, the door has never been closed to the doctors. If they actually sat down , negotiated and failed, I would say fine, let’s bring in Vince Ready, but they haven't negotiated.” Conroy said the BCMA is in a “struggle over power and money,” and suggested doctors are dodging fiscal responsibil- ity. “They’re saying ‘Tt’s not our fault if the medical services plan goes over budget, it’s the patients fault.’ “Well, there’s 20 to 30 per cent waste in the medical sys- tem and that is borne on not only the patients, not only the doctors, but on the entire sys- tem. “The BCMA wants the abil- ity to bill the medical services plan for whatever they want, and we're saying there’s a bud- get now. ‘I’m the first to admit we rushed (Bill 71) through the system,” Conroy continued. “But given the time frame we had to. work under, it would have cost the taxpayers of British Columbia $50 to $100 million extra to delay this bill.” Bill 71 limits B.C.’s medical spending to $1.27 billion this year, a figure which doctors say is only 2.7 per cent above last year’s budget and falls about $60 million short of what medicare requires to stay healthy. Saving Your Aging A Public Service Information Seminar by the Gimbel Eye Centre of Calgary Eyes @ Labor dispute could put, city revitalization project off until 1993 Neil Rachynski NEWS REPORTER The lights are on but no- body’s home. Talks between West Kootenay Power and the In- ternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers broke off Tuesday when the union asked the mediator to book out. IBEW spokesperson Mike Flynn says four issues in WEP’s latest offer made the union walk away. “The four points are pen- sions, wages, in-charge pre- miums and the payifferen- tial for people working on statutory holidays,” said. Mike Bradshaw, director of community and public affairs, says, “we're a little disappointed because we feel we put out a fair package.” West Kootenay Power set for strike action union was in a legal strike position. Bradshaw says this will not affect essential services, but adds, “anything over and above that is unrealistic.” This will have a direct im- pact on Castlegar’s Down- town Revitalization project. If WKP doesn't begin work on the underground power system by the first week of August, then the bulk of the revitalization projects will be put on hold until next year. Downtown Revitalization committee chair Jack Parkin says they'll do what work they can before winter. As far as the IBEW and WEP getting back to the ne- gotiating table, Flynn says the ball is in WKP’s court. “We had a good strong mandate, with 96 per cent of our members rejecting the of- fer, and we're following through on that mandate. Bradshaw says, “I don’t think it’s a matter of who has the ball but of both sides get- @ Only two locals oppose deal that could bring pulp strike to an end Scott David Harrison EDITOR Local 1 isn't alone. The first to reject Vince Ready’s list of nonbinding recommendations, Castlegar’s 325 members of the Pulp, Paper and Wood- workers of Cana- jection vote is that this offer is something the company began with,” the Quesnel spokesperson continued. “We've been out for four weeks already and we're not getting anything more offered to us than we've already had. We’re saying that we'll stay out for another four weeks if it means not accepting this offer.” The spokesperson added that there were several out- da were joined by Quesnel. Local 1115 of the Canadian Pulpworkers Union voted 53.6 per cent against ‘There are a lot of guys up here that are pretty angry. I imagine it’s the same in Castlegar.’ standing issues that the Quesnel employer had yet to agree to. “There are a — Quesnel spokesperson lot of guys up si _ _. here that are the proposal which could see the month-old strike come to an end. “Historically, we’ve never accepted a con- tract, so why start now,” a Local 1115 spokesperson said of the Wednesday vote. “We have always been running at full speed, so you might call us fat, and sassy.” Castlegar became the first workers to re- ject Vince Ready’s list when they axed it by a 77.2 per cent majority Tuesday night. As of Thursday afternoon only three of five union locals had accepted Ready’s pack- age — Prince George, Campbell River and Port Mellon — which calls for the continu- ance of all four statutory holidays and raises of $1.10 over two years. “What (Local 1115) is saying with this re- pretty angry,” the Local 1115 spokesperson continued. “I imagine it’s the same in Castlegar.” Despite opposition from CPU Local 1115 and PPWC Local 1, union executives are still predicting Ready’s package will pass. The Castlegar and Quesnel vote repre- sent just 625 of the 12,000 striking pulp workers. Acount on the province-wide vote was ex- pected to be announced Friday. The Pulp and Paper Industrial Relation Bureau was expected to announce whether it will agree to Ready’s recommendations on Friday as well. If union and management agree to the package, binding arbitration may be im- posed. Going to the lake? Don't forget the chicken & salads At Chicken Time 365-5304 2816 Columbia Ave. Province set to help young assault victims Glen Freeman NEWS REPORTER The sexual abuse of children is a terrible crime says B.C. Family Health director Dr. Terry Russell. And that’s why the government has designed a new program to assist victims. “This program is specifically for B.C. residents who say they Restaurant He'll Discover PEPPERCORN STEAK — 8 oz. New York coated in Crushed Black Peppercorns. Pan Fried then flamed in. brandy and served with a ; brandy sauce. $16.95 STUFFED TIGER PRAWNS DUCK —Boneless Breast of ; = — Black Tiger Prawns stuffed Duck. Coated in rolled oats, + . with Smoked Salmon M baked and served with -, and served with Permode Dill. Cranberry and Brandy sauces. Sauce. $17.95 $15.95 j @é ‘ FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: : / 365-2128 a 1810-8th Avenue, Castlegar a Pe ee ee eT? Seas ey st nnd mnie La were sexually abused as children while living in provincially op- Put Your e Can Surgery Eyes in Focus? A Public Service Information Seminar by the Gimbel Eye Centre of Calgary Eye surgery is not for everyone, but thousands of people are finding greater visual freedom through new surgical techniques for correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism. You are invited to learn about recent medical developments, including the latest laser surgeries, for reducing your dependency on glasses or contact lenses. This seminar is being presented by the Gimbel Eye Centre, one of Canada's leading facilities for the out-of-hospital surgical treatment of common vision problems. The seminar will include: @ Simple, easy to/understand explanations @ Take-home information materials @ Facts about new laser technology © Benefits of correction - career, sports, confidence © Question period Where and When: ¢ Thursday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. — Terra Nova Motor Inn, Trail Sunday, July 26, 7:30 p.m. — Slumber Lodge (Peebles Motor Inn), Nelson * Access from back parking lot For Seminar on "Saving Your Aging Eyes", see ad for presentation at 2 p.m. ale GIMBEL EYE CENTRE Ll Suite 450, 4935 - 40 peng Weal 1-800-661-1138 erated or funded residential facilities,” Russell said. “It’s a way of assuring that people who were sexually abused some years ago are able to receive counselling services today.” Russell said that once it is verified that a person requesting assistance did actually live in a provincial facility, they will re- ceive help. “We don’t want to prove that they did or didn’t get assaulted,” he said. “If they want counselling they'll get it.” Under the program, victims of assault will be matched én] f a local counselor with the province picking up the tab. 3026 Russell insists that children living in provincial facilities Hwy. 3 were not more susceptible to assault than other kids, but ad- Slocan Park mitted there is a concern. 226-7216 . “The problem of sexual abuse has been with us for genera- tions,” he said. And governments are finding out that there are people who do not have access to services who not only want them but need them. We are giving to them.” Local RCMP Const. Jenny Latham thinks it’s about time. - “This is definitely a good idea,” Latham said. “Any assistance’ at any level is a great service.” And Latham feels assistance is especially needed at this lev- As of Friday afternoon the _ ting on the playing field.” Since your eyesight is so important to your life, you are invited to attend a presentation Castlegar Savings Credit'Union offers competitive rates on Term Deposits. You can invest from 30 days up to 5 years depending “All of the sexual assaults I’ve worked on in the past three years have been old assaults,” she said, adding that a large pamber of childhood victims who are now adults are coming for- ward. : “They need assistance. I think this program will get a very good response.” Russell said that those who wish further information or want to apply for the service should call 1-800-842-8467. seminar is being presented by the Gimbel Eye Centre, one of Canada’s leading facilities @ Simple, easy to understand explanations 601 C5 365-3368 i 2) @ New technology, lasers and treatments ¢ Thursday, July 23, 2 p.m. — Terra Nova Motor Inn, Trail PAYMENTS YOU CAN OWN YOUR OWN HOME! BELAIRE MOBILE HOMES Calgary, Alberta on Preserving and Restoring Sight in Aging Eyes. Learn to detect symptoms which may indicate problems. Find out how recent medical developments can help you. This for the out-of-hospital surgical treatment of common vision problems. on your ekcubpakances = The seminar will include: CASTLEGAR SAVINGS CREDIT UNION @ Take-home information materials Gon @ Advice on saving your vision ~ © Question period Wh +? ren Where and When: bf Bee an WITH 5% DOWN AND EASY MONTHLY © Sunday, July 26, 2 p.m. — Slumber Lodge (Peebles Motor Inn), Nelson , * Access from back parking lot We have a good selection of new and used mobile homes. el. Pads available in family and adult parks. GIMBEL EYE CENTRE Suite 450, 4935-- 40 Avenue N.W. 1525 Columbia Ave., Castlegar - 365-8077 WE "SELL, BUY OR TRADE" 1-800-661-1138