‘ a2 Castlegar News Aor 2.1980 Cominco wants break on water tax By STEVE MERTL Ld VANCOUVER — Cominco Ltd. wants to expand its zine smelter at Trail, but president Bob Hallbauer says the provincial government must first drop its tax on water Cominco uses to drive the smelter’s power plant. “The water rental must go,” Hall- bauer told Cominco's annual meeting. “To date we have been completely unsuccessful in convincing the B.C. government that cancellation of this tax would be beneficial not only to Cominco but to the whole province in attracting new industry.” Haltbauer told reporters later that Cominco pays about $9 million a year to use water from the Columbia River, which is diverted to its electrical tur- bines “for a few seconds.” The B.C. mining industry pays about $30 million in water taxes, he said. Plans to expand the zine smelter would come on top of°a $250-million modernization already under way at Cominco's 80-year-old Trail operation, financed partly by the federal and provincial government purchase of interest-bearing, preferred shares. BUILDS SMELTER A new lead smelter in the south eastern B.C. town is scheduled to be completed by the middle of next year. The overall modernization is to be finished in two years. Hallbauer told shareholders the closure of the Pine Point lead-zinc mine in the Northwest Territories and declining production from its Sullivan mine at Kimberley mean Cominco will have to compete for long-term sources of smelter feedstock, The zine expansion, if it took place, would cost about $100 million and would increase the current smelting capacity of 272,000 tonnes a year by about 30 per cent. Cominco shareholders had little to complain about after a year of steadily increasing profits in 1987 and rosy pro- jections for 1988, Cominco’s 1987 profit was $80.6 million — not including more than $90 million gained from the sale of assets such as West Kootenay Power and Light Co, Ltd. — compared with a $48-million loss in 1986. Revenue in 1987 totalled $1.3 billion, A 17-week strike last year at the copper 4nd zine concentrates — milled but fined ore — rose dr ' The operating profit of Cominco's metals business jumped to $188 million from $21 million in 1986. First-quarter 1988 net income, released earlier this week, rose seven- fold to $31.9 million from $4.4 million in the first three months of 1987, based mainly on higher metals prices. Cominco, once a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Ltd. and now con- trolled by Teck Corp. of Vancouver along with Australian and West Ger- man partners, has succeeded in re- ducing its debt to $379 million at the end of 1987 from $644 million a year earlier. CETAC gets approval to build gas station aN): ’ April 24, 1988 Castlega ir News as By BONNE MORGAN Staff Writer Despite opposition from Ootischenia residents, CETAC Developments Ltd. will go ahead with plans to build a gas station and con- venience store. CETAC received approval last week from the Regional District of Central Kootenay to rezone the property from rural two-family to special commercial after failing in two previous attempts to get the property rezoned. CETAC now must receive final approval from the Min istry of Highways in Ross- land for the access road from Highway 3 onto the property before it can plan and build. Gary Exner, one o CETAC’s four directors, says he is not worried about getting highways approval. “I can't see any problem,” he said, “They've given us the guidelines and it's just a matter of putting it on scales at a public meeting in March. Residents also opposed CETAC’s proposal for a $2 million waterslide park and motel complex two years ago. The RDCK didn't approve that rezoning application. Exner said he was happy to hear that some members of the RDCK who voted in favor of a similar gas station development in 1985 by the Kootenay Columbia Cooper- ative Society did not turn down his proposal. “I take my hat off to the man,” Exner said noting one member he knew of who voted in favor. Exner says he is optimistic about the success of a gas station in that particular location and expects to see business from residents and traffic from the Salmo-Cres- ton highway, using the gas station. “I think once it's in place people will come because it's a lot closer than going over the bridge.” PPWC workers angry over dioxins in pulp NANAIMO, B.C. (CP) — The Pulp, Paper and Wood workers of Canada’s interest in dioxins has gone from mild curiosity to acute concern and anger, Fred Henton, national environment officer for the union, told a public meeting on the chemical. Dioxins are produced in “Of the approximately 50 tonnes of organic chlorines released daily at the Harmac complex a large portion of those do not break down readily in the environment,” admitted duced. Meanwhile, the union be- came angry, said Henton. Renate Kroesa, a toxi- cology specialist with the Gr some were pro- Henton told an audi of 200. “We need to be seriously concerned about these com- plex compounds.” organization, said the form of dioxin produced by pulp mills is the most toxic chemical eS CLEANUP BEGINS . . . CP Rail crews began clearin the tracks between Trail and Castlegar earlier this the line. week following a mudslide in Sullivan Creek that 9 brought rocks, mud and debris tumbling down onto MUDSLIDE continued trom front poge The pond, which tumbled down the creek bed after the beaver dam ruptured, was located about two kilo metres above the highway, said St. Thomas. “We were lucky a whole piece of that road didn’t get taken out,” he said. St. Thomas attributed his luck to a large “natural holding area” on the south side of the creek. As the water built up at the clogged culvert, it moved over to a large empty spot and formed a pool which gradually rose The high water mark was clearly visible on the highway grading, which was in fact the east wall of the “pool.” “During that time, the culvert cleared itself and the water started to recede,” St. Thomas said. “It was a very good benefit, we were afraid the road would wash out.” The rising water reached the highway pavement level at the north side of the creek area where it ran “hk along the ditchline and gradually spilled onto the highway carrying mud, rocks and some trees northward. The force of the torrent ripped up small pieces of the asphalt in the southbound lane as it proceeded north onto the highway. The water travelled about 500 metres on the highway surface litter. ing the debris randomly over the east side of the road down onto the railroad tracks. “There was no significant track damage,” said Don Bower, CP Rail spokesman in Vancouver. “The spill covered a total of about 200 feet of track.” The track was covered in mud in several different places and the Castle. gar-Trail line was closed for about 14 hours. Bower said the slide didn't delay any trains because none was sheduled to run over the tracks during the time it took railway crews to clean up the bA mud and rocks. The crews used an excavator to clear the tracks. : “There was no real delay,” he said) About one kilometre north of the main slide area a second, smaller slide occurred late Wednesday night, taking out a small piece of southbound lane of Highway 22. The highway has been repaired in that area. “The runoff stream channel closer to Castlegar went a little later,” said St. Thomas. “It wasn't as serious as the main slide.” St. Thomas said Highways crews are now going to wait for the spring runoff to subside before attempting to locate the entrance to the- Sullivan Creek culvert, which is currently buried under a mountain of debris. “We haven't touched the big one (slide area) yet,” said St. Thomas. “It's (the culvert) working and we don't want to plug it up by trying to remove the debris yet. The last thing we want is another flood.” Students make honor roll Following is the Stanley Humphries secondary school honor roll for the third term FIRST CLASS Grade 12: Paul Andersen, Derek Ball, Carrie Lynn Brown, Kanny Chow, Jane Fleet, Laura Goetting, Mark Hamilton, James Skwarok, Anne Tandory and Laurel Westinghouse. Grade 11: Claudia Braman, Lucy Cardoso, Candace Car. ter, Sheri Chernenkoff, Dar ryl Furey, Mike Gerrand, Crossley, moff, Eddie Harmston Maerz, Christine Reimer, Jason Gordon Hadikin, Maya Kalmakov, Lorni Kani gan, Michael Lalor, Lamb, Lori Legebokoff, Lippa, Rishia McDowell, Carlson Tami Cathy Paszty, Brian Pere hudoff, Tammy Pereverzoff, Gregory Sahlstrom, Sloan, Michael Strobel, Cor Andrei Evdoki Gjennestad, Stephanie Liza Kalmakoff, son, Machado, Wayne Pottle, Trudy Plotnikoff, Teresa Glen cott O'Connor, Peterson, Shelley Roberts, Paige Larissa Gouk, Alex Hartman, Rich ard Hawkins, Dustin John. Stephen Junker, Luis Scott, Southwell and Adrienne Wil: Grade 9: Treena Baker, Jeff Bevans, Doreen Chaves, Cheveldave, Draper, Stacy Gorkoff, David Greén, Yuri Hadikin, Mat thew Kalmakov, Ivan Kooz netsoff, Ariel McDowell, Sherry Makortoff, Brenda Molnar, Brad Nault, Michelle Negreiff, Tony Pena, Louise Pinckney, Tammi Roseberry, Christi Stefoniuk, Dan Stelek, Bill Strilaeff,: Frank Strobel, Lora Wolff and Amy Zanrosso. Paimer, Denise Kim Lesa Doug Gorcak, Greg Pere grym, Allan Phipps; Brent Pinckney, Andrew Port and Allison Zanet Grade 10: Tracy - Carr, Clayton Castle, Dawn Cum berland, Ellen Crossley, Cheryl Duckworth, Walter Hadikin, Ken Halisheff, Jen nifer Jones, David Littley, Ian Moore, Suzanne Orr and David Vecchio. Grade 9: Tammy Bezaire, Donald Chow, Paula Furey, Aaron Kennedy, Trisha Mer riman, Denise Smithers and Jodi Young. SECOND CLASS Grade 12: Jennifer Breck enridge, Derek Cherry, Jaret Clay, Heath Clement, Shaun ina Turcotte, Monica Tymo fievich, Tanis Wesley and Donna Wolff. Grade 11: Ricky Bayoff, Jeff Beck, Shane Bohnet, Roger Briscoe, David Bris tow, Laurene Brown, Sarah Finney, Desmond Fipke, Carrie Gorkoff, Aaron Jan zen, Jason Kramer, David Kravski, Elita Loverenow, Marnie Mitchell, Teri Neg reiff, Scott Nelson, Heather Penman, Stacey Polonicoff, Robert Scott, Angela Smee, Garret Turta and Phil Wiebe. Grade 10: Dan Austin, Sunny Baker, Scott Blessin, Sarah Byers, Roger Carlson, Ken Chernoff, Willow Doch erty, Lisa Gerrand, Warren Growers hurt by free trade VICTORIA (CP) — Pre- mier Bill Vander Zalm gave no firm commitments during a meeting Friday about help for grape growers who will be hurt by the free trade agreement, said the chair. man of the B.C. Grape Mar-. keting Board. “It's a waiting game and I'm tired of waiting,” said Alan Brock after the meet ing. “He (Vander Zalm) bas. ically said it’s in the process, it’s very slow and they've got to meet with the feds,” Brock Services committee’ said he said. But Agriculture Minister John Savage told the legis. lature Friday that the plight of Okanagan grape growers paper.” About 25 Ootischenia resi- dents voiced concerns over the possible development on thé land~gear the weigh the bleaching process at the Harmac pulp mill near here as well as at other pulp mills and are suspected to cause cancer. SS TOWN HALL MEETING... Former Alderman Jim Gouk raises his concern at the old-fashioned style town hall meeting held as part of municipal awareness week. ever produced by man. She said it causes many kinds of cancer and increases the cancer-causing tenden- cies of other chemicals. Henton said officials at Harmac, operated by Mac Millan Bloedel, at first down. played the presence of dio- xins at the mill but later Residents rap council By BONNE MORGAN Staff Writer At Castlegar's municipal awareness week Town Hall meeting Thursday night, council received some criticism on the way it has handled past issues. Charlie Cohoe, president of the Kootenay Country Tourist Association, criticized Castlegar City Council's involvement with the woodroom issue at Celgar Pulp Co. Ltd. “I feel the council's handling of Westar's woodroom closure was possibly out of placde, Cohoe, a former alderman said at the public meeting. Cohoe suggested council's stand against the closure of the woodroom might deter other large companies from locating in the area. “I think (this happens) when someone is on the other side looking in and they hear council's meddling in the operation of a company,” he said. Il of the good things council has been doing to try and promote business in the city have been damaged by their intervention in Westar's operation.” Ald. Terry Rogers, Chairman of the City Works and didn’t’ think council had “*meddled” in the woodroom issue. “All we did was ask them to reconsider the closure of the woodroom,” he said. “You can't get a much milder motion than that without getting a blank piece of paper.” Rogers said he is aware “there is the perception council — some of whom have been has no business” being involved in the woodroom issue, but denied bank loans because of he felt it was their duty to be involved. the negative effect free trade “Does couneil have a responsibility to this community is expected to have on their and to the jobs of this community or not?” he asked. industry — will not be over. looked by the province. “I think we have a duty . . . to act in a way that we think ¢ is in the public good,” he said. “Anyway the woodroom is mothballed and it hasn't been dismantled which is good,” Rogers said. One resident expressed concern over the additional $15,000 added to the $40,000 council contributed to relocating and reservicing the old CP Rail Station. “It is true there was a $15,000 cost over run?” asked a concerned tax payer at the meeting. Ald. Albert Calderbank denied there was an overrun. “That was a very rough estimate at the time, he said. (“That was the final cost ($55,000), I can't see where it was an overrun. ’ ‘Ald. Lawrence Chernoff said the Castlegar Heritage Society will purchase the building and take over the cost of restoration. The society will use the $40,000 B.C. Heritage trust fund. “It's not going to cost you anything because it's going to be given over to the heritage society,” he said. Former ald. Jim Gouk asked council what council is doing to market the sale of lots in the industrial park. Both Mayor Audrey Moore and Ald. Terry Rogers said a political solution was needed to remedy the debt on the industrial park. “I think council and our mayor are leading the way to that. She has been working very hard to get a political solution,” said Rogers." Moore said “we are getting a lot of help from the economic development branch of the provincial govern ment. “The government is not demanding their money at this time,’ she said. ' she said there are 19 different municipalities “in the same state.” Moore added the Castlegar and District Development Board is “doing a fair job in trying to market those lots.” Briefly Where are hijackers? WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials said they had no confirmation that the hijackers of a Kuwaiti jetliner had left Algeria, despite published reports saying they had been flown to Syria or Beirut. “There are conflicting reports about the where- abouts of the hijackers, but we have no indication they have left Algeria,” State Department spokesman Phyllis Oakley told reporters. She declined to elab- orate. Elevator explosion JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Rescue workers used dogs, bulldozers and cranes to search for two of three men missing yesterday after two grain-elevator explosions levelled grain silos and an office building, killing at least two other people. As many as six boats dragged the Des Plaines River for the body of the third missing man, who was believed to have been thrown off a barge by the force of the explosions, and four divers searched down. stream, authorities said. Pedal plane crashes SANTORINI, Green (AP) — A fragile pedal-plane skimmed across a 119-kilometre stretch of the Aegean Sea from Crete to this Greek island yesterday to break the world record for human-powered flight. But as the pilot tried to land the ultra-light Daedalus 88, its tail boom was torn off by a gust of wind and the plane went into the water about six metres offshore, said a spokesman for the sponsoring Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, lass. Shroud examined VATICAN CITY (Reuter) — Pieces from the mysterious Shroud of Turin, which some Roman Catholics believe was Christ's burial cloth, have been cut off for scientific carbon-14 tests to determine the age of the fabric, the Vatican said. The tests will be the first and most significant on the controversial sheet since 1978, when a group of U.S. Scientists photographed and studied it. No samples were removed then. A Vatican statement said small pieces of the shroud were cut on Thursday in a chapel of Turin Cathedral, where the shroud has been kept since 1587. IRS hits ministry COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The U.S. Internal Revenue Service revoked the tax-exempt status of the PTL television ministry Friday and said contributions to the financially troubled organization are no longer tax deductible. PTL officials, who are trying to reorganize the ministry in U-S. Bankruptcy Court in Columbia, have said the tax-exempt status is essential to PTL's survivial. PTL has a Christian theme park and a cable television network based in Fort Mill. Arms embargo sought NEW YORK (Reuter) — China has told the United States it will not back a United Nations arms embargo against Iran after U.S. and Iranian naval forces clashed this week in the Persian Gulf, the New York Times reported on Saturday It quoted a U.S. State Department official: as saying: “China has told us that because of recent developments in the war, it would complicate matters to pass an arms embargo resolution and that this was not the way to bring the war to an end.” Barge blaze burns VANCOUVER (CP) — Firefighters battled a stubborn blaze aboard a barge carrying a number of dangerous goods, including propane and acetylene, about 100 kilometres northwest of Vancouver in the Strait of Georgia. A search and rescue spokesman said the fire had been contained, and there were no injuries. Acid rain attacked OTTAWA (CP) — Prime Minister Brian Mul roney came under renewed opposition attack Friday as his ministers admitted they expect little progress in winning an agreement from President Ronald Reagan to combat acid rain. “The fact is that the United States has not reduced its acid rain one drop in spite of the supposed efforts of the prime ministers,” Liberal House leader Herb Gray told the Commons in advance of Mulroney's final summit with Reagan before the president leaves office next year. Reagan warns Iran WASHINGTON (AP) President Ronald Reagan warned Iran's leaders Saturday that contin- ued attacks on neutral countries and refusal to negotiate.an end to the Persian Gulf war “will be very costly to Iran and its people.” Reagan, in his weekly radio address delivered from Camp David, Md., said: “We do not seek to confront Iran.” Killers evade search NOUMEA (AP) — Melanesian separatists who killed three policemen and are holding 27 others hostage in New Caledonia evaded a police search and demanded that the French Pacific island territory's election be cancelled. But plans went ahead for the ballotting for local offices. The French minister of overseas territories, Bernard Pons, was dispatched from Paris on Saturday by Premier Jacques Chirac to oversee voting. U.S. chopper found NICOSIA (AP) — Iran's Revolutionary Guards retrieved remains of a U.S. helicopter Saturday that was allegedly shot down by Iranian forces in a showdown with the U.S. navy, Tehran Radio reported. The state-run broadcast, monitored in Cyprus, said naval units of the Revolutionary Guards found the remains in the Persian Gulf and brought them ashore. ROAD BLOCK . . . RCMP Const. Blair Imrie stops a motorist on Columbia Avenue yesterday in an RCMP roadblock. The roadblock is part of a counterattack program currently underway in the area and is geared for keeping impaired drivers from operating their vehicles . CasNews Photc KRISTIANSEN-~ continued from front page unionists to represent the people of this riding.” Like Schmidt, Kristiansen is a former head of the Nelson, Trail and District Labor Council. “I feel that Lyle would do a better job,” Schmidt said, noting that he and Kristiansen come from the same background. Schmidt dismissed the suggestion that Doug Swanson, president-elect of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 480, had any effect on his decision to support Kristiansen. Swanson nom. inated Scarlett and in his nomination speech attacked Schmidt “Doug Swanson and I have to work together as a team after this is all over, and we certainly didn’t have any hard feelings. Doug has his right to nominate who he wants to nominate. But certainly every other Steelworker in this hall was supporting me” Scarlett wasn’t surprised at Krist iansen's strong showing and credited it to the former MP's high profile in the community. “I'm not terribly surprised that he came out on top because I think it was conventional wisdom that he was the one to beat.” Earlier Scarlett said: “Everybody knows Lyle and Lyle's worked very hard. He's been a very active person in the community. There's just no sub. stitute for being known. And it takes time for that to happen And obviously I've ese known by a large number of people myself, but it’s pretty clear that being part of the community, being known to the community is where it’s at.” Scarlett said he doesn't plan to leave politics but plans to campaign during the next election as a Krist iansen supporter. You can sure bet that haven't seen the last of me.” Kristiansen particularly thanked Scarlett who “in his first major bid (for office) put on a really credible show.” “I know what it's like to win. I also know what it’s like to lose,” Kristian sen added. they KCTA continued from front page The KCTA is made up of about 150 tourism operators in the West Koot enay and the group co-ordinates pro motions for tourism in the area through advertisements in newspapers and radios outside the West Kootenay. The Spokane area, Alberta and the Greater Vancouver region are three big mar. kets the KCTA blitzes with advertise ments to entice potential visitors to the West Kootenay The cut comes at a time when the Kootenay tourist industry is on a definite upswing. Visitation is up an average 36 per cent with some attrac tions reporting an increase as high as 112 per cent “The province is or a tourism roll and I wouldn't want to see our tourism operators lose this momentum,” Cohoe said. The cut will make it more difficult for the KCTA to produce a diverse collection of pamphlets and lure pieces for major market areas said Cohoe. “We will be spending less dollars for promotion outside the area,” said Cohoe. “We will amortize this budget over our existing membership so that no one facility feels a major impact.” Cohoe expressed some concern for the budget squeeze, particularly be- cause the Partners in Tourism project has been working so well in the area. “If it wasn't working there would be much more reason to understand the cutbacks,” he said, Despite the lower operating bud- get for this tourist season, Cohoe remains confident the KCTA will be able to keep the major advertising markets’ stocked with pamphlets, lure pieces and advertisements to attract the import tourist dollars. “We'll be working harder than ever to maintain or increase our impact in the tourism area,” Cohoe said. He also said any of the KCTA members are free to “continue with their own marketing projects.” Pine disease a conéern By CasNews Staff Some of the most know ledgeable sources on white pine in the Pacific Northwest will gather in Nakusp 10 days from now to find a way to save the western white pine species which is threatened by a disease native to Asia. White pine, one of B.C.’s most valuable species, has been devastated by a disease commonly referred to as white pine blister rust. The losses caused by the disease have been severe and many white pine stands have been drastically reduced through out the Pacific Northwest. Blister rust was accident ally introduced to Vancouver via France in 1910, and sub. sequently spread to white pine stands throughout the province. It is a branch and stem canker disease caused by a rust fungus and affects all of the soft or five-needle pine species in North Amer ica. The Western White: Pine Management symposium, sponsored jointly by Westar Timber, the Canadian For estry Service and the prov incial Ministry of Forests and Lands, will cover a wide variety of topics relating to the inherent problems and challenges in managing white pine Westar strongly believes that the research programs currently underway support the view that white pine can be managed effectively “We proposed the idea of a white pine management symposium in order to share our knowledge of the species and learn from others’ ex. perience,” says Mark Mack, Westar's Nakusp area Silvi culture Manager, and a resi dent white pine expert “We're optimistic about the progress we're making in a number of areas and believe that a solution to the blister rust problem can be found even more quickly if our re sources are pooled,” he said Attending the symposium beginning May 2 will be for esters, managers and re searchers from Canada and the United States. Those making presentations include experts from the U.S. Forest Service, Potlatch Corpora tion, the National Research Council and both the B.C. and Canadian forest services. The three-day symposium will cover a variety of white pine management issues and fea ture lectures, panel discus sions and several field tours Highlights of the symp osium include updates from the U.S., B.C. and Canadian forest services on the pro gress of their respective tree improvement and research programs, an overview of what initiatives are being taken by industry in the U anda trip into the forest near Nakusp to see examples of Westar’s management activ ities. “Westar has been working with the U.S. forest service for seven years,” says Mack, “so we're already very fam iliar with a lot of their re. search, as they are with ours. However, the symposium provides us with an oppor. tunity to expand that know ledge even further, and to in crease the level of industry and government commitment to the salvation of white pine as a species.” Response to the sympos ium has been extremely positive so far, and the or: ganizing committee expects capacity attendance of 160 participants oof caves in store By BRIAN KENNEDY Canadian Press BURNABY, B.C. — Tonnes of cars and concrete plunged to the floor of a busy giant supermarket from a collapsing parkade roof Saturday, sending eight people to hospital, five with serious injuries. An estimated 1,000 shoppers and staff had only moments to get out when the sound of a buckling beam and spray from a bursting water pipe gave some warning of the disaster. The accident, which saw a section of rooftop packade containing 22 cars fall through the roof, occurred during a preview tour for senior citizens of the Save-on-Foods store. Police and firefighters spent several hours searching the rubble for victims. A fleet of emergency vehicles responded to the crash. “The staff was well-organized but we had some problems with the customers,” said meatcutter John Hill, 38. “They didn’t appear to be trying to move too fast. “They were still checking out our prices. It's amazing how some people react.” The cars crashed down on soda pop and produce. One witness said the roof collapsed “like a deck of cards” while another said cars “fell straight down like an elevator.” CARS TEETERED The scene was an earthquake in miniature. Some cars were piled on each other on the supermarket floor while above, others\ teetered on the edge of a hole about half the size of a football field. Police brought in engineers and electricians to turn power off before sending tracking dogs to sniff through the debris. Construction cranes were used to remove the rubble in a further search for victims. Eight people were taken to hospital by ambulance while a few others who were less seriously injured went to emergency wards on their own. “As soon as the first crack came (in the beam), they started getting people out,” said Clarence Heppell, president of Overwaitea Foods which operates the Save-on-Foods chain owned by millionaire businessman Jim Pattison. There were three warnings over the store's loud- speaker system to clear the area. Pattison, who served as chairman of the Expo 86 world’s fair, was also at the store at the huge Metrotown shopping centre which is still under construction in this Vancouver suburb. Witness George Sanderson said he shook hands with Pattison before the roof fell in. “Five minutes later I said to him, ‘You better clear the store.’ For starters, I think some people thought it was a little leak.” HEARD CRASH Hill said he was alerted by a loud crash. “Initially I thought a skid of pop had fallen over. Bottles were breaking. Then they started asking all the people to clear the store. A couple of minutes later, they asked all the staff to get out. “We were out front trying to move some of the customers out of the store when I looked up and the roof just started collapsing like a deck of cards coming towards us. “I got the hell out of there. When the last cars stopped coming down everybody just ran for the exit. It was about 50 feet away.” Heppell said a structural failure caused the cave-in. But an emp! of a land: i pany, who did not give his name, said vehicles on the roof had been restricted to a four-tonne load limit. “The thing is, they were already questioning our safety factor there. When we were driving around, we could feel the whole roof shaking.” Customer Vera Loden, 66, said she was saved from death by her faith in God. “I read from Psalm 91 this morning and I know God takes care of us. He took care of many people. I'm so happy to have heard there weren't that many serious injuries. “Whether my car is OK or not I don't know but that's no big deal.” Freelance photographer Robert Klein, who was taking pictures of the seniors’ preview event, said many thought it was a joke that a water pipe should burst in a brand new supermarket. “Then I could see that the roof was bent and told this older man that the roof was going to go. “I'd just turned my back for one second and down it came. There was suddenly a tremendous gust of wind at my back as I ran. “Suddenly everybody was in shock. Everybody was stunned. And some of the people were really freaked out.” Marjorie Smith passes away Marjorie Patricia Smith passed away on Thursday, April 21, 1988 at St. Paul's Hospital at New Westmin ster at the age of 69. resided. She was a member of the Castlegar Senior Citi- zens and Castlegar and Dis- trict Hospital Auxiliary. She is survived by one brother, Charles King of Castlegar, and many nieces and nephews. She was pre deceased by her husband in 1963, three brothers and a nephew. Mrs. Smith was born June In lieu of flowers, con 25, 1918 at Calgary, and tributions may be made to moved to Crawford Bay with the Castlegar and District A memorial service will take place at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel on Tuesday at 11 a.m. With Rev. Ted Bristow officiating. Letters to the Editor Due to some recent misunder. standings concerning this year's grad uation ceremonies, we forward you this letter to provide clarification. As you may know, this year's graduation ceremonies will be held at the Brilliant Culturai Centre. In making this decision, the following factors were taken into consideration: e The centre contains a built in quality sound system; e@ The air conditioning and the seating will provide comfort for the duration of the ceremony; © Adequate parking facilities are provided; e Scenic grounds are available for picture taking: e The centre contains a large downstairs hall which provides an area for graduates to prepare for the ceremony; « The appearance and aesthetics are of high quality; The majority of B.C. high schools hold their ceremonies in their gym nasiums which have restrictions aver. aging four guests per graduate. Our allowance of six guests, provides a reasonable limit. We are also aware that some mis information has been put forth in the community. Therefore we feel you should be informed of the following: e Our national anthem will be in: cluded in the ceremony; ¢ Numerous other nationally re cognized activities have occurred in the centre, and have been very successful. We believe that what we are doing is a change for the better, and we hope that with continued community sup- port that our graduation will be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. SHSS GRAD COUNCIL her parents in 1921. She lived there until moving to Trail in 1940. She married John David Henry Smith in Trail in 1942 In 1948 she moved to Castle gar where she has since Hospital Equipment Fund, care of Castlegar and District Hospital. Funeral and cremation ar- rangements were under the direction of the Castlegar Funeral Chapel. Court news In Castlegar provincial court this week, Walter Bar isoff was released on a sixth month peace bond after pleading guilty to one charge of invoking fear of injury or damage. * «© Robert Waters was given thre: months conditional dis- charge for causing a dis- turbance.