Saturday, August 8, 1992 ™@ WHEELS. 492 Buyer beware when purchasing a used Car ‘Buyer beware.’ It's a word to the wise when purchas- ing a used car. But after you've kicked the tires and taken the vehicle for a test drive, keep in mind their are some laws designed to pro- tect the buyer. According to the Ministry of Consumer Services, any person who sells five or more cars each year must be on file with the Registrar of Motor Dealers. And that means the seller must be bonded and has to provide repair facilities. Used car dealers have to post the asking price of the vehicle, and that in- cludes any freight charges and acces- sories. In addition, the dealer also has to give written details of charges such as the GST and the provincial sales tax. If the sale of the car is being financed either by or through the dealer, that total cost must be presented in writing. When considering buying a used car, keep in mind that the dealer has a number of items he has to tell you, to the best of his knowledge. For instance, you have a right to know about any damage ona used car that cost over $2,000 to fix. And ask whether or not the vehicle was ever used as a police car, taxi, lease or rental car. On atest drive, it’s also a good idea to take the vehicle over a variety of road sur- faces. If you're dealing with a private seller, have the vehicle checked for any out- standing liens before you decide to buy. Even still, this search might not be able to protect your investment from an out-of-province lien. Should a lien be filed against your car from another province, you still stand the chance of having it seized. ° DOWNTOWN SHELL REPAIR & SERVICE BCAA APPROVED 365-6133 975 Columbia Ave. Castlegar, B.C. Columbia Avenue Castlegar, B.c. GLASS & TRIM LTD. 365-6505 TILDEN "= ¢ Rental Car Sales + Lease to Own ¢ Short Term Leasing 1050 + Daily Rentals + Financing OAC 1761 COLUMBIA AVE 365-7555 Lm 574 Members, Support Your Association BIG QOTIRES A at podem Autoplan m with BCAA! 185-75-R14 All Season gg Radial 49 1507 Columbia Ave., ¢ Castlegar * 365-2955 (Open August 11th) CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS July 25 to August 10 © Western Auto Wreckers Granite Road, Nelson Ph. 354-4802 “ @ LICENSED MECHANIC TUNE-UPS - BRAKES - FULL SERVICE RR #1, Raspberry, B.c. 365-3842 COURTESY USED AUTO PARTS a 24 Hour Towing New & Used Parts ie TRAIL AUTO BODY LTD. Complete Paint & Body Shop Glass Replacement Serving the Kootenays Since 1958 2316-6th Ave., Castlegar - 365-5114 “1992 MERCURY S MISTER TIRE SALES 693-2224 Between Castlegar and Trail Box 175, Genelle VOG 1GO * Brakes * Shocks + Alignment . TOPAZ 4 dr., air, ony 125 km. *9,450 ABH CAR SALES 2913 Central Ave. Grand Forks, B.C. Ph. 442-2363 GORD'S SERVICE CENTRE THE MUFFLER PEOPLE + MUFFLER LISFETIME WARRANTY - * EXHAUST SYSTEMS - * TUNE-UPS « BRAKES + RUST ARRESTER LICENCED MECHANIC 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday 425 Columbia Ave., Castlegar + 365-6555 + Complete Mechanical 480 Columbia Ave. Castlegar - 365-7145 Sign Design GRAPHICS + Pinstriping « Vehicle Lettering CASTLEGAR IMPQ)RT CENTER EXPERT SERVICE FOR DOMESTIC & IMPORT VEHICLES 365-5111 1.C.G, PROPANE SERVICE CENTER FACILITY GOVERNMENT INSPECTION | CASTLEGAR A@@nwS =e ee Wednesday August 12;-1992 | ier - ~ 1 \s Sunny with cloudy intervals and the risk of thunderstorms, high 32. @ OUR PEOPLE Local high school students Janet Kalesnikoff and Rae Carter have come back from their exchange to Japan and have a lot to tell Castlegar about the Orient. page 9 @ LOCAL SPORTS Valley Royals think they are one of the province’s best fast- ball teams. They will try to prove that in Kelowna this weekend. page 13 @ ARTS & LEISURE Richard Widdifield is climb- ing the walls. And the result is some of the city’s most talked about murals. preview 3 Local Sports Action Ads Arts & Leisure Calender Dining Guide 2 6 7 Our People 9 13 17 preview 3 preview 4 preview 8 METAL ON METAL ia € 4 + ’ front entrance to Ceigar. Story, photos on page 4. ‘News photo by Neil Rachynski A 59-year-old Winlaw man was lucky to escape serious injury Monday after a collision between a train and a pickup truck at the Conroy letter causes stir Glen Freeman NEWS REPORTER Has Ed Conroy succumbed to political pressures? That’s what some doctors are asking themselves after learning the Rossland-Trail MLA affixed his name to a gov- ernment form letter. Conroy submitted a letter to The News July 15, condemn- ing Castlegar Dr. Jon Van Vliet for making “a number of er- rors in his comments about the contents of Bill 71,” legislation which limits medical spending to $1.27 billion this year. Conroy continued to list the government’s plan of action, ending the two-page letter with his signature. The controversy arose when the local MLA’s letter was spotted in The News by Salmon Arm Dr. A.R. Williams. Williams was shocked to discover that an almost identical let- ter was submitted to the Salmon Arm Observer on July 22 by Shuswap MLA Shannon O'Neill. When Conroy was asked to explain the similarities between the two letters, he claimed he in fact penned the one submit- ted to The News. He later admitted that it was written “with assistance” from the health ministry’s communications de- partment. “I was fully aware that (Conroy) didn’t write that letter,” Van Vliet said, “That's what they do because they call them- selves too busy. But he didn’t even read (Bill 71) four days be- fore it had passed.” Williams took a harder stance against the action, writing to The Observer to protest the government's tactics. “When Shannon O’Neill signs a ghost letter like this, it makes me think she has not enough interest in health care to find out what is really happening in Salmon Arm and in British Columbia,” Williams wrote. Conroy defended his role in the forum-letter campaign, say- - “the doctors situation isn’t the only thing on a politician’s plate. “We have different situations we have to deal with and, in this case, I contacted the communications department,” he added. “This was just something I happened to agree with and for the most part used it.” In both letters the politicians stated “We repeatedly at- tempted to carry on an open and honest dialogue with (the doctors).” “Well, open and honest, I mean anybody can contact me anytime they want,” Conroy said “I’m not opposed to chang- ing my mind.” That isn’t the case with Bill 71, however. Conroy said he firmly stands behind the government and the letter he signed his named to. ~ “My bottom line is I agree with everything that was writ- ten in that letter,” he said. “It’s something I’m prepared to stand by 100 per cent.” LAWYER MAY RELEASE PRICE WATERHOUSE FINDINGS WITHIN A WEEK, PAGE 3