{ hy. a2 Castlégar News November 23, 1986 ECA continues to battle WKPL sale By CasNews Staff Despite assurances from UtiliCorp United Inc., the Electric Consumers Association is continuing to oppose the take over of West Kootenay Power and Light Co. by the American firm. UtiliCorp has stated that the operation of WKPL will not change under the American company’s ownership, and in fact could possibly improve But ECA manager Gerald Abele said in a prepared news release that hearings regarding the proposed sale of WKPL to UtiliCorp “are not over yet.” Abele said the nearly 400 Okanagan residents who held a protest Nov. 12 prior to the B.C. Utilities Commission hearing were almost all ECA members and the mood was “vastly different from that which greeted the BCUC in Trail Nov. 3.” Federal NDP energy critie lan Waddell, in a 2" hour testimony BCUC at the Delta Lakeside ballroom in Penticton, also opposed the sale. Robert Miles, a representative of the Sierra Club, and Jack Woodward, a Vancouver lawyer for the ECA, both requested extentions in order to better prepare submis sions. An extension was granted and the hearings will reconvene Monday and Tuesday. “WKPL is worth fighting for,” said Abele. “UtiliCorp is simply sharp business people who know a good deal when they see one.” CLASS VISIT . . . Mila Mulroney has fun with Judy Campbell's kindergarten class Thursday while visiting MULRONEY continued from front page applause of the many women in the crowd. But she added there has been a need for the job. Mulroney said one of the reasons that she and Brian are having as good a time as they are travelling the country, is that they work to gether, and as a result she never feels BOARD continued trom front poge health officer and secretary, positions in conflict with CKUBH bylaws which state that a secretary must be elected Judith John, CKUBH chairman, said Arnott's position as secretary was not an intentional defiance of CKUBH by laws and would soon be rectified John also said she intended to meet with the Regional District of Central Kootenay Saturday to discuss its with drawal. The RDCK voted earlier this year to pull out of the Central Kootenay Union Board of Health effective in 1987 because of the problem “It's to their own benefit to remain,” John said. “They would then be able to participate in the working of the health unit and the motions that are made.” John said Ron de Burger, the assis tant deputy minister of health, was scheduled to attend Thursday's can celled meeting John said de Burger generally meets with the health board about once a year to serve as an adviser and to keep the staff updated on any change of policy in provincial health John said de Burger also intended to discuss with the board some of the difficulties it is now encountering She added that part of the reason the regional district wanted to withdraw was due to a conflict regarding sanitation laws. The regional district considers the sanitation laws set by the CKUBH to be too stringent, and development in the area is being hindered as a direct result of the CKUBH's standards. “What they don't realize is they will still be subject to the very same provincial laws.” John said.“They are not solving the problem by with drawing.” Castlegar Primary school CostewsPhoto by Chery Calderbonk left out Mulroney said she receives a lot of support and constructive criticism from people who write her. She also receives letters from young Canadians interested in politics, she said. “They feel they have a vested interest. They t-!] me how things are going and how they feel things should be going.” She added that she has enjoyed the last two years as the prime minister's wife and is looking forward to the next two years. “I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying this job and the people I am meeting.” Mulroney said the fondness she has from her last visit to the area is still firmly entrenched in her mind. “B.C. is a tremendous place,” she said. “There's lots going on And the government never forgets about the province and is always working hard to make sure things go well here,” she said. Mulroney also touched on the pre miers’ conference held Thursday and Friday in Vancouver “The premiers are working very hard representing their own regions. BUS SYSTEM continued from front page The single-bus system will run from 7 a.m. - 6:08 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will not operate on Sunday or on 10 statutory holidays. The service is provided on a contract basis by Trail Transit and will cost $156,000 for the first year. B.C. Transit will pay $52,600, and the City of Castlegar, Area J and Area | will pay $73,100. The system expects to collect the remaining $31,000 from bus fares The bus is estimated to cost $2.61 per passenger based on B.C. Transit's estimate that 60,000 passengers will use the bus in its first year. An official opening ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1 at Selkirk College. Participating in the ceremony will be parliamentary secretary and Richmond MLA Nick Loenen, who will represent Municipal Affairs Minister They all have a tremendous job to do. It's nice to see cooperative federalism thriving and working in Canada.” Elsewhere, Mulroney said she en joyed the multicultural side of her visit at the school. The prime minister's wife said that when she came to Canada there was no such thing as parents and teachers getting involved with stu dents so they can grow up being full-fledged Canadians while still main taining their ethnic roots. ‘| have nothing but respect for teachers doing this,” she said. “It's quite a job.” Mulroney also mentioned another of her interests — cycstic fibrosis. “If everywhere I go, someone learns what CF is then I have moved it ahead a little bit and we can go onto something else.” she said. “Every com munity has far too many of these children.” Acting mayor Ald Rogers presegted Mulroney with a gift from the ity of Castlegar — a scarf hand. woven.py Sandy Donohue. After shaking hands with all who had come to see her, Mulroney departed for Trail where she visited the Colombo Lodge before flying back to Vancouver Terry Rita Johnston. Johnston is also the minister responsible for transit Others attending the opening will include Mayor Audrey Moore; Trail Mayor Chuck Lakes, a member of the B.C. Transit board; Regional District of Central Kootenay Area I director John Voykin; Area J director Martin Van derpol; and Selkirk College student council president Mike Arnett. College president Led Perra will be master of ceremonies. To help kick off the new system, there will be a three-day “seat sale.” For Nov. 28, 29 and Dec. 1 all seats will be 25 cents. “The seat sale is a good opportunity for area residents to familiarize them selves with the new bus service,” Moore said Anyone with questions about the system, route fares and schedules can call transit information at 365-3100. On the other hand, UtiliCorp, in a news release of its own, has set out a list of commitments it says it intends to follow throughout its proposed ownership of WKPL. Among other things, UtiliCorp pledges: @ not to seek recovery of the premium paid over book value for WKPL through West Kootenay’s rates. @ not to divert power from WKPL and the service of its customers. @ to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. to elect board of directors for WKPL consisting of five independent local residents, two local, West Kootenay appointees and two UtiliCorp appointees. to keep the head office of WKPL in Trail for at least five years. e to maintain as low as possible rates. @ not to replace WKPL current management, and to i lary ee of autonomy = fren seawaat Abele does not address the UtiliCorp promises, but rather, the issue of Canadian ownership. “We are in the process of preparing #direct consumer purchase plan together with the help of the B.C. Central Credit Union who is very much in favor of what we are doing,” Abele said. “That will be presented to the BCUC during the hearings at a later cenay! consume “All lam saying is that we Canadians we rs can do this orn an operate WKPL) too, with the added advantage of actually achieving local control over our own power supply.” Aquino ally gunned down as coup rumored MANILA (AP) — Gunmen killed a Moslem ally of President Corazon Aquino, and hours later security was a coup swept the capital of the Philippines early today. Others, including a 38-year-old Toronto man, were wounded. Presidential counse! Rene Saguisag said senior military tightened around her offices and residence as new rumors of _ leaders, including Defence Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and the army chief of staff, Gen Fedel Ramos, met at Camp Ido. He said he did not know Why the meeting was Senior military ders held a fi at ar forces headquarters. They did not explain the reasons for the conference. Troops sealed off the government radio and television complex in suburban Quezon city and barred reporters from the area. Asked why they were there, soldiers said it was part of a “military operation” but refused to elaborate Manila television stations were still broadcasting at 3 a.m. Manila time today, long after their normal sign-off. More than a dozen military trucks lined both sides of the street leading to the presidential palace, and groups of armed soldiers could be seen milling about on the street corners after 3 a.m. A light tank was parked inside one of the main gates at the compound, and an armored personnel carrier was stationed in front of Aquino's residence in the palace guesthouse. The street leading to the residence from the palace was blocked by a steel barricade and guarded by armed soldiers. Ulbert Ulama Tugung, 47, is the third political figure to be assassinated in the Manila area in 10 days. His slaying Saturday night followed widespread allegations of a campaign to undermine the Aquino government. Tugung headed the autonomous government of Western Mindanao. He had come to Manila to declare his support for ratifying a new constitution, seen as a vote of confidence in the Aquino government. Police and witnesses said Tugung was waiting outside the Aurelio Hotel that evening when a blue sports car screeched to a halt and men inside fired M-16 rifles. Tugung, an aide and a hotel security guard fell dead. BCGEU condemns office closure The B.C. Government Em- courses. ployees’ Union this week In addition, a district geol condemned a provincial gov- ogist assists the mining pub- ernment proposal to close the lie in the evaluation of min Nelson office of the Ministry eral resources and develop- of Energy, Mines and Pet roleum Resources and relo- cate it in Cranbrook. Union spokesperson Deb by Offermann says in a pre pared release that up to six workers will be forced to re locate should the ministry go ahead with the proposal. All but one of the workers are long-service employees. “The relocation will mean great personal and financial hardship for these families,” Offermann said. The office provides the services of mines inspectors who enforce the Mines Act and Regulations for the safe ty of workers, the public and ment in this area and pro- vides liaison with other gov ernment ministries. “This is particularly impor tant in our area given the sensitive terrain and the sur rounding watershed areas,” Offermann said. She added that the prop osal is particularly offensive given MLA-elect Howard Dirks's public promise Nov. 5 that his victory “means an end to the erosion of gov ernment jobs which has hap. pened locally over the past few years.” “I would expect Mr. Dirks would want to take action in this matter immediately as a the protection and reclama. tion of land and water matter of personal credibil ity,” she said. called. Enrile, who has criticized Aquino’s efforts to negotiate peace with Communist rebels, and Ramos figure promi nently in recent coup plot rumors. Rollege denies MLA‘s request CRANBROOK (CP) — The East Kootenay Community College board of directors has denied a request from Anne Edwards, a newly ele ected NDP member of the legislature, for a leave of ab- sence and has suggested that she resign. Edwards, an instructor at the college, beat former labor minister Terry Segarty in the October provincial elec tion. The vice-president of the NDP East Kootenay consti tuency association, Jim Campbell called the decision He said Saturday: “It really comes like a bolt out of the blue. 've never heard of anyone doing anything like this before.” John Waters, president of the College Institute Edu cators’ Association, said Fri day that the board's decision to deny the leave is an ex ample of politics at its worst. He noted that the board is appointed by the Social Credit government and add ed that Segarty'’s eampaign manager, Bob Hockley, is one of the board members. Edwards was una lable for “morally Court news Walter Malakoff pleaded guilty in Castlegar provincial court Tuesday to one drink ing and driving related of fence Malakoff was fined $500, or 20 days in jail for having a blood alcohol content of over 08. Andre Croteau pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of entering a licensed es tablishment within 24 hours after having been requested to leave. Croteau was fined $100. . . Aaron Webb pleaded guil ty to one count of committing mischief in relation to private property Webb was sentenced to six months’ probation with con ditions. . 6 Darryl Armishaw pleaded guilty in Castlegar provincial court Nov. 13 to one count of driving while prohibited to drive Armishaw was fined $300 and sentenced to 14 days’ im. prisonment * . Robert Morgan was sen tenced to a 90-day intermit tent jail term Nov. 13 after being found guilty of driving while impaired . . Peter White pleaded guilty Nov. 13 toa drinking driving offence White was sentenced to 14 days intermittent imprison ment for occupying the seat ordinarily occupied by the driver of the vehicle * . Lori Wallace was fined $50 Nov. 13 for causing a distur. bance in a public place 255 NO PARKING . . . Castlegor RCMP inspect accident scene at the intersection of Highway 3 and 3A near the Kinnaird Bridge late Saturday morning. Driver of car apparently lost control and car landed in ditch ConttewsProte by Ron Mormon Canadian man wounded MANILA TAP) — A Toronto man and his female companion were among the wounded Saturday as gunmen firing from an automobile shot and killed prominent Moslem leader outside a Manila hotel, police in the Philippines said. John Cafaro, 38, of Toronto, and Joseline Pepeto, a resident of the Philippines, were admitted to the Philippines General Hospital following the shooting at the Aurelio Hotel. Hospital workers said they had no report on the conditions of Cafarro and Pepeto, who were in the operating room. Cafarro and his companion were apparently near Ulbert Ulama Tugung, an ally of President Corazon Aquino, when the shooting started. Storm hits P.E.I. Thousands of homes in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick were without electricity Saturday after an overnight storm which left as much as 60 centimetres of snow in some areas. RCMP on Prince Edward Island advised motorists to stay off the roads in the Summerside area as high wind and blowing snow reduced visibility to zero. Weather forecasters said up to 10 more centimetres of snow could be expected. Many P.E.I. homes were blacked out as power lines snapped under the weight of heavy, wet snow. Retired mayor appointed QUEBEC (CP) — Jean Drapeau, who retired this year after nearly three decades as mayor of Montreal, will be named Canada’s ambassador to Paris-based UNESCO in early December, Le Soleil says. The newspaper said in a report published Saturday it has learned from a reliable source that Drapeau's appointment will be part of several other diplomatic postings Prime Minister Brian Mulroney plans to announce at that time. Last year Mulroney told Drapeau, 70, he was ready to name him to a high foreign post if he ever decided to step down as mayor, the newspaper says. Miner trapped TIMMINS, ONT. (CP) — Rescue operations continued Saturday for a man trapped after a silo containing 800 tonnes of cement collapsed at a mine. Maurice Gervais, 43, an employee for 18 years with Kidd Creek Mines Ltd., was the only person in the structure when the accident occurred Friday afternoon. A mine rescue team of 30 workers worked all night removing the debris in an effort to reach Gervais, said company spokesman John Pappone About 100 tonnes of debris remained to be cleared today “We're working on the premise that the man is still alive and we're conducting an all-out rescue effort.” Pappone said Chances blown OTTAWA (CP) — The Mulroney government has blown Canada’s chances of settling the softwood lumber dispute with the United States through the international trading system, Liberal MP Lloyd Axworthy said Saturday Axworthy repeated his party's opposition to negotiating a settlement to fend off a U.S. duty against Canadian softwood lumber. And Axworthy. his party's trade critic, again accused the Conserva tives of caving in to American interests. He told reporters the Canadian plan to negotiate for the removal of the U.S. duty, outlined in Vancouver Friday at a first ministers’ conference, has damaged any chance for Canada to see the duty rescinded through the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Axworthy said a GATT ruling on the duty. would probably go in Canada’s favor, and a decision might have come as early as late January : Respects paid ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. (CP) To the playing of a lone, kilted piper, about 300 mourners paid their last respects Saturday to Don Jamieson, one of Newfoundland’s best loved public figures Jamieson died Wednesday at the age of 65 after an apparent heart attack while jogging Politicians of all stripes attended the funeral of the man who began his career in broadcasting and went on to become a federal Liberal cabinet minister, diplomat and statesman. Former New Democrat MP Stanley Conservative John Crosbie and Newfoundland's first representative in the federal cabinet Jack Pickersgill, Former Premier forlorn Knowles, were among those in attendance Joey Smallwood, who has been in ill health, did not attend. Guerrilla killed COLOMBO (AP) — Government forces in Sri Lanka killed at least 22 Tamil guerrillas and captured 60 in an uran battle and a search and-destroy sweep through the countryside, military officials said Troops and rebels exchanged mortar and artillery fire in the rebel-controlled northern city of Jaffna, 300; kilometres north of Colombo. In the east, soldiers tried to flush guerrillas from jungle hideouts Army officers at Jaffna’s 280-year-old colonial Dutch fort, the government's only stronghold in the city, said nine Tamil militants were killed in fighting Friday and Saturday There were no government casualties, said the officers 7 November 73.1986 Castlegar News 42 stanannncaSXSSsAnens Vana COLLEGE OPENS CAMPUS DOORS TO PUBLIC — OPEN HOUSE . . . Selkirk Coll celebrated College and Institute Week in Canada with o series of open houses at its campuses throughout the region. The Castlegar campus threw open its doors Friday night and Saturday. CowtewsPhotor by fon Norman Softwood lumber dispute Proposal reached VANCOUVER (CP) — Premier Bill Vander Zalm said Friday he was delighted British Columbia's call for a negotiated settlement of the softwood lumber dispute was accepted at the first ministers’ despite Ontario's objection For too long we've been saying the tail is wagging the dog; now it feels good to be the dog.” Vander Zalm told reporters. Ontario producers about five per cent of Canada's softwood exports to the United British Columbia ships about 65 per cent After two days of intense negotiations conference participants, International Trade Minister Pat Carney said a Canadian proposal to deal with the preliminary U.S. countervailing duty has been reached Under the proposal, Canada would raise export lumber prices by 15 per cent and the United States would drop the tariff. The proposal has the blessing of U.S Secretary Malcolm Baldrige. but American producers who applied for the duty are not satisfied Vander Zalm said he is optimistic about the success of the proposal. “Mr. Baldrige has given Pat Carney all the i think definitely there is a deal it’s just that the details have to be put down The suggestion is that we would impose a stumpage fee as weff as an export tax of sorts” that together would result in a 15 per-cent increase in the export price, he said-$ COSTLY CHARGE Vander Zalm said 15 per cent is the maximum that the forest industry can absorb. Such an increase would amount to about $600 million a year for British Columbia export conference States while among Commerce lumber necessary assurances Asked whether the money would stay within British Columbia, the premier said it was a matter discussed at length at the conference. “We have every assurance that it will all be for the provinces including export tax, stumpage fees however it’s done,” he said On the four-month-long strike by the International Woodworkers of America, Vander Zalm_ said the three-member industrial inquiry commission established t find a solution will not get a deadline extension — it must submit its report by Friday night Once the report is in, the IWA and the forest industr should “get on with it.” the premier said The government wants the two sides to subm report to a membership vote * The dispute over contracting out of work to non union workers is a sticky issue “but it’s no more complicated six months from now than what it is today,” he said Vander Zalm has earlier backed away from threate legislation to end the strike legislature w probably not sit until next February The premier was about getting $450 million federal contract to build the Polar 8 icebreaker for which British Columbia has been actively lobbying saying the optimisit I think the prime minister is very supportive of us in our bid.” Vander Zalm said He said he will meet again with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney within the next six weeks and discuss the contract, expected to bring 900 jobs It would be a wonderful Christmas present U.S. appeasement a serious affair TORONTO (CP) — If Canada’s latest attempt to appease protectionist U.S. lumber produceres goes through, it's “probably the most serious thing that has happened in the economic affairs of this country for a very long time,” said Adam Zimmerman, chairman of the Canadian Forest Industries Council The only thing that rivals it is the national energy program,” Zimmerman said. “It has all the makings of the same disaster The council, which has represented the interests of Canadian exporters throughout the softwood lumber dispute, reacted with outrage to -word Friday that Ottawa and the provinces agreed to raise the export price of softwood products by 15 per cent Zimmerman, also chairman of MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. of Vancouver, sent a Telex to International Trade Minister Pat Carney expressing the group's shock at the 180 degree turn” the government has taken in dealing with the U.S. countervail action In October, Carney said the Canadian government would take whatever measures were necessary to fight attempts by U.S lumber producers to impose tariffs on Canadian exports nted with ons that Ottawa is offering the ¢ minutes to decide whether But Friday ry officials were pre the package US. producers. and ¢ f to support it. Zimmerman said We had a gun held to our head and we didn't go for it. It's a complete turnaround,” he said in an interview