February 5, 1989 SSN), Castlégar News MEMBER OF THE B.C. PRESS COUNCH SSTABLISHED AUGUS! 71947 TWICE WEEKLY MAY 4 INCORPORATING Ihe Agp ESA MAnDM PunuibiGentPemees 12, A904. ROU 27.1900 LV. CAMPBELL — PUBLISHER AUGUST 7 1947 -FEORUARY'5, 1973 —Gary Fleming Linda Kositsin CIRCULATION MANAGER — He®ther Hadley Looking good School District No, 9 looked very good in a recently released evaluation report (“A Review of the Mission and Goals of School District No, 9”) prepared by a special three-member external study team hired by the board to evaluate this district's education system A reading of the 25-page document seems to confirm district school superintendent Terry Wayling's comment that if the report was in fact a report card, then the findings “edge toward a 'B Board chairman Gordon Turner's happy reaction to the report ap. pears equally well founded This newspaper has long believed Castlegar has a very good educational system, one of the best in the province. Boards have consistently tried to deliver the best possible programs, even in the years of restraint That they have been quite successful is a credit as well to those who work in the system, from senior administrative staff down through the system to the classroom teachers and maintenance per sonnel The three-man team (why no woman? why no teacher still active in the classroom?) was composed of a recently retired high-ranking education ministry official, a recently retired rural district education official, and a school district secretary-treasurer Some of their recommendations are not as critical as a simple reading of them might lead taxpayers to believe The report recommends the district increase the frequency of its evaluation of teachers and other employees. But it made this recommendation bearing in mind that the district's “Mission Statement” calls for this to be done yearly, and mindful of the fact that the district isn't doing this annually A more realistic goal might be to conduct such evaluation every two or three years, and had the “mission” of the district been to do this tess frequently than yearly, then this particular recommendation would have been redundant There are other recommendatio#s that are worthwhile. The suggestion that schools other than Twin Rivers be used for special needs classes because Twin Rivers “is already stressed in that area’ is a good one. But there are costs involved that the district must weigh. Twin Rivers was logical in the early stages because most school buses eventually ended up at the Twin Rivers/Castlegar Primary/SHSS complex. Another location might be highly desirable but what are the logistics of getting qualifying students to it? The recommendation that the district focus on how curriculum can be adjusted to meet community needs is a good one. Again, this district has been quite far ahead of the pack (Russian Immersion, as an example). But further moves in this field have to be planned well and not rushed. French Immersion is being discussed and, while a laudable ob- jective, must be studied very, very carefully to make sure the finan. cial resources divertedor raised for that undertaking do indeed go to a program that will serve more students better than some other program, the idea for which might still be in its infancy A very important element in charting a course for the district based on this report is the board's standing committee on com munications and planning. This committee has been charged with directing the report's recommendations to various affected groups. getting reaction from them, drawing up time lines and what staffing and financial requirements would be required, and reporting back to the full board by the end of June The extended study team was asked, we understand, “to be honest, candid and forthright.” Those groups and individuals that the communications and planning committee contacts should be no less forthright If they are candid, and if the committee deliberates long and hard and spends many. many hours in its work, then the-full board should have a report extremely valuable to the district and one from which some results can be expected as soon as September First step fair We are pleased to see the \Castlegar and District Teachers Association and the Castlegar school board finally reached an agreement last week on a contract and avoided a strike which would have disrupted the education of district students as strikes are doing to students in other school districts in B.C Strikes while sometimes necessary as a last resort to negotiate a fair deal are always messy affairs and often leave lingering bitterness b pl and Teachers in particular sus rwaik a fine line when ca Soil) a ck ecause-of-t! ble-bacie who feel educators have wha amounts to a sworn duty to stay on the job for the sake of the students, no matter how unfair the wages or working conditions under which the teachers function Thankfully, such a situation has been avoided in the Castlegar school district by an agreement which, on the face of it, appears to be a fair first step towards improving wages and the working con- ditions of local teachers while‘at the same time recognizing the con straints under which our local school board must operate. A pay hike over two years which recognizes B.C. teachers need to catch up with teachers in other parts of the country, increased preparation time for elementary teachers’ and —— for the first time in a contract for local teachers preparation time for secondary teachers, are all good steps With a signed contract under their collective belts, teachers school district administrators and trustees must now turn their atten tion to the 1989-90 budet, meetings on which begin Wednesday at the school board office with the public invited to present its views on education spending inthe district Will the coming school year see an improvement? Education Minister Tony Brummett’s announcement last month that grants to school boards will be increased by $129 million for the 1989-90 school year will heip The Socreds under a string of education ministers including the current premier, Bil] Vander Zalm — for a long time have under funded the province's education system, failing to realize education is as important to the future of this province as roads and ferries By implementing nearly all the recommendations of the Sullivan Royal Commission on Education, published last August, we hope the government at last is waking up to the fact that the public wants more attention and more money given to education How far the government's new-found generosity will go remains to be seen But Mr. Brummett made it clear that the province will increase the education budget 10 per cent this year and no more. If local school boards find they need more than 10 per cent, they will have no choice but to raise local taxes Nevertheless, we hope that the government's peaté initiative if indeed that’s what it is is a sign of better things to come for education in B.C I say chaps, is that the new Perrin Beatty~class ni clear Omigosh! It looks like the new Perrin Beatty~class Canadian nuclear sah i day care centre and mobile health unit...! ine breaking surface? Letters to the editor Direction wrong From the point of view of practical concerns, environmental concerns, and the history of the area it would seem that the application by West Kootenay Power to build a gas turbine generation plant in Oliver is a step in the wrong direction. Here are some of the reasons: 1. The construction of the num. erous -large dams involved in the Columbia River Treaty was done at significant cost and inconvenience to the people of southeastern British Columbia. There were huge over runs in the costs of construction, losses of good- bottomland,- social costs when families were dislocated, and environmental costs evident in the unsightly, stump-filled mudlands along some of the shorelines for much of the year. To compensate for this disruption and disturbance; the people in this part of the province should at least be entitled to access (via B.C. Hydro) to the “environmentally clean” power being produced in surplus at most of these dams. This surplus is mainly being exported to the United States via the northwest power grid — which is OK except that the export should be. limited to only that which is over and above local Canadian needs. Why should the WKP service area Posit Tam writing with regards to the article in Sunday's paper (CasNews Jan. 29) entitled dilemma “Rezoning plan a I feel my statements were taken out of context and would like to offer some clarification As a resident of High Meadows. am not opposed to the building of an intermediate care facility in my neighborhood, What | did say was that 1 was caught inthe dilemma facing the majority of residents in my squaring off the proposed construction with the loca neighborhood tion. I want to clarify this dilemma in \-rich in hydroelectrie- power paid for at a high initial cost — be asked to get into air-polluting methods of generation while large surpluses of clean” power_are_exported?.And: even great surpluses will be coming on stream here in the future from the Murphy :and the Keenleyside dams. This wealth of cleanly generated power should be accessible to local consumers to supplement WKP shortfalls. There is no need to build that controversial gas turbine plant in the sensitive Okanagan Valley where agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. 2) By far the majority of people in this province get their electric power from. B.C. Hydro. Yet one does not hear that these people are going broke—because of excessive—power costs. Why then would we be put into serious finageial straits if WKP were to continue to purchase a small amount from B.C. Hydro for several months of the year? 3. West Kootenay Power has recently applied to the B.C. Utilities Commission for permission to raise its rates by 6.7 per cent. But it is for the very purpose of preventing such large increases that the building of this Oliver plant is proposed. How can this plant be justififed? 4. Since B.C. Hydro is also under 2. The rezoned property could have up to 40 per cent building structures covering the land, giving the prop- erty a park-like appeararice. This is a far cry from the single-family resi dential zoning that could cover the majority of the property with asphalt housing and outbuildings 3. Having the facility located here enhances the property and eliminates the possibility of rezoning to multi- ple-family dwellings such as town and apartments, a change which could be made by council with out a public hearing. houses The minds of the other residents by pointing out the facts: 1. Encouraging ~ development * iti creases the tax base thereby reduc ing residential taxes. The facility would generate approximately $17,000 annually in-taxes. Maybe our neighborhood . will get the things it needs too, for example side. walks and curbs on 14th Avenue Think A bouquet to Ms. Hawkins for her letter to the editor in Castlegar News (Jan. 29) ments exactly. To the people who oppose the rezoning, to allow an intermediate care home, wheré will the noise come from? There will be no ball games or street hockey, like there are on many residential streets. Most homes have two or more motor vehicles, and with today's busy schedules, they are on the go at all hours other Sunday's My senti so-called 4. Residents of the proposed facil ity would not substantially increase the amoant of traffic in the area as most use public transportation and do not own their own vehicles I would support the’ rezoning ap- plication with the condition that, a voluntary restrictive covenant be placed on the property (2300 - 14th Ave.) and that this covenant be de efore facility such as the one proposed, the residents do not drive vehicles and are in bed by 10 o'clock at night Some of you who are opposed to such. a facility may even have a relative in Raspberry Lodge. Or per. haps your relative had to go to Grand Forks or New Denver as some had to do. In Raspberry Lodge there are two residents sharing a room, sometimes three, with a bathroom down the hall. In a regulation by the B.C. — Utilities Commission, this corporation (as in Remember when 40 YEARS AGO From the Feb. 3, 1949 Castlegar News The Castlegar Library has a mem- bership of 30 adults and 76 juveniles, it. was disclosed at the’ annual meeting of’ the Castlegar Library Association held at the Community Hall on Jan. 10. oi ee Another successful Folk Dancing party was ‘held on Friday evening at Kinnaird, Mrs. Shaw demonstrated new dances and the crowd enjoyed practising the taught pre: viously. If the turnout warrants it, these dances will be held every second Friday. . ones . The W.1. will hold the regular business meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3 evening at the home of Mrs. T. Nicholls, with Mrs. A. Gray and Mrs. R. White serving refreshments pleas Sa Mathison will visit Castlegar as Veterans’ Officer for the last time on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Major Mathison is retlrifg in March and plans to take up residence in Nelson. ._ * Major P. C.C.F. Supporters: Don't forget the regular meeting of the C.C.P. Club in the basement room at Mrs. Riley's on Feb. 9. * * * Mr. Alex Creighton has returned after a three-week visit at his home in Brandon, Manitoba 25 YEARS AGO From the Feb. 6, 1964 Castlegar News A has been started in Letters to the editor Sheep pose problem A very unfortunate set of circum. stances has led to the impression that the B.C. Environment Ministry's Wildlife Branch, at my direction, planned to kill all the big-horn sheep onthe Salmo Creston summit. Nothing could be further from the truth! Last week on CBC’s morning radio show Mr. B. Muffley fiidicated that last year, when the problem of bighorn sheep on the highway arose, I had proposed to solve the problem by shooting them all. He further indicated that public pressure had convinced us not to kill them but to institute a Limited Entry Hunt In fact, I have fever proposed to shoot them all. Last year, we did hold a. Limited’ Entry Hunt with two permits ayailable to the public to hunt in the fall. These sheep are not along the highway during the hunt and are quite hard to find at the time of the hunt. The sheep pose a problem along the highway. They are part of a herd which has been winter-fed at Sullivan Lake in Washington state for about 14 years. Over the past four years, more--and~-moreof =them™ have wintered along the highway about 10 kilometres east of the Nelway junction. The wintering location-is right on one of the worst corners on that highway. The result has been the death of three sheep in 1986 and two sheep this year. We considered solving the problem we have this winter by transporting the sheep back to their normal winter range at Sullivan Lake. However, that-plan has now been dropped. We will move the feeding site further from the highway to try to keep the sheep off the road until spring and will consider other solutions to the problem. These sheep are habituated to people in winter and because of this habituation we feel that they should not be transplanted to the Lower Arrow Lakes, where we already have a problem with sheep on the road and in peoples’ gardens. They are also not wanted on the main East Kootenay sheep winter ranges be cause of peenane for introduction of disease. The sheep will move away from the highway when spring arrives but will return. next winter. With the assistance of the West Kootenay Outdoorsmen's bighorn sheep com mittee, we plan to look at several possible solutions prior to next winter. These may involve baiting sites further away from the highway, signs along the road,\ habitat imp rovement to provide better food and cover further away from the road, and development of better facilities to allow visitors to view the sheep more safely. Funding for this work will be provided mainly through the wildlife organizations in the area. Those wishing to assist with.funding may make donations to the Castlegar and District Wildlife Association, ‘Sheep Fund, Gen. Delivery, Castlegar, B.C Guy Woods, R.P. Biologist Wildlife Branch, Nelson Moratorium overdue When one considers the crisis which has occurred with the water- shunned or detracted from for the most part ot logging companies the casé of WKP) will not bEEDIETS unduly increase its rates in the future._In=fact,—the—B.C.—Uuilities. Commission has implied in an earlier report that within the next decade WKP rates are almost certain to equal those of B.C. Hydro. 5. A local employment bonanza during construction of the Oliver plant is not at all assured. Under the Free Trade Agreement, the new owners of WKP would apparently have every right to bring in all required employees from the United States at lower rates of pay. After the plant was built, operating staff would apparently be limited to one or two employees. Finally, I would like to point out that the unpopular decision to allow the foreign takeover of West Koot enay Power and Light wag clearly reflected by our recent political upset in two federal ridings and one provincial byelection. Another “faux pas” regarding the turbine issue would very likely result in more of the same. This Oliver proposal is not the way to go at all — a step in the wrong direction. HLF. Killough Castlegar ion clarified veloped with input from the local residents who might be affected The dilemma is not mine — I know what I want. I would rather have the intermediate care facility with input from my neighborhood than the con. struction of 37 have no choice in construction, scaping or design I took considerable offence to be. ing quoted as discouraging develop. ment when in fact I aggressively promote development within this community to increase the number of jobs_and the tax base positive reporting stimulates growth, I appreciate the opportunity to- pre sent my supportive position Harry Stan Castlegar Editor’s note: After discussions between Mr. Stan apd the reporter who wrote the story, we agree with Mr. Stan and offer our apologies for misrepresenting his position. residences where I land rotest Let'us give our elderly a nice place to live what years they have left with respect and dignity. Please stop to think before voice your protest But for the grace of God it could be your parent or grandparent Nellie Gorkoff Robson you P.S. Think of the tax revenue the City of Castlegar stands to lose if Mr. Skoretz decides to build a $2.6. million facility elsewhere More letters, A5 the Kootenays to petition Prime Minister-Pearson-with a 10,000-signa- ture telegram asking his government to ratify the Columbia river treaty immediately when the House opens Feb. 18. - 8 It's summer in Deer Park! If you don’t believe the residents of that community when they say so, then they've now got the proof to back up their words. A cluster of pansies is growing near the home of Oliver D'Andrea, ere New civil defence officer for the twin villages of Castlegar and Kin naird_is Red Warner of Kinnaird. Mr. Warner, whose appointment has been confirmed by both muni cipal councils, replaces Steve Jankola who has been working in Kimberley for one year and who feels his future plans are indefinite. * * Tomorrow the Stanley Humphries Secondary School Band, under the direction of Norman Fishwick, will leave for a tour of the Okanagan principally Oliver and Kelowna . 8 -8 The Castlegar District's 1963 Good Citizen of the Year was guest speaker at the Castlegar Rotary Clut's “noonmeetiong:--Mr. Evans, who was given the honor mainly for his work with Alcoholics Anaony mous, spoke on that organization 15 YEARS AGO From the Feb. 7, 1974 Castlegar News A dramatic scene in the shadows of Brilliant Bridge resulted at approx imately 1:30 p.m. Monday when 20 concentrate cars bound for Cominco at Trail. were involved in a derail. ment + 2 « An application for a LIP grant to establish a quarter-mile track for track and field has been rejected. This information was received at the last regular meeting of the board of trustees of Sehoot District No. 9 le « Castlegar's interim council has agreed preparations should be made towards a new arena on a regional basis leading to an early referendum. Escalating costs and the possibility grants presently available for ree reation construction being discon- tinued led to this decision. . . A canvass which got off to an early start and ended highly successful, exceeding its $24,000 goal by well over a further $2,000, was reported on by secretary-treasurer Alex Gray during the annual meeting of the United Appeal held on Monday of last week in the Legion Hall. 5 YEARS AGO From the Feb. 5, 1984 Castlegar News A 21-year-old area student will be one of 16 people taking part in a 50,000 kilometre journey in the name of peace and friendship Kathie Voykin of Slocan Park will leave from Vancouver with 14 other people Feb. 12 to begin a five-month trip through Europe and North America, spreading their message of peace. * Castlegar and Distriet Public Li brary survived a difficult year in 1983, according to librarian Judy Wearmouth. It was a year that was marked by budget cutbacks, reduced grants and a decrease in circulation, shed trom which Robson-Raspberry residents obtain their drinking water. an—tmporrant—potnt—is~ brought to. mind. Last summer, MacMillan Bloedel applied for a Supreme Court of B.C prevent the Western Canada Wilderness Committee from building trails in the Camanah Valley on Vancouver Island (site of Tree Farm Licence 44, obtained by that company from the provincial govern ment in 1955), charging the environ mental with “illegal injunction to group tres pass." , On July 26 of tast that re quest was curtly dismissed by the B.C. Supreme Court. Its “rejection and for all the public's right of access and use of Crown lands under TFL tenure, con- current with the rights of the holders of that TFL to expedite the standing upon it This is a very important fact but one which is all too easily forgotten by the general public, and simply year, clearly guaranteed once trees such was demonstrate last_month —in_Atco. Lumber rectly fréporting to have “taken several members of the Robson- Raspberry Improvement District to inspect the logging site within the Norns Creek/Ladybird Creek water: shed, when in actual fact they had gone of their own volition, without being “‘taken"’ or having to ask any one’s permission. Misleading statements such as these (and logging companies know this better than anyone) only perpe- tuate the myth of logging companies having exclusive rights of access to TFL lands and overflowing with mag. naminity in__agreeing to __‘‘allow" the general public to have access to these sites Now, concerning the Robson-Rasp berry watershed, it is”really just a question of priorities. In accordance with the public's guaranteed right of access and use of TFL lands alluded to above, persumably (one would cer: tainly hope): this guarantee includes incor- in memory the right of the public to obtain a safe supply of drinking water from any supply_depends, TFL is simultaneously located This said, it would seem, there fore, infinitely self-evident that the right of to. obtain a continued, long-term supply of safe drinking water would take preced ence over the short-term profit of any company whose very practices in ob taining its profit threatens the safety of that supply Unfortunately the Forests Ministry is blessed with a singular inability to glaring truths — a moratoriuft’ on logging in the Rob: son-Raspberry watershed is _long overdue. Richard Widdifield Robson a community perceive such 7 and—upon—which-a— February Is Heart Month You've gotta have heart to stop Canada’s #1 killer. D BC_AND YUKON HEART FOUNDATION Regional Hospital at age 60 Mr. Poznikoff was born Feb in the Hill Siding area | he worked in the mines. In 1959, He worked in the mines at Sa life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, also enjoyed playing bingo Mr. Poznikoff is survived by Michael of Winlaw; and Sharon Morris of Castlegar; Jim Poznikoff of Winlaw; Flo Doyle of Burlington, Ontario The family requests no flowe today from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m Appledale Hall at 10 a.m. with b Cemetery Funeral Chapel Poznikoff Mike J. Poznikoff of Winlaw passed away—Feb.2-in-the—Trait In 1956, he moved to Britannia Beach where ‘Mary Lacktin at Appledale on Feb. 21 two daughters, two sisters, Pauline Sysoev Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Castlegar 1, 1929 at Perry Siding and grew up he returned to Winlaw and married 1959. ndon and Britannia Beach all of his prospecting and the outdoors. He his wife, Mary of Winlaw; one son, Lana Chernenkoff of Pass Creek three grandchildren; one brother, of Kelowna and rs. legar Funeral Chapel_|ft_ and will continue Monday at the urial at 1 p.m. in the Perry Siding and all should be-well! Yes, by 9.a.m. Sundays, you should be enjoying your Sunday Castlegar News If you're not, we want to correct the matter - nsistently to get your Sider | Ceantonee News by 9 a.m. then phone us Mondey and complal Call 365-7266 and ask for circulation. Castlegar News 197 Columbia Ave. 365-7266 Overwaitea Chahko-Mika Mall, Nelson OPEN TODAY — SUNDAY — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See Sale Flyer in Today's Paper! MacKay gets life VICTORIA (CP) — Scott MacKay was. found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life impris VANCOUVER COQUITLAM EASY OF F/EASY ON Trans-Canada Hwy No. | Exit at Brunette, CALL TOLL FREE 1-600 663-2235 * LOW off-season rates * Centre of Metro Vancouver * Restaurant & Lounge ‘THE TWO OF US’ * 60 Deluxe rooms, brids suite, whirlpool & ssuns * Direct bus to Skytrain & shopping centécs * Free oversized aa ing 2% Brunietce Ave., Coquitlam, B (604) 525-7777 FAX 604-525- 0797 onment Friday in the disappeara ago of Marguerite Teles body “has been two years ford found A B.C, Supreme Court jury delib: erated 18% returning with the verdict in the death of the of Viet a student. She was last seen on an early morning jog whose never hours. before University two years ago MacKay, 25, a former roofer, look: ed straight ahead as the jury foreman read out the verdict st as he a trowded courtroom by_five security personnel. Mr, Justice David Hinds sentenced MacKay to life with—ne possibility of parole for at least 25 years. The sentence can. be reviewed “I'm not guilty.” he was escorted out of in— prison after 15 years. “I describe Scott MacKay on his past (record) and this incident based as an incredibly dangerous man who has a voracious Appetite * said Dennis Murray. the deputy solicitor general who prose for sexual violence cuted the case with associate counsel Diane Turner OUT ON BAIL was serving a 12-year prison sentence for sexual assault and unlawful confinement when he was arrested in the Telesford case MacKay out o wh described, the case heavily upon stantial evidence and the testimony of five convicts — as ‘‘difficult."" ‘On a scale of one to,10 it was an 1 he said The prosecutor said a blue pompon with a single negroid hair in it found wedged in the undercarriage of Mac Kay's pickup truck was “‘ to which the case (was) tied* MacKay was arrested more than a year aftr the pompon was found. The Crown contended it came from Teles ford’s toque. Defence lawyer Gary-Kinar-said-it was too early to say whether the ver. dict or sentence would be appealed The only clues to Telesford's dis: which relied circum. the anchor appearance blood-stained ear: muffs found at the side of the iso lated road Where-she-wes-jogging. a some hairs and were spent shotgun shell the pompon CENTRAL FOODS SPECIALS BOLOGNA BY THE PIECE Bete. DINNERS CATELL 2.99: GRATED PARMESAN 15 KO oy he right to limit quantities * prices limited to stock on ho PRICES EFFECTIVE SUN.; MON. TUES. , WED. ZI CENTRAL FOODS ~~ OPEN SUNDAYS 10.4.m.-5 p.m. Community Ow rated 2717 Columbia. “costo legor ( + Wheelchairs + Canes * Crutches + Walkers © WEST- * NOW OPEN NOWA -Give- Wayne Rudrum-a-ealttor: ED SUPPLIES trp. ttecated Across From Beaver tumber} 6 * Incontinent 1 Supplien * Ostomy Supplies * Diabetic Supplies ’ and... 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