es Castlégar News July 17, 1988 BUSINESS Minister ignores advice EDMONTON (CP) — The cred ibility of an Alberta cabinet minister came into question this week when the Code investigation heard she ig: nored advice suggestiong two failing Principal Group subsidiaries be closed. Connie Osterman, minister of con sumer and corporate affairs in 1984, instead threatened to fire deputy minister Jim Darwish, who had warned her of serious problems with First Investors Corp. and Associated Investors of Canada. Darwish took early retirement in November 1984. The 58-year-old former civil ser vant was the first government wit ness to take the stand at the court appointed inquiry into the 1987 collapse of the two firms. He is ex pected to testify for at least another 10\ days. In his startling evidence, he said Osterman “was agitated and yelled” when she phoned him April 30, 1984, Economist to Toronto economist Jane Jacobs will speak on Alternative Means for Development: From the Grassroots Up Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in Nelson. Jacobs, the author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961); The Economy of Cities (1969); and Cities and the Wealth of Nations (1984) argues that virtually all economic life, no matter how geo- graphically remote from cities, de- pends on cities to maintain or change it remote ancestors did not expand their economies much by simply doing more of what they had already been doing,” she has stated. “They added new kinds of work, and so do we. Innovating economies expand and develop.” Jacobs, a previous visitor to Nelson and the Kootenay area, was born in Pennsylvania and has lived in New York City. She is now a Canadian citizen “Our speak in Nelson JANE JACOBS . in Nelson Her talk is sponsored by the Ency clopedia Britannica, and by the Kootenay Centre for a Sustainable Future. Tickets are available at Oliver's Books, or at the door. UtiliCorp offers common shares By CasNews Staff The U.S.-based utility company which owns West Kootenay Power and Light is working to reduce its debt UtiliCorp United of Kansas City has filed an application with the U.S Federal Energy Regulatory Commis sion to obtain approval for a public offering of up to 2,000,000 shares of common stock. The company will also be restructuring a $75-million debt in order to make the funds available for construction ands acquisition pur poses, a UtiliCorp spokesman said “It frees up the capacity we have to issue short-term notes,” UtiliCorp spokesman Roger Dick told the Castlegar News Friday. “It removes short-term liability but it will not mean an additional $75 million.” The net proceeds will be used to retire short-term debt incurred for the company's construction and ac. quisition programs. UtiliCorp provides electric and gas service to seven U.S. states and to the Kootenays. The common stock of the company is listed on the New York, Pacific and Toronto stock ex changes and closed at $18 5/8 per share last week ¢ Cominco forms new partnership Cominco is forming a partnership with an Alberta petrochemical com pany which gives the company a 25-per-cent interest in Cominco's U.S. nitrogen-based fertilizer busi ness Cominco American Inc. and Alenco have finalized an agreement that makes Alenco a partner in Cominco's fertilizer operations in Texas and Nebraska. Alenco will contribute cast to earn a 25-per-cent interest in the new partnership but Cominco will retain 75-per-cent interest as well as man. agement responsibility for the oper. ation. Cominco will also market the partnership products For Your Convenience We're OPEN MONDAY WIN TICKETS scribers| names are listed below. If your name appears, you're the 1 for the next five Fridays! jews office Tuesday stlegar or Wednesday until 5 p.m., or phone 365-7266 by 5 p.m. Wednesday to claim. Find your name below and good luck ! after receiving a memorandum he wrote warning of an emergency in the two investment firms, “I tried to tell her that the sit. uation at (First Investors Corp.) was one of the worst I had ever encoun tered,” Darwish said.“She said she didn’t want any more recommen: dations from m Darwish testified Osterman told him if he continued to make sug: gestions about First and Associated Investors, “then I would have to make a career decision, I got a little annoyed at that serious situation There was a and I wanted everybody to realize that.” Osterman, who is now social ser- vices minister, has refused to com- ment on Darwish's testimony. She is expected to take her turn before in- vestigator Bill Code in September, The testimony during the 187th day of the investigation spurred Opposition politicians to call for Osterman’s i i i DOLMAR Professionals’ Maximum cutting a in ond vibration, Otticiall New Democrat Leader Ray Martin said she should speak out now if she has evidence that would contradict what has been tabled at the in- vestigation. “Otherwise she should resign.” sac Chain Saws — COLUMBIA SAW & SERVICE 199 Columbia Ave. in the C Bldg. 365-2710 BUSINESS DIRECTORY TELEPHONE 365-5210 New insertions copy changes and concellations tor be accepted up to § p.m. W: jednesdey, July 27 tor the Castlegar th month of August. News Business Directory will Rocky View Tax & Bookkeeping Services * Small Business & Contractors * Personal * Farm or Logging No. 06-1545 Columbia Avenue Castlegar, B.C. 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Costiega: 365-7414 365-3411 365-3461 NELSON is 352-6661 MAGUO CANTRE 29 Government Rd STEREO & TV UNEAR ELECTRONICS ai st 354-4491 TRAIL RESTAURANTS BOSTON PIZZA WANETA PLAZA 8100 R Ken inglia * Hotpoint &%c CASTLEGAR PLUMBING & HEATING LTD. 1008 Columbie Avenve * 365-3388 BUY or SELL by AUCTION * Bonkruptcies * Estotes * Consigr © Quinigh Purchove OPEN MON. SAT. 9.5 2067-34 Thevmns 399-4793 Planning a Wedding? We Sell Distinctive Invitations, Napkins etc COME SEE US AT Castlégar News 197 Columbia Ave. Business Counselling i DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Otfers ree counselling, ossistance ond training for small business interests in gion = HONE 266.2006 — 6158. 13th Street, Cont hone 345-6126 v y. 9.@.m. te § p.m. FINANCING AVAILABLE O.A.C Division of... Columbia Videotex Ltd. Concrete WEST K CONCRETE LTD. PIPELINE PITT ROAD CALL PLANT 693-2430 CASTLEGAR 365-2430 Contractors D & M Painting & Insulation © Blown Insulation © Batts & Poly DUNCAN MORRISON 650-5th A PHONE 365-3222 Moving & Storage Williams Moving & Storage Invite you to call them for a free moving estimate. Let our representative tell you about the many services which have made Williams the most respected nome in the moving busines: Ph. 365-3328 Collect Nursery CHANG’S itd. & A Complete Nursery Stock! 365-5255 Foot Care Optometrist Power Wash Spray = ety) AWNINGS & SIGNS * BRICK STUCCO & WOOD ry TYPE SETTING Give your newsletters, meeting bulletins, etc., @ professional op. peorance. Camero-ready type for your photocopier CASTLEGAR NEWS 365-7266 ROOFING * Guaranteed Work © Fair Prices © 30 Yeors in Business © Free Estimates JAMES SWANSON AND SONS Ph. 367-7680 WICKLUM roofing Government Certified Box 525, Nelson, B.C. RRAP PROGRAM FREE ESTIMATES — 18 Yeors Certified Roofing Phone Lorne 352-2917 Septic Service ML LeRoy 8.C. O.D. OPTOMETRIST 1012 - 4th $t., Castlegar PHONE 365-3361 Tuesday to Friday 9a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m, to 12 Noon COLEMAN COUNTRY BOY SERVICE Sump & Septic Tank Pumping Phone 365-5013 3400-4th Avenue Castlegor ive Library, V8V 1x4 at Bligs., 301 Belleville + Ce Castle Vol, 41, No. 58 60 Cents = \VA Sa aa ar News CASTLEGAR, BRITISH COLUMBIA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1968 WEATHERCAST Morning clouds tomorrow with o 10 per cent chance of rain and tem peratures down to 32. Friday will be mainly sunny with highs near 32 and ne chance of precipitation. The will be cooler, neor 25 and there is @ 40 per cent chance of precipitation Satur 3 Sections (A, B &C) _e = AIRPORT UNVEILED . . . Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco (left) and Gerry St. Germain, federal Minister of State for Transport, were in New terminal unveiled By BONNE MORGAN Staff Writer The Castlegar Air Terminal's $3 million expansion was officially un veiled yesterday before a crowd of about 75. Renovations to the terminal, were part of a $5 million federal upgrade to the facility over the last two years. “Transport Canada and the federal government have invested nearly $5 million in recognition of the safety and convenience of fhe travelling public as well as the economic growth potential of the region,” said Gerry St. Germain, federal Minister of State for Transport, during the official opening, of the terminal. St. Germain -eredited Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco, for making the expansion possible, saying he fought tirelessly for it. “We got sick about hearing about it and that's why we built it,” he said St. Germain said the airport needs further improvements and plans are underway now to expand the flight service station at a further cost of $1.2 million. “I can truthfully say without question will drive that Bob, us totally crazy on the aspects, whether it be the lighting (runway lighting) or the MLS (microwave landing system),” he said Brisco recalled his battle to expand the Castlegar Airport, saying fund ing had been approved in 1979 but “was put on hold for four years” when the government changed hands. He said Castlegar was in the middle of a priority list for airport expansions. “With the active support of Gerry St. Germain and my other B.C. caucus colleagues, Castlegar made a quantum leap to the plus side of the line.” said Brisco. “Remember when you claimed your baggage outside with you and your suitcases exposed to the ele ments,” said Brisco. “That's some time ago.” Standing near a plaque which reads, the Ralph West Airport, June 1, 1954, Marjorie West recalled the first airport in Castlegar which opened under clouds of dust that year because there was no paving on Castlegar yesterday to officially unveil the new air terminal and the plaque honoring the opening. instrumental in having built. That building was replaced in 1963. It was moved over to house Adastra Aviation Ltd. and burnt down on Friday the 13th in November 1970. In 1972, the Castlegar Airport officially opened in the same building which is a part of the current airport. Airport manager John Michelson is pleased with the modern building. “We're doing quite well now,” he said later. In addition to about two thirds more space and indoor bag. gage pickup, the airport has new water and electrical systems to feed the tequirements of an expanded airport. There is a new runway apron and parking facilities. The airport now has room for a restaurant, Picnic in the Sky, and the Gateway Gift Shop. Michelson said there is also room for a customs office to open soon. The new terminal is accessible to the disabled, having been tested during the arrival of athletes here the site then. West was honored@ last weekend for the B:C. champion yesterday as a pioneer of the first airport, which her late husband was ships for the physically disabled in Trail. Zaim on hot seat VICTORIA (CP) are really upset.” But several of the riding executive emerged smiling from the meeting 2" hours later, saying they had a good meeting and were pleased with the results. “We had a wonderful, private meeting.” member. “We discussed some issues and concerns that we have in Victoria.” Vander Zalm, who has meeting.” Another executive member said the “leadership was raised and discussed, but the need for one was not the consensus of the executive members who issue” attended Last week, backbencher Russ Fraser called for a leadership review. That was followed by five Vancouver Socred, constituency presidents refusing to publicly support Vander Zalm’s leadership. They are mad that Vander Zalm did not put one Vancouver representative in the new cabinet. Earlier Tuesday, Vander Zalm said he was planning changes in the face of the dissent in his caucus and party He has scheduled a news conference for today It is expected he will split David Poole's job as Premier Bill beleaguered by almost daily revelations of problems with his style and his government, apparently was on the hot seat Tuesday night at a meeting with some two dozen grim-faced Social Credit constituency officials. “He's proably going to try that snake oil charm on us, but it's not going to work,” said one Social Credit party member who marched into the meeting in a downtown hotel. “There are about six of us here who tried availability to reportrs, would only say: “It was a good Vander Zalm, ministers. also apparently members Grace McCarthy Smith At the Tuesday night members, all from southern Vancouver Island ridings, principal secretary's job in two and add a deputy minister to his staff, which has already grown to 74 employees from 13 in less than two years. Poole has been acting as the premier’s chief political and policy adviser. He also has all of the deputy ministers reporting to him rather to their individual meeting, the executive sought answers to the recent resignations of former economie development minister and former attorney general Brian Late last month, Smith resigned citing interference aid one in his ministry by Vander Zalm and Poole McCarthy resigned her post a week later on July 5 accusing Vander Zalm of allowing non-elected officials to curtail his like Poole too much power. Vander Zalm has been trying to put out political fires for several months. He started a two-week vacation last week, but ended it after one day and was in his office Tuesday He spent much of Monday responding to the latest revelation that he and his millionaire friend Peter Toigo wrong-doing had been investigated by the RCMP after allegations of influence-peddling. The three-month investigation concluded.last week and cleared both Vander Zalm and Toigo of any The investigation began after two members of the B.C. enterprise Corp. board went to former attorney general Brian Smith outlining the times they said either Vander Zalm or Poole had helped Toigo in his unsuccessful bid to buy the Expo lands and other assets held by the Crown corporation. SS Japanese students arrive CasNewsPhoto by Bonne Morgon Committee buying ferry? By CasNews Staff The Robson-Raspberry Ferry Users Ad Hoe Committee has sent a letter to the provincial Highways Ministry asking the ministry for permission to purchase the Robson cable ferry for $1 Committee spokesman Fern Allam said the group sent the letter to Neil Vant, Minister of Highways, asking to purchase the vessel. FERN ALLAM ferry offer “To show good faith we've stopped occupation of the ferry,” Allam told the Castlegar News today. “We've taken the trailer off as well.” ‘The group had been occupying the vessel 24 hours a day since May 10 and Allam said the committee is serious about purchasing and operating the vessel. “If we have to operate it, we're going to look into fund ing,” Allam said. “We're going to wait and see what they tell us.” The committee also sent the ministry $1 to cover the purchase of the vessel “Our lawyer (Terry Daiton) has sent the letter with the money to let the ministry know we feel we've entered serious negotiations,” Allam The committee will meet tonight at the Robson Hall at 7:30 to discuss the tatest developments. For the second year in a row, Selkirk College welcomes to Castle. gar students from its sister insti- tution, Aoyama Technical College in Tokyo. There are 34 co-ed students in this summer's group whith is accompan ied by three Aoyama staff members. The Aoyama students, who ar rived in Castlegar last night, are residing with area families for the duration of their three-week tour. As with last year's group, students spend mornings in English language classes at the Selkirk College campus. Afternoons are devoted to cultural and recreational pursuits. “We are delighted to welcome Aoyama students back for another year at Selkirk College,” Gail Oglow, coordinator of the tour for the second year said. “Last year was such a good experience for every one involved that we hope to make this year's tour even more memorable if that’s pos sible,” she said The student's activity schedule al lows for as much tennis and golf as is practical, in addition to numerous field trips and outiongs for museum tours, horseback riding, soaking in Ainsworth Hot Springs, tours of a log house construction site and sawmill, as well as numerous opportunities for optional activities during the evening hours. A four-day bus trip to Banff National Park is included in the stu- dents’ itinerary which they will complete just prior to their depar ture from Castlegar Aug. 5. A tremendous amount of organ: ization has gone into preparing for this visit, a task that has been shared between Oglow and a number of cultural assistants, Selkirk College students who have been hired to serve as English language tutors, bus drivers and liaison for the afternoon cultural/recreational events. “I feel very positive about this year's tour,” said Oglow. “We have tried to provide as diverse a cultural sampling as our area has to offer.” A city council reception is sched- uled for the visitors in Castlegar council chambers at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Council requests pool information By CasNews Staff Castlegar City Council said it needs more information on the proposed Aquatic Centre scheduled to go to referendum Oct. 15. Council members want to know what the operating costs of the facility will be in addition to already publicized costs. Alderman Embree said he has re- ceived questions about the Aquatic Centre and doesn't have the answers. “I think we best get some figures together on operating costs, whether local people are going to be guar anteed jobs on that thing . . .” he said Embree said people he has spoken to aren’t in favor of the proposed $2.2 million facility because they are afraid their property taxes will soar. “Some of the comments I'm re ceiving are some real concerns, es. pecially coming after the tax bills and the substantial increase for most people from the school tax,” said Embree City asked for changes in water By CasNews Staff The City of Castlegar is consider ing supplying water outside City boundaries to several Grosvenor Place residents who are having problems with their water. Ald. Lawrence Chernoff said the three homeowners’ water is unfit to drink and is even poor for washing clothes. Ald. Terry Rogers said at last night's city council meeting that the City must check with legal counsel to see what the ramifications of such a move would be before deciding. “There is a legal complication in regards to the regional district (of Central Kootenay),” said Ald. Albert Calderbank, saying there are many legal complications to consider “Those individuals are probably only one of many and that is the scary part,” said Calderbank Rogers said after the meeting that he is concerned providing the water will “open the door” to other people living outside city limits with water problems. Ald. Len Embree said the matter also involves a political decision “I see my responsibility very clearly and that’s to the people within the City of Castlegar,” said Embree, adding there may be some Castlegar residents who do not want a boundary extension. “They would like us to consider a temporary hookup until such time that the boundaries are expanded to include them,” said Rogers. Embree said proper information “is going to be very important on the success or failure (of the referendum) when it goes to the public.” Ald. Lawrénce Chernoff, who is a member of the Project Society responsible for the pool, said the costs of the Centre are $1 a week for local taxpayers. Chernoff said he will ask the Project Society to meet with city council and provide more information on costs which are still being worked out ~ Private’ . insurance preferred page A2 Lottery numbers The winning numbers drawn Tuesday in The Pick lottery were I, 3, 4, 28, 33, 38, 43 and 56. 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