The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, July 8, 1992 Wednesday, July 8, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Page 2A MEIN Heritage Society holds Summer boardwalk SUBMITTED The Castlegar and District Heritage Society hosted a sum- mer boardwalk at the Rail Station last What would you rather be doing? Riding Friday. Noted author Leonard Howe and his wife Doreen as well as others from the society, set out baked goodies which could be purchased by incoming visitors. Tables of local crafts and trea- sures were also readily available. P from the event were directed to the Society. The Rail Station Museum, located in downtown Castlegar, and Zuckerberg Island Park and the Chapel House are all sites administered by the Castlegar and District Heritage Society. Guided tours are available or the public can just drop in and visit seven days a week. For more informa- tion, contact the Heritage Society at 365-6440, Parents dropping children out of lead-level testing TRAIL TIMES Falling participation rates in the Trail Lead Program's blood 4 paign is is concern for the program's orga- nizers. Arrangements are being made for the annual fall blood sampling of children age six and under. Some parents are dropping out of the program after their children showed low blood lead levels in early rounds of testing. The program had an 80 per cent participation rate last year. With about one third of the target families contacted for appoint- ments, this has fallen to 55 per cent, said Cheryl Yates, lead pro- gram health co-ordinator. "They feel they have received a lot of information from us and they know what to do in their households to keep levels low,” Yates said. “Their children tested low last year and they don’t feel they need to bring them back. "But if you bring your year-old in and get a low level it doesn’t mean that at two years the level won't have changed. As a child ages, their lifestyle changes and their activities change, so their exposure may change. We are encouraging parents to bring their child in y b exposure can change from year to The drop off in interest in the program may also affect the value of the data collected. “For the results to be valid we need involvement from the whole gram co-ordinator. “If we only see children with high lead levels we won't get a true picture. We will get an average of children with high lead levels, rather efforts to reduce lead exposure among child this p a Local author Leonard Howe and his wife Doreen attended volunteered their time to sell baking goods which they prepared for the boardwalk to raise money for the Heritage Society. SUN STAFF PHOTO / Shariene Imhoff Rossland to welcome students from Iwakuni problem. "We won't be able to tell the community that lead levels are pping or not dropping; that we Summer readi BRENDAN HALPER ng program a plus for kids dren and reading, having done the same job last summer. Hav- ‘Summer ‘Reading Program Emp! | Gracie Phipps with their exp! ing just pleted a year of General Ants study at Selkirk College, Louise will be on her way to the University of Victoria next September where she plans to obtain a degree in education. This will be Lisa’s first sum- mer with the library after spend- ing a year studying general sciences at Selkirk College in preparation for family iti sciences at the University of loration journals on Monday, gar and District Library Summer Reading Program. loyee Lisa Gerrand helps Braga Madison (left) and British Columbia. The Reading Program has taken on a ‘Where in the World’ will focus on different cults are getting results from our inter; vention,” said Yates. Testing will take place from Aug. 31 to Oct..16. The testing program has been expanded to include Beaver Valley children. Last year 600 children were test- ed. This year’s sample group has 1,000 children. A phlebotomist who special- and parts of the world. The girls have 129 children from kinder- the first day of the Castle- ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper izes in g with children will again be hired on contract to take the venal blood samples. "She has excellent aim,” said Yates. “She is in and out with the needle really quickly and with as little pain as possible.” 12-year-old arrested after youths take joyride A 12-year-old boy was arrest- ed after he and some friends took a joy ride in a stolen car, Trail RCMP say. The youth was arrest- ed after the stolen vehicle collid- ed with a rock wall near Butler Park on June 30 at 5 p.m. The two passengers in the car, ages 11 and 12, sustained minor injuries. The 12-year-old has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing injury; three counts of possesson of stolen property in relation to thefts from vehicles in the Trail area; theft of a vehicle from Paul’s Place; two counts of breach of probation, and theft under $1,000. The youth appeared in Grand Forks Court on July 2 and was released from custody pending his next court appearance. The police would like to remind people never to leave keys or valuables in an unlocked car “or you too will become a victim of crime.” Revelstoke resident seeking NDP nomination Sun Staff Mengia Nicholson announces that she is seeking the NDP nomi- nation for the Kootenay West-Rev- oe a Mengia, husband Jeff, and their two sons have resided in Rev- elstoke since 1972. Mengia is a Nurses’ refresher course the lower mainland im Rev- for education and the arts, she has been active in the Trustee organi- zation, and also represents BC Trustees on the new comprehen- sive health board on the College Board from 1982 to 1985. Mengia has links with the Euro- pean community, with relatives in Switzerland and Hungary. She nursed in Switzerland in 1964, and has lived a year in Fredericton, NB. Mengia has been a member of e NDP since 1979, because as she puts it, “My asa ciples with care clear enough and strong enough to direct actions for the betterment of all human beings, be they young or old, rich or poor, and of whatever colour, creed, language or belief. As a social democrat, one can “make the difference” for Canada in this time of goal setting of our consti- tution, and the re-thinking of our elemental beliefs as Canadian. These beliefs should guide Cana- dians to a co-operative national identity and strength to deal with nurse Clearly demonstrates that the NDP are the only party with prin- ging global chal- lenges and the political changes all dus.” MENGIA NICHOLSON | TRAIL TIMES For the second year Rossland is playing host to students from Iwakuni College for a three-week cultural and educational stay. The 26 young women, age 18 to 20, were greeted at the Ross- land Court House on Monday evening by City of Rossland and Selkirk College officials. The students study conversa- tional English at MacLean School during the morning, then spend their afternoon at cultural pursuits, including golf and a hayride. They live with host fam- ilies, many of them who also opened their houses to Japanese students last year. By the number of small children and young fam- ilies in the crowd at the court house on Monday evening, many Ross: Politely to wi ing sp (translated by Sumiko Kambara) from Alderman Garry Jenkins, Chamber of Commerce president Doreen Butler, Selkirk College board chairman John Higginson and Selkirk head of International Education John Armstrong, it was RCMP officer Garrett Cuzn- er in his resplendent red dress uniform who won the girls’ hearts. Both Jenkins and Butler assured the women that the peo- ple of Rossland also gain from their visit. “Canadian families also need a learning experience — it makes for laughter,” said Butler, who has hosted exchange students now on three different occasions. Higginson reminded the gath- ering that international education is a two-way street, “this is espe: cially true for the families you are staying with. So please teach them Japanese as they teach you English.” Instructor from Iwakuni Col- lege, K. Nakahara, thanked Selkirk and Rossland for a “well organized culture and study pro- gram.” But he won the audi- we just don’t know enough are using this oppor- tunity to absorb Japanese culture in the comfort of their own homes RCMP searching for rock- slinger TRAIL TIMES Approximately $900 dam- age was done to Kootenay Savings Insurance by a rock- throwing vandal Monday ni . Trail RCMP report a rock was thrown through a double- paned window. Cpl. J.J. Stochmanski, noting it appeared someone got carried away, said the rock was about “goose-egg sized.” The rock left a hole in the window about One-foot in diameter. RCMP are still investigating the incident. RUBES By Leigh Rubin rs lu Creators ©1002 Leigh Rubin” Lloyd looked longingly at the actors. ; , 8 I wishing that someday he too could perform intiead of just being a stage hand es rd Non-union three claim NDP misrepresented them IRC hands down Supreme Court blanket order to restrict all picketing BRENDAN HALPER Sun staff Three non-union Castlegar residents, consisting of two women and one man, set up an information picket Monday and i with the inten- tion of protesting the provincial government's Bill 19. Even though it was an information Picket only, construction workers en rout to the Celgar Moderniza- tion plant were respecting it. This has lead the Industrial Relations Council to get an order from the Supreme Court of Canada which restricts anyone from continuing to picket. “If anyone continues to picket the site, they will be in contempt of court, which carries weight,” said Rod Meares, project manager fro Celgar. "It's a blanket order, so it includes everyone.” The info- Picket was set up at gate three, at the Celgar site, which members of the Pulp and Paper Workers Union of Canada (PPWC) were Prohibited from picketing under section 85-5 of Bill 19. Section 85-5 allows the govern- ment to restrict picketing by means of a court order. “We're protest- ing the fact that the British Columbia government promised to deal with Bill 19 but have not done Crossin SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Although the City of Castle- gar seems willing to do every- thing in its power to ensure people with disabilities can move freely around the down- town core, getting there is still a problem for local residents who depend upon the use of wheelchairs. This fact was made obvious by Dan Bush, a 51-year-old man who has called Castlegar These non-union Castlegar residents were holdin gate 3 on Monday and Tuesday. The concerned ci government's failure to change Bill 19. so,” said concemed citizen Betty, who wished to have her last name withheld. “Instead of dealing with it, they've enforced it on the pulp unions. We're here in support of the tracks, a diffic pulling. “It’s embarrassing trying to push yourself out of the tracks—not to mention worry- ing about the possibilities of a train coming around the corner. I don’t know what I'd do then,” he says with a slight chuckle, though well-aware of the dan- ger. Intent on fixing the problem,. Bush called the Canadian Pacif- ic Rail office requesting that some rubber underlay be placed in the flangeway to allow safe, ‘It's embarrassing trying to push yourself out of the tracks—not to mention worrying about the possibilities of a train coming around the comer.’ —DAN BUSH Castlegar resident home for the past 15 years Afflicted by Multiple Sclerosis, Bush uses a walker whenever possible, though for long dis- tances, such as from his resi- dence in the Woodland Park area to downtown Castlegar, he requires the use of an electric wheelchair. Guided by Bush, the chair can move quickly, until he attempts to cross the CPR railroad tracks, either in the Woodland Park area across from the Castleaird Plaza, or across from NRS Mountainview Agencies. When attempting to cross the tracks, the front wheels of his chair become wedged in the narrow trench (flangeway) just after the first steel rail on either side. What follows, says Bush, is an annoying period of strug- gling, weight shifting and convenient, and quick access across for those people who use wheelchairs. After contacting both the local CPR office and city hall on several occasions, Bush said he still is not sure if anything will get done, though he is hopeful. “There’s always so much bureacracy to get anything done these days.” Phil Markin, Director of Development Services for the City of Castlegar, said an earlier meeting with CPR officials was scheduled by the city but later cancelled by CPR. “We would like to find out who’s responsible for making the tracks accessible and how it can be done,” Markin said. In CPR's Revelstoke office, Doug Younger, assistant divi- WEATHER OF JUNE 1992 A ridge of high pressure Pianketing Southam B.C. result ed in the warmest June on record. moved onto the California coast during the middle and last trong Pacific systems weeks of June. These settling in over Southern B.C. Temperature This Year High 36.8 23 Low 3.9 3 Precipitation Rain Snow Total Precip. Sunshine into the Kootenay Regions and gave heavy rainfalls on the 12th and 28th which in two days more than equalled the 44.2 mm which is normal for the month. By the end of June the protecting ridge had moved over the Prairies with a pool of cool, moist air Date brought th activity Record Day Year 35.7 30 1987 2.2 4 1976 1981 N/A 1981 1987 all the working people in B.C.” The picketers said they were hoping for the rest of the commu- nity to voice its support. Gate ig an information picket at Celgar's itizens are angry over the provincial SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper workers to gain access to the work site. “Moe Sihota stated he would deal with Bill 19,” Betty said. ‘ us.” three is used by the exp ult thing High temperatures near 24 WEATHER OUTLOOK: The forecast for Wednesday; Cloudy with sunny periods. 40% chance of showers. degrees. A ridge of high perssure slowly building inland from the coast should supply increasing amounts of sunshine and warmer tempera- tures for Thursday and Friday. 25.5/4 Precipitation: with litte chance of cutting. A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK: Temperature: Max/Date Min/Date 9.8/1 A cool, moist southwesterly flow of Pacific air gave cloud, well below normal temperatures and precipitation on 6 of the 7 days. The rain was a welcome relief for the foresters in the Neilson Region for the danger rating was quite high the last week of June. The farmers are not so happy however, the hay crops are mature Forecast provided by The South - East Interior Weather Office at Castlegar, B.C. Mean 17.0 Area burned to date: . Expecting dry trend ARROW FOREST DISTRICT DISTRICT FIRE INFORMATION Date: July 8 1992 DANGER CLASS/FIRE HAZARD - Low Total number of fires to date: Number of fires still burning: patrolling Number of new fires today: —. Weather Outlook (related to fire suppression/prevention activity} Fire Action: Manpower: Initial Attack crews - patrolling Comments: Last Year - 7 fires - 7 hectares 55 —. 16 hectares a Two women elected to sit on Castlegar and District Hospital Board Sun Staff Castlegar resident Dan Bush says crossing the tracks could be made ‘a lot easier for people who require wheelchairs. sion engineer, admitted he beleives nothing can be done about the tracks due to the spe- cific safety requirements stated by the National Transportation Agency (NTA). “We certainly understand and appreciate [Bush's] situation, but our own hands are tied,” Youngman said. The NTA states that the flangeway space must follow specific dimensions in order for safe passage of the train “Rubber tracking in the flangeway might seem like a good idea, but the train's wheels would not pass through.” Younger suggested that a grade overpass or underpass as an alternative for a possible solution but, “this would be a great expense and would also have to be approved by the NTA and other governing bod ies.” Other problems Bush cites another major problem in Castlegar which he feels the city can do something about—the lack of parking for people with disabilities. “There are places in Castle SUN STAFF PHOTO / Sharlene Imhoff gar where there is absolutely no parking set aside for people with disabilities—and when there is, much of the time some- one without any disability is parked there.” The Castlegar Medical Asso- ciates office, located downtown, is one such place without prop- erly labelled parking spots for people with disabilities. It isn't however, due to the lack of try- ing Chris Makeiv, a medical receptionist at the office, says she has called city hall a num- ber of times requesting special parking spaces to be marked by city workers. To date—nothing has been done. The spaces, she says, are needed not only for those with long-term disabilities, but for short term as well “This is a medical clinic. Of course we're going to have peo- ple coming in here using wheelchairs, crutches or what- ever. I think it’s important that something be done for these people,” Makeiv said. Two local tesidents have been elected to the Castlegar and District Hospital Board. Patricia (Tish) Lakes, admin- istrator of Castlegar Communi- ty Services, and Joan Blain, a partner in Moroso, Markin & Blain certified general accoun- tants in Castlegar, were both elected for three year terms. Tish Lakes plays a major role in ensuring adequate coun- selling services for West Koote- nay people, whether for alcohol and drug abuse, or for sexually abused children and family counselling. Lakes has lived in the Kootenays for over ten years and has resided in Castle- gar for more than four years. Joan Blain, who has been a resident of Castlegar since 1976, graduated in 1982 as a Certified General Accountant and has served on the Board of Certified General Accountants for 12 years. Along with the elections came three appointments to the hospital board; Merv Rush, who completed his term as a board member, was asked to remain on the board as a government appointee. Rush replaces Bill Horvath, who has completed his term as government appointee. Representing the City of Castle- gar on the hospital board is Councillor Lawrence Chernoff, replacing Councillor Jim Chap- man who completed his term. John Voykin will remain the Regional District of Central Kootenay representative to the board. Acting as Hospital Board Chairperson for the upcoming year is Margaret Nickle and vice chairperson is John Car- penter. Leaving the Castlegar and District Hospital Board is Bill Horvath, who was acting chair (June 1991 until March 31, 1992) and the provincial Gov- ernment Representative, and trustee Katrine Conroy. PATRICIA LAKES Pee SHY a