Lotative Labrary. Liament Bidgscy 2 oe - kas, Vie vey By SURJ RATTAN. Staff Writer For the first time in its 18 year history the Kootenay Savings Credit Union will not be paying dividends to its share holders as a result of a low profit year. Chief Executive Officer Doug Stanley told the credit union's annual general meeting in Trail last night that a “no-growth economy, higher levels of unemployment, declining real estate values, tariff problems in the forestry sector” were all to blame for the low profit year. He added that B.C.'s economy was hurt by @ five month shutdown of the forestry industry, the result of a labor dispute, and a decline in the mining industry., stil St Seas Stanley sid the board has support int plan sotto pay out dividends this year. “The board's decision to maintain the credit ‘inion's present level of retained earnings in lieu of paying = dividend, was both a ) sgn and sound business decision and was t- and our y The credit union's total assets for 1966 came to $194,638,838, a slight increase from the 1985 level of $133,966,532. The financial institution's total expenditures for last year came to $6,181,107. Of this amount, $2,560,892 went to authorities,” * said ple . Despite not paying dividends this year, Stanley said the credit union is “in a strong fina) au pésition,” “Our retained i iri are among the highest of all odie unions i in the pair Stanley added that the credit union’s board of directors “Thus in 1986, Kootenay Savings too was affected by international trends in terms of trade and financial variables, as well as regional economic realities,” said Stanley. He added that the aim of the credit union is to reach capital levels of about five per cent in assets and that the financial institution is currently at a level of 3'/- per cent. ON THE STREET . . . Postal workers took to the streets Tuesday to inform Castlegar residents about the threat of privitization of the post office. Letter carrier “made a delib decision” to build a more conservative balance sheet. “Given the realities of the local economy, and in particular the unsettled conditions of the real estate market, we believe that the additional allowances for Joan loss provisions were appropriate in building a stronger balance sheet.” pay salaries and benefits. In 1985 total expenditures came to $5,433,926. while $2,362,637 of that went to pay for salaries and benefits. The guest speaker at the credit union's annual general meeting was former Cominco employee Mare Mareolin who fostered the plant's modernization program in the 1970's. He urged residents of Trail to get behind their community in an attempt to improve its economy. He cited Trails high unemployment rate as being the city’s main 4 Sections (A, B, C & 0) He nell some Pee ore oe 2tes in érinaierne Cominco Ltd. is not p Iaadivey with That pos ew it did im the past. Marcolin saying the people of Trail will not allow the city to die. “This is one industry community that is not going to die because the people of this community won't let it.” He added that seven major sporting events will be held in and around the Trail area this summer which will attract up to 10,000 visitors. He added that 5,000 people are expected to turn out for the jet boat races to be held on the Columbia River in May. He said Trail has already applied to host the B.C. Summer Games in 1989 and 1990 but added that the area needs to be doing more than it has. problems. “What's the major problem facing our community today?To me it’s the lack of jobs,” said Mareolin. “Our-people are leaving the to seek “The community is doing fairly well as a starter but not only to survive but Our population is decreasing.” ploy enough. We have the will and the desire and the energy not to get better,” said Marcolin. He added that Trail has to work harder to create more jobs for young people.” OVERCROWDING Judie Crosfield (right) talks to Allan Mcinnis of Castlegar about Canada Post. CosNews Photo by Mike Kalesniko Parents vote for move By MIKE KALESNIKO Staff Writer Parents. of Twin Rivers elementary school students have voted over whelming in favor of moving the school's Grade 6 students to Kinnaird Junior secondary school. Over 80 area parents voted for the move at an informational meeting Monday evening in the Twin Rivers gymnasium as a solution to the bur- geoning number of students expected to enroll next year. ‘The school has experienced a steady growth in student numbers in recent years due to the popularity of its Russian emersion program and its specialty education-program. By next fall, so many more students are expected that at least two additional classrooms must be made available to accommogiate them. The rooms originally-being consider- ed would have meant an increase in the number of specialty education stu- dents, which would hamper teacher ef- fectiveness, and the possible elimina tion of the band room. Twin Rivers’ principal Terry Rogers, who chaired the meeting, told the group that no decision would be an easy one but the idea behind the meeting was to “stimulate the juices and get thinking about alternatives.” Rogers told the audience that KJSS presently had room for three additional classes, or approximately 70 more stu- dents. Despite such added benefits as an extensive metal and wood shop at KJSS and well equipped home econ. By MIKE KALESNIKO Stat! Writer In an move, Castlegar Mayor Audrey Moore bas confronted both British Prime Min: ister Margaret Thatcher and Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret in an aggressive puh to have Lon. don's Buckingham Palace moved to Castlegar. The Castlegar News has learned from a reliable source at city hall that Moore stepped up her cam paign by meeting with both’ That cher and Prineess Margaret at a gata affair in London last week, ‘The sourée, who preferred .to remain anonymous, said Moore has been secretly pushing to have Buckingham Palace relocated to Castlegar but the only reply she re- ceived from either the British parliament or the Royal Family was a telephone call from Prince Ed- ward. Edward was described as being enthusiastic about the move and was quoted as saying, “Splendid!” when told that military service in Canada was not compulsory. The soiree was unable to say if either ‘Thatcher or Princess Mar- garet wete receptive to‘the prop- learning of the osal. The Castlegar News, in an attempt to reach Thatcher, was only able to contact her butler. “] don't know if this h: thing to do with you people,” said the butler, who declined identification. “But she’s been walking around muttering something lately about ‘Another bloody invasion.’ ” Princess Margaret declined com- ment altogether. Despite the lack of first-hand © anonymously to Britain, flew directly to London early last week, but was denied en- FAMILIAR FACE information, the source at ety halt was able to describe how Moore da meeting with Thatcher and Princess Margaret. The souree said Moore, after Royal party in elling into the court yard. Nelsou Mayor Gerald. Rotering, ise toe *"idoore’doatned comment, h wos sent the Margaret. Sources soy to T +h fie Lay News this week of a Moore, in an aggr have techiode, person believed to be Castlegar Mayor Audrey . Moore Hanked by British Prime ‘gor omics area, parents remained ap- prehensive about what some preceived to be a “drug problem” at the school. Many of those who asked questions from the audience were concerned about Grade 6 students moving to a “big kid” atmosphere they may yet be prepared for. Some of the parents felt the younger pupils would be influenced by the older, citing supposed drug-use problems at KJSS. ~ Rogers reassured parents that there only appeared te be wide spread drug use because of the school's excellent supervision. “If it wasn't so good we wouldn't catch these kids,” said Rogers, a former principal of KJSS. Rogers =~ pointed to the school’s effective eoun- sellors, band program, learning assis- tance and “life skills” programs as additional benefits. “It's a good, well- equipped school.” The vote will be used as an “indica- tor” of what parents feel is the best possible solution to the problem. ‘Other suggestions during the even- ing included combining the first three years of Russian emersion into one class, installing portable class- rooms or reopening one of the closed schools in the area. Future meetings will be held in areas such as Robson and Kinnaird before a permanent decision is made. Locals honor Alex By RON NORMAN Editor More than 60 people turned out for a banquet Saturday night at the Fireside Inn to pay tribute to Alex Lutz, the 1986 Castlegar Citizen of the Year. Brian Pritchard, president of the Castlegar Kiwanis Club which sponsors the award, presented Lutz, the city’s 30th citizen of the year, with a plaque. Bob MacBain, Past Lieut. Gov. for Kiwanis International and himself a former Citizen oi the Year, listed Lutz's accomplishments. MacBain said Lutz and the previous 29 recipients of the award had one unique characteristic: They supported community groups. “I feel that these people have spent hours and hours that none of us really knows about . . . to the betterment of inside Lutz living in the Castlegar area,” MacBain said. MacBain added that their reward was “to see whatever organization they were working or flourish.” Lutz was born in Saskatchewan. He moved to B.C., first to Port Coquitlam and then to Caftlegar in 1967, to take on the position as superintendent of works for the City of Castlegar. “During his working life... Alex did far more than could ever be expected for 4 superintendent of works,” Mac- Bain said. “No matter what time or what type of weather, Alex was out there keeping the city running.” Lutz retired in 1980 and became involved “in just about everything in the community that he possibly could,” MacBain said. continued on page A2 CLOCKS AHEAD: It's that time of . year again when we lose an hour's sleep. Daylight Saving Time returns to Castlegar Sun- day, a little earlier than ysual this year. Though daylight saving ac- tually starts at 2.a.m. Sunday, it might be safer for residents to set their clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturay. The annual change is usually closer to the end of the month, but because April ends this year on a Saturday, the customary occasion for the switch — the last Sunday in’ April — falls on April 24. did QUEEN C ATES: Castl queen c ted and they are ready to meet their public have been selec- A2 ON THE ROPES: Robson elementary school held o skip-a-thon for the Canadian Heart Foundation . GOLDEN FLEECE: WASHINGTON Ab President Ronald (Reuter) Reagan's 1985 inaugural committee won the April Golden Fleece award for spending $5.5 million US of taxpayers’ money on private festivities, Senator William Proxmire announced Tuesday The Wisconsin Democrat makes a monthly award for biggest example of ridiculous, iron ding.” Proxmire wants legislation thi the ic or wasteful government spen- ot would spell out what gover- nment support is provided for privately run presidential inaugural events and require the inaugural committee to reimburse the government with private funds