@ Saturday, April 18, 1992 By GARY LARSON “And here we are last summer going south. ...Wait a minute, Irene! We went north last summer! The stupid slide’s in backward!” Jonathan Green NEWS REPORTER Lasca protesters wage new battle Environmentalists unhappy with logging practices at Las- ca Creek are on the march again. Wednesday, some 25 protesters were on site as Dosen- berger Excavating worked at road building in the area. The action follows the raising of a tepee by environmentalists in Nelson last week to protest a government decision to proceed with road building and logging in the area. Although Wednesday’s action wasn’t confrontational, pro- tester ‘Snaketoo’ said it was to make themselves known to Dosenberger and the province. “It was more of a being too close for them to work kind of thing, ” said S Snaketoo, who was using his “spiritual” name. ’s secondary students ad g Goce see controversial Acontréversial survey which asks B.C. sec- ondary school students to rate their sexual ac- tivities and suicidal tendencies has been put on hold by School District No. 9. The Castlegar school board will decide Tuesday whether to allow Stanley Humpries and Kinnaird Junior students to write to 120- question Youth Health Survey. The survey, de- e bisexual (equally attracted to males and females.) ; ° mostly homosexual * 100 per cent homosexual (attracted to persons of the same sex.) Question 112, meanwhile asks students the following: — During the past 12 months, how many times did you actually attempt suicide. * one time, two or three times, four or five times, six or more. While he agreed those questions were of- fensive — going so far as the express his con- cern to the McCreay Centre Society — Waling signed by the Mc- Creay Centre Soci- ceived the approval of superintendent Terry Waling, but phonecalls from con- *.,.l have to admit that some of the ety, had already re- questions were poorly written and in poor taste.’ — Superintendent Terry Waling can be incorparted said they don’t truly represent the aim of the suvrey. “We agree with the need for good baseline date that cerned parents has forced him to change his mind. “T didn’t look at ill the concerns close enough the first time around, although per- sonally and professionally, I was offended,” Waling said Thursday. The problem, Waling says, lies with some of the 120 multiple choice questions. Those ques- tions ask Grade 7 to 12 students to describe intimate details about their lives. For example, question 81 asks students the following: — People have different feelings about ‘themselves when it comes to questions of be- ing attracted to other people. Which of the fol- lowing best describes your feelings? ¢ 100 per cent hetrosexual (attracted to persons of the opposite sex.) ° mostly hetrosexual into the schools,” Waling said “but I have to admit that some of the question were poorly written and in poor taste.” Waling said the survey, which can only be ~ written with parental consent, was to have gone before Kinnaird students Thursday. That, though, has change, as Waling said he let the board decide the fate of the Youth Health Survey. The survey was to be written by 5 25, 000 B.C. student. Several school boards have refused to allow their students to write the survey because of the sensitive nature of some questions. Nelson is among the 13 school boards that has refused to distribute the survey. Trail, meanwhile, find itself among the nine boards that have yet to make an official announcement. J SUL data Chip study needs input Hospital Jonathan Green NEWS REPORTER Slocan Valley residents con- cerned with the transport of wood chips to the Celgar pulp mill can now have a say in alternate trans- portation modes. During the Celgar Expansion Review Panel’s public hearing process in 1990, social and envi- ronmental concerns were raised about the increase in chip truck traffic through communities in the valley, particularly along high- ways 6 and 23. ‘Now, with response from the public and recommendations from the panel, a Chip Transportation Study is underway, examining transporation alternatives for sup- plying the mill with wood chips. Part of the study will include public input. Through open hous- es in Appledale, New Denver and Nakusp, individuals and groups can approach the study’s eight member steering committee and offer their thoughts. Committee chair William Strookoff said with the emphasais being on public input, the commi- tee will visit the three areas to sit and hear people out. “We are going to go in without any preconceived ideas and take the time to listen to all the prob- lems and concerns,” he said. The areas being studied are Highway 23 between Revelstoke and Nakusp, and Highway 6 from Nakusp to the Playmor Junction. Nakusp Mayor Rosemarie Johnson said the terrain around Nakusp presents problems to chip trucks, éspecially in winter. She added that the study has a bottom line to Nakusp residents. “The greatest thing is safety, as - far as this community is con- cerned,” she said. Johnson said she hopes the study puts an old railway right-of- way near Nakusp to good use. “It makes a perfect by-pass for a truck route to go,” she said. Strookoff said that early re- sponse has been encouraging. “As far as I can tell, the feeling is ‘This is what we want, a chance to express what we think,” he said. The open houses are scheduled for early next month. SKIP IT strike ending? Glen Freeman NEWS REPORTER After four weeks of mud- slinging between the Hospital Employees’ Union and the Health Labor’ Relations Association, the B.C. government has had enough. Labor Minister Moe Sihota announced that a mediator would be appointed to help the union and health management resolve their contract dispute. “In order to facilitate the resolution of the dispute in the shortest possible time,” announced Sihota, “we are taking this step of appointing an industrial inquiry commissioner with a short term in order to give the parties some impetus to settle their own dispute.” Stephen Kelleher, a labor relations expert, has been given until Tuesday to assist both parties in reaching an agreement. “He sure does have his work cut out for him,” said the HLRA’s Martin Livingston. ' “We're still very far apart in negotiations.” According to Livingston, the HEU has demanded a 35 per cent increase in wages and benefits, and the HLRA is Snaketoo said he tad: beeni iar the aita since Fhur sday; but : os * Pa = “ | wasn’t sure of how long the group would assemble. ~ HOURS: “It’s pretty free-flowing, nobody’s in charge,” he said. Mon chute, Soe “There isn’t a body saying ‘This will happen.” FA SOO LION Although one police officer was present Wednesday, Nel- Closed Easter Sinaey son RCMP wouldn’t comment. Dosenberger spokesman Nick Dosenberger said he would wait to hear from company offi- clas before commenting, saying “in the meantime, I’m sup- posed to keep quiet about it.” No arrests were made. CE 2 i bs s i j | offering a 3:5 per cent increase -* a Fi his e2 with - a pe en NEWS , = . = —— raise next year. The HEU has not formed a picket line, but has been regularly pulling members from their duties to show their dismay at the government offer. “We hope the parties see fit to refrain from any job action News photo by Glen Freeman | during the five-day duration on Bad weather forced the kids of the Robson Elementary School to move indoors Thursday, but these jump] this appointment,” stated rope enthusiasts managed to make the best of a bad thing. Sihota-. @General Inquiries LAUNDRY DETERGENT 4” RUSSET POTATOES “Fresh Pork Side DD Chicken of the Sea The News is located at 197 Columbia Ave. Our office hours are SPARE CHUNK LITE RIBS TUNA Money 1s Fea Family Pack © $3.92 KG. 184 G. Limit 3 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on 7 cs weekends and 1 a f statutory holidays. tb. : a 4 thrown nasty curve ball by thieves published by Castle | ~” | Theft leaves Slocan Valley kids batless PRESH News Ltd. for Scott David Harrison ) RATES BANANAS Epics Ltd. Mail | EDITOR j Each se equipment for the kids, instead of having to i Slocan Valley slo-pitch season pe eety fin sree like this.” With the exception of brand new softballs, Lawrence said the stolen equipment is clearly marked with SVRC letters. He said that should help the public identify any stolen property. The RCMP are investigating the crime, Tharpeue “In iis end, it