' A2 Castléji‘News May 24, 1987 BOB BRISCO MP wants truth told Reacting to reports about the May public meeting on Castlegar, postal service in » Kootenay West MP Bob Brisco said it is unfortunate that the truth was not told about his absence. Brisco said he was contacted by the West Kootenay Coalition for Better Postal Service in April about the possibility of attending a meeting May 20.' Letters oppose bridge closure By CasNews Staft The fate of the footbridge on the CP Rail bridge cross- ing the Columbia River at Castlegar is still up in the air. Earlier this year the Min- istry of Highways posted a notice of intent to close the footbridge, which is in need of repair. However, District Highways Manager Dennis Oliver said the ministry has received “a number of let- ters” opposing the footbridge closure. “The objections are under review,” Oliver told the Castlegar News Thursday. “At this stage we are wait- ing for a decision one way or another.” Oliver said the regional Highways office in Nelson prepared a’report which was FOR THE An article in the May 20 Castlegar News re} that Jack Chernoff, newly- appointed director of Canada Post Corp., said he did not attend a public meeting spon- sored by the Save Our Postal Services committee because none of the area post offices are scheduled to close, thus making his presence unnec- essary. Chernoff never made the statement. In fact, in a letter to the committee prior to the . sent to Victoria. “Somebody at a higher level” will make the decision on whether to close the bridge or repair it, Oliver said, adding he doesn't know when the decision will be made. The Castlegar Chamber of Commerce has submitted a “They were told that I wouldn't be able to be there, and I suggested that 5 would be a more suitable date,” said Brisco, “Later ymentioned June 11 as a possibility, and I said I wouldtry to attend. Never was I told about or Mas 3 in par because he believes it would not be in the public interest. “It's obvious that these events are being orchestrated by-the~postal-unions- andthe NDP-forpurely political purposes,” said Brisco. “They ought to save their rhetoric for thé next election al He added that most of what was reported as being said at the is simply not true. “The fact is that Canada Post has no plans to effect widespread closures of rural post offices, nor does it have any plans to reduce rural route service,” said Brisco. “Those are rumors being spread by the postal unions and the NDP to try to stir up unfounded fears among rural Canadians. It is totally irresponsible.” Brisco also said it is Ganada Post policy that the MP be notified well in advance of any proposed changes to postal service in his or her riding. “The only proposed changes I have been told about are plans for noon-hour closures at the post offices in New Denver and Montrose,” Briseo said, adding that he has list of sig: of resi who are opposed to the foot- bridge closure. In addition, Castlegar council] and the Regional District of Central Kootenay board have written letters objecting to the closure. Qliver said earlier that the cost of repairs to the bridge is estimated at $80,000. How- ever, a Trail alderman has said the repairs could be completed for about $56,000. RECORD meeting Chernoff explains that a previous commitment prevented him from attend- ing the meeting. In the letter, Chernoff thanked the committee for the invitation and wished it luck during the meeting. “Let me assure you,” wrote Chernoff, “that it is a mandate with Canada Post Corp. in implementing the new plan to create a better postal service for all Cana- dians.” ‘Thank You d Canada Post to tell them such a plan would be unacceptable. “As long as I am the MP for Kootenay West, I will fight any Canada Post prop that would detri lly affect any community in my riding. Westar set to reforest land x sighed the Ministry of Forests. PRINCE GEORGE (CP) — Westar Timber Ltd. has become the first major forest company in British Columbia to say it will spend its own money to reforest public land. All other reforestation on Crown land is done either directly by the B.C. Forest Service or by companies which get éredit against tim- ber harvesting fees owed the government, says Robin Brown, manager of service's regeneration programs in Victoria. Westar's Plateau sawmill, near Vanderhoof, has agreed to spend more than $1 million ‘of it# 6wn mone¥y during the next, t] yes ina. iy with In return, the ministry will match Westar's expenditur- es, dollar for dollar. The $1-million commitment will cover the first year of the program. Annual extensions would bring Westar's total contribution to about $3.5 million. “Our objective is to elim- inate the backlog of lands which have been harvested, or disturbed by fires or pests, which have not grown back properly in the areas we operate,” said Derrick Cur- tis, woodlands manager at Plateau. This new program is in addition to normal planting projects, which are credited against stumpage fees. “With the government's ‘fielp and involvement, “this pew. program will sfininaie the backlog of vacant lan which have commercial po- tential within seven years,” Curtis said. The Kiwanis Club of Castlegar wishes to thank all those who donated so generously and other- wise supported its annual auction being held Saturday, May 9. Our thanks especially to Dr. Don Ellis for the premises, Russell Auction, and the following businesses: * A Taste of Art * Ace Septic Tank Services ¢ Adastra Aviation * Adco Floors Ltd. * Air BC © Airport Coffee Shop * Tim Allen Optometrist © Anderson Insurance ® Anthony's Pizza & Steak House * Arrow Towing ® Avenues Hair Design * B & W Signs © Bartle & Gibson Co. Ltd. © Bel Air Barbershop * William Berg Construction Ltd. © Bill's TV © Blue Top Burger © Bonnett's Boys’ & Men's Wear ¢ Bosse’s Jewelry * Canada Safeway Ltd. © Carl's Plaza Drugs * Carter's Sewing Cen- tre © Castle Bowl * Castle Theatre ® Castle Tire © Castlegar Bearings Ltd. ¢ Castlegar Bicycle Shop © Castlegar Co-op * Castlegar Computers * Castlegar Golf Club © Castlegar Hyundai « Castlegar Import Centre * Castlegar News ¢ Castlegar Plumbing & Heating * Castlegar Savings Credit Union * Castlegar Sports Centre © Celgar * Central Bakery * Central Foodmart © Chang's Nursery ® China Creek Shell © CKQR ¢ Classic Fabrics © Cohoe Insurance * Columbia Appliances Ltd. © Columbia Auto Service ° Creative Draperies * Crossroads Printing * D-D Restaurant * Dairy Queen © Dairyland Foods « Dixie Lee S. ¢ Dixie Lee N. * Donna's Ceramics © Eastgate Gardens * Elektro Dohman « Elly’s Boutique * Eremenko's Fit Rite Shoes © Ernie's Towing * Esso Petroleum Canada ® Fireside Motor Inn ¢ Fireside Place Dining Room ® Frank's Sharpening Service * Geronazzo & Thompson * Geronazzo Holdings * Ginette’s Boutique ° Gough Electric © Greep’s Electric © Greyhound Bus Depot * Gulf Canada Products Co. ® Hair Annex ® Hair It Is © Henne’s Marina © Hi Arrow Arms Hotel * His Place Hairstyling © Homegoods Furniture * Homestead Soup & Sandwich * ICG « Inland Natural Gas * K & A Tires © KAL Tires © Kalesnikoff Lumber © Kel Print * Ken's Auto & Wheel Alignment * Klothes Closet * Kootenay Import Centre * Kootenay Savings Credit Union © Kootenay Savings Insurance * Lee Muller Bobcat Services * Marvin Leroy Optometzist © Lion's Head Sports * Madelaine’s Fashions i Magique * Magic Autobody * Main St. Muffler * Mallard’s Ski & Sports * Maloney Pontiac Buick * Markin Bros. Contracting * Mike's Mobile Homes Ltd. * Mitchell Auto Parts * Mitchell Supply Moran & Co. * Moroso, Markin & Blain * Mother Nature’s Pantry * Mount Sentinel Reality © Moun- tain Ski & Sports Hut * Murison Graphics ® Nora's Beauty Shop ©’ Northwest Mobile Homes Oglow’s Paint © Pacific Pump Installations © Pete's TV * Pharmasave Drugs ® Picture Place * Plaza Bakery * Plaza Barbershop © Polonicoff, Jones & Perehudoft * Prestige Cleaners ® Reflec- tions in Time ® Riverside Video/snacks * Roi Printing * Rumford Place * Sam’s Automotive ¢ Sandman Inn ® Scottie’s Marina * Selkirk Cedar Lumber * Sentinel Supplies * Speedy Auto Glass * Strand & Mosby * Super Chimney Sweep © SuperValu N. * SuperValu Plaza ® Syringa Park Marina * TNT Auto Body ® Trail Transit Services © Trio’s Shoe Salon * Trowelex Rentals © Tulip’s Floral © Uphill Wood Products * Valkyr Aquatic Pool Service * Verna’s Flower Shop * Vogue Camera * West K Concrete * West Kootenay Power & Light * Wes!'s * Westar. Former resident passes away Mike Kereiff of Victoria, formerly of Castlegar, passed away quietly after an illness on May 21. Predeceased by his wife Weather Mainly sunny today with cloudy periods in the afternoon and a chance of a thunder shower. Highs today 18° to 20° with the lows near 3°. More of the same for Monday. Chance of precipitation today is 20 per cent and the sun will set at 8:38 p.m. Eleanor, he is survived by two daughters, Klewellyn and Patricia Klohn and her husband Randy; two sons, John and Michael and his wife Deborah; six grand- children, Christopher, Erica, Michael, Samantha, James and Richard; his special friend Betty Goodwin; and two sisters, Polly Sawchenko and Anne Kalvgin. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. in St. Mary's Anglican Church in Metchosin with Rev, Harry Silvester officiating. Cremation. In lieu of flow- ers donations may be made to either the Canadian Cancer Society or Hospice Victoria. WANTED Vehicles of the West ». Kootenay for dumb can you be when it comes to the law?” But Sperry, who represented Stoop- nikoff and Chursinoff, argued the “faith” the brokers had put in Powers had blinded their sense of reason. “Faith is a difficult concept to deal with,” said Speery. He’ pointed to the fact that the brokers had taken several investments to close friends and family members. “Is that the mark of a con man?” asked Sperry. “Or is that the mark of faith and belief? of the $284,000 he collected. All four men admitted their own personal records of the investments were not detailed enough to dispute the figures. “We have a double-your-money scheme and the key is April 14, the lynchpin to decide the mentality of these people,” said Madigan. “Because it reveals a state of mind, a willful blindness. “Because of the 14th, each of these men was given a clear warning . . . that these activities were regarded by the police as illegal,” he said. Madigan said Stoopnikoff acted the most “honestly” because later on the same day of the police raid, Stoopnikoff admitted going to his bank and empty- ing his safety deposit box of approx- imately $10,000. “At least he was human about it”, said Madigan. “The others go to the ‘source of their problems (Powers herself) and, according to them, took her advice and kept going. “It shouldn't require a two-by-four over the head to warn them of the con- duct they were indulging”, he said, adding later: “Putting it crudely, how “You do not set out-to gull or con your family, your friends, your ¢om- munity and your culture.” But Madigan, in his remarks, main- tained the brokers were continually aware of the consequences of their ac- tions. “Here was a psychic, if you want to call her that, living in a modest abode, making these outrageous claims”, said Madigan. “Even before the 14th of April, this scheme was so outlandish . . . even a child could have spotted it.” “It had to be obvious that nothing, nothing in the world was going to stop these people and get them off the gravy train,” said Madigan. According to testimony that began Tuesday morning and wrapped up Thursday afternoon, Voykin was the first of the four brokers to join Dixie Dee Powers. He had met her through his interest in the supernatural and she described to him her work as a psychic “missionary.” She said she had toured most of the U.S. and Canada and was winding up in Castlegar. be Powers explained to Voykin, and to the three brokers who j that “God's plan to eliminate poverty” had been revealéd to her through a series of dreams. She explained that wealthy entertainers, particularly such notable country and western singers as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, were contributing large sums of money to ined later, her plan — “Christian capitalism”) in order to help the poor and obtain tax write-offs. Powers, 36, the mother of a five-year-old boy, considers herself to possess psychic abilities, something she believes permitted permeated her intellect while she was an adolescent in Fredericton, New Brunswick, It was this belief in mystical powers that led her to meet self-confessed American psychic David Guardino who had taken-out an advertisement in the National Enquirer magazine, Powers claims it was Guardino, with the help of his associates Frank Palidino and an alleged Las Vegas lawyer Charles Gardner, who supposedly mastermind. ed the scheme and even threatened Powers in order to have her carry it out. All four of the brokers, during tes timony, expressed their shock at the change in owers’ personality over the past several months. The brokers used words like “sparkly” and “positive” to describe their first impressions of her — stark contrast to the angry and confused Powers in the witness box. The brokers also described the elation they felt when asked to be brokers. Evdokimoff said he felt “hon- ored” and Stoopnikoff said after he delivered a food hamper on Powers's behalf to a needy family in Rossland he realized he was doing something to benefit people. “~™™After the police raid, some of the brokers claimed they felt anger at the police for meddling in the operation. Evdokimoff said he was “floored” by the investigation. “I felt angry and a certain amount of contempt for the police force,” he said. “I figured they were going to be in big trouble for trying to disrupt Dixie Dee Powers.” Fabbro reserved judgment on the case until June 25. Brokers give testimony By MIKE KALESNIKO Staff Writer South Slocan resident Steven Evdok- imoff testified in Castlegar provincial court this week that Dixie Dee Powers, the head of a local pyramid scheme, said she would “be destroyed” if she misused -her psychic powers. “d asked her if she would. see her ability to hurt people,” Evdokimoff told provincial court judge Ron Fabbro before a standing-room crowd Wednes- day. “She got angry and said her ability was a gift from God and if she were to ever hurt anyone she would be des- troyed.” Evdokimoff was one of the four brokers who took the stand during the three-day trial. Powers, with the help of the four brokers (who received a 20 per cent commission from each “investment” they collected), netted some $3.2 mill- ion in the Kootenays between January, 1985 and April, 1986. Evdokimoff said Powers asked him why he wanted to work as a broker for her. He told her it was “a chance for me to do something that is really worth- while,” adding, “I understood . . . that a broker could make a lot of money. “Financial security was something I strived for,” he said. Evdokimoff said it was difficult for him to approach people when he first became a broker to describe the scheme which required investors to make a minimum investment of $1,000 and, with 60 to 90 days, the money would be doubled. He said he experienced a “great deal of rejection” during his first week but eventually people began to contact him. Evdokimoff also said he originally doubted Powers’s integrity. “When I initially met her, I suppose like everyone else, I had doubts, " he said. “I asked her that I don't see how money could bring about change.” Powers had told the brokers that wealthy, entertainers were backing her Operation .beeauge it’ was.a chance for the rich to help the poor and obtain tax breaks. She also said that with her plan, revealed to her by God through a series of drams, poverty would even tually be eradicated from the earth. Evdokimoff admitted that, at first, he felt uncomfortable making large amounts of money, but he said Powers reassured him that “it's not wrong to make a lot of money, as long as you're helping people.” Samuel Stoopnikoff of Castlegar, who was also hired as a broker, told the courtroom that Powers had described herself as personally wealthy. “She told me she was a millionaire, a billionaire, and had oil wells,” he said. “I spoke to her for a long time because we were drinking scotch and what not.” Stoopnikoff said he also believed the operation was legal because he often saw police cruisers drive through the parking area of the Sandpiper Motel, Powers's residence. He claimed he met investors who had called the RCMP before investing and were assured the operation was not illegal. Stoopnikoff said he and Evdokim- off once drove down to Spokane, Wash. ington, to wire some $6,000 to Las Vegas, Nevada. He said along the way he was stopped by a state trooper who, after a short delay, simply let them go. “I usually get a ticket. But the cop came back with my licence and said ‘Thank you very much Mr. Stoopni koff,” he said. “I knew that Dixie was watching us then because she was a psychic.” Fred Chursinoff of Castlegar, the last of the four brokers, to téstify, told the court that hi jidn’t think much” pi Powers ‘when he first met tier, but said a $2,000 investment in her oper ation, which doubled for him in 60 days, convinced him she was genuine. Chursinoff said he asked the RCMP. if the operation was legal after the police staged a simultaneous raid on the homes of all four brokers on April 14, 1986. “I asked the police, ‘Is this legal?" ” said Chursinoff. “He said it was a pyramid scheme and I said, ‘What's a pyramid scheme?’ and he said, ‘You tell me. “I said I didn't know,” said Chur. sinoff. The brokers also told the court that three of them left for Las Vegas shortly after Powers left town in May, 1986 and met with her alleged lawyer Charles Gardner, They said Gardner told them it was a “Ponzi scheme”, or pyramid scheme, and that they had been conned. The three then went to Casper, Wyo. and met with Meghan and Richard Miller, an American couple also work: ing as brokers for Powers. They tes- tified that after talking with the couple they decided to contact the U.S. Fed- eral Bureau of Investigation. The four brokers wrapped up their testimony Thursday morning. Fabbro reserved judgment on the case until June 25. ATTORNEYS b oy 24.1967 Castlegar News a3 Special Discount Prices on Paint and Bodywork! FREE ROCK GUAR (With Every Complete Paintjob) FREE COURTESY CAR FREE ESTIMATES NO OBLIGATION GLASS & WINDSHIELD CLAIMS ICBC CLAIMS + +H F Remember, we meet our friends by accident! PORLOQNET AUTO BODY. continued from front page Madigan slowly seated himself and said he would try to continue when his “friend (Rankin) stopped testifying”. “I'm not testifying your. Honor,” protested Rankin, jumping back to his feet. “I'm merely making a valid objection.” Provincial court judge Ron Fabbo, who presided over the case, advised Madigan to change the approach of his questioning. “I'm simply following tradition,” said Madigan. Madigan also tended to pose condesending questions to the brokers while in the witness stand. When the man testified that they believed wealthy American entertainers were financially backing the scheme, Madigan asked, “Did you think Johnny Cash was paying for all this?” And again, during Madigan’s closing statements Friday, he said, “It shouldn't require a two-by-four over the head to wran them (the brokers) of the conduct they were indulging.” Both Rankin and Madigan are well respected in the legal system. Fabbro was even prompted to comment on the reputations that precede the two. Rankin is a long-time Vancouver alderman who became a household name in the Lower Mainland during his unsuccessful bid last fall for the mayor's seat in Vancouver (he lost to Gordon Campbell). The author of two books and a graduate of the University of British Columbia's law school, Rankin is best known in his area for his successful defence of John J. Verigin, the honorary chairman of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ, in Nelson in 1979. Characteristically, Rankin has stunned courtroom audiences with his unconventional approach to court testimony. Once, during a rape trial in Vancouver, Rankin brought a German Shepherd dog into the court room. The court had been told the alleged rapist had used the dog to threaten the woman. Rankin used the dog to show the jury that, in fact, the dog was harmless. Madigan is also a well known Vancouver barrister who is a member of the Criminal Appeals and Special Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General. He has spent several years as regional Crown counsel in Vancouver, and despite any specific title, is referred to as a “special prosecutor.” He is representing the Crown in the brokers case. Donald Speery is the third lawyer in the case, representing Samual Stoopnikoff and Fred Chursinoff. Speery, 40, is a local attorney in private practice in Trial. He was born and raised in Ross! nd, graduated with a law degree from UBC in 1971, and is a former Rossland-Trail Conservative party president. Rankin and Madigan have since returned to Vancouver. Despite the appearance of contempt between the two during proceedings they were often seen chatting and laughing together during courtroom recesses, TORONTO (CP) — Canada has edged up to 14th place in defence spending money. the 16 NATO ahead of D 1 + a according to figires published in NATO Review. For more than 15 years, Canada ranked second lowest, ahead of only tiny Luxembourg, with its Population of about 375,000. The ranking is based on spending on defence as a Percentage of a country’s gross domestic product: Bomb hoax MONTREAL (CP) — A search for a bomb aboard an Air Canada DC-9 ended quietly Saturday when Police found no explosives on the plane, Montreal Police said. The T ito-bound jetliner was g before takeoff after Air Canada received an anonymous telephone call saying there was a bomb aboard, said Const. Bernard Perrier. Perrier said the RCMP and Montreal police, using specially trained dogs, were called in to search the DC-9 and baggage after 95 passengers and five crew members were evacuated. Three shot FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (AP) — Three ploy of a Wendy's were shot to death before it opened on Saturday, police said. They were not found until another worker arrived Saturday afternoon. Police spokesman Otto Cefkin said the three were killed sometime before the restaurant's 10:30 a.m. opening time, but police received no word until about 20 minutes after noon, Cefkin said. Money raised FORT MILL, S.C. (AP) — Helped by the faithful, the financially troubled PTL ministry raised more than $100,000 US on Saturday by auctioning thousands of items. An antique car sold for $27,000 and an air-conditioned dog house fetched $4,500. “I think it's worth about $800,” said Jerry Crawford, a Salinas, Calif., building contractor who bought the doghouse and promptly donated it again for resale. “I didn’t buy it to keep,” said Crawford, a regular PTL contributor. “I did it because I believe in PTL.” Fiji troubles VISEISEI, FIJI (CP) — Ousted Fiji premier Timoci Bavadra says he is considering a campaign of civil disobedi and a court chalk te the military coup that removed! him from power nine days ago: He told reporters Saturday an offer from Gov. Gen. Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau to take part in a new administration is insulting. But aides said he has left the door open for further talks. Investigation MANAMA (AP) — A U.S. navy team is trying to determine if a fault in the anti-missile system aboard the USS Stark was responsible for failing to warn of an Iraqi missile attack that crippled the U.S. warship and killed 37 sailors. U.S. navy officials in Bahrain first denied a report that the computer system that runs the system was faulty, then refused to comment further. Cleanup crews were clearing twisted metal from the frigate’s wrecked electronic control centre on Saturday, said a source close to the investigation. Whaling stopped MOSCOW (REUTER) — The Soviet Union has decided to halt commercial whaling following with is and conservationists, Moscow Radio reported Saturday. The radio said the country’s last functioning whaling flotilla is returning to the Soviet Black Sea port of Odessa from the Antarctic. Police use gas SEOUL (AP) — Riot police hurled tear gas grenades into crowds of shoppers Saturday as officers chased after anti-government protesters and clashed with them in the heart of the South Korean capital. Pedestrians ran for cover as rows of police moved in with shields and clubs to disperse protesters and clear sidewalks. Some people ran into busy traffic, dodging cars. Others overcome by gas, collapsed. Press reports said as many as 1,200 were seized, but the government would not give any figures. Court agrees GENOA, ITALY (AP) — An appeals court upheld Saturday the convictions of seven Palestinians who planned or participated in the Achille Lauro hijacking in October 1985. Of the four who masterminded the plot, the Court h d ee HANSEN continued from front poge ment would match dollar-for-dollar funds raised in the province, said that commitment could reach $5 million, which would push the Man-in-Motion trast fund to $18 million. Vander Zalm also announced a $1- million upgrading of the spinal cord unit at V 's Shaugh Mulroney said, it is “our collective raponsibility” to ensure the dream con- tinues, “Rick, all. Canadians everywhere are proud of you. You've done an incredible thing.” WAS CRAZY Thicke, noting Hansen had wheeled through blizzards and heatwaves and d several Hospital. “We're sending notice to the world that we in B.C. are determined to lead the world in research in the field,” the premier said. As well as several musical numbers, there were personal and videotaped tributes from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, singers Bryan Adams, Anne Murray and Gordon Lightfoot and ac- tors Alan Thicke and Michael J. Fox. Mulroney, speaking on tape, praised Hansen for his “courage and indom- itable spirit.” Now that the message of awareness and hope has been heard, SMILING RICK . . . Hansen flashes a smile while on the Castlegar ferry recently. — CosNews thie photo q passes, suggested the 29-year-old from Williams Lake must have been crazy, “But maybe that's what it takes sometimes to make your dream come true.” Vancouverite John Fraser, the House of Commoans Speaker, told the crowd that Hansen has “left an in- delible mark on our nation’s indentity.” There was a written tribute from Pope John Paul read by Patrick Reid, former Expo 86 commissioner and father of Amanda Reid, Hansen's fi- ancee and physiotherapist who joined the wheelchair athlete on stage along with the other six members of his crew. In keeping with Hansen's goal of boostin, of the of the disabled, more than 1,000 people in wheelchairs were at the free tribute sponsored by the provincial govern- ment and the city. The event also at- tracted people from across’ the prov- ince as witnessed by a huge sign hung by some resident of the northeastern B.C. é¢ommunity of Hudson's Hope. There was honor guard of 20 world-class disabled athletes, some of whom travelled with Hansen in the last three days of intense, emotion- filled wheeling. Speaking without notes as always, the calm and smiling Hansen thanked the B.C. Place crowd for its tremen- dous welcome. “If we could only transform that in- tensity that you just displayed towards me and the dream for the future, just think what kind of impact we'll have in the next 10 years.” Rich community holds back cash WEST VANCOUVER (CP) — Canada's richest municipality so far has- of- ficially donated less than $5,000 to Rick Hansen's Man-in-Motion tour. But West Vancouver Mayor Don Lanskail said the actual total amount of donations from West Van- couver residents “is sub- stantially higher.” He said individuals and private groups have been making substantial dona- tions via the Royal Bank. However the bank had so far been unable to deter- tine just how much money: had been contributed in West Vancouver, he said. Figures released in Jan- uary by Revenue Canada showed that for the second year in a row West Van- couver, across the harbor from Vancouver, had the highest average personal $29,554 the year before. Lanskail presented Han- sen with two cheques when the wheelchair athlete reached Coquitlam, on Vancouver's eastern out- skirts, Friday morning. Lanskail said he handed over a cheque for $4,787 raised at a Lions Club walkathon and $211 raised by students at an elemen- tary school. West Vancouver council itself did not make a con- tribution to the Hansen campaign. to +t&s lAvith, most other ‘munivipalities; we left it to individuals and the private sector,” said Lanskail. Sheila Waller, of the Royal Bank's current ac- counts section at the main downtown branch, said it is impossible to break down donations from individual branches, as all monies are income statistics in Can ada. Average income of West Vancouver residents who filed returns in 1984 was $30,742, up from prised automatically forwarded to the main branch. “I would be very sur- $5,000,” she said. it was only WHEELING .. . Man In Motion Rick Hansen wheels out of Castlegar on way to Vancouver. Costews tile photo SEMENOFF continued from front page After the fura was sutured, Semen. off was taken to a recovery room and then later returned to his own room. The writ goes on to say that by 5:30 p.m. Semenoff “was in severe pain” and found it hard to pay attention to people, felt itchy and uncomfortable, his lips were bright red and swollen, that the flesh above his hips was white and that his cheeks were flushed. In her suit, Semenoff claims the symptoms her husband experienced were a direct result of the chymo- papain therapy. The writ claims that hospital staff were told of the symptoms, but “negli- gently and in breach of contract” failed to tell Kokan or Adams “or anyone else qualified to diagnose and treat those symptoms.” The writ adds that at 2 a.m. the next day, May 22, Semenoff told hospital staff his legs were numb. It adds that they did not notify Kokan of the numb ness. The writ claims that Kokan was in formed of the numbness at 6:45 that morning. “The defendant, Dr. Kokan, had not checked on the condition and symp toms of the plaintiff, Gordon Semenoff, of Appeals affirmed the life s M Abbas, Ozzuddin Badrakkam and Ziad El] Omar, and increased from seven years to life the sentence of Abdulrahim Khaled. Quake hits GUATEMAL CITY (AP) — A strong earthquake shook southwestern Guatemala on Friday night, sending residents of several provinces running into the streets, local authorities said. There were nd immediate reports of damage or injuries. ly or at all, between the injection of chymopapain and his dis covery of numbness in the legs’... and had not arranged for others to make such checks or to communicate the results of such checks to Dr. Kokan or to others competent to diagnose and treat any problems,” the writ claims. After he learned of the numbness Kokan consulted with Murray and asked him to come to St. Paul's to examine Semenoff. Kokan also arrang ed for a CAT scan to be performed on Smenoff. According to the writ, Murray ar rived at the hospital at about 8:30 a.m. on May 22 and noticed Semenoff was hyperventilating, in pain, his legs were numb and that numbness began at or before 2 a.m. Murray reviewed the results of the CAT scan and learned that hospital staff did not examine the right area of the spine, and ordered a second CAT scan. “The improper CAT scan ordered by the defendant Dr. Kokan and per- formed by the defendant, St. Paul's Hospital, caused delay in dealing with the medical problems of the plaintiff, Gordon Semenoff,” the writ charges. The document adds that Murray and Adams, along with hospital staff began operating on Semenoff at 11 a.m. and that sometime after the chymopapain therapy and before the start of sur- gery, Semenoff had developed pul- monary edema, or fluid on the lung. “The defendants, Dr. Kokan, Dr. Adams, Dr. Murray and St. Paul's Hospital, negligently and in breach of contract, failed to detect the pul- risks and the limited benefits.” The writ adds that Kokan, Adams and St. Paul's Hospital were negligent because they: inserted the needle for the injec- tion of chymopapain by a path which they knew or should have known would increase the risk of injury? @ failed to properly track the course of the needle used for the injection on x-£ay,pquipment that was available tp them; @ failed to have that x-ray equipment on hand during the injection; e@-re-inserted the needle and ¢ontin- ued with the chymopapain therapy aftef-etirlier injecting a needle in a way they knew or should have known might have caused injury; © failed to proceed with antihis- e therapy before the chemical in- jection, properly or at all; @ failed to carry out a saline ac- ceptance test, properly or at all; e failed to detect and respond to the shock Semenoff suffered after under. monary edema prior to of surgery,” the writ claims. The writ also claims that the pul- monary edema resulted from Kokan and Adams performing the chymo- papain therapy. The writ adds that Semenoff suf- fered a heart attack during surgery and that it was 14 minutes before his heart started pumping again. The writ also adds that as a result of the cardiac arrest Semenoff suffered irreversible brain damage “resulting in a comatose state from which he is not, as yet, recovered.” The writ claims that Kokan and hospital staff performed chymopapain therapy without getting Semenoffs permission and that Semenoff would have refused the chymopapain therapy “had he been properly informed of the going chymopap therapy; @ and failed to put a system in place, properly or at all, to respond to the shock Semenoff suffered The Semenoff claim is for general damages, special damages, court order interest, costs and any further amount the court may award. Valerie Semenoff, along with her father-in-law Steve Semenoff, con tinues to maintain a vigil beside Gor- don's bedside. They are now living in an apartment in Vancouver while Gordon's mother is at the family home in Castlegar. When contacted by telephone at St. Paul's Hospital, Valerie had no com ment on the court action or her hus. ban'd condition and referred any que- stions to Vancouver lawyer Jim Bren. nan. He also declined to comment. Texas town hit hard by tornado SARAGOSA, TEX. (AP) — Rescue workers searched for survivors and bodies Saturday among shattered houses, crumpled cars and downed trees as residents of the tiny town of Saragosa mourned at least 28 neighbors killed by a tornado. Authorities said 121 people were injured and one missing after the twister swept through with devastating fury:and little warning about 8 p.m. local time Friday. “It was a surprise to these people here,” said Reeves County Sheriff Raul Florez, who estimated about 80 per cent of the largely Hispanic town was destroyed. He gave the population as 350, although earlier reports put it at about 180. Gov. Bill Clements expressed his sorrow Saturday and pledged all help the state can give to the West Texas town. “Our best and quickest help must be provided the people of this community, which has suffered tragic loss of life and devastation to homes and to property,” Clements said. The tornado levelled a community hall where about 100 people gathered for a graduation ceremony for pre-school children in a Head Start program, said Jose Rodriguez, one of those attending. “A parent yelled a tornado was coming, and parents started grabbing their kids from the stage,” said Elodia Garcia, 26, who watched as adults frantically shoved children under tables and benches. “They told us to take cover, then the windows started shattering, the walls started coming down. ‘LORD WITH Us’ “It fell on us, but the Lordiwas with us,” said Garcia, whose family was not injured. The U.S. National Weather Service office in Midland, Tex., issued a tornado warning for the area about six minutes before the twister hit. But the town does not have a warning siren, said Florez. “This was our house,” Sergio Candelas said Saturday, pointifg to the remains of a frame building that was both his family’s dwelling and a small grocery store. “The little town is pretty much destroyed,” said assistant fire chief Doug Curbow of Monahans, one of many communities that sent volunteers to Saragosa, a farming community of mostly migrant workers, about 305 kilometres east of El Paso. By mid-morning hours, dogs were used to locate bodies, but as the day wore on, searchers used lights from miners’ hats to pick through the rubble.