Page 2A The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, June 28, 1995 Increasing student numbers point to additional spaces in Robson KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff The Castlegar school district will add another half-day kindergarten class this fall, but it’s undetermined exactly where that class will be situated. At a board meeting held last week Lach Farrell, assistant superintendent, told board mem- bers that there are currently 178 children registered for Kinder- Mickey Kinakin garten, which is 14 more than the 166 originally projected. In Robson alone there is a pro- jected increase of 13 students from 21 currently to 34 by this September. Discussion at the board inchid- ed the possibility of adding an afternoon Kindergarten session at Robson or bussing a “pod” of Robson students to another school in the district which would have the room to accommodate them. But Trustee Mickey Kinakin strongly objected to the possibili- ty of Robson students being bussed to Castlegar. “When we look at this situation busses always seem to run one way—from rural to city. People think nothing of moving Robson to Woodland Park [Elementary school]. Why can't we change our thinking and think “of the busses going in the other direction? No one ever seems to make these sorts of calculations.” Trustee Evelyn Voykin second- ed Kinakin's motion, saying that moving students might not be always be the correct solution to the problem “The problem, is that over the years they're always having to get moved. We should try to find the funds to maintain the kids in that school.” After much discussion 4in amended motion was passed which provided for the extra half- day class, but didn't specify where that class would be. Farrell said the amendment will allow the board flexibility when making the decision on what to do with the - od 4 A decision whether to add another Kindergarten class in Robson will be made sometime in August. “If the numbers hold up that’s where it would be,” assured Farrell. The increase in students in the Castlegar School District isn't quite as dra- matic as what was expected when the Columbia Basin Accord was announced. Since February of this year student registration in the district has decreased. Lach Farrell, assistant superintendent for the dis- trict isn't exactly sure why that is, but said that although the district had 25 more students by the end of February than last year, some students have left the district leaving that increase at only 12 students. “You would expect that with all the activity this place would be flocking with kids,” said Farrell “What was appearing to be significant growth [in student population] has declined. Since February of this year we have lost half of those numbers.” In order to get a handle on what the Accord means in the way of future student enroliment, Farrell spoke with businesses and ser- Growth in Robson: a virtual reality—or realty? Statistics point to economics vices in the community that would be in the position to But what he found when Most people’ moving into Castlegar are child- less, or don't have school age children. Farrell suspects that the growth seen in the Kindergarten age in Rob- son is a matter of eco- nomics only, and not the harbinger of a wave of school age children. “I suspect that many par- ents with school age chil- dren are moving where there is still affordable housing.” Farrell said that with the Accord's local hire policy he expected that many fam- ilies would soon be moving into Castlegar and trying to establish themselves as “local™ But that hasn‘t hap- pened. Farrell believes that the recent collapse of nego- tuations with Bonneville has scared speculators off. Castlegar Foods Notice To Our Customers Due to construction in front of Castlegar Foods, both entrances off Columbia Avenue will be closed for a maximum 3 day period beginning Wednesday, June 28th. Access to the store parking lot will be available via 6th Street, north side of OgloW block, to 11th Avenue. Follow the signs. We Thank You For Your Co-operation And Patience Columbia River dispute Cabinet members talk strategy SUN STAFF Two B.C. cabinet ministers travelled to earlier heads of state as well as Canadi- an Ambassador Raymond Chre- tien. The Canadian Embassy is also hosting a luncheon for Ed ds and Clark with con- this week to meet with Ameri- can officials on the Columbia River power dispute. Energy Minister Anne Edwards and Employment and Investment Minister Glen Clark are meeting with Oregon Sena- tor Mark Hatfield and other gressional staff. B.C. signed a long-term power agreement last year with Bonneville Power, an Oregon- based power marketing agency owned by the U.S. federal gov- ernment. The deal was struck under the terms of the Columbia River Treaty, with Bonneville acting as the designated Ameri- can bargaining agent. Bonneville has since repudiated the deal for commercial reasons of its own. The B.C. government has called on the U.S. government to either require Bonneville to live up to the terms of the 1994 agreement or to replace Bonneville with another bar- gaining agent in Columbia River Treaty talks. Airport employees still waiting for payment More than $160,000 owed despite six-month lapse SHARLENE IMHOFF “Sun Editor Employees from the Emergen- cy Response Service/Mainte- nance Operations crew at the Castlegar Airport are still waiting to receive more than $160,000 from a bonding company after the contractor for whom they worked went bakrupt last January. Pacific Building Maintenance from Richmond, contractor at the Castlegar Airport for about nine years, fell into financial troubles and was unable to pay the seven local employees on its payroll. The bonding company which took over operations, Boreal Pacific from Vancouver, has since left the employees in limbo. “We made claims in March and have yet to receive a response from Boreal. We are looking at other possiblities on how to proceed at this time,” said Stephen Hutchison, article stu- dent with the Vancouver law firm of Bannister and Company. According to Hutchison the employee's claims involve owed money from banked over time, days off in leui of working, claims for severence pay and pay in lieu of termination notice. “The problem is we don’t know what Boreal's position is on this outstanding matter. No one knows where they stand,” said Hutchison, adding that he shares the feeling of frustration which employees at the airport are now experiencing. “How long will this saga con- tinue? The answer is mainly up to Boreal.” Boreal Pacific was unavailable for comment. Castlegar Quilters’ Guild members, Renata Belczyk (I), guild president and aon Burton recently presented Ken Talarico, Castlegar Hospital administrator, with a cheque for $1,000. The money was raised through raffling a quilt made by members. Malfunctioning toaster has fire crews responding “SUN | STAFF Volunteers from the Castlegar Fire Department were invited to an early moming breakfast last Sunday. However, the invite from Marantha Court was not a social event but an emergency, and burnt toast was on the menu. Castlegar Fire Chief Gerry Rempel said the 9:30 a.m. call for assistance was made by an elder- ly resident of the apartment. “She did all the nght things Her smoke alarm sounded and she immediately called us.” After calling the fire depart- ment the woman discovered that a malfunctioning toaster caused toast to burn, thereby setting off the alarm. The woman discon- nected the toaster and called the fire department to inform them that there was no emergency, @ Centennial though emergency crews were already en route When firefighters arrived they set up a large fan to disperse the excessive smoke. Rempel said the toast couldn't be saved. Castlegar residents overdue STERLING NEWS SERVICE Friends of two Castlegar resi- dents who have been in Guatemala since June 7 are anx- iously awaiting word from them as to their whereabouts. “We're standing by the phone at this point,” said Castlegar resi- dent Ann Godderis. Ann Pellerine escorted Guatemalan lawyer Marta Torres back to her own country for a labor conference. Torres and her family were evicted by the army and almost killed a number of years ago. With Pellerine to escort her, she plans to attend an internation- al labor conference Gail Ogley, meanwtiile, flew to Toronto where-she met with two Guatemalans whom she accompanied back to their coun- try to attend the same conference. The conference went well, as far as the Godderis have heard. Ogley, a Local 480 member, is now visiting some of the cen- tres supported by the Steel- workers’ humanity fund while Pellerine, a Trail Hospital tech- nician is Currently accompany- ing Torres deep into the jungle to visit refugees. Wednesday, June 28, 1995 The Castlegar Sun Page 3A Police briefs Oh deer! Two motor vehicle accidents June 17 are being attributed to deer on the road. Some $1,500 damage was done to a 1990 Pontiac Sprint driven by Kimberly Byers of Fruit- vale when she struck a deer on Highway 22 near Blue- berry Creek. A vehicle driv- en by Scott Lerch, of Winlaw also sustained dam- age when it struck a deer on Highway 3A near Thrums. Upon attendance by RCMP, Lerch was given a 24-hour suspension. Same place, same thing Elizabeth Vigue, of Castle- gar, has been charged with driving too close after a two vehicle accident on Columbia Ave. and 17th St. June 17. In another unrelated accident the same day and at the same location, Lane Berendt of Newport, Wash- ington was also charged with following too close after her vehicle rear ended a vehicle driven by Yevgeny Maioff of Revelstoke. Graffiti Police are investigating van- dalism of CPR property in Glade. RCMP say that some- one spray painted vulgarities on a shed owned by CPR which is situated near the Glade ferry. There are no sus- pects, but police request that anyone with any Robson Elementary receives glowing report KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff Robson Elementary School has achieved high marks from an external accreditation team. At the Castlegar School Dis- trict board meeting held last week, trustee Ron Norman told the board that accreditation team members gave the school extremely high marks. “Tt was an report. established.” Headed up by chair Sylvia McGregor, of School District No. 11 in Trail, the summary noted many positive aspects of the leam- ing environment at Robson and made sorne is evident in the school; * recognizing the school as an entity within the school population, * the open door policy which provides parents and community with easy access Commendations. + the consistent use of technol- ogy; + the exceptional music pro- gram, despite its limitations due to They talked about the strong leadership and the sense of com, munity prevalent in Robson.” Principal Grant Lenarduzzi said the accreditation validates the hard work. of staff, parents and students. “The staff feels excellent [about the glowing report) and so do the parents.” Now that the school is accred- ited, Lenarduzzi and the teachers don’t intend on resting on their laurels. “We'll keep plugging away on those directions we've space; . instilling in the students the confidence to learn; + the encouragement of staff to be risk takers and supporting staff initiatives; * the open communication between parents, staff and stu- dents; + instilling a high standard of professionalism; + actively seeking opportunities to expand knowledge and teach- ing practices; * much verbal praise for stu- dents and amongst staff; « the positive atmosphere that Rec * maintain communication with senior district staff regarding the © pressing need for expanded/new facilities; * explore ways to enhance the library's collection, physical appearance and usage; * continue to expand the focus on technology to further facilitate student learning; * undergo a safety inspection by the staff to alleviate potential hazards to students and personnel, * review the plan for school growth annually and establish appropriate goals; In its summary. the team com- mended the students for “their friendly and open way in which they welcome adults into the school”, and the “pride in their school, and the appreciation and O’Connor too close for comfort SUN STAFF Castlegar Mayor Mike O*Con- nor, 50, has been charged with following too close after a two- vehicle accident June 22. Castlegar RCMP say that O'Connor was southbound on Columbia Ave. June 22 when the vehicle he was driving rear-ended another driven by Argon Bailey, Criminal checks of the incident call their local RCMP detachment. Stolen Castlegar RCMP are waiting for a call from the person who broke into a tourist booth located at Verigin’s Tomb in Brilliant June 14. Corp David Beach says that a con- temporary GE phone was taken and that perpetrators left their ‘calling card’ by way of evidence at the scene Death - go is being blamed-for- accident last Sunday which claimed the life of , Errol Royden George Faust, 25, of Proctor. Nelson RCMP say the accident hap- pened after the vehicle Faust was driving left a narrow dirt road by Sunshine Bay Park near Proctor and struck +a tree. A 16-year-old female passenger escaped serious injury and was taken to Kootenay Lake District Hos- pital and later released. Police allege that at the time of the accident the park was the site of what has become an annual end of school year party. Some 200 youths were in attendance, many of who were camping overnight. RCMP,and the Coroner's Service are investigating the accident. 22, of Castlegar. Bailey was seen at Castlegar Hospital for a minor injury. There was $8,000 damage to the vehicles. + Teachers to come under scrutiny KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff Teachers in B.C. will soon be required to undergo a criminal check before obtaining employ- ment in any school in the province Joanne Baker, chair of the Castlegar School district said that a recent Act passed in the legisla- tive assembly Will require all those who work with children to submit to criminal checks. “That's all public and independent schools,” said Baker. It’s planned that a con- trol agency operated by the Attorney General's office will manage the process, and that checks on all new employees ‘For the safety of the children it’s really necessary’ — JOANNE BAKER Chair Castlegar School board receive priority. Teachers already instructing in schools will have a criminal check within the next two years. Referring to recent news stories Continued from 1A Historical Village in Castlegar on July 7, with a film symposium and festival, tours of local Doukhobor heritage and historical sites and reading by Doukho- bor authors in the evening On July 8. the Doukhobor Historical Village will again be the venue for the presentation of represen tatives of Doukhobor Societies from across Canada and Russia. and representatives from various levels of government, interspersed with a capella perfor- mances by local choirs. The evening program con- tinues at the Brilliant Cultural Centre with a banquet featuring traditional Doukhobor cuisine, followed by a-Doukhobor sobraniya open to the public on the “Reflecting on the Past, and ends with a midnight vigil at the theme Future’ Looking to the Doukhobor Historical Village The commemoration concludes on July 9 with a Doukhobor Moleniye or prayer service, as practiced during Peter ‘Lordly* Verigin's era at the Verigin Tomb. followed by a picnic lunch at the Brilliant of forei Cultural Centre tions by local children, followed by the introduction ‘ig uests and representatives of peace and justice organizations and religious and multicultural societies and again interspersed with a capella per- formances by Doukhobor choirs. In the evening. there will be a repeat concert by the Voices of Peace at the Brilliant Cultural Centre For more information on events, please call 604 442-8252 in Grand Forks, or 604-365-6877 or 604 365-6622 in Castlegar. Afterwards, there will be presenta- Freak accident causes small flooding at Mountain View Lodge KAREN KERKHOFF on Sun Staff that it was wrapped around, it to the sprinkler head off.” A freak accident resulted in the partial flooding of Moun- tain View Lodge June 22. Castlegar and District Hospi- tal administrator Ken Talarico personnel quickly turned off the water, but by then four resident rooms and one-third of a hallway were flooded with almost 30 mm (two inches) of water. H j said that an early tan- gle between a piece of clothing and a sprinkler head resulted in the head of the sprinkler being ripped off. “The sprinklers are in the closet and when a resident tried to remove an item of clothing ig was quickly called in for 1 mop-up duty and residents were able to return to their room within hours. “They did a real good job,” said Talarico. There was no permanent damage done. Stellar Place ADULT COMMUNITY SEVERAL ALREADY RESERVED BOOK YOURS NOW!!! 13 LEVEL ENTRY! ‘Some Basement Models!” UNDERGROUND SPRINKLERS! ALL LANDSCAPED LOW MAINTENANCE FEE! CLUB HOUSE ALL 2 BDRMS « 2 BATH HOLIDAY HOURS SATURDAY * SUNDAY » MONDAY JULY1¢2¢3 12-4 P.M. 2210-Columbia Avenue, Castlegar e 365-0474 SHOW SUITE OPEN DAILY regarding kidnapping and tation of children, Baker saigighe's glad that the govern- ment has mandated the checks. “For the safety of the children it’s really necessary.” The Castlegar school board is now grappling with what this means specifically to the district. “We're looking at ‘policy to make sure everyone is covered. What about volunteers? This is all fairly new yet. The implemen- tation schedule is still being developed.” respect for their teachers, support staff and principal” It also gave kudos to the staff for the “positive and supportive way in which they relate to the students”, for “honoring, with sensitivity, the diversity within the school population”, and the “positive atmosphere that is evi- dent in the school” KAREN KERKHOFF Sun Staff Almost 10,300 people were treated in Castlegar Hospital's emergency room (E.R.) last year—but only 40 per cent of those seen, or 4,120, were true S. ‘This means that 5,180 people could have been seen and treat- ed at the doctor's office, but chose instead to access the Ken Talarico, administrator for Castlegar and District Hospi- tal believes that most of those Hospital looks to cut the fat ends or holidays, physicians With a projected surplus of only $34,000 in this year’s bud- get, staff and administration are looking at ways in which to cot the fat. One area which could be trimmed with no effect on patients is use of the E.R. by non-emergency patients. “Right now we're looking at that, We" ‘ve referred it to the physi for tions. They have some ideas.” Talarico recognizes that sometimes, such as on weck- aren't available in office and — must therefore utilize chose gency room for non- the ER. because of “It’s. common they come to the hospital because they want quick care and don’t want to wait.” Bat while this practice might be convenient to patients, it is having an impact on the hospital budget—-staffing for the E.R. alone amounts to over $21,000 annually, and this doesn't include the cost of ies. In better years ‘hospitals could deal with the added expense more easily, but lean budgets have left hospital administrators in B.C. scrambling to cut costs to meet their budgets. gency illness. Red the amount of non-emergency patients seen in the E.R. will benefit the whole facility, and therefore the community, said “In good [financial] times we added the staff to deal with this. If y Patients would use the E.R. less it would lighten the workload and we would have more resources for acute care and the rest of the facility. ‘The intent of emer- gency is to deal with urgent conditions such as acute illness or accidents.” >ALL Apoarp! THe NortH Penn Onewte Vacuey Lions Cus INVITES YOU ON BOARD THE 1995 EXCURSION TRAIN! Spend a summer afternoon enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Pend Qyille River on this 2 hour trip from Ione to Metaline Falls and back. $4.00 PER PERSON © RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED CuTTER ENTERTAINMENT. Ss Coordinate with Train Rides i SSAA) 47H oF duty Weexenn Zi es Saturday & Sunday, July 1 & 2 Na “Amber Tide” Blues, Jazz and Magic ‘Saturday & Sunday 3:30 & 6:30 pm - $3.00. she me TRAIN Departs I Am,.1 pm & 3 pm Call (509) 442-3397 from Noon to 6 pm ye he HAVE FUN... BE INDEPENDENT... Get a Chauffeur® Electric Scooter! NOW AVAILABLE QUANTUM 400 4 WHEEL SCOOTER REG. $4495 SPECIAL We have a good selection of walkers and canes. OPEN SAT., JULY 1ST, 11-1 PM © OPEN SUN., JULY 2ND, 11-3 PM L128 - 3rd St. (Downtown) Castlegar ¢ 365-7813