R«".rt raeammends new school KARE Sun S —_ Castlegar could see another-elemen- tary school open its doors within the next five years. A recently-completed facilities study for the Castlegar school district is recom- mending that the board seek capital fund- ing or Crown land for an additional elementary school to be located in south Castlegar by the year 1999, The study, completed by consultant A BLUE RIBBON AWARD Argyle’s recommendations were very specific. He concluded that some areas could see phenomenal growth, while other areas will remain stagnant Castlegar Everette Surgenor said Argyle’s recom- mendations came after extensive consulta- tion with the city, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Castlegar and Dis Hospital, the Castlegar and District Cham- The Castlegar Sun a cost. of $21,000, is a plan for all schools in flat-footed.” district superintendent ber of Commerce, as well as a broad range of other community members. “We're trying to get a handle on how the district will grow,” said Surgenor. “We did the plan so we wouldn't get caught Bases‘ on population and projected pop- ulation for the next five years, the plan looks in detail at each school in the district, including Pass Creek, Brilliant and Ootis- chenia schools, which are currently vacant ict Surgenor-emphasized that a public hear- ing will be held March 28 so that public input can be gathered before implementa- tion of any recommendations. The plan was timely, -Surgenor said, as almost every school in the district has reached maximum class size, Because of this, Surgenor explained that there are “many areas to thin! issues to come to grips with in a compre- hensive and thorough way.” Below are other recommendations made by the consultant about and See FACILITIES 2A BEER Vol. 5 - No. 15 The weekly newspaper with a daily commitment’ 75 Cents + G.S.T. RON NORMAN _ Sun Editor Water, water everywhere The Columbia River is beginning to bounce back after decades of pollution, according to a new study. The C River Monitoring Program says that environmental improvements at the Celgar pulp mill and Comin- co’s lead and zinc smelter in Trail are directly responsible for the river's dramatic turnaround. “Certainly the water quality has improved,” says Julia Beatty Spence of the Ministry of Environment. Spence also noted improvements in the river sediment, in aquatic plants and insects, and in fish. “It’s working,” Spence said of the environmen- tal changes at Celgar and Cominco But she added: “The river really took a beating over many, many decades.” Env Airport weather office victim of Martin budget KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff The days are numbered for the Castlegar weather office. Castlegar weather services spe- cialist Ron Lakeman, said he and two other weather specialists received word Monday that the office, located at the Castlegar Airport, will be permanently clos- ing its doors by spring of 1996. This is directly due to the new federal budget, Lakeman explained, and will result in the layoff of three employees at the station “We're gone. We're being laid off.” Lakeman said that the layoffs will have serious consequences “We feel the general public's safety will be jeopardized.” But Gary Wells, regional director for B.C. and the Yukon, said safety was taken into con- sideration beforf the cutbacks were implemenyéd “We're going to do our darnd est to ensure that we don't jeop. ardize local safety.” Wells said that presently severe weather warnings are issued from Kelowna SUN STAFF PHOTO / Ron Norman Jim McLaren, environmental manager for Celgar Pulp Co., tests Columbia River- water quality. Environmentat changes at the pulp milt have helped the river. River off sick list Spence was one of 11 representatives who took part in the monitoring program. Among the other Tepresentatives were those from Celgar, Cominco, B.C. Hydro, the cities of Castlegar and Trail, Environment Canada, and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The study evaluated the various components of the river's ecosystem: water quality, sediment quality and the biological communities living in the river. The latter category includes an examination of the food chain, from creatures living in the sedi- ments, to plants, and on up to fish. The study's boundaries extended from the Keenleyside Dam to the U.S. border. The study was undertaken between 1991 and 1993 and Spence said the ministry of environment is See COLUMBIA 2A KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff Mike Normington has won his bid to stay in Canada. At a meeting held in Van- couxer last Friday with Cana- da Immigration, Normington was told by Immigration offi- cer John Forgie that he would be allowed to remain in Cana- da and would be issued a two- year work permit. Normington said that although Forgie had given him an indication that the meeting would go in his favor, he was surprised nonetheless to hear that he would be allowed to stay. “I was stunned in a way.” The English-born Castlegar man had been ordered to leave the country earlier this month. But media attention and an outpouring of community sup- port helped turn the tide. “The publicity had a terrific Normington gets to stay! — bearing,” said Normington from the home he is sharing with his mother Betty Norm- ington, 75 When Normington was 11- years-old he emigrated to Canada with his family, but married an Irish woman when he was 21 and left the country. He returned to Canada to care for his mother in 1990 after his marriage failed. But five years of legal maneuvering to remain in the country result- ed in the deportation order. Normington’s mother said the announcement was “like winning a lottery.” “It’s a peace of mind. We've been vindicated in our fight.” Normington said he firmly believes that the high-profile of his case resulted in the decision. Normington is applying for landed immigrant status which could take up to two years to be authorized. Council backs off rural septic fee RON NORMAN Sun Editor Castlegar council has backed off its decision to charge rural residents to use the city sewage lagoons. The move came after the Regional Districi of Central Kootenay ordered that sludge from created and the misunderstanding and whatever, we've agreed to put on hold implementing that fee until probably June 1.” In return, the regional district has “agreed to give us access” to the Ootischenia dump, Duff said Duff said the city will work closer with the regional district “to solve our joint problem.” “The discussions have basical- Seasonal SPORTS WEDNESDAY March 1, 1995 Weather Swept away ona wave of Rebel playoff bliss Rebels sweep Spokane Braves in first round of KIJHL playoffs /8A LOCAL Gentil Mateus throws his hat into the political ring| Ex-NDPer takes a shot at the Liberal candidacy - BA FEATURE eTt's not | a job that) most would want Marg Creegan speaks frankly about her job as local coroner 1B Inside _Grants from city under review RON NORMAN the city’s treatment plant in south Castlegar could not be dumped in the Ootischema tandfilt ly gone back to where they should As well, the committee suggest-_ed $7,500, which is a 25 per cent have been in-the first place, where 2 sections 26 pages Sun Editor ea eliminating the city’s annual __ Feduction from the 1994 grant Following the city’s reversal, | We're Cooperating and working to Norman 6A grant to the Castlegar and District In a letter to Council, society the regional district then removed __ the same solution.” Sports 8A A proposal to stash annual Community Services Society. chair Derm Jackson said: “As its no-dumping order, once again But Duff said this isn't the end si 2B grants for two community groups Last year council gave Com- indicated in our request of last allowing the city to use the land of the fee Business came under fire last week at munity Services $2,000. The _ year. it is our intention to become fill to dump sludge fe*re still working towards Profile 1B Castlegar council organization had asked for a less dependent on city support if “We had a bylaw that stipulat user pay on all of our waste Comics 16B Council's administration and $5,000 grant this year. at all possible.” ed we were going to charge,a | management.functions,” he said Tumer 5B finance committee recommended However, both issues were Jackson said the 25 per cent $200 fee for septic dumping into “It’s just a, matter now of how reducing the Castlegar Festival referred back to the committee for decrease in city funding this year the lagoons,” explained Council we do that in relation to the Homefinders 10B Society's grant froma $9,900 to a second look after several coun- __ is possible because of “the lor Kirk Duff in an interview regional district.” Classifieds 11B $3,500. The society sponsors the _cillors objected to the cutbacks. See GRANTS 2A with The Castlegar Sun Duff said the regional distnct annual Sunfest celebrations. The festival society had request- “Because of the confusion that __is looking at other options. Celebrate International Women’s Day March 8 |