Page 2A The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, June 24, 1992 Ta Hospice iin comfort the dying That is a soar fact. As a con- cept (and not a personal experi- ence), death is wrapped in cultural and social mystiques, emotions, and , most of all, a lot of personal pain. It is the complex feelings that surround death that the Castlegar Hospice Society is trying to help people with. Volunteers at the society will be taking a great leap forward tomorrow when they hold the grand opening of the hospice room at the Castlegar and District Hospital. “I'd like the whole community to take hospice training for their own good because we're all going to deal with death and dying,” said Anne Fomenoff, the The room on the second floor of the hospital looks different from any other room. Patterned wall-paper strips ring the top of the light blue walls. Next door is a mini kitchen with a coffee maker and a toaster oven. There's a colour television in front of the brown sofa bed and easy chair, and a beige lounge chair sits beside the Anne Fomenoff sits in the easy chair next to the bed in the new Hospice room at the Castlegar Hospital. Behind her is the sofa bed used by families staying with the termi- nally ill in their final days. because they were with their mother to the very end.” One of the main purposes of the room is to allow families to be with their dying relative around the clock, without the dif- not with the normal covers, but a Iti. Comfort is what the room is all about. It more resembles a liv- ing room than a hospital room. It serves as a home away from home for the families of the ter- minally ill. The dying are sur- rounded by family and friends, and the best medicine has to offer, to help ease the pain. Fomenoff told about one family who used the room a few weeks ago. “They pulled out this sofa-bed, cooked their meals next door. They didn’t need any help ties in care giving at home would entail. Officially, the room and it’s services are know as hospice palative care. Fomenoff explained that a hospice is a place to stay, and rest, while palative care is compassionate care of the termi- nally ill. “To care without curing,” said Fomenoff. While the room helps the fami- ly cope more easily with the pro- cess of death, it also helps the ra “They (the terminally ill) say ‘I'm not frightened of dying, but I'm afraid of being alone’,” she Local contractor awarded new mall construction News release states both union and non-union workers to be hired BRENDAN HALPER Sun staff ‘The contract to build a 15,200 square foot building adjacent to Safeway has been awarded to local contractor William Berg Construction Ltd. The build- Berg did say however, that he can"t hire more union than non- union labour. “They'll (union) certify me right away,” he said. “We have to keep a 60-40 balance.” Local contractors will com- plete 75 per cent of the bid price. ing will be home to the new Castlegar Sav- ings Credit Members of Carpenters Union Local 2300, along with support from nine other ‘They'll certify me right away. We have to keep a 60-40 balance.’ Wm Berg Construction Ltd Orga- nizer for the United Brother- hood of Carpen- ters Gil Arnold said last week, that the Carpen- ters Union is going to try to organize Berg — BILL BERG unions, have been lobbying the Credit Union Board of Directors for the pert several weeks for assurance that union labor will be hired for con- struction... William Berg Construction Ltd. President Bill Berg says, “We hire union carpenters and —_— intend on “We're going to encourage his workers to join the union,” Arnold said. “We'd like to extend the benefits of fair- wages and collective bar- gaining to Berg’s employees.” The project is expected to be completed by the end of Novem- ber. Trail city council gives readings to cemetery bylaw TRAIL TIMES Trail city council gave first three readings to a cemetery bylaw amendment which will alleviate city workers of the ility of handling human ‘The issue arose because of the new mausoleum being built adja- cemt to Mountain View Ceme- 4 6 iF Hit Bak Bes He 000 to $6,000 depending on now the city is con- about disinterring human for transfer to the mav- Mayor Sandy Santori there have been about a fequests for disinterment and transfer so far. City clerk Jamie Forbes said that in the past, disinterments have always involved the fit He as Carberry's) to handle the : Howeves, no such requirement is demanded if the transfer of remains is within the same ceme- tery. "The handling of human remains is a delicate matter and should be carried out by trained people and with reasonable pre- cautions taken.” Forbes said that city crews will open the grave, and the remaining work will be down by the funeral provider. Forbes suggested a further amendment that the city can refuse anyone's request (to disin- ter) “if it is not practical or possi- ble without disturbing adjacent graves.” Santori said he is con- cerned that some people may have already paid Evergreen Corp. (builders of the mau- soleum) only to find out the remains can't be moved. “I would hate to see people lose money because they can’t have it done.” eee Members of the Carpenters Union Local 2300 Castlegar were out drumming up support again last week at the Castlegar Savings Credit Union. SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper Trail opposes year-round road restrictions on Rossland-Trail hill TRAIL TIMES Trail city council opposes any permanent, yzar-round load restrictions on the Rossland-Trail hill. The decision was made dur- ing a Glenmerry neighborhood council meeting Monday. The Ministry of Highways is considering putting restrictions on heavily loaded vehicles on the downhill traffic and is asking for public input into the idea. Mayor Sandy Santori said that restric- tions of weight, effectively cutting off almost all track traffic coming into Trail, would not be beneficial to a community “trying to entice further development. "For busi- nesses which are already here, it's bound to effect their bottom line.” He said truckers who pass through Trail often cat and sleep here and “that is all business we would lose.” He said he under- stands Warfield’s “legitimate con- cern” over the danger of trucks entering the village without brakes, “but you don’t close a road to solve a problem.” added. When the family needs time away to emotionally recu- perate, that time is filled by vol- unteers. “I can always get those volun- teers on very short notice,” she said. For the volunteers, the hos- pice room, filled with furniture donated by people who went through the loss of a loved one with the help of the society, is only the newest addition to the society's work. The society was formed in November 1985, trained its first volunteer in 1986-87, and had their first call for help in Novem- ber 1987. With 50 volunteers cur- rently working with the group, the Hospice society has provided 4525 volunteer hours for 32 patients since the first call for help. Most of those hours go into allowing the terminally ill the security and comfort of spending their final days at home. The hos- pice society provides the home medical support for the patient, and helps take some of the burden off the shoulders of family mem- bers. Fomenoff explained the train- ing that. volunteers must go through before working with the terminally ill. The training SUN STAFF PHOTO / Jason Keenan in cation and listening skills, the physiology of dying, pain control and how it works, ethics and the spiritual needs and to the dying, an exposure to funeral plannings and the importance of the rituals of death. The ritual of planning a funeral helps the family to confront, deal with, and eventually let go of their grief and the complex emo- tions invoked by the death of a loved one. “When someone close to you dies, you'll find a million things to feel guilty about — that’s nor- mal.” One thing Fomenoff said she always receives is feed back. One lady contacted Fomenoff between the death of the ladies’ mother and the funeral. “She said how wonderful it was, and how grateful the family was there is such a room,” she added. The one problem is that not many people know about the society and its work. If you are interested in finding more out about the society, or wish to donate to help further fur- nish the hospice room, you can contact the society at 365-2148, or Fomenoff at 365-8060. Local charged with sexual assault Castlegar RCMP report that a local man has been found guilty of crimes involving sexual assault. William Jmieff, age 66, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by a three-year probation period after being con- victed of three counts of sexual assault. The Castlegar man’s trial took place before Supreme Court Judge Cooper, in Nelson, last Fri- day. Castlegar man to answer to allegations of assault Sun Staff A 57-year-old Castlegar man has been charged with five counts of sexual assault involv- ing both young male and females. The incidences took place between 1990-92. Castlegar RCMP say the man was arrested previously for three counts of indecent assault on females, and that the additional five eharges came after further investigation. The man will appear in provincial court in Castlegar on July 9 to answer to the allega- tions. Tour of RCMP building set for Thursday Sun Staff The RCMP Building Commit- tee, in charge of leading the way to a Fall referendum on the new RCMP building, is allowing the public to view the current RCMP building this Thursday. As well, the first in a series of public meetings regarding the building begin June 22. eee By Leigh Rubin wrany yO) 26619 | 24) ‘ovwoypudg svove8:) T The human cannonball meets the blonde bombshell Wednesday, June 24, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Quebec visitors take a look at life in the West Kootenay Seven visitors from La Belle Province, are getting a taste of what the West Kootenay, and the people who live here, are all about. The delegation of community leaders from Hull, Quebec, arrived Monday at the Castlegar airport and, after lunching at Gardeli's, and taking in a few sites, the seven delegates went their separate ways with different civic hosts from Castlegar, Nel- son, Creston, Kaslo and Salmo. ‘The exchange, which involves the entire regional district, is called Celebrating Communities Together, and is funded by the Secretary of State, though admin- istered and sponsored by the Fed- eration of Canadian Municipalities. “The idea behind the exchange is to talk, to communicate and to appreciate our differences. It's a great way for Francophones and Anglophones to get together in an informal way,” said Castlegar Councillor Doreen Smecher. The seven delegates from Hull include city councillors, directors of youth centres and hospitals, School board trustees and those in the tourism industry. All of the visitors were excited to be in the West Kootenay, and are looking forward to a lengthy schedule of events which also includes a swim at Ainsworth, seeing the historic sites, and enjoying a Delegation from Quebec vi home cooked Doukhobor meal Pp by R y Nancy and Alex Pereverzoff. “These people are so warm and friendly, and they're game to do just about anything,” Smecher continued. The delegates will attend a chamber luncheon in Castlegar on Thursday, and on Friday, they will be on their way back to Quebec. iting throughout the WEst Kootenay until Friday, front row (I-r); Ghislaine Chevier, Suzanne Rallin, Gerard Gratton, and Louise Jeanvenne. Back row (I-r); Francois Trottier, Guy Licaralier and Jean Thiffault. ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Shariene Imhoff Local youths warned not to continue bridge jumping SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Castlegar Fire Chief. One local resident says he has City officials involved in pro- tective services are urging Castle- gar youth to stop using the been ig young children jump off the suspension bridge and feels a major tragedy is about to occur. “They jump off the P bridge at Island, and the Pass Creek bridge leading into Robson, as jumping platforms. High water levels on the Columbia River combined with hot weather, has local youths escaping the summer heat by par- taking in the dangerous activity. “These kids have to realize that when the water level rises, the current also gets stronger. They're putting themselves in danger by jumping off these bridges,” said Gerry Rempel, bridge, like crazy to get to the other side, and then they grab hold of a branch or a twig and pull themselves out of the current,” said Rod MacKinnon, who believes that parents might not realize what the youths are up to. The concerned citizen believes that if it comes right down to pre- venting an accidental death, the island should be closed until the water level drops significantly Castlegar RCMP say that because there is no legal sign Stating not to jump, the youth are SUN STAFF PHOTO / Jason Keenan It might be a lot of fun, and it might help to escape the heat, but city officials are concenred that a terrible acci- dent could occur if local youth keep using the suspen- sion bridge at Zuckerber Island as a jumping platform. Fisheries concerned over changing water levels Spawning habits and results could be adversely affected BRENDAN HALPER _ Sun staff Rainbow Trout spawning in the Pass Creek area of the Columbia River could be adversely affected if the high water level decreases too quickly. The higher water levels cover more sand than usual this year and Fisheries officials are con- cemed that if the water drops and exposes the redds (nests), many eggs will be lost. “If the flow of water is dropped before the Rain- bow Fry have hatched, there could be a problem,” said Nelson Fisheries Biologist Bob Lindsay. B.C. Hydro plans to drop the water before the end of the month. The Trout eggs however, won't hatch until mid-July “They should be out of the gravel by the second week of July,” said Lindsay. “We're hav ing a meeting with B.C. Hydro this week in Vancouver—but unfortunately, because of the not breaking the law—just living dangerously. “If the city put an official sign up stating that jumping off the bridge is prohibited, or something to that effect, then it would be enforceable by the RCMP,” said one officer. Castlegar RCMP are urging local youth and their parents to remain vigilant yg cc the suspicions persons ee vehicles perv iad gel taco) RCMP have RCMP asking public to be watchful which will now be unsuper- vised, We're asking everyone to remain alert at all times,” said Corporal Al Hudema. RCMP are asking everyone to be good witnesses, by ter and will be taking it % all Castlegar students before they leave their classrooms for the summer months. The letter states that local police have pi the areas of playgrounds and schools. Generally, the children have ready access to report : extra precautions driving because children are ig licence plate num- bers anda person ’s description. “We're also encouraging the children to practice safe- eycli put to use the rules of the road which they have now out and about, and not in cl “We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday. If use these same play areas, , that will be possible,” he finished. Weekend accident claims one life Sun Staff _ A single-vehicle accident 11 km east of the Castlegar weigh scales on the Salmo-Castlegar summit has resulted in the death of a 40-year-old man from Trail. Charles Edward Turner, has been identified as the driver and lone occupant of the 1991 Dodge pick-up truck, which was east- bound on Hwy 3 when it left the roadway on a curve and travelled about 500 yards down an embankment. Castlegar RCMP say they, as well as the coronor's office, are still investigating the incident. Kawlawsky vehicles the target of vandals RCMP still investigating dealership. _, Nine vehicles belonging to eight others were scratched with and it is unknown how much damage was caused. ‘The incident occurred last a” ‘y piste information ‘were fond ible top was slashed on one car and is tocal pony immediately. Columbia River Treaty we have no control over the water levels.” The high water levels howev- er, could cause an increase in Sturgeon spawning. “The Sturgeon haven't been spawning because the river is all damed up, causing lower water levels,” Lindsay said. He said recent high levels could induce some spawning of the Sturgeon. On-going studies of both Rainbow Trout and Sturgeon in the area are being conducted by RL & L, a private consultants company from Edmonton Grad night Sun St Staff Castlegar RCMP report they were busy during graduation weekend which resulted in vari ous charges being laid. A 46-year-old Castlegar man has been charged for refusing to WEATHER OUTLOOK: The forecast for Wednesday; Sunny and hot with high 35 to 38. Lows near 15. Out- look for Thursday and Friday: A mixture of clouds and sunshine. A risk of a few showers or thunderstorms. Cooler tempera- tures. A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK: Min/Date Normal Mean Temperature: Max/Date Mean 34.0/21 9.5/15 20.6 17.8 Precipitation: Rain Total Normal Total Snow 0.7 0.0 0.7 10.4 Number of Hours Sunshine: Normal Number of Hours 78.1 59.9 REMARKS: Cloudy periods and showers or thunderstorms began the week. The air mass was fairly dry so precipitation amounts were small. A ridge of high pressure moved in during this period resulting in dry, stable, and very worm air pushing the afternoon temperatures to record values by Sunday afternoon. Forecast provided by The South - East interior Weather Office at Castlegar, B.C. ARROW LAKE RESERVOIR FORECAST June 19-1413.5 June 27-1406.4 ARROW FOREST DISTRICT DISTRICT FIRE INFORMATION Date: June 24, 1992 DANGER CLASS/FIRE HAZARD - 3 moderate Total number of fires to date: Number of fires still burning: sescenenen Area burned to date: ............. .. 3 hectares Number of new fires today: : 2 0 Weather Outlook (related to fire suppression/prevention activity): Hot & dry to continue this week. If weather continues hot & dry the District is predicted to be in high hazard by Thursday. Fire Action: Manpower: Patrols - one in Nakusp & one in Castlegar. Comments: Initial Attack crews on standby - one in Nakusp & one in Castlegar. Poff Cee Wes, hee Den Kinnaird Elementary grade three student, Meghan Dunn, was one of 44 B.C. students awarded honourable mention certificates in a province-wide Haiku poetry competition. More than 2,700 entries were received from over 300 schools. SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper proves busy for RCMP take a Road Side Screening Test, cial Court on September | which determines an alcohol count. He will appear in Castle- gar Provincial court September 1 A 33-year-old Nelson man was picked up by RCMP and charged with impaired driving. He will also appear in Castlegar Provin- Castlegar RCMP received one call of theft, involving a stereo. Police say the theft occurred while the owner was attending graduation celebrations. eee