+ ev ewuseececeersteceedeenceeeserececscesreeesess rf rf > ; The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, August 12, 1992 ” Page,2A ACE, IN Former Miss Castlegar eyes Interior title Mason competing in Penticton pageant SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper Former Miss Castlegar Kirsten Mason will be vying for the Miss Interior title, August 18 in Penticton. Selkirk College completing most recent addition New wing will be ready for September classes Sun Staff _ Would you like to be our Face In The Sun? - Or do you know someone who would? Give us a call at 365-5266 or drop by our ; @ Ripped off ‘ Continued from 1A : listed a date of work commence- = Ment, they never saw anyone * from Diamond Exteriors again. “By the time two weeks had = gone by, we started to make a ¢ few phone calls, but we Gould * Mever get a hold of him,” said + Gregory. Insistent on getting her : money back, Gregory drove to ithe City Centre Motel in Castle- +, gar, where she was told Prentice § was living at the time. > “I drove over there at 5:30 a.m. one morning to try and catch him before he left, but S either the place was empty, or :, they just weren't answering.” :. Gregory said she’s glad that = $200 was the amount they gave + and not $700. Unfortunately, other residents haven't been as lucky. > A Christina Lake man said : Diamond Exteriors offered to > replace his aging roof for $1,750 «in July. A contract was also drawn up, which stated that work was to be done from July 21 to =: 25. A deposit of $900 was hand- ed over to Diamond Exteriors on : July 7 in the form of a cheque “Bill Prentice said to write the *. cheque out to him because he was going to purchase-the roof- >} ing material. My cheque was cashed the very next day by my “own bank in Kelowna, but I :haven’t seen anyone from Dia- =mond Exteriors since,” said the *man, who requested that his name not be revealed. - “I'ma little embarrassed about what ned.” = His sister, a widow, also had ork done by Diamond Exteri- ‘ors. “On July 13, I gave a man named Bill Prentice a cheque for = $1,450. My cheque was cashed tthe very next day,” she said. This time however, someone did show up to replace the gwidow’s roof. After completing two sides of the cottage-style oof, she noticed the material jwas mot the same colour she had ‘ordered from earlier samples. “I told him it wasn't right. He picked up his materials and he eft. Now I have a partially-com. pleted roof.” While work was being done to ther roof, the woman was told “that the rest of her roofing was jgoing to be used on another iclient’s house in Castlegar. “At “least I let them finish two of the sides or I'd really be up sheep- creek,” she said. “I'd really like to see them come and finish the job and put on what I asked for.” A resident from the Trail area, claims to have lost approximate- ly $4,000 and is in the process of taking legal action against Dia- mond Exteriors. Because of this, he was advised by his lawyer not to have his name published. Castlegar RCMP said they had been informed about Diamond Exteriors through various phone calls complaining about the com- pany. Staff Sergeant Doug Hall said that the company could be accused of breach of a contract, though nothing criminal has occurred. “Unless he leaves the area with no intention of either returning or having someone complete the work there’s not much that can be done.” Kenneth and Bvelyn Ogly from Rossland, who say they were also approached by Bill* Prentice of Diamond Exteriors, consider themselves lucky. “At least we got our siding put on. Kenneth, who took a week off his own job to monitor the work being done on his house, said he paid a total of $5,000 to have the work done—which he believes was Completed in a strange fashion. “They kept coming and doing a bit of work each day. Then I got a phone call from a woman in Genelle who said that people from Diamond Exteriors were taking siding from her each day. I think they were taking the siding from her place and using it to do ours, because they would show up with too much of one colour and not enough of another.” After the work was completed, Evelyn received a phone call a her home from Diamond Exteri- ors, and was told that more money would be needed to finish the clean-up portion of the job. “My wife phoned me at work and told me about it. I said like hell they're getting anymore money from me. The clean-up was included in the contract.” Prentice could not be reached for comment. Family members said he is currently in Calgary, though they would not provide a Phone number for contact. As well, they did not know when Prentice would be returning. Another of the local mountains has popped up at Selkirk College. The most recent addition to the Castlegar Campus of Selkirk College is almost com- plete, and in keeping with the tradition of naming the wings after mountains in the West Kootenay, the newést wing is Sentinel. (Some of the other names include Kokanee, Bon- nington and Monashee) On it’s two levels, Sentinel has five large class rooms, a large the- atre, 22 faculty offices, and a meeting room. A lot of the design features are state of the art, including lights and water foun- tains that turn on when they are approached. It has also been designed to be completely accessible to people with disabilities, with elevator access and specially designed washrooms. The air conditioning in the building is provided by well water. That water is pumped up from a previously unused well, circulated through a cooling sys- tem, and returned to..the Columbia River. It's one. of the most environmentally friendly air conditioning systems around. On the exterior, the building has been faced so that it blends in with the administration office and the rest of the campus The finishing touches are being done presently, and the new wing will be ready for the first day back to college September 1 College staff members expect to show the building off when they hold orientation sessions for students in the new building College reports major increase in applications Sun Staff, ing because high school just isn’t enough ” said More people are trying to get in to Selkirk College this year. “Applications for admission are up about 300 over last year,” said Jocelyn Heighton, admis- sions officer at the college. So far, around 2,200 people have applied for admission. She said that biggest increases have been in the school's career training programs, like forestry and resort and hotel manage- ment. Applications to the univer- sity transfer programs have remained at a constant level “I think there are more layoffs People are interested in upgrad- = Bylaw She described a fictional situa- tion as an example of the increased applications. Where there were formerly 100 applica- tions for the 30 spaces in the wildland recreation program, the college would now be getting upwards of 150. Those applications are coming from across Canada, and in increasing numbers from interna- tional students the world over. The application process at Selkirk is open, which means that students can apply for entrance until the entry date of the pro- gram. BRENDAN HALPER Sun staff Former Miss Castlegar Kirsten Mason is dedicated to promoting her home town. Although she has completed her 1991 Castlegar royalty duties as an ambassador to the Cross- roads of the Kootenays, she con- tinues to give time and effort by preparing for the 1992 Miss Inte- rior Pageant, to be held in Pen- ticton. “T think there's still a respon- sibility to be taken on even after my reign locally is finished,” Mason said. “It's a privilege to represent Castlegar.” One of 19 young women from throughout the province's southern interior to be attending the pageant, Mason says it’s exciting to be reliving the Pageant experience Much of the judging is based on how well each contestant rep- resents and promotes their city, something Mason does everyday while working at the Castlegar and District Chamber of Com- merce. She has been keeping busy with her job, completing college applications and preparing for the pageant, which starts on August 18. Mason says she already knows most of the girls attending the pageant quite well. Activities included in the pageant are rehearsals, tours of Penticton and pageant sponsors, a talent show, fashion show and coronation. Two outfits will be worn by Mason, one promoting a Castle- gar business and another promot- ing the heritage and culture of the area. “Castlegar is such a culturally diverse area,” Mason said. “It’s complicated to decide what type of outfit to wear.” She finally decided to on a theme for the outfit. “I'm going as a flower child of the 1960's,” she said. “I took the theme from the 20th Anniversary of Castlegar’s Sun- fest.” Mason sold posters advertis- ing the pageant to help fund her trip. “I’m really pleased with the response I received from local business people.” oe8 SUN STAFF PHOTO / Jason Keenan Only the finishing touches are left to be completed on the newest wing at Selkirk College in Castlegar. Drinking pedestrian and drinking driver collide On August 8 at 9:10 p.m. a strian was hit by a vehicle in the 2500 block of Columbia Avenue. The pedestrian, 19 year- old Steven Reimer of Castlegar, was taken to the hospital with undetermined injuries after he ran into the path of a vehicle driven by a 40 year-old Castlegar male. Both the pedestrian and the driver of the car had been drink- ing. Police are referring to crown counsel for a decision on any charges. Continued from 1A the interpretation given by the RDCK is not legal under the Municipal Act. “If they (RDCK) pass the bylaw, we'll take them to court,” said Bailey, “and we already have a lawyer who will do it for free.” The Concerned Citizens Forum is outraged the RDCK took advantage of fast track legis- lation to pass the bylaw. “It’s taxation without represen tation,” said Zack Ackerman, Chairperson of the Concerne d Citizens Forum One of the main concerns voiced at the meeting was that Bylaw 923 may be used to divide the community and pit neighbour against neighbour. Others were concerned that there were too many different ways of interpreting the bylaw and it would be difficult to treat each citizen fairly. Ackerman would like to see Bylaw 923 thrown out, used as an election platform during the next municipal election, or re- addressed after a thorough public opinion poll. “The issue here is not just 923. The RDCK is operating in their own interests, not in the interests of the people who put them in office,”’ said Austin Greengrass, Vice President of the Concerned Citizens Forum. Ackerman estimates that the implementation of Bylaw 923 would be through court injunc- tions and if the accused violator did not respond to the demands of the injunction he or sh e could be held in contempt of court The tone of the meeting was one of frustration and stunned said, “God help you if you have a house fire. You'll get fined for the ashes.” Bob Barkley, Director of Regional District Area H, who was not present at the meeting, came under personal attack for, “turning his back on the senti- ment of the Slocan Valley com- munity. Ackerman said that when invited to the public infor- mation meeting, Barkley responded by saying, “I have bet- ter things to do with my time.” Barkley said Thursday he was unaware of the meeting and was not invited. Barkley’s term as Regional Directé® will end in October 1993, but for many that is not soon enough./ “By that time he'll be telling us what colour shirts to wear,” said one speaker. Ackerman said that the Con- cerned Citizens Forum offered to underwrite the cost of a public opinion poll regarding the imple- mentation of Bylaw 923, but the RDCK Chairman, George Cady turned them down The representatives of the Concemed Citizens Forum pre- sent at the meeting urged the audience to write letters to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. “It doesn't matter whether you oppose the bylaw or not. The point is we have the right to have our voices heard,” said Acker- man. “You can't stop progress, but you can aim it in the direction you want it to go.” Wednesday, August 12, 1992 The Castlegar Sun WKP management keeping the lights on JASON KEENAN Sun staff The lights are on and almost nobody's home at West Koote- nay Power. “About 80 per cent [of our work force] is out,” said Mike Bradshaw, WKP’s director of community and public affairs. Management has been running the show ever since the Interna- tional Brotherhood of Electrical Workers walked off the job on July 20. The Office and Techni- cal Employees’ Union have decided not to cross that picket line since it went up, and last week voted in favour of a strike “Our first priority is to keep those lights on,” said Bradshaw, who has been helping out in the customer affairs department. For WKP management, work- ing their way up through the ranks has paid off. Much of the field and office based manage- ment have been with the compa- ny for upwards of twenty years, and have worked many different jobs on that journey. “They're familiar with how the operation works,” Bradshaw added. WKP is only maintaining essential services, and will not be undertaking any new projects like installing transmission lines and phase one of Castlegar’s downtown revitalization. One of the biggest factors up against WKP is the weather. So far, the utility has faced electrical storms in the Okanagan and the Creston area, as well as wind storms in the Okanagan and Sim- ilkameen areas. “The skeleton staff ... have restored power very quickly when Mother Nature has put us to the test.” He said he was hope- ful that WKP will be able to maintain a high level of customer service and satisfaction through out the length of the strike. Brian Robson, the assistant business manager with the Inter- national Brotherhood of Electri- cal Workers had a different weather forecast. “That’s one of our few lever- ages - the weather.” Robson said the lack of talks is having an effect on the work- ers out on the picket lines. “Were basically settling in The longer it (the strike) goes, the more settled in we get,” said Robson. There has been no com- munication between the IBEW and WKP since the strike began. “Pension is our primary issue.” Robson said that this is the strike where they want to set- tle, once and for all, the pension package. “We want to finish it off.” He also said that the statu- tory holiday compensation of 25- cents per hour is inadequate. “What I’m hearing on the picket lines is, now that we're out, we're not going back until we get what we want,” added Robson. To that end, he could have an ally in the OTU. “If there’s a deal here, most likely it would have to be with all three parties,” said Scott Watson, chief negotiator and senior busi- ness representative for the OTU. Even if West Kootenay Power settles with one of the unions, it is unlikely for either union to return until both are off strike. The OTU had applied to the Industrial Relations Council for mediation, and Don Cott was appointed as mediator. Cott was appointed to mediate the dispute with the IBEW, but was asked by the union to book out after only two days. The office worker's union main demand is an improved pension plan, but it is different from the plan proposed by the IBEW. The OTEU will be sitting down with Cott and the company this Friday, something Watson said was difficult “We've pretty much had to drag them to the table.” The last meeting between the two was held June 18, and Watson said that WKP has been quite non- chalant about returning, “We'll probably have a better idea where we're headed once we sit down Friday.” A 59 year-old man was charged with failin was struck by a train at the Celgar Pulp about $7,200. Mr. Stevens (police did not g to stop at a railroad crossing after the vehicle he was driving main entrance, Monday. Damage to the truck is estimated to be provide a first name) from Winlaw, suffered minor injuries. SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper Higher penalties not a deterrent BRENDAN HALPER _ Sun staff Despite a dramatic increase in traffic offense fines in B.C. earli- BRENDAN HALPER Sun staff Those drivers who like to slip in that extra wobbly-pop before hitting the road after work or play, had better beware. The Castlegar RCMP detachment recently received three more roadside screening devices to help nab impaired drivers. Last week 200 roadside screening devices were distribut- ed.-to RCMP detachments throughout the province as part of an overall expansion of the road- side screening device program. The Castlegar Detachment now has one screening device for each patrol car on duty. “They will be used more,” said Staff Sergeant Doug Hall. “All our staff members are trained in the use of the devise.” There are now 990 of the devices in use throughout B.C., allowing for more accurate and efficient detection of drinking drivers. It helps provide impor- tant evidence for police when attempting to charge a driver with impaired driving, by allowing for er this year, Castlegar’s RCMP are still encountering a high num- ber of driving infractions. Staff Sergeant Doug Hail says the higher fines don’t seem to be Drinking and driving? #18 Staff Sergeant Doug Hall a quick roadside breath sample According to a press release from the Ministry of Attorney General, drinking driving was the cause of 180 traffic fatalities and 5,276 injuries in the province dur- ing 1991. Drinking driving costs B.C.-residents an estimated $130 million each year in enforcement, court and medical costs. receives his constant care. Now that’s rhubarb! Castlegar resident Bob Switzer is proud of his rhubarb. This plant is nine feet high with leaves up to seven feet in diameter, so he’s got good reason to be proud. This prickly rhubarb from Brazil (Gunnera Manicata), graces Bob's front yard where it LS Sid SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper serving as a deterrent to motorists who break the rules. “I don’t think it’s changed at all, but it’s hard to work a com- parison,” Hall said. Hall placed one of his staff on full time traffic detail six months ago. “Since then prosecutions have gone up 146 per cent,” he said! “But that’s attributable to the addition of a full-time traffic patrol.” Hall said the higher ticket fines are having an effect on drivers however. “Everybody who gets one, bitches about it.” say RCMP Early last April, B.C.’s Attor- ney General Colin Gabelmann announced the provincial govern- ment’s decision to crack down on bad drivers by increasing traffic violation fines substantially. Fines for speeding jumped from $75 to a cool $100 while those for excessive speeding (driving more than 40km/h over the posted limit) rose from $100 to $150. Other increases includ- ed intersection and pedestrian offences, seat belt and child seats, and school or playground offences. OUTLOOK: The forecast for atures continuing warm. Temperature: Max/Date 33.2/4 Precipitation: Rain 14.4 Number of Hours Sunshine: 55.3 Aug. 8 - 1412.7 WEATHER _ Wednesday; A mixture of cloud and sunshine. Showers or thun- derstorms possible. Highs 30 to 32. Outlook for Thursday and Fri- day; variable cloudiness bringing a threat of showers or thunderstorms. Frequent sunny periods also so temper- A LooK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK: Min/Date 8.9/9 19.8 Snow Total REMARKS: Rainfall in the Kootenay region was more fre- quent than indicated by Castlegar records. This reduced the fire danger in our local forests below many other areas. The hay harvest was halted due to the moisture buy should begin again with the anticipated drier conditions which began Sunday. Fresh snow was observed above 1800 meters on local mountains over the weekend. Forecast provided by The South - East Interior Weather Office at Castlegar, B.C. ARROW LAKE RESERVOIR FORECAST Aug. 15 - 1411.8 Mean Normal Mean 14.4 Normal Number of Hours 74.9 Number of fires still burning: Area burned to date: ...... Number of new fires today: ARROW FOREST DISTRICT DISTRICT FIRE INFORMATION Date: August 12, 1992 DANGER CLASS/FIRE HAZARD - 2-3 Total number of fires to date: Weather Outlook (related to fire suppression/prevention activity} The rain has brought down the fire hazard. With the warm ing trend the hazard is again climbing. Fire Action: Manpower: Forest officers & Initial Attack crews on standby. Mop up firefighters on CAPE FIRE. Comments: Last year 36 fires - 10 hectares anne LOB Bininnimncoinssssssnsent 25 hectares meron | Sworp-+Easy FOODS SALE Clearing OUT ALL NO NAME products MALKIN'S products PRESIDENT'S CHOICE products SUN SPUN products BARGAIN PRICES!! Stock up NOW Prices good only as quantities last NO RAIN CHECKS _ Sale Dates: Aug. 13 - Aug. 22, 1992 we Nh Nd a aw CANNON TOWEL PROMOTION Bring in your slips Promotion will be ending August 22, 1992 NOT September 27, 1992 as printed Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Mon., Tues., Wed., & Sat.9 am-6 pm Thurs. & Fri. 9 am- 9pm Sunday 10 am -6 pm Phone 365-5336 ef ood). ‘Your Family Food Store’