The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, November 25, 1992 Castlegar fire department prepares for upcoming wy drive SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor With the fast-approaching season, the ity level of most people seems to increase as time goes by, and it's a good thing too, since a lot of generosity is needed to ensure that the Castlegar and District Volunteer Firefighter's Toy Drive 3S @ Success. Volunteer Firefighter in charge of the toy drive this year, Cecil Mark, said Castlegar residents can drop their donations off at city hall up until December 10. The actual toy drive will be held Nov. 28 from 10 am to 2 p.m. At this time, Castlegar and area residents can drop off their Bede at either south or north fire hall locations. Once the toys have all been collected, Castlegar’s crew of volunteer firefighters will be handing the toys over to the Castlegar Legion, who will dis- tribute them along with food hampers to families in need at Christmas time. “Basically the more toys we get, the better Christmas these kids will have,” said Mark. Nearly every type of toy will be accepted, though Mark said Castlegar Volunteer Fire Department Captain Dick Dunlop and volunteer firefighters Larry Bosse and Cecil Mark display some of the toys which have already arrived at the fire hall. The department has been collecting toys for needy children for more than a decade. the firefighters prefer new or near new toys. The firefighters, who have been collecting toys for well over a decade, are already receiving toys, and they hope the generosi- ty will continue, since the number of needy families at Christmas rarely dissipates. “Last year was a success, we hope that Castlegar is as generous again this year,” Mark finished. Higher drug costs could be out of economic reach If Bill C-91 passes Federal legislation, Canada could be at parr with the United States for prescription costs. Bill C-91, the federal govern- ment’s proposed amendment to the Patent Act, has passed second reading, and is now in third read- ing. If passed, it will then become law. Health Minister, Elizabeth Cull, has voiced opposition to the bill. “The federal government's amendments, if passed, will mean higher costs for drugs, which consumers can not afford. Nor can provincial drug plans.” When pharmaceutical compa- Deadline extended on senior's health survey KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff Public response to the Seniors Housing Survey has been so suc- cessful that the deadline for sub- mission of the surveys has been extended to November 29 There have been 3,000 survey forms distributed in Castlegar, and 700 of those forms have been returned. Project Manager, Elma Maund, is pleased with the over- whe lming response. “We are now up to 700, and still counting. That's about 23 per cent of the forms that have been returned so far. Statistically, 10 per cent is considered good, 15 per cent is considered excellent, and 23 per cent is phenomenal.” Maund said one of the reasons for the high return is the fact that it is not just people over 40 who are filling out the survey. ““We are seeing a fair response from people under 40, and that is good. Five years from now the people who are 39 will be 44. At that point in their life they could be looking for smaller accommo- dations, the lack of housing could affect them.” The success of the survey has been attributed to the committ- ment of volunteers who distribut- ed the survey. “The quality and the quantity of help has been fantastic. With- Local RCMP set to begin Christmas Counter-Attack program KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff Last year, in Castlegar there were six fatal accidents, and four of those accidents were directly related to drinking and driving A blood alcohol content over 08 constitutes impairment, and the drivers involved in the four fatalities had a blood alcohol con- tent which ranged from .21-.32 Corporal sare of the Castlegar RCMP i people that the * Christmas Counter-Attack program will be in effect from December 8 to January 4, and if you drink and drive you can expect to pay “Alcohol and driving does not mix. If a person drinks and drives they run the risk of hurting them- selves and someone else. If this happens they and their families will pay for life. If the insurance company determines that alcohol was a contributing factor, then it will refuse to pay ” Hudema said that even driving a short distance while impaired is unacceptable “Ninety per cent of accidents happen within close proximity to a driver's residence. Some peo- ple rationalize drinking and driv- ing by thinking ‘I only have to go to neighbors, or down the street, So it’s okay’. This does not give them the inherent right to drink and drive.” For a first-time offense of impaired driving, a person can expect to pay not less than a $300 fine, and will have their drivers license suspended for one year. For the second offense, a repeat offender can expect to pay a stiffer fine, and will be sentenced to serve at least 14 days in jail, while a habitual offender will pay steep fines, and will be sentenced to jail for not less than 90 days. L out the volunteers the survey may not have been as successful,” said Maund. nies research and develop a spe- cific medication they are guaran- teed a patent on it. Under current legislation, generic versions are prohibited from being produced and distributed for at least seven years. This seven-year grace allows the company that ‘devel- oped the medication a monopoly on sales so they may attempt to recoup their developing and research costs. A recent study puts drug prices for Canada 35 per cent lower than the Unitéd States. If legislation does pass, it is feared Canadian drug prices might equal those of the United States, an increase which could put some provincial pharmacare programs at financial risk. “Our comprehensive Pharma- care program makes British Columbia especially vulnerable to cost increases associated with Bill C-91,” said Cull As an example, 100 Sotalol, which is a heart medication, costs $114. If Bill C-91 is passed, the same medication could then cost as much as $153.90. For 180 Nitrong, also a heart medication, the current cost is $85. A 35 per cent increase would mean the same medication would then cost $114.75. For many individuals, a medication that was already pro- hibitively expensive, might become dangerously out of reach Besides having to pay higher rates for medications, generic variations of name brand medica- tions might not be as readily available, leaving an individual with nd choice except to pay the cost associated with brand name products. The proposed legislation is requesting that pharmaceutical companies retain market exclu- Sivities for at least 10-20 years Owner and Pharmacist for Castlegar Pharmasave, Tom Biln said that although he could understand the necessity of a seven year patent, a longer patent wasn't necessary, and would only serve to drive medication costs higher. “Twenty years is much too long for patent protection. As it is the drug company prices their new medications higher to start. I don’t think you will find a price increase on the patented medica- tions that are already out, but the ones coming out will be very high. There won't be any other medications on the market like it for many years, and basically they.can set their prices as high as they want. Five years should be enough for the phar 1 Wednesday, November 25, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Ferry report surfaces surprising results KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff The Kootenay Region Inland Ferry Fleet has received a failing report card from the Inland Fer- ties Review panel. However, Regional Director for the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Gordon Sutherland, was generally pleased with the Review panel's findings. “The report shows that overall, our ferry system is safe and generally well operated by dedicated people.” But Sutherland's glowing opinion of the Review panel's findings doesn't hold water. While the review committee found the inland ferry system to be basically sound and operated by dedicated people, it showed evidence of inefficient manage- ment, of But, closer inspection of the report, which was done on the four licensed vessels and four cable ferries in the Kootenay Region fleet, shows more alarm- ing facts. For example, the Review I's recommendations for the Glade Cable Ferry said, “Some improvements to safety equip- ment and signage at the terminal are required. Crews will be pro- vided additional training in emer- gency drills.” The recommendation seems innocuous enough, but the actual written report, prepared by the Review panel, reveals a more serious scenario. The report said: The terminal had ferry schedule and dangerous cargo signage, but needs more for traffic control. Operators need d Safety and emergency procedures, and no professional marine man- agement chain of command. I prac- tice. Release for the fire smother- ing system for the engine room was well located, but needed an alarm to alert the operator to a fire. The emergency wheelhouse fire extinguisher needs to be refilled and the emergency diesel- driven fire pump needs to be repaired. The ferry carried school buses, but not enough life jackets for passengers. The life jackets are in good condition, but have not been accepted for Canadian Coast Guard purposes for many years. The ferry needs emergency procedures and donning life jack- ets signage. The gas tank on deck needs a WHMIS sign, and worst of all, the emergency rescue boat must be unchained and unlocked and able to be deployed easily, but it isn’t. The Inland Ferry System came under fire from The rrovince reporter, Brian Kieran in an arti- cle appropriately entitled “That sinking feeling”. In the article, Kieran said the review was a “condemning snap- shot of the Good Ship Lolly-Pop policies of the former Social Credit government, which embarked on a short-sighted agenda of privatization and decentralization.” Kieran also said, “The inspec- tion of the Glade ferry was even worse. The operator simply refused to do the MOB (man- over-board) drill.” Besides the Glade ferry, other ferries, such as the Kootenay Lake ferry, and the Harrop cable ferry received similar reports. In 1991/1992 the Glade ferry 211,980 p and 124, 105 vehicles. As a result of the report, Transportation and Highways Minister, Art Charbonneau said he has taken immediate action on the safety issues relating to the inland ferry system. “My immediate response was to order that the safety problems identified in the report be correct- ed at once,” said Charbonneau. B.C. Hydro releases estimates for next year's levels Company hopes better communication will prevail in 1993 SHARLENE IMHOFF ‘Sun Editor Unusually low reservoir water levels throughout the summer Tesulted in a season full of public criticism for B.C. Hydro, in the form of both written letters and telephone calls to the provincially ( d cor companies to recover their costs associated with developing the drug, then the generics should be allowed to come in.” Provincial and territorial min- isters of health are recommending their own amendments to the Patent Act. They include a call for a price review board with strengthened powers, and a feder- al and provincial strategy to con- trol prices. Cull said that Bill C-91 needs improvement, and has sent her specific recommendation to Health and Welfare Minister, Benoit Bouchard. “In short, this is not good legisla tion for Canadians. Bill C-91 needs significant improvement. I hope that Mr. Bouchard will consider our concems carefully, and implement the amendments that I have put for- ward in my recent letter.” Although seniors will be shielded from the increases, the costs will be absorbed by Phar- macare, which will then pass the costs onto the taxpayer. North Shore youth receiving well-wishes from home NELSON DAILY NEWS Cancer is a disease that contin- ues to baffle doctors. What causes it, or, how does it penetrate the immune system These are just a few of the ques- tions plaguing the minds of physicians. What we do know is that the disease focuses usually on mid- die-aged people or the elderly. So when stories surface of a young- ster having to suffer through one of the most deadly diseases ever to inhabit this earth, news comes as a shock. That was the feeling experi- enced by people on the North Shore when it was learned that eight-year-old Larry Hornby was diagnosed with Burkitte’s Lym- phoma. Which in medical terms is a “lymphoma of the lymph node system or the lymphatic sys- tem,” according to Dr. Kirk Schultz, Hornby's physician at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, noting this is a rare form of can- cer with as little as four cases in the province. “At first it was shock,” said Linda Jamison, a close friend of the Hornby family upon hearing the news. “It’s certainly a shock to the school and a surprise,” said John Schnare, a teacher at A I Collinson Elementary school, where Larry is a Grade 3 student. “Here's a student in a class with other eight-year olds (that is diagnosed with cancer) It's certainly a blow.” News of Larry Hornby’s diag- nosis spread like wildfire through the community. Larry, brother »Steven, sister Brie along with his parents Mark and Sandy were very popular. Mark, owned and operated Cool Sport on Baker Street, as well as coached the Nelson Ski Team, while Sandy taught school at Salmo Elemen- tary. But this is not the time to cry in your corn flakes. The best way to help is to support the family in every way possible. “It’s very positive,” said Schultz, believing the feedback Homby has received from family and friends has been a great bene- fit to a successful recovery. “Right now he is sitting in bed, playing Nintendo constantly, and actually feeling pretty good.” One of Homby’s greatest sup- “Anytime you get a chance to help a young person out like that . - it not only makes him feel good but it also makes you feel good,” said Adams, eager to use his influence as a professional hockey player to befriend young Larry. “It’s just part of the job,” adds Adams, noting the Vancou- ver Canucks’ hockey club has taken a major step in supporting the community with the building of Canuck Place, which will be the first free-standing Hospice in North America for terminally ill ‘We hear about these things ail the time, but when | hear about a youngster getting something like that, it's sad . . . very sad’ — GREG ADAMS Vancouver Canuck porters has been Vancouver Canucks sniper Greg Adams Being a native of the Heritage City, news of Larry Homby’s con- dition were both “shocking” and “disappointing” to the National Hockey League star. “We hear about these things all the time, but when I hear about a youngster get- ting something like that, it’s sad very sad,” said Adams Tuesday from Edmonton, where he was preparing to face the Oilers in a National Hockey League contest Hormby has a hereditary tie to the sport of hockey through his grandfather Howie, who was a member of the 1961 World Cham pion Trail Smoke Eaters. Since he was admitted to Children's Hospi- tal in Vancouver for surgery and treatment more than three weeks ago, Adams has reinforced that love through his regular visits. And when the Canucks have been on the ¢oad, the former Arizona University str phones Hornby, helping to keep emotions high. children and their family. Adams is not the only person attempting to paint a brighter pic- ture for the Hornbys. At A.1. Collinson the Parent Teacher Advisory board is coordinating numerous fundraising plans Teachers have instituted a letter writing program for the students while the Dunwoody Mini Soccer team, the team Larry was.a mem- ber, personally autographed a soccer ball and posed for a team picture to boost moral. On a monetary note, Jamison and a few close friends have set up the Hornby Trust Fund Account at the Nelson branch of the Bank of Montreal to help defer costs to the family while in Vancouver. “Everyone wanted to do something, but it's hard right now because most of (what needs to be done is medical help) so I guess that’s why we thought monetary,” said Jamison, noting that due to the overcrowding of Children’s Hospital, the family must find a place to live in Van- couver so that Larry can obtain “Day Patient” status. “Everybody wants to do some- thing, but because they are there (in Vancouver) we can't even go visit him.” “But there are numerous expenses that will be incurred because Larry is not here (living at his home in Nelson),” adds Jamison. Hornby is now undergoing Chemotherapy. This treatment should last for approximately 12 months. But as Schultz puts it, “cancer is quite curable.” “So we expect that he (Larry) will be cured, and grow up to become a very functionable adult . having a family, a job, etc,” adds Schultz. Funds raised by Trust Fund, which can be donated at, any of the bank's tellers, will go to off- setting costs experienced pats the family. Any remaining funds will be donated to the B.C. chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society. News of Larry Hornby’s plight have been a real concem to every- one that has ever been associated with this spunky youngster. Perhaps Adams says it best when he dis- cusses the incident. ““You don’t real- ize how lucky we are until you see some of those littke kids (in Chil- dren’s),” said Adams, relating his experience when he visited Larry Tim Newton, a senior B.C. Hydro planning consultant and Canadian chairman of the Columbia Treaty Operating Com- mittee, acknowledged that low water levels in the Mica, Arrow and Duncan reservoirs have tesulted in the company coming under fire by area residents and businesses near the respective dams. “The company received a lot of correspondence from con- cemed citizens, probably more so this year than any other.” Newton said he can understand the frustration which leads to some of the complaints, but was adamant that the company is ruled by the laws of the Columbia River Treaty, which was signed in 1961 between the Canadian and U.S. governments. Under the treaty, the operation of the entire Columbia River system is jointly coordinated to maximize flood control and power benefits on both sides of the border. This year the levels of most reservoirs were much lower than normal: Mica, 23 feet below, Arrow, 29 feet below; Duncan 36 feet below; and Libby, 19 feet below. B.C. Hydro says this was caused by an inadequate amount of rain and snow that failed to fill up the Columbia River Basin. MAJOR NORTHWEST STORAGE PROJECTS ‘"!! the lowest on record for the Mica, Arrow and Libby reservoirs. At Mica the lowest level during 1988 was almost 10 feet below this year’s mark of 23 feet below Arrow reservoir lev- els in 1973 and 1977 were also lower than this year, and 1977 levels were more than 25 feet below this year’s figure for the Libby. At the Dun- can reservoir however, this year's low levels result- ed in a new record Newton said the Columbia River Reser- voir levels for next year will again be determined by the spring inflows and These sight reservoirs held almost three-fourths of al the storage in the Columbia River system. “These are not the lowest lev- els on record though,” said New- ton. According to a pres$ release by B.C. Hydro, 1992 levels were not Dangerous dog fees higher SUN STAFF If you live in Castlegar, and you have a Pitbull, Staffordshire terrier, or a cross of the two, you can expect to pay a $1,000 licensing fee for Fido. Fire Chief, Gerry Remple said, “If a person has a dangerous dog that isn’t licensed, and it SUN STAFF comes to our attention, then the owner will be responsible fora fine plus the $1,000 licensing.” Even though the bylaw has been in effect since March of 1992, Castlegar residents might not be aware of the increased fee for such a licensed animal. Currently there aren't any dan- gerous dogs licensed in the Castlegar area. City receives provincial tax money Office building, both located along C bia Avenue. The City of Castlegar has received $37,508.03 in property tax grants from the B.C. Build- ings Corporation, which is responsible for provincial build- ings in municipalities. The money, which is collected by the city each year, is basically taxes received for provincial buildings on property, such as the court house and the Forestry The money becomes part of the city’s general revenues, according to the City Treasurer, Jackie Hamilton. A recent press release from the provincial government States that 89 municipalities will receive grants-in-lieu of taxes, totalling more than $13 million. In comparison, the City of Nelson will be receiving $167,981.15. outflows pur- suant to the joint operating plans under the treaty. B.C. Hydro has released projections for 1993 levels, which are again lower than nor- “Keep in mind though, that we are indicating the worst that can happen. This is not a definite forecast,” Newton said. In the event that inflows during 1993 are as low as those experi- enced in 1992, B.C. Hydro has made these rough projections of the peak summer 1993 reservoir levels: Mica, 50 feet below full; Arrow, 29 feet below full (same as 1992); Duncan, 42 feet below full and Libby, 64 feet below full. The low water levels in 1992 has resulted in B.C. Hydro improving its communication with media outlets. For snow on Friday. 74/18 Precipitation: Rain 18.6 Number of Hours 34 WEATHER OUTLOOK: The forecast for Wednesday; A strong inversion over the interior will continue to maintain cloudy skies. Chance of sunny break in some valleys. Highs to +2. Lows to -2 to -4. Outlook for Thursday and Friday: Increasing cloud. A few showers or rain or wet AL LOOK BACK AT THE PAST W WEEK: Temperature: Max/Date Min/Date -2/22 3.3 Snow 17.7 Mean Total 33.9 Normal Number of Hours 12.1 REMARKS: Rain fell each day during the past week with the first major snowfall for the valley bottoms recorded on the 21st. Snow depths over the higher passes are approaching the 80cm mark. A ridge of high pressure moved over Southern B.C. on the 22nd to Start the first cold snap of the season. Forecast provided by The South - East Interior Weather Office Businesses urged to think revitalization SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor A date has been set to start the first phase of Castlegar’ 's down- if the water level of the Columbia River was going to rise or fall by any significant amount, media outlets would be told, in order for the public to be effectively informed beforehand. Newton said that although the company can not change the legalities of the Columbia River Treaty, they can change the way in which the public is made aware of what the company is doing. Newton cited the weekly press releases which indicated the levels of the Columbia Reservoir as a good example of improved town Project. Information in the form of a news bulletin has been circulated to businesses which are located in the improvement district, stating that phase one of the revitaliza- tion project will begin March 15, with weather p of West's Department Store, said that a majority of business own- ers agree that facade improve- ments are necessary, and are prepared to take the initiative “We have the odd complaint, but I'd say that ninety-nine per cent are in full agreement.” Business owners are not expected to pay the full amount of facade improvement costs. Various grants are available, “If the snow is gone by Febru- ary, then we'll start then. And if it lasts until the end of April, well then that’s when things will get started,” said Peter Vatkin, a committee member on the Down- town Revitalization Committee. Phase one of the project cation. “Because we are bound by the treaty, we have to make changes, in terms of the water levels of the river. But we are ig on includes c: to all of 13th St, third St. and Wood St.. Con- struction will take approximately three months from start to finish. The news bulletin is also ask- doing this in such a way that it causes little distraction for resi- dents. We are striving to ensure that everyone is informed.” ing b owners to keep in mind that facade improvements (improvements to the outside of the building) are being requested. Vatkin, one of three co-owners SHARLENE IMHOFF Blueberry Creek funding application to start volunteer fire department denied Sun Editor ration. A provincial grant, which was to help the tax burden of Blueberry Creek residents in establishing a fire protection service in their com- nounity, has been denied by the B.C. Lottery Corpo- Under the previous Go B.C. Program, communi- ties across the province were promised $80 million to finance various projects. However, under the new residents to have id ri hei government help Start-up 2 fire hall, which will house fire! fighting equipment. While the setback is serious, Bill Cook, chairman of the Fire Commission in Blueberry in that pay dbiprenpena “The application that jas sent ta the provincial government was not even The anticipated $90,000 was to help pay for a vehicles and once again in April, 1993. Until that time, they are cation process has completed. “We're popire io to start Seiiing © around mid- April, 1993, and operating fire in: se cee ee a ee ee | ig on what type of work is being done. For example, up to one-third of the total costto a maximum of $350 per meter, can be recovered when improving the store front of a business. If improvements to a side or rear exterior of a store surface is being done, 20 per cent or up to $200 can be granted to alleviate the cost. If business owners are mak- ing their retail shops wheelchair accessible, then 50 per cent of the costs can be provided through grant moncy, to a maximum of $1,000 per entrance. Emco engineering is one business in Castlegar that has already com- pleted its facade improvements, and the downtown revitalization com- Mnittee is hopeful that other business- ¢s will also take the initiative. “There is no time limit for the facade improvements to be com- pleted. Some businesses might want to wait until the street-work is completed first,” Vatkin said. There are 150 municipalities in this province, and by 1991, more than 70 per cent of them had been or were becoming involved in some part of the Downtown Revitalization Program. Castlegar’s downtown revital- ization theme is Clean and Green, and the entire process has been broken down into three phases, the last of which involves Columbia Avenue and is sched- uled to be completed by 1995. Phase one of the project was to have begun this fall, but because of the lengthy West Kootenay Power labour dispute, it has been held off until the following spring. Work on phase one will require some lines to be buried by WKP employees. Selkirk College still struggling through labor negotiations KAREN KERKHOFF tiations have not been going smooth, but has cited funding Sun staff Selkirk College Faculty Asso- ciation members are still no clos- er to resolving outstanding issues now than they were last February, when bargaining first began. Spokesperson for the faculty by the Canuck players. “These are just little kids start- ing out in life and to have this type of thing happen to them. It sure makes you feel lucky after walking out of a place like that.” Similar to the support the com- munity has shown toward the plight of Jennifer Strom, this is another dilemma everyone needs to jump on the bandwagon to insure Larry's safe return home. bargaini committee, Jim Howard, said there are many rea- sons for the lack of progression in bargaining “The coltege has offered no improvements in the working con- ditions for faculty, and only a min- imal salary increase, coupled with several concessions, including a reduction in sick leave benefits.” Selkirk College's, Dean of Education Support Services, Dr. Richard Hallett admits that nego- hortages as the reason for con- straint. “It's true negotiations have been difficult, as both par- ties are constrained. We don't have much to give them for a salary increase. The college did not achieve a very large funding increase this year.” Hallett denies that the college wanted to reduce sick leave bene- fits, but instead only wanted to change the method in which sick leave benefits would be paid. “We didn’t want to reduce the benefits. We wanted to shift to long term disability after three months, rather than keep them on Sick leave. They would be cov- ered by insurance rather than the college payroll.” Howard also charges Selkirk College with complacency towards sexual harassment “The college does not want a sexual harassment policy in our collective agreement, apparently because the college does not want to make a commitment to the principles and procedures of such a clause.” Hallett denies that the college does not want to make a commit- ment towards sexual harassment, but says the commitment the col- lege wants to make will benefit both faculty and students alike “The college wants a sex harassment policy that will apply to all the employees, students and the college, rather than negotiat- ing a separate clause with each bargaining group. We've been 4 working for a long time regarding the wording on the policy. The board wants to see a policy in its hands by the beginning of March.” Howard said iftcreasing stu- dent population, coupled with fewer resources has taken a toll on faculty morale. “The climate of disrespect that has ch ized the neg “We do recognize the impact of extra students. We don’t have muuch to give them to reduce the work load.” Howard claims chronic under- funding is a factor that has been brought into play in negotiations between the college, and faculty over the last nine months has been especially disturbing to Selkirk College faculty, who feel undervalued at a time when they are being asked to deliver instruc- tion to more students than ever, with fewer resources than ever.” Hallett did acknowledge the load extra students -have put on faculty members, but referred again to inadequate funding. employer.” “We only wish the Selkirk Selkirk College.” Hallett said he would rather have preferred to handle the dis- pute at the bargaining table, as opposed through the media “We're not trying to negotiate in public, we're looking forward to * retuming to the bargaining table.” It was suggested that bargain- ing could possibly resume on December 4. The Selkirk College Faculty Association is a member of a province-wide coordinated bar- gaining council, which consists of eight faculty unions that belong to ue College Institute ion (CIEBA), College Board and would join us in seeking the provincial funding necessary to maintain the high quality of instructors and instruction at d including ees Faculty Asso- ciation, and represent instruction- al and non-instructional faculty members.