@ Revitalization

Continued from 1A
Downtown merchants opted for
. the ‘Fast-Track Cadillac’, as quick
‘results were of great importance.
“Start as soon as possible—
start omar laughed one busi-

Work i is scheduled to begin in
, 1992.
: Wider sidewalks, improved
arking, streetlights, benches and
ees will be some of the major
‘components of revitalization.
“Parking and trees are a big
issue,” Williams said. “And our
buildings should fit together and
look as best as they can—we'll
have a facade theme.
“Our theme is Clean and
Green,” he said.
However, there will be no
requirement to do a facade unless
exterior improvements are being
“done on a building. Any mer-
‘chants carrying out exterior
improvements would have to fol-
low the facade guidelines, which
will be fairly flexible, according to

SHARLENE ‘MHOFF
Sun Editor” atte

Castlegars: hospital! ‘is folldw- |
ing the lead of larger hospitals ;
across the province by working :
towards a policy to become com- |

pletely smoke-free.

The idea'sits well with the-hos- :

pital board, which passed a final
motion in November allowing the

next logical step to occur—estab- :
lishing a policy. If the process -
goes as well as the board hopes, :
the non-smoking policy will be in!

place by March 1.

The board has cited a number 5
of reasons why it is pursuingthe |
idea of creating a smoke-free |
environment in the hospital; One :

of these includes messages from
the Office of Health Promotion, a

branch of the Ministry of scl .

in Victoria.

“A smoke-free hospital is
something the board has been‘dis-
cussing for a number of years.
Now, the Ministry of Health is
stating (o us that as health:¢
facilities, it is imp that 4v

this hazard,”
inistrator Ken

“A smoke-free
hospital'‘is some-
thing the board
has been dis-
cussing for a num-
ber of years. "

— Ken Talarico.
‘ Hospital administrator.

Talarico, “The Ministry is defi-
nitely encouraging each hospital
to at least establish a smoking
policy and to ensure that it is reg-
ularly revi d and f""

-KEN TALARICO
Currently, patients in the hospi-
tal and the staff who work there are
allowed to smoke in various desig-
nated areas. These areas, including
two patient areas and one area for
staff on the main floor, are used

Talarico has already started. to
form a commiltee of various hos-
pital

by yk
Board chairperson Bill Hor-
vath hopes the transition to a

‘ives; i

and Ik from
both

implement smoke-free policies, in

= Funding

and union staff,

will be a
pa one, although admits he is
expecting to receive some grum-

o'

It might not ‘tbe ‘chsy''to
enforce, but people hava to real-
ize how important it” is; One

smoker can affect the health of §

another patient,” Horvath said,
The Pommittee, headed: by

Wednesday, December 4, 1991

‘The Castlegar Sun

costes ar Women‘ ‘Ss Association inviting public |

SHARLENE IMHOFF
Sun Editor

The Castlegar Women's Asso-

ciation is inviting the general '

Public to Participate i in-a brief

Tularico, will not only a
policy, it will also look at ‘ways to

* compensate smokers.

. “Some hospitals have estab-

lished a smoking area’ outside of Be

the hospital. ‘That might'"be some-
thing we'll have to “consider,”
continued Horvath.
Mountainview Lodge, the hos-
pital’s new extended care wing,
has one smoking area designated
for residents. According to’both
Talarico and Horvath, this-area
will not change, and Mountain-
view Lodge will not be affected or
included in the hospital's policy.
“The residents at Mountain-
view Lodge will be excluded
from the non-smoking policy,
This is a totally different: situa-
tion, the extended/intermediate
care facility are the resident's
home,” Talarico finished.

Continued from 1A-: +
tion house. However due to a lack
of public transportation between
Castlegar and Trail, there is often
a lag between the time a woman
decides to move out of an abusive
situation and when she can actual-

ly secure a place in a safe envi-
ronment,

Money from the grant will also
be d towards

ly new to C: and
will be celebrating their first
birthday this March..Needless to
say, the or; ion has been

a support group for women in
Castlegar.
The Women’s Association is

struggling in Castlegar, but perse-
verance has paid off. Local resi-
dents are coming to realize what

the A is all about.

“We're finding out there are
people in this community who are
interested in what we are trying to
accomplish and willing to become
volunteers. We plan on making
the most of this.”

= Standstill..

Continued from 1A.

“Basically, the Children’s
Centre will be a community
family centre once it is complets
ed,” Conroy said.

Still, the KCCCS hasn‘t given
up hope. And are now activély
secking corporate sponsorship

by sending out proposals to sur-
rounding businesses. The Soci-
ety also needs smaller individual
donations to help get construc-
tion back on its fect.

“We've been receiving help
from service clubs in town, such
as the Selkirk Lons club and the

Williams.

Williams took time to discuss
what other communities have
gained from downtown revitaliza-
tion,

“We have received a lot of pos-
itive feedback from others who
have enjoyed increased business
and employment,” Williams said.
“There have been some very high
profile successes in B.C.—towns
have gone from industry-based to
tourism.

“The cities of Rossland and
Revelstoke are both pleased and
going ahead with additional
stages.” -

Merchants and council mem-
bers are counting on promotion,
the new bridge and the proposed
Twin Rivers Park to draw people
into town.

One merchant summed it up by
saying, “We admit the need for
better promotion of Castlegar—
but let's start with the revitaliza-
tion so that we'll have something
to promote.””

College dorms one

: IM ZEEBEN

‘Sun staff

: ; Students will be a month late

1 moving into Selkirk College's

; dorm facility but the delay will

+ be barely noticeable to Castlegar

3 renters.

<-. Originally the college had

2 hoped to open the housing by the

2 Start of the winter semester. How-
ever the new start up date has
been moved back from January

+ until early February.

: And even though Castlegar

i will be getting 100 new apart-

= ments, the city’s newly appointed

* housing committee—set up to

Development Board's Harry Stan
d on Read's

An aerial shot of downtown Castlegar.

month off schedule

afford,” Bird said. “From a stu-
dent. p ive it’s

“The dorins at Selkirk might
assist the short-term rental mar-
ket,” Stan said. “But they won't
alleviate it totally.”

“The dorms are pretty much
complete on the outside, other
than the landscaping and the
parking lot,” said Joe Lintz,
Selkirk’s information officer.
“They're getting there.”

Lintz said the contractors fin-
ished the electrical and sewer
connections and have begun
ore on finishing off the interi-

Selkirk Student’ Council

‘deal with the crunch. id the
* new rentals won't make much of
¢ adent in the city’s meager vacan-
2 cy rate.

: The housing committee’s
3.chairperson, Renee Read, said
{the units will be occupied by stu-
: dents currently. without housing
: or those-commuting from out. of
3 town.

: “There's only one hundred

* [available rooms] there anyway,”

she ‘said of the new; dorm units.’

“But no, their opening, won't alle-
viate the housing rental. market
| students alteady, occupy: in
_ Castlegar."
A study. is currently being
" undertaken to determine just how
bad the housing crunch is, as well
Vas who its primary, victims are.
- The. Castlegar-and District

on John Bird said
satests will certainly benefit

“There's not very
much in the way of

rental accomoda-

tions out there that

students can

afford.”

—John Bird «
Student Council

from the extra housing.

“There's not very much in the
way of rental accommodations
out there that students can

bh

it’s going to be a little late, but
that’s reality. Nothing can be
done about it.”

No students have been con-
firmed as occupants yet, but the
college does have an informal
waiting list. The prices of the

Red faces were.worn by Barb, Olse
ebrated birthdays on the same dé

rental accommodations will be
determined by a number of fac-
tors particularly their relation to
equivalent rentals in the Castle-
gar market.

“No one’s really brought up
the implications of what having
students on-campus 24-hours will
mean,” Lintz said.

/

pipe them with Palloons and musical under rwear.

Kiwanis club. For this we are

extremely grateful.”

The Kootenay Columbia
Child Care Society will be cele-
brating its 20 Anniversary in
Castlegar next year, and they are
busier now than ever before.

“We have a mission statement

that says we will serve the needs
of all children, These needs are
changing more and more. Moth-
ers are working outside of the
home, sometimes for economic
reasons only. They need a secure
place to bring their children. We
have to mect their needs.”

CRITIC approves

sale of CKQR

to Grand Forks
station owner

JIM ZEEBEN
Sun staff,

The sale of Castlegar radio sta-
tion CKQR 760 received
approval from the Canadian
Radi ision and

concept to the programing of the
Kootenay Broadcasting System
based out of Trail.

Listeners in KBS’s territory,
which ranges from Creston to
Trail, often hear the same pro-

but ads. This

munications C

mission on
November 27.

The approval completes a deal
between Gordon Brady, who
owned CKQR for more than two
decades, and Wilf Wamer, who
also owns Grand Forks station
CKGR

“It was a very long tedious
process that started way back last
November,” Brady said.

Since then, the application was
sent to the CRTC in July, and

went up for public in

“It was a long,
tedious process
that started way
back last Novem-
ber. ”

— Gordon Brady
CKQR previous owner

September.

According to Brady, no major
changes in programing are
planned for the near future.

One long term change current-
ly being applied for, said Brady,
could be a link-up between the

Castlegar station and CKGF. The

new network would be similar in

allows for the station to be cen-
trally programed but lets adver-
tisers reach specific markets,

“There could be a certain
amount of split commercials,”
Brady said.

No immediate changes are
planned, in part because of the
hectic pace of the Christmas
season.

CKQR's news director, Neil

Andrews, said he doesn’t antici-.
+ pate any changes will be made

until the new year.

“Changes will be made. but I
don’t know. the ‘specifics,”
Andrews said. “We're not going
to see anything until 1992.”

Brady:said the two stations
have already begun sharing some
Programing such as sports stories
and that they will-continue to do
So. ae

“That area will be ultimately
improved in.the end,” he said.;

Morning man Murray David
Collins, who also serves as sta-

,lion program ‘director, said he’s
. looking forward to the new own-
ership.

“Asan individual, im going
to miss Gord, but,I'm excited
about working with the new man-
agement." Collins‘ said, adding

} that’ he’ couldn't talk about’ what

ch

ry, Fox. and Ken Whiddington as they all Cale:
eek: Their friends at work decided to sur-’

¥ 2 SUN, STAFF. PHOTO /sim Zeeben

the new ow hi

might t bring. “I'm not.at liberty to.

comment on any. of the. changes.
ae will have.to.come from
ite!

vig’ ide City
Haul, December 6 at precisely 6

"That date has been set aside as
a Nati Day of
for the 14. women who were mas-
sacred-at a Montreal university in
1989, as well as for all women
who have.been or are: currently
victims of violence. .

Featuring speakers, songs and
fourteen candles, the vigil is open
to everyone who is concerned
about preventing’ violence against
woman,

“We're inviting all men and
women who are concerned about
this problem, The greater number
of people we have, the more
effective the service will be,” said

Marilyn Gauthier, a member of
the Women's Association.
Although events such as the

“We need to
remember. the
problem Is every-
where, including
our community. ”

— Bonnie Nilsen
‘Association Chairperson

Montreal massacre at Laval Uni-

dark alleys and parking lots.

“In fact, the most dangerous
place for some women and their
children remains the family
home,”

» It remains a mystery to most
People, as to why a woman will
endure such a situation by not

_ leaving.

. Yet Nilsen says there are a
number of reasons why a battered
wife won't or possibly can't
leave; She loves her partner,

' wants to maintain the family, and

might have powerful financial,
religious or other reasons for
staying, The chairperson added
that on average, women leave

versity attract public
and grave concem, there is anoth-
er type of violence in our society
which remains constant, yet hid-
den—wife battering.

“We need to remember the
problem is everywhere, including
our. community,” said Bonnic

BONNIE NILSEN
Nilsen, chairperson for the
‘Woman's Association,

Nilsen states it is important
that people realize that violence
against women is not confined to

their si seven times before
they leave permanently.

“When men and women attend
this vigil Friday night, they will
be sending a message to women
that there is an alternative to
posting 1 up with violence,” Nilsen

Local RCMP gearing up for Christmas counterattack pregram

“Tis the season to be jolly. But
not while driving.

The RCMP start their Charist-
mas Counterattack Program on
December 8, which will-run until
January 3.-

According to Constable
Schmidt of the Castlegar detach-
ment, there will be some random
spot checks during the day and

early ¢
Program, as well asa si public
ity road check to once again raise
public awareness.

“We'll also be doing some
rotating checks to get the bars at
closing,” Schmidt said. “Heavy
enforcement.”

Counterattack was started in
1977 by the British Columbia
government as a year-round
crime prevention program to
reduce drinking driving and the

with it.

“We've been very fortunate in
Castlegar over the last two
years,” Schmidt said. “We've had
low drinking driving contact.

“The message seems to be get-
ting across—let’s hope we can
keep it up.”

Schmidt said they’re (RCMP)
hoping to have the assistance of
Stanley Humphries Secondary
School Counterattack Group, the
ambulance service, funeral home

and taxis,

“Just to let people know alter-
natives do exist.”

Every year in B.C, 22,000
people are charged under the
criminal code with impaired driv-
ing. This accounts for one third
of all criminal cases and averages
290 per cent conviction rate.

An average of 250 people are
killed and 7,200 injured in B.C.
every year in alcohol-relatéd traf-
fi fic accidents,

Trail school trustees add voices to

TRAIL TIMES

School trustees are adding their
voices to a chorus of complaints
about a series of articles On
Trail’s lead probl

— grade seven math, grade 10
reading and grade 4 social studies
— while ranking higher than sim-
ilar districts in the rate of transi-
tion to higher education of
and much lower in grade

last month in the Vancouver Sun,

They endorsed a letter Monday
drafted by trustee Gordon
Titsworth pointing out that Trail
students compare favorably to
other
province.

Trail has a higher graduation
rate than the provincial average
— 83.3 per cent compared with

students “across the’

10 math.

"We would like to suggest that
the articles ... could cause people
to draw conclusions not based on
complete information,”
Titsworth’s Ietter says. “Within
ovr experience, children with the
learning disabilities mentioned in
the article are not atypical of the
students in other districts in the

71.3 per cent — and a
ble rate to districts with a similar
demographic make-up. in 15

ascribed
to lead-contaminated children are
not unique to lead and, in fact, are

of
ment, Trail is similar to provin-

un ly similar to some
symptoms ascribed to other con-
i such as dehyd

cial norms in 11 ic
according to Ministry of “Educa-
tion data, and similar in 13 cate-

insulation, poor nutrition, and
even the psychological effects of

gories when. d with like
districts. In three areas, Trail was

d home

children indoors during times of
high Cominco pollution.

“We are talking out of both
sides of our mouths,” said Bia-
gioni. “We have a real problem

here and I don’t want to get

Avalanche

complain of Vancouver Sun article

involved in this.”

All other trustees supported the
letter.

“Tt is important that the board
make our views known,” said
Libby Nelson, “Our children have

control teams
monitoring
snow packs

Trustee Joe Biagi d
ding the letter, pointing out

higher than p

that” iti is district policy ¢ to o keep

Training fo “Training department ‘offers the six-hour FoodSafe
“course in Trail on December 17, in Nelson December .18-and in
Castlegar December 19. This training may:soon become mandatory
: he A i

arses of interest to the
redit courses include.

Sun Staff

and hig! y

The Ministry of Transporta-

-: “District Highways managers
lanch nicians are

tion and Highway
control teams are now in the field
and will be

and h

he hazards and will only

snow packs for potential

avalanche conditions which may

affect the highways.
“Using scientific

close the highway when
conditions indi

there is a potential threat to pub-

ments of temperature, weather
conditions and strength of the
snow pack, we are constantly
assessing the potential risk to
public safety and the likelihood
of an avalanche closing the
road,” notes John Tweedy, Dis-
trict Avalanche technician.
“While avalanche control has
been extremely successful in the
region and there have been no

“Our experience
tells us never to
underestimate the
power of nature ”

— John Tweedy
Avalanche technician

ther

The’ forecast for Wednesday;
Cloudy with a few showers or flur-
ties. Windy. In, some valleys. High
temperatures near 4. Thursday :
and Friday, calls for a moist: westerly flow’ phil fur-

ey

into, the weekend. .:.

Pp

§.2/27

Precipitation: Rain

0.2 mm.

Sunshine: Number of

Hours

8.5

A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK:
Temperature: Max/Date:  Min/Date

-7.8/30

Snow

42cm. 4.0mm.

Mean Normal

Mean

0.3 0.7

Total Normal

Total
18.6 mm.

Normal Number
of Hours

9.6

Above normal snowfalls during the last few weeks:
have allowed for an early start to the ski season at
the local resorts. Ed. note: Rossland and Red Mtn.
have continued to receive snow every day this past
week and the early season skiing looks pretty good.

Forecast provided by The South - East Interior Weather Office
at Castlegar, B.C.

due to avalanche since
1976, our experience tells us
never to underestimate the power
of nature,” Tweedy'said.
Avalanche areas are clearly
marked and the public is advised
not to stop in these areas. If an
avalanche blocks the highway it
is imperative that you stay in
your vehicle and await assis-
tance. Try to move to a safe area
if possible but do not attempt to
drive through small avalanches.
According to Tweedy, “High-
ways i crews and

i Office at the Nelson or.

ig Service: Worker
will provide certification:

Employ-

staff are ly
monitoring the condition of the
roads.

* Tweedy also said that Koote-
nay pass is known as an active
avalanche control. area. This
means that when the hazard is
rising, the highway. will be
:closed after ing all

lic safety,” said Dan Williams,
District Highways manager.

“It is therefore imperative that
the public does not enter areas
which are marked closed. This is

icularly the case in Ks
Pass where control by explosives
may be carried out any time dur-
ing a closure.”

According to Eliah Farrell,
Ministry of Highways Public
Information Officer in Nelson,
the :Blueberry-Paulson Pass
between Castlegar and Grand
Forks has several serious slide
areas as well.

“Some areas near the top arc
under active avatanche control.”
Farrell said.

? An/an avalanche, thousands of
tonnes of snow can hurtle down
the mountain at speeds of up to

have reached ‘safety. Then

“avalanches are deliberately trig-
ogered using’ helicopters or

_avalaunchers.

“These techniques reduce the
length of closures while ensuring
the Safety of the travelling public

&
“o

200 kil per hour.

The ‘impact can push a vehicle
the size of a transport truck off
the road,\while smaller p

Council appoints
Rempel as city's
new fire chief

Sun Staff

Castlegar city council has
appointed a new fire chief to
resume responsibilities over the
city's two volunteer departments.

Gerry Rempel, who formerly
held the position of deputy chief,
was officially welcomed to his
new position by council Tuesday

night.

The 37-year old has been living
in Castlegar since 1965, and
became involved in firefighting
when he was 21.

Rempel says he gained much
by working as a firefighter at the
Castlegar airport—a job which he
first began in 1984. He was even-
tually named fire chief at the air-
port before moving on to a
volunteer firefighting position for
the city.

"I feel really good about the
appointment. It's going to be a
challenge," Rempel said.

City administrator Gary
Williams says he is pleased with
Rempel's past and is

GERRY REMPEL
“I am quite sure that our fire-
fighting departments will be well
tun under his leadership,” Williams
said,

While Rempel has been bumped
up to fire chief, the city isn't plan-
ning to fill the position of deputy
fire chief just yet.

"Rempel and myself will be

confident the appointment to fire
chief is a good move.

vehicles can incur much greater

that Position over the
next six months," Williams fin-
ished.

Community Recreation Compiex
‘ lifeguard Denise Evans and Bill Van Yzerloo share:a:

laugh and a dance during the ‘Caribbean Gruize’: party!

for seniors. «

SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper