Page 10B The Castlegar Sun SUN STAFF Working smoke alarms have been credited for alerting sleep ing residents to smoke rising through the ducts in their home after the motor in their furnace broke down. Eight firefighters and a pumper truck were sent to the home, located at 314-6th Avenue, at approximately 1 a.m., Novernber 17 There was no damage. The moke was detectable but only m small amounts since it was distributed throughout the home in the heating ducts said Castlegar Fire Chief Gerry Rempel, who credits the house hold for ensuring that all smoke alarms were in working order, “(The alarms] did their job well. It might have been a different story had they not been in place As a result of quick action by Elect RDCK Area J Representative I'm available and accessible and will give or get you STRAIGHT answers to your questions. Think about it, then vote OLMAN, Hans 4 Alarm warns owner of frazzled furnace a household member, there was no smoke damage to the interior of the home. Rempel, who estimates that damage to the furnace motor is $200, is requesting that all Castlegar residents check their household heating systems. “I'd recommend that people seek the advise of a qualified person when inspecting their furnace. And it should be done at least annually, especially before a season of heavy use.” IMAGES BEAUTY SALON Call now for an ap Watch lor ¢ DINING LOUNGE Open 4 p.m. Daily 365-3294 Seuth SOUT gar Wednesday, November 17, 1993 ‘) LUNG ASSOC) PAYA USE, Ganisimas SEY The flag says it all—As the Christmas season draws near and many send cards and letters to friends and family, the local branch of the Lung Association reminds residents to use Christmas Seals on their envelopes, resulting in direct donations to the association. City Hall showed its support for the cause by raising the Lung Association flag; (I-r), Nelson Newlove, a public works employee; Castlegar Mayor Audrey Moore; and local resident Bunnie Charters, director for the Lung Associa- tion in this area SUN STAFF PHOTO / Sharlene Imhoff PROFILE The Castlegar Sun WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 This November 20, Castlegar residents will go to the polls to cast their A POLITICAL FEATURE ballots for School District No. 9 trustees. This year, there are three returning incumbents: Joanne Baker; Tony Guglielmi; and Bonnie Horswill. In total there are six candidates seeking to fill only four seats. The decision by the voting public is difficult, and so we asked the candidates to tell us their thoughts on pertinent subjects such as: the budget; the Year 2000 program; and violence in schools. Perhaps their answers will make your voting decisions easier to make. Selling something? Phone 365-5266 by SHOWCASE ‘93 \, FEATURING AN ALL-STAR CAST OF NATURAL GAS AND DRYERS Save $50 UNTIL DECEMBER 10, 1993 if you purchase by December 10, 1993! 93 Scratch ‘n Save movie ticket FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Plus Scratch ‘n Save even more Until December 10, if you buy any fine quality natural gas kitchen range or clothes dryer featured in our Showcase, you will save $50 on each appliance. You will also receive a Showcase Scratch the ticket, correctly discounts, or a three year extended warranty See your local BC Gas office for complete details BCGas (sy) Naturally. answer a skill-cesting question and you could win any one of free installation (up to $600 per appliance), additional cash Kidsmart takes shape o. Red Cross Program Coordinator Kootenay Region, Karine Johnson, was on hand last week to accept. a $2,000 cheque from Castlegar Royal Canadian Legion President, Bob MacBain, which will be used toward the assistance of implementing a new program initiative called KIDSMART. The Castlegar Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has made a donation of $2,000 toward the assistance of implementing a new program initiative call KIDSMART According to Gary Ockenden, Kootenay Regional Dir “This is 2 project where we promoting a whole ge of health, safety and educational services aimed at young people and fami- lies. Some of the work the Legion donation will support in Castle- gar includes: teaching first aid to teachers, parents and kids; offering child abuse prevention education in the schools; teaching safe boating and swimming to kids and giving assistan n Van- couver to area families who are there with an ill child. We're really delighted that the Legion has chosen to help this way.” The KIDSMART program is designed to help young people learn essential lifeproofing skills and to empower them to take responsibility for themselves and others Through the Red Cross, a 24-page KIDSMART Lifeproofing Guide offers detailed descriptions on water safety; first aid training; abuse prevention skills, family services and leadership training. I apologize for any inconvenience experienced by people who responded to our advertisement of a sale promotion indicating time of sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 11, 12 and 13. This announcement was an inadvertent contradiction since Home Goods does not open its doors on Remembrance Day. I deeply and sincerely regret this error and any upset it may have caused. —Ernest LeRose, Home Goods Furniture Warehouse <—~ HOME GOODS == @ Furniture Warehouse & —_ Located haltway tween z Trail & Castlegar J UN Flodr Covering Centre Open 9:30 «.m.-8:30 p.m >} aonene Phone 683.2227 Tuesday through Saturday Joanne Baker, a trustee for one term, or three years, believes in keeping commu- nity partners informed and involved in educational issues Baker has a vested inter- est in children. Having had two children in the school district she has remained involved with children. Her achievements include employment as a playgroup coordinator for the Castle gar Mothers Co-op Play ground, involvement in Girl Guides as both a leader and as the program secretary was instrumental in bring ing co-op housing to Castle gar, and served on the board as treasurer and vice-chair, has been active in PAC since 1978; coordinated the Miss Castlegar Committee for the last two ars; has chaired the board's Commu- nication Committee and was a member of the Manage ment Committee; and was a board represenjative to the Municipal Awareness Week Committee Of the Year 2000 pro- gram, Baker said she still believes in its concept since each child learns at a differ- ent rate. But feels that the program has a way to go. “If the government would have kept up the momentum it would have been OK.” When reflecting on vio- lence in schools Baker aéresses that it’s important that the community, parents and the school, work in part- nership to address violence “We have to work togeth- er. The rules should be the same for everybody. The kids will tell you that the rules are different for some and it all depends on who you are. They should know from the beginning that if they do something they have to be responsible for their actions.” Baker realizes that the budget is meager, but said that working with what is available and being creative are key factors in stretching it. However, she is adamant that certain factors remain intact within the school sys- tem. “Extracurricular activities are important and we also need to keep things in the classrooms, but we also need support services and the staff.” If nominated for chair or vice-chair she said she would gladly accept Tony Guglielmi | Tony Guglielmi has served on the board since 1985. Guglielmi said his com- munity involvements have been “wide and ranging dur- ing the last eight years as trustee” “I have worked hard on different board committees promoting and supporting many educational initiatives for our students. | have served on the negotiating team during contract negotia tions with both employees groups. This past year, I have been elected) Provincial Councillor by my fellow Irustees and Branch Educa. tion Committee Chair to rep- resent the board and the branch at the provincial School Trustees Association.” Guglielmi wholeheartedly supports the Year 2000 pro: gram and stresses that the stu dents of today must be able to meet the job challenges of tomorrow “Our educational system must change to address and satisfy the needs of today's learner. The productive, satis- fied citizen of the 90's and beyond must have the skills and ability to process infor- mation, to analyze and syn- thesize it and arrive at meaningful conclusions.” Guglielmi is a committee member of the Task Force on Violence, and said the most important goal is to first define violence “We need to measure it Violence generates an emo- tional response in each of us—so how do we measure it?” Once a definition is agreed upon Guglielmi said the solu- tions would be easier to find. He does recommend howev- er, that violence needs to be dealt with in a firm manner without a “second look at it” During board meetings Guglielmi has been diligent in assuring that expenditures were well thought out and appropriate. “My past achievements prove that ma ing tough choices is one of my natural forte.” Guglielmi is insistent that astute financial planning be done in order to stay within budget constraints “The board needs to sit down and set priorities. This superiniendent (Ev Surgenor) has been asking those ques tions very clearly If nominated for chair or vice-chair, Gughelmi said he would accept Bonnie Horswill has been a board trustee for one term and said if nominated as chair or vice air she would first have to see what the make-up of the new board was before deciding if she would accept the nomination Horswill has been an active member of the board, participating in many com miittees. She has. been both the chair and a member of the Operations Committee: the chair-and member of the Poli cy Committee; a representa tive to the Central Kootenay Union Board of Health: and chair of the Healthy Schools Committee She said she firmly advo- cates quality education for students, responsible budget ing; and parental involvement in schools, which would thereby increase student per formance Horswill- is also committed to the concept of partnerships, both between the health and education ministries and with local government She said she is committed to being a full-time trustee, and feels that the board deserves no less. “This dis trict needs and deserves full time trustees. There is no room in education for single issue trustees.” Of the Year 2000 program Horswill approves of the concept which she said encourages teachers to expand their teaching. “Great things are happening in the classes.” But now that the program has been in place for several years Horswill said she thinks it’s time the program was tested to determine if it is still working Horswill strongly opposes violence within schools espe- cially those incidents that contain “brutality”. The implementation of a strong no nonsense discipline policy and the support of the school administration when disci- pline is meted out is essential said Horswill. “We need zero tolerance We have a problem and it has to be addressed.” Horswill is critical of the management of the last bud. get. “It could be better man aged She went on to say that there are great plans, but no money in the budget to deliver those plans. If Hor swill is not successtul im her bid for trustee st ud. st will continue to be involved in children and the commu nity. “L will still be involved Kids and opportunities f kids are important Bev Maloff Bev Maloff, a newcomer, has a list of community accomplishments that are formidable. She has been involved in: the Twin Rivers Parent Advisory Council; the District Advisory Council School District No. 9 Com munications and Planning commitice, and is an alternat member of the Task Force on Violence AL present she is th surer for Castlegar and Dis rict Girl Softball \ Treasurer tor Kootenay Columbia Child Care Soctety and the United Church Sunday School Shc also si Sas Secretary of Castlegar and District Com munity Services. Maloft said that should she be elected as trustee she will encourage parents to become more involved in their school’s Parent Advisory Council. She believes she could be effective in bringing Parents concerns and ideas to the board level As well, Maloff supports the idea of educating students so upon graduation they will have skills which will help them obtain worthwhile employment—an_ idea ‘td which she is firmly commit ted. ‘I will work towards pro moting the curriculum to pre pare students for the technological skill required in today’s society The Year 2000 program is timely, said Maloff, especially considering the unique needs of today’s students. “Change is necessary—with the Year 2000 program it is taking place. Students need encouragement and opportuni ty as well as variety and struc ture in learning. We have to work towards preparing the students for careers in a highly competitive world.” Maloff is insistent that the solution lies in the community working together to address the problem of violence. “It's a community responsibility. That means everyone—parents, stu dents, the schools and the churches.” Students should be taught social skills not only at home, said Maloff, but in the schools also. “It should be taught from the primary level through to the senior lev Maloft) wonders what impact the new federal govern ment will have upon educa tional funding, but believes , night be an answer to th ot meag ts “We should lobby our \ to ensure that money n to the province for edt ws towards educit Rose Paszty Rose aszty, another newcomer, is no stranger to the education system Although both of her chil- iren have graduated she inues to participate in the SHSS Parent Advisory Council and the District Advisory Council. She said that through her involvement in her children’s education she has gained insight and peri hich she feels will mak her valued \ il hair for Stanley Humphries Secondary School Parent Advisory Council (PAC); a regional representative tor British Columbia Parent Advisory Council; as well as working with representatives from all education partner: ship groups including the Ministry of Education. Of the Year 2000 program Paspty said, “This appears to be working well at the pri- mary level, but if there are significant problems—such as a lack of letter grads, then perhaps it should be revisit- ed. The ministry is currently seeking local input from teachers, students and par ents for the graduation pro- gram The Year 2000 program has only been implemented at the primary level at this time If elected as trustee, Pasz ty said she would work towards assuring that any policy implemented by the Task Force on Violence would be successful Castlegar and area par ents are generally confident that their children will be safe at school, but we all need to be vigilant and aware. We have a Communi. ty Task Force on'Violence and School District No. 9 is already working on the pre vention of violence in schools. I would certainly work at making this program successful Paszty said that now, more than ever,.trustees need to be prudent when dis persing ¢ducational funds. “My concern is that all children receive a value-for. dollars education in this time of fiscal restraint. With the method of school financing hanging, trustees need to nsure that districts are still ible to make local decisions With less and 1 money vailable from the govern | Ron Norman Ron Norman is armed with a list of achievements— all showing his continuing commitment to the communi- ty. Norman will probably be remembered best for his introspective and sometimes biting columns that he wrote for the Castlegar News from 1990-1993. As well, Norman was instrumental and effec- tive while serving as Director of Castlegar and District Library from 1989-1992. Two ot those years Norman also acted as chair, Norman was ulso a board member of the Castlegar United Church for four years. Two of those years he served as chair for the board. Having two children in the school system, Norman said he has a vested interest in the educational system. “I have a direct interest in ensuring the system is as best as it can be. I believe that education funding will be ever more restricted in the coming years and that crucial decision about priorities and funding will have to be made I want to be a part of these decisions.” Norman has been involved in the Kinnaird Elementary- Valley Vista Parents Advisory Group and served as co-chair for the group from 1992 1993 As parent representative, Norman was instrumental in helping select School District Superintendent Everette Surgenor, who has proved to be both an effective and astute superintendent Norman firmly supports the Year 2000 program I'm in favor of the goals, especially individualized instruction and the goal to develop a life-long love of learning in our students.” He is strongly opposed to_ violence of any sort in the schools. “Cate gorically there should be a zero per cent level of tolerance. Why should a small percentage so drastically affect the vast majority? We need to assure the parents that there will be no violence of any kind.” When it comes to the bud- get, there is no doubt, said Norman, that there will be a shortfall. One of his recom mendations for stretching the budget 1s to “spend smarter In the end we need to examine every expenditure in light ot th How dox tn the clas