The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, December 16, isee Pope & Talbot approved for upgrade. $9.5 1 5 million project scheduled for March 1 ~~ a It's official, Pope and Talbot Board of Directors have approved funding for a $9.5 million upgrade which is scheduled to begin March 1, 1993. The upgrade is in response to a condition set out by the Minister of Forests, which required Pope and Talbot to submit plans for the upgrade to the ministry be made quickly in order to stay in business. Running the mill for ten months has re-inforced this.” In order for the upgrade to take place many hours were put towards planning and cost analy- sis, a fact that Coutts acknowl- edges. “To put together a project like this in the short amount of time that we did is the result of a lot of hard work of a lot of people.” The current Linck pclpcorred line will be } d the upgrade will offer a more var- ied yproduct mix which will extend log and lumber handling from 20 feet to 24 foot lengths. This will increase lumber sorting facilities to accommodate the longer lengths and the production of one inch boards. * The new equipment which is needed should be arriving in Castlegar in the near future. “All the equipment was ordered as soon as we got within one year of | ing transferred to Pope and Talbot in April 1992. Bob Coutts, Pope and Talbot Project Manager, said when the mill was bought the new owners knew that it was essential an upgrade be made. “We knew changes had to be made, and we knew they had to double length infeed ca canter quad, which Coutts said will improve efficiency. “The Canter is an old manual type of line. The new one is the latest in high technology. It will improve lumber recovery. The end result is more lumber recov- ered per log, which translates into efficiency.” Besides more lumber recovery, app! It is expected the upgrade will take five weeks to complete, and will require an extra 20-25 work- ers. The upgrading should not affect the stability of any current employees, and the extra workers needed will be union, a fact that Coutts says was never in doubt. “It has tp be union workers, it’s the only way, but we haven't made the determination who the contractor will be yet. It should be status quo for employees, we won't lose any employees because of the upgrade, we don't anticipate any changes either Coutts said the upgrade is only part of a larger plan. “We are calling this Phase One. There will be a phase two. We hope to get approval for that in late 1993. . It is not certain what the cost of phase two will be, or what it will include. “I do not have the numbers of what it will entail.” But one thing Coutts is certain, of is the expected longevity of Pope and Talbot in Castlegar, “You don’t spend this kind of money if you don’t intend to bé here for a while, and we intend té be here for a long time.” Motorists will pay for using last year's loop hole KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff Last De some renewals were paid in January. This delay created a loop-hole for some motorists, and they which were due to be renewed in 1992, and then renewed their thumbed their noses at the Insur- ance Corporation of British Ce ia (ICBC) when they took antage of a loop-hole which allowed them to insure their vehi- cles at cheaper 1991 rates. ICBC has now sent out bills to those motorists who will be renewing their insurance by Jan. 1. For about 190,900 motorists In previous years, ICBC start- ed charging new rates as soon as they were announced in Novem- ber, but last year the government was late in approving new 1992 rates, and the new rates weren't announced until Dec. 13. The rates did not go into effect until ly flocked to agencies to renew their car insur- ance at 1991 rates. An ICBC representative, Kim King, said 35,900 Lrsmakl holders at 1991 rates, avoiding the increase. There were also 155,000 motorists whose policies were also got a break. King said in the first two day$ of this week, ICBCs information centre has been overwhelmed with motorists requesting infor- mation about the increase. mor have been hundreds of, due to anew Dec. 31, and they o sired, topes and develop an age ment for 1 cecived trom be Scolinalathon of Epoed tad har it CaN pa “The more bylaws that are put in place, administrative med it takes for the RDCK to! enforce Ihe compe ig hed by Whe ROCK. t would tie tenes} at a later meet-. Wednesday, December 16, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Flux and city SHARLENEIMHOFF Sun Editor A dispute between Waltet Flux, vice-president of the Coali- tion Unaccepting Rash Bureau- Cracy, and the City of Castlegar, represented by Director of Finance. Jacquie Hamilton, remains tnresolved after the two sides met in Small Claims Court last Friday. Both sides presented their argu- ments to Judge Ronald Fabbro, who stated that Flux, who is attempting to sue the city, ve be looking for Declaratory Judgement, ports would rule whether or not he owes money to the city. Fabbro stated this after he realized that Flux is the one who is making a claim against the city, even though he is the one who owes the money. Flux said he is suing the city for the money it says he owes. Since the city has made no claim against Flux in collecting the money through the courts, Fabbro said he was unsure whether it was under his jurisdic- tion to make a ruling. “Why are you here suing the city? Why aren't they here suing you?” asked Fabbro. Flux answered that there were two main reasons: first, because of the city’s actions, there are now documents floating around which stated he owes money. This said Flux, makes me look like a deadbeat, and damages my credibility in the community. Flux’s second reason was a politi- cal one. “I'd like to run in the next municipal election, but the Municipal Act states that anyone who has a claim against the city cannot run in the election.” Fabbro then asked Hamilton, who is the director of finance for the city, whether the city. would amend their claim in order to allow for a ruling. Hamilton refused. The dispute between Flux and city hall began in February 1991. The new owner of a warehouse and furniture store, Flux had a Square off in court hall. After a city council Flux said he approached Director of Finance Jacquie Hamilton to decipher for him whether he still owed money. “Basically, I was told by who city in court, testified that she was being very careful with her words that night, since a public meeting had been held in council chambers the night before, and OUTLOOK: The forecast for beginning late in the day, High Jacquie that it was of no to me. That I didn't owe any- Flux then said that it wasn't much later that city hall called him, and said they wanted the money.” eee cee ans cant city employee give him an esti- mate for water and sewer hook- understand how the city can esti- mate one price, and then charge up charges. A cost esti d at $1,680 was given to Flux, who in turn, handed over a cheque to the city for that amount. The entire job took six hours, testified Flux, who said he later sold the build- ing in March. It wasn’t until city council pre- sented this year’s provisional budget did Flux consider that something might be wrong. In it, the city had a list of debtors, of which Flux’s name could be seen—owing more than $1,700 in unpaid installation costs. Flux testified that he had never once received a bill from city College labor dispute close to settlement KAREN KERKHOFF ‘Sun staff Although Howard declined Selkirk College Faculty Asso- ciation and Selkirk College have been engaged in intensive negoti- ations and are close to settling an Gouk. busy. promoting Reform Party ideals throughout riding SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Reform Party Candidate Jim Gouk has been keeping a busy schedule throughout the Koote- nay-West Revelstoke riding pro- moting his party's New National and “What we: are saying is so basic, and it’s making a lot of sense to a lot of people,” said Gouk, before leaving to attend a m recently-elected candidate have been making throughout the riding are largely non-political, designed to introduce both himself and the Reform Party of Canada. “What usually happens is people start asking political questions about the party, I don’t mind that at all.” Gouk'said the amount of sup- port he’s been gathering locally for the Reform party makes-the long road trips worthwhile. “We do need a change, and this is being recognized by an increas- ing number of people.” Gouk said he hasn't entered into a full-blown campaign yet, but admitted he is heading in that direction. As well, Gouk has begun to request finan- cial support for the upcoming costs of entering a federal election. “We've made a very good start.” Gouk also said that ams a rough itinerary will be drawn up for Reform Party Leader Preston Manning. “Maybe he'll make it out this way,” Gouk said. The Reform Party is now five years old. Although it began as a westem grassroots movement, it is now experiencing fast growth in Ontario. The caucus meeting in Vancouver will be attended by 1,600 delegates, who represent 140,000 the caucus meeting in Portable classrooms to provide relief at Castlegar Primary KAREN KERKHOFF Tony G meeting 4 The New National Agenda said Gouk, includes a series of reforms to the parliament, Crimi- nal Justice system and economics. “We've basically been keeping to what has been said since the party first started.” Gouk began stepping up his —— campaign soon after the Accord Refe pa last fall. He said the failed his party to grow in terms of The presentations which the Sun staff the motion, od said further studies needed to be At the School District No. 9 School Board meet- ing on Dec. 14, it was decided that ry School had an urgent need for a portable classroom. Prima- said that aca coe ‘schools in the district also have a need for portables, priority would be given to Primary. Castlegar “Castlegar Primary is definitely a priority. Other the schools have also requested portables. The Opera- tions Committee will prioritize the rest, but Castle- gar Primary gets the portable.” creer me Mele Coat “the folowing asses be of Sch to this.” done instead of arbitrarily passing the motion. “What are the parameters? Who will maintain the portables? Before we go any further we need to explore more concerning the costs of p Hearings for WKP rate increase set for New Year KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff An application for a rate increase by West Kootenay Power (WKP), has been refiled with the British Columbia Utilities Com- mission (BCUC). The requested rate increase of 8.7 per cent, which was originally filed in November of 1991, was based on the projected cost of sup- plying power to consumers for 1992. There was also a requested rate relief of 5.8 per cent which was to go into effect Jan. 1, 1993. This increase is reflected on and maintaining the portables. We need a more picture before we commit bills, and is known as an interim rate increase. Castlegar Primary Vice-Principal, John Eggleton, has decli until Official ve of of the p is hy there was |= improve d for p gar Primary/Twin Rivers facilities, Robson mane and the Young Mother’s Program. OAS. A selection of fine holiday gifts handcrafted by Canadian artists. 365-3337 Across from the Castlegar Airport. ‘WEST KOOTENAY NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE GALLERY & GIFT SHOP HOuRS: Through Dec. 24 Tues. - Fri. 10:30 - 4:30 Sat. & Sun. 12:00- 4:30 SSP MA MA OSI SH SSS STN Eggleton would comment on the need for the porta- bles. “Additional learning spaces will allow us to » and will also allow for learning programs, the > development of a library program at the school.” ives from C. Primary School have urgently petitioned the school board for the portables for over four weeks. RX Q@“@@ New chairman elected to CKRHD The Central Kootenay Region- al Hospital District board has a An amendment to the applica- tion for the rate increase had to be refiled because restructuring with- in BCUC caused public rate hear- ings to be delayed. Therefore hearings on 1992 and 1993 rate increases won't be heard until the spring of 1993. “The request was for 5.8 per cent for 1993, the amended request is for 4.8 percent. ““We are refiling the same. application with 10'months experi ence rather than an estimated cost.” Bradshaw said an interim rate increase is not arbitrary, but is a careful calculation of anticipated costs, and comes under close scrutiny from BCUC. “If our numbers seem to bear out, theh BCUC will grant an interim increase so we can begin to fulfill our financial obligations for the current year.” Some of those financial obliga, tions include purchasing power from other sources. “The 8.7 per: cent for 1992, was made up of a- 4.2 per cent increase baséd on operations and improving the sys- tem for reliability, and 4.5 per cent - is the cost of a new power pur:: chase agreement with Cominco.” ** In 1988 WKP produced 66 per : cent of the power supplied to con-* sumers, but with an increase in the ly won't happen until February or March of 1993,” said WKP Director of Community and Public Affairs, Mike Bradshaw. Since the rate application was filed in 1991, financial changes within WKP has caused them to amend their rate relief request by one per cent less. The original pop ion, and therefore an: increase in consumption, WKP’ has increased the amount of Power purchased from other sources. WKP now produces 55 per cent of the power needed, and purchases 39 per cent from Com- inco and 6 per cent from BG Hydro. Union company submits lowest bid: KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff by a count of 12 votes to eight to Cunningham replaces Area E Director, Josh Smienk, who did not seek re-election to the posi- ‘tion. Cunningham addressed RDCK directors after Saturday's election and said that “1993 will be an important year for health care in British Columbia.” He spoke about the future direction of health care and how these directions could affect this region. “Our own role is being looked at by the provincial government,” said Cunningham, referring to the Central Kootenay Regional Hos- pital District (CKRHD) and his own position of chair. The bids have been opened for the Castlegar-Robson bridge, and the lowest bid of $14,000,784 was tendered by SCI Engineering and Construction Inc. from Cal- gary, which is a union company. The Transport Ministry pub- licly opened the five bids on Dec 9, and the bids ranged from the lowest, which was $14,000,784, to the highest which was $17,551,658. The second lowest bid came in at $14,272,175, and was ten- dered by Peter Kiewit and Sons, from Richmond, while the third lowest bid, which was $14,714,706 came from Western Versatile Construction from Lan- gley. Kraft Construction Co., from Winnipeg bid $15,408,440 and the highest bidder was Neel,- co Construction Inc., who bid $17,551,658. ¢ Although SCI Engineering. was the lowest bidder, it does not necessarily mean the con-. tract will automatically be. awarded to them. Terms of the tender state the lowest bidder ig not automatically awarded the’ contract, as the bids are subject> to close scrutiny by the Min- istry, and must meet Transport> Ministry standards A final decision has not been made by Transport Ministry¥on who the successful contractor will be It is projected by Ministry. Transport the 478 metre, Castle; gar-Robson Bridge will be com- Pleted by July 1994, with, construction beginning as early. as Jan. 1993 Jim Howard, chief negotiator for the Selkirk College Faculty Association said that although negotiations broke off Dec. 11, the two sides are_close to reach- ing an agreement. “We were negotiating off and on all last week. We returned to the table Friday, but we were not able to come to an agreement, although we're very close.” Howard said the next step is up to Selkirk College. “The College said they had reached their mandate on what they could do, now they are going to the board to get recom- he did say that the Faculty Association is asking for the same concessions that were given to Langara. “We're asking for a contract that is essentially equivalent to the Langara settlement. The col- lege proposal is a little short of that, we're not quite there yet.” Some of the issues outstand- ing are: over-loading in the class- rooms, sick leave benefits, clear language in the agreement regarding harassment and sexual harassment, and chronic under- funding. The Selkirk College Faculty Association has been without a contract since March 31, 1992. Further negotiations are in progress, and therefore Selkirk College administration was unavailable for comments. ig twice the “And even if I did owe that much, how come I was never sent a bill for over a year?” Flux called, as a witness, Michael O’Connor to the stand. O'Connor, who is president of the Coalition Unaccepting Rash Bureaucracy (CURB), said that he had seen and heard Jacquie Hamilton tell Flux that he owed nothing more to the city, after a council meeting in January. RDCK passes resolution for restoration ¢ of f suspension bridge KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff Restoration of the Brilliant Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1913, might soon become a reality. The Regional District of Cen- tral Kootenay passed a resolution Dec. 12, which concems the pos- sible restoration of the Suspen- sion Bridge. The resolution stated the fol- lowing, “The old Brilliant bridge is an acknowledged his- torical achievement undertaken by true pioneers of the Castle- gar area. It is proposed that this structure may be d d as that and were still running high. “When I spoke to you Walter, the words were likely ‘don't worry about it right now',” Hamilton said, reminding the judge that it was a late night and that the confrontational events over the previous two days were wearing thin. She admitted that she felt intimidated and pressured at the meeting to provide an answer to something she didn't know. Hamilton also accused Flux of making certain that the case is very much in the public eye, and that it was actually a class action suit on behalf of a small group of people “This whole event is a political football, and he's the quarter- back,” said Hamilton, pointing to O'Connor. Flux accused the city of “load- ing”, meaning, charging more for a service than it actually costs. Loading is done in other busi- nesses, said Flux, but with.the city, it’s a different story. “The city loads, but then doesn’t give the extra money back.” The judge will be making a decision on the matter January 28. independent society, and the RDCK be responsible only for the cost of providing public lia- bility insurance.” The recommendation was put before RDCK by way of a recom- mendation from the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission and the Brilliant Suspension Bridge Restoration Working Group. The Working Group Spokesperson, Andy Davidoff, said the progress which has been made towards possible restoration —. of the bridge is due to many indi- viduals cooperation “To this point this has been an ent exercise in - a national and provincial her: tion and partnership in trying to itage site. It has been sugg the RDCK may act as a facilita- tor to coordinate funding required to undertake restora- tion of the bridge. Sole respon- sibility for undertaking the restoration and maintenance of the bridge should be that of an ac 'y endeav- or. Local regional and provincial has been to this point, and we hope that it continues.” The Brilliant Suspension Bridge Restoration Working Group was formed in 1991, and More hurdles for police-based victim assistance program in Castlegar SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor The police-based victim assis- tance program that Castlegar RCMP have been striving to ini- tiate since March is still far from the point of actually helping a victim of crime. The program, which has been promoted by Constable Russ Sangster of the local RCMP detachment, is designed to pro- vide immediate counselling ser- vices for anyone who has been the victim of a crime. The ser- vices would be offered directly out of the local station, in a small office space until the new RCMP building is constructed. It’s been well over nine months since Sangster first began push- ing for the program, and he admits frustration over the time that has passed, and still no program is in place. “I am disappointed that so much time has passed and still we have nothing to show for it,” Sangster said. The program is an impor- tant one, he said, and is needed in the area. The main stumbling block however, is money. Because this program is police-based and not part of reg- ular social services, funding does not solely come from the provincial government. Instead, the city of Castlegar and the RDCK were both requested to help fund the program along with the provincial government. Castlegar has allotted $10,000 in its budget to help pay for the Program, and Kay Charb program administrator with the “Attorney General's office, says the government has committed $15,000. This leaves the RDCK to pick up the remaining $6,000, which would cover the costs of any people who could be victims of crime in Areas I and J, both of which are served by the RCMP detachment in Castlegar. To date, the RDCK has not agreed to provide the money. One of the reasons, explains Area I Director John Voykin, is the fact that the provincial gov- emment is not committed to the project. “We are very much in favour of this program. But why should we start funding it now, and then next year or even two years down the road, the provincial government pulls out of the pro- gram. Then we are left holding the bag,” Voykin said. “We would like to see the govern- ment make a five year commit- ment to the program.” Charbonneau, speaking on behalf of the provincial govern- ment, said that Voykin’s argu- ment is a standard one heard across the province—and she maintains it is invalid. “It’s not a valid argument— it’s a red herring. The govern- ment has funded police-based victim assistance programs every year since 1987. We are not about to stop now, it’s a nec- essary program and we've made a solid commitment,” Charbon- neau said. Charbonneau stressed the fact that the program is a police-based one and is funded under social ser- vices, which is why municipal governments have provide their share. Since the city of Castlegar has agreed to provide funding, there is the option of going ahead with the program regardless of what the RDCK decides to do. If this did occur, Charbonneau confirmed that victims of crime in Castlegar would use the pro- gram, while those in Areas I and J would be referred elsewhere. During last Saturday’s RDCK meeting, it was established that if the directors from Areas I and J provide a letter of consent requesting that the program receive funding from the RDCK, it will be forwarded for consid- eration. According to Superintendent Officer Commanding the Nelson Subdivision, Gus Slomba, it is y for each di h to address the issue of victim assistance and what can be done about it. Wednesday; Mainly cloudy, snow temperature near -1. Periods of snow are exp Wednesday night and A ridge of high pressure in its wake should provide dryer, cooler conditions into the weekend. Tempereture: Max/Date 2.7/9 Rain Number of Hours A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK: Min/Date Mean -7.9/7 Snow TR 344 Normal Mean “5 2.3 Total Normal Total 274 24.9 Normal Number of Hours moderate snowfalls. REMARKS: A very near normal week for mid December. Enough snow now tles over the higher levels with most ski resorts open. A very active frontal system moved onto the Oregon/Washington Coast on Thursday and warnings were issued for Southem B.C. Interior points. Except for the East Kootenay other regions received only light to Forecast provided by The South - East Interior Weather Office at Castlegar, B.C. consists of local, regional and Pp ical and heritage societies, and other interested parties. Other interested parties in the restoration include BC Heritage Conservation Branch, Ministry of Transportation and Highways, and federal Public Works person- nel, as well\as Regional District Representatives, John Voykin and Ken Wyllie. The bridge is currently owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, who had elated for the bridged to be dismantled 20 years ago after completion of the new Brilliant Bridge. “ However, the Ministry. has indicated that it is in support of the restoration project, although the amount of involvement has yet to be determined. The bridge has already had preliminary engineering studies “done by Cominco Engineering Services Limited, and the results of those tests were RDCK has requested further structural testing be done before RDCK will take over ownership, which must be done before restoration can begin. Plans for the bridge include a walkway for pedestrian use, and an interpretation centre to be located on or near the bridge. It is also hoped the bridge might become a part of ® comamunity. Linear Park and Trail Network. It is hoped by the Working Group that the bridge be built by volunteer labour, and wih donat- ed funds. Interested individuals or groups willing to participate in the restoration can contact the Brilliant Bridge Restoration Working Group at 365-7630 or 365-4394, or they may contact the Castlegar and District Recre- ation C at 365-3386. Sun Staff Castlegar man found guilty on two charges A Castlegar man has been found guilty on two counts of indecent assault, re; ing inci- dents that are alleged to have happened to young girls. 7 man, who cannot be Letter to board from Voykin, Wyllie calls for cohesiveness in planning SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Co-operation between hospi- tal boards, medical and admin- istrative staff and the Regional District of Central Kootenay will be necessary in order to establish a health plan that is ble for the West K That information and more was presented through a letter to the chairman and board mem- bers of the RDCK by fellow members Area J Director Ken v Wyllie and Area I Director John Voykin. The letter, which was received by the board in-camera (privately) Nov. 27, was made public during last Saturday's RDCK meeting “We as a Regional District Hospital Board are being asked to absorb an ever-increasing long-term debt, but in terms of input and control of Regional long-term planning, we are left to make some “knee-jerk” reac- tion and accept the reality ofa decision which has already been made,” states the letter. The letter goes on to request that the RDCK place a morato- rium on all major capital pro- jects until it has reviewed several health study plans. A recommendation was made to follow through with the advise stated in the letter, but was rescinded during Saturday's meeting because the provincial government has already place a moratorium on capital projects in the West Kootenay. That ‘ moratorium was handed down earlier in November. Wyllie and Voykin are adamant in their letter to the board that it take a leadership role in drawing together the hospital representatives from various communities in an effort to discuss expectations and options for fature health care needs. The letter stresses that if such a move is not done quickly, the West Kootenay risks having some other solution placed upon it by the provincial g light is amber got that the dtiver be affected, and a 24-hour named due to his affiliation with the victims, was originally charged by Castlegar police with 10 counts consisting of both sex- ual assault and indecent assault. During court proceedings, three different women, who travelled from’Saskatchewan, Vancouver and Ottawa, testified about events which had occurred when they | were children. “We have to come together on this. Right now, we have var- ious groups doing their own studies to determine what's best for this area. There has to be a common goal,” said Wyllie. The CKRHD board decided to send the letter to other agen- cies, including the Kootenay Boundary Regional District, Central Kootenay Board of idee learned that the defendant suffered from a disorder called Klinefelter's syndrome, a condi- tion that is characterized by small testes and penis and is the result of having an extra female chromo- some. Due to this, the defendant testified that he had never experi- enced an erection in his entire life. Because of this knowledge, any charges of forced sexual Hedilth,. West ‘K. y Health Study and the East Kootenay Union Board of Health. > were stayed, but the judge ruled guilt regarding inci- dents involving oral sex.