The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, April 1, 1992 day, April 1, 1992 Page 2A FACE IN Fake insurance claims found in Castlegar BRENDAN HALPER Sun staff Bogus hit-and-run auto insur- ance claims, to C ral Brown of the Castlegar | RCMP detachment, are a prob- lem in the Castlegar area—a problem shared with the rest of British Columbia. “False reports—it’s a problem here,” Brown said, adding the Castlegar RCMP have encoun- tered two such cases in the past couple weeks. Brown explained that the bad claims usually come from inci- dents where a vehicle has sus- tained own-fault minor damage and the driver simply claims hit- and-run, pays the deductible and avoids a rate hike. What may at first sound like a convenient way to save a sub- stantial amount of money, can have a mandate to provide good customer service and satisfy peo- as thorough as we can when investigating a claim. “We do have our methods of determining whether a claim is fraudulent—which we're not going to divulge.” Brown also said that ICBC has taken steps to resolve the problem. ICBC's regional Unit Manager Doug Thomson said, “We know there are some fraudulent claims from time to time, but the number of convictions is minimal, at best.” Thomson says claim adjust- ment can be a difficult process, “Especially when, on one hand, our mandate is to resist fraudu- lent claims, and on the other, we National Hospice Week ple with legitimate claims.” ICBC Public Information Officer Kim King said one third of all hit-and-run claims are denied. : “We are now working with police in communities through- out the province, on a Hit-and- , Run Program.” The program focuses on train- ing ICBC claim officers and police to see the signs which give away fraudulent or mistaken claims, Police throughout B.C. turn down 70 per cent of hit-and-run claims they receive. “The poljce have gotten very good at identifying what is and what isn’t, a viable hit-and-run claim,” said ICBC Media Rela- tions Spokesperson Ken Hardy. King explained that in many cases the claims are simply reported incorrectly, and police usually offer claimants the to reconsider, Castlegar does not have an ICBC claim centre but between the centres at Nelson and Trai) hit-and-run property d: The Castlegar Sun Budget begins major clean-up says Conroy SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Trail-Rossland MLA Ed Con- roy says the recently released NDP budget will start “cleaning up the mess left by the previous (auto) claims rose from 246 ‘a 1989, to 322 in 1991—represent- ing @ pay-out increase of $29,527. These numbers are reflected in the provincial totals which went from $14 million in claims for 1989, to $23 million for 1991, Of 26,5822 hit-and-run claims closed in B.C. during 1991, a fur- ther 12,029 were turned down, said Hardy. “I would say a good percent- age of those turned down are fraudulent,” Hardy said. “But I don’t know the exact percent- age.” Local volunteers aid the terminally ill and their families JIM ZEEBEN c ion for people in their Sun staff Starting April 5, Castlegar will join communities around the country to recognize an organiza- tion which aids the terminally ill and their families. Mayor Audrey Moore made announcement last week that Castlegar will participate in Hos- Pice/Palliative Care Week. The Castlegar Hospice Society has been providing its services since 1985. “Hospice is part of our soci- ety,” said the president of Castle- gar’s branch, Colin Pryce. “It’s important the general public be wise of this society which helps families with their grieving.” Hospice volunteers are trained workers who provide support and Selkirk moving towards global understanding JASON KEENAN Sun staff If you want to be competitive , in the global economy, you bet- how things a the world. Selkirié~ is moving towards that “‘ of understanding. “With the changes taking place in the global context, with transportation and communica- tions yOu are only-a. few hours away from the rest of the world,” said Leo Perra, presi- dent of Selkirk College While the City of Castlegar been building links with the Yueyang Teachers’ College over the past two years. The process has been gradual, Perra said, and will take some time to develop. One of the first steps in was Perra’s trip to China - in November 1990 to help estab- lish a personal relationship with the Chinese college. “The president [of the college] has to go over and demonstrate support for the twinning,” said Perra. “If you don’t, then they don’t feel that you are serious.” Perra said he was the first rep- resentative of Castlegar to visit Yueyang. Other representative had been to China, but they usu- Dr. LIN LI ally met their Chinese counter- parts in Beijing. During the trip, the two col- leges signed an agreement to work towards a closer relation- ship. Part of that agreement says that the colleges will work to support an exchange of students between their institutions. “For China,” Perra said, “we are prepared to say that one of the top students at Yueyang would be a prime candidate to Selkirk.” opel” dying hour. “What you need at that time is people not the machines,” he said. “All of us would like to die in peace, and with compassion the last moments can be very beautiful.” As well as comforting the per- son dying, hospice workers help families through their grieving. “It’s a very difficult time,” he said. “It’s important they get sup- port. The Castlegar society has been given a room in the hospital to turn into a peaceful place where family spend time with a termi- nally ill relative. The room has been stripped of its institutional decor. The off- white walls have been covered with lavender-based wallpaper. Medical equipment has been removed or hidden, and will be replaced with paintings and pic- tures, “We're turning this regular hospital room into a family room for terminally ill patients who just won’t to recover, at all,” said héspice past-président Gwilym Hughes. “We had a committee choose wall paper and carpet in pleasing colours.” On one of the walls, there will be a cork board for the family to pin cards, and photos. The renovations were estimat- ed to cost between $7,500 and $10,000. Some of the materials were donated by local business but Hughes said more money needs to be raised. The society hopes to complete the room in time for their official week. Hughes asks anyone who would like to help, to phone the society's co-ordinator at the Castlegar Home Support office. The coordinator, Anne Fomenoff, is the only paid posi- tion with the society. Her job is to connect volunteers with families who want the service. Many fam- ilies first hear about hospice from their ill-one’s doctor or nurse. If they choose to have a hospice worker come in Fomenoff is responsible for working out exactly what the family would like; Some people would like a hospice worker to stay over night while others, such as people who have to work, like to have a hos- Pice worker during the day. Hughes said volunteers, such as himself, would then work out their role with the grieving family “If a patient is restless we'd probably hold their hand,” he said. “We would try and comfort them so they know there’s some- one right besides them.” Aside from lending support to the ill-person and their family, the hospice worker also helps out the nursing staff. Hughes said the society has a great working relationship with Castlegar Hospital nurses. “Each hospice worker has to be trained,” he said, explaining that volunteers must fulfill 70 hours of training in things like philosophy about death and dying, listening skills, and nurs- ing the terminally ill. “Tt saves the nurse from having to be there 100 per cent of the time.” The training is also a good way to find out if someone’s suited to being a hospice worker. The intensity of emotions that accom- pany someone dying can be over- whelming. If anyone doesn’t feel they’re up to it they can back off. “Personally I never thought I'd be capable of it,” he said. “But you know someday you're going to die your self and you begin to realize dying is not that terrible. Some families go through a terri- ble amount of grief and it’s important to be able to share that grief with the families.” Another service the society offers is a support group for bereaved families. On the third Monday of every month, people who recently lost someone can gather at the home support office. “People generally recover from their grief in six months to a year,” said Hughes. “It’s impor- tant to share the grief and not wrap it up inside of you.” Student residences still need comforts of home JASON KEENAN Sun staff Jeff Leggat wants the new resi- dences at Selkirk College to be more like home. Leggat, president of the Selkirk s vA «an Selkirk College President Leo Perra shows off one of fifteen musical instruments which were donated to the college by their peers at YueyangsTeacher's College in China. be a teacher, they will take back their experiences and impres- sions of Castlegar and Canada back to classes for years to come. A student from the City of Yueyang will be coming to Selkirk this fall, Perra said, but that student will not be from their teachers’ college. Near the end of his China trip, Perra was told that Yueyang Col- lege would be sending Selkirk a Chinese musical instrument as a token of appreciation. When that token arrived two weeks ago, Perra was surprised “We expected one instrument. We received about 15.” The instruments all look hand- made, 4nd include drums, a set of four wood flutes, and a collec- tion of stringed instruments. The appreciation is mutual. “We want to send them over edu- cational materials that are sur- plus for us and helpful for them,” Perra said. To date Selkirk has sent three or four boxes of books to Yueyang col- lege. ° These gifts are a practical way of helping Selkirk’s potential twin, Perra explained. Imported items are expensive in China, and the school doesn’t have a lot of money. The average monthly ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / JASON KEENAN salary of a professor is $35, with the president getting about $10 more. The president of Yueyang Teachers’ College, Dr. Lin Li, will visit Castlegar in mid-April along with another member of his staff. Their two-week trip will serve to familiarize them with Selkirk College, and to dis- uss future relationships between the colleges. Castlegar is also Supporting Nelson in its twin- ning with the Zimbabwean city of Mutare. “We now have a student (from Mutare] that will be coming out this fall to study computer tech- nology,” Perra said. This benefits both countries. The Zimbabwean student will retuming home with two important things: training not readily available back home, and an understanding and first- hand knowledge of Canada. The student's tuition, room and board, and school supplies will be paid by the college, while the Nelson Rotary Club will be providing funds for the student's air travel. Selkirk College is also looking at having a Palestinian exchange student in the near future. “We are quite confident that these students will develop posi- tive influence here,” added Perra » told last weeks Selkirk College Board meet- ing that some finishing touches are needed at the new resid “so “You are looking at summer conferences at the college,” said Leggat. “You have to have your recreational stress releases.” Schatz said the College plans to host conferences such as computer training camps. He added that host- ing summer conferences like this will help to defray the cost of building the new residences. Castlegar a stakeholder in air quality British Columbia's new Clean Air Strategy will have effects on the entire province, including it’s more of a home and less institu- The finishing touches, Leggat added, would help students over come the isolation of the campus. The students’ association also wants the college to purchase couches, stacking chairs, a table, a TV and a VCR for the common room. Leggat said the total cost of these furnishings would be just over $12,000. “It seems no one made any Offers [to budget for these items), so I wanted to bring it up,” said Leggat. Dale Schatz, Selkirk College’s bursar, said that the students’ asso- ciation has offered to cover between $3,500 and $4,500, with the college covering the remaining amount. “We'll probably be looking at allocating the funds out of the capi- tal equipment budget for the 92-93 year,” Schatz said. He added that the college agrees with the students’ association’s desire to make the new residences as home-like as possible. Leggat also suggested that tennis courts, volleyball courts, and an outdoor patio with a barbecue be built, but these are not included in the $12,000 request. “We're actively pursuing getting the tennis courts, but the patio is on the back burner for now,” Schatz added. “We've wanted a tennis court for a long time, so this is an impetus for us to move ahead.” Student quality of life is just one of the benefits the additions would have, Leggat added. p try pulp mill towns such as Castlegar, says Rick Williams, Senior Science Advi- sor with the Air Resources Branch of B.C. Environment. Plans for the new Clean Air Strategy were announced on March 18 by Environment Minis- ter John Cashore, who released a new ministry discussion paper entitled, ‘Ensuring Clean Air’. The minister is concerned about the growing air quality problems in B.C.—and in partic- ular, the lower mainland region. “It is crucial that we develop a workable plan to ensure clean, healthy air for present and future generations,” Cashore stated. Vehicle emissions, the ozone layer and acid rain-causing depo- sitions from pulp mills are some Of the most immediate concems to thé province, “We'll be looking at all kinds of air-quality issues,” Williams said. “We'll be looking at the best available control technologies for industry.” The ministry will be looking for input from everyone, from citizens to industry and all levels of government. “We're all stakeholders in air quality,” Williams finished. By Leigh Rubin “It’s a tough budget, that’s for sure, But it’s also a very fair bud- get,” Conroy said when contact- ed at his office in Victoria. Released by Finance Minister Glen Clark, a news releases out- and beyond the seven per cent PST for money earned over $60,000. The budget release also pre- dicts that corporate taxes will generate $268 million. While the general corporation tax will increase one per cent to 16 per cent, the small business rate also climbs one per cent to 10 per cent. The NDP is also charging a corporation capital tax, currently paid by only large financial insti- tutions, to be paid by all corpora- tions with paid-up capital of more than $1 million. The NDP says it will be increasing health spending by 7.4 per cent to $59 billion plans to delegate half of all lottery pro- ceeds into a newly-created Health Special Account. The education aspect of the budget calls for an increase of funds by nine per cent to $3.6 billion. While the budget has already seen some opposition, Conroy says he doesn’t expect a lot of noise out of his own riding because many of the major increases won't affect the every- day working citizens in a detri- mental way. “I'd say that 98 per cent of the people in B.C. won't see any increases'when it comes to basic living essentials. This budget cares about people,” Conroy fin- ished. For additional quick facts on the budget, see below. lining the budget states in government expenditures of 4.7 per cent to $17.98 billion while reducing the deficit from a current $2.8 billion to $1.79 bil- lion “In order for the NDP to be able to trim $1 billion off the deficit in one year, we're going to require a lot of cooperation from B.C. citizens,” Conroy con- tinued. Those citizens will receive a one-per-cent increase in the provincial sales tax effective July 1, though for the most part says Conroy, will be unaffected by other increases. “The upper-middle class will be taxed heavier than before and those people represent eight per cent of the province’s total popu- lation.” The increases Conroy refers to is a surtax that will be charged on citizens earning more than $60,000 per year. The surtax rep- resents a three-per-cent tax above SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor School District No. 9 Super- intendent Terry Wayling says this year’s provincial funding for education will not be enough to maintain some current pro- grams and services throughout schools in the district. “It’s tough. It's going to be really tough,” said Wayling when contacted at his office Monday afternoon. While the NDP is increasing education spending by $300 million to total almost $3.6 bil- lion, Wayling says that trans- lates into an increase of only 2.34 per cent for School District No. 9. The School District follows a Block Funding Formula that currently allows for $6,200 per child. Included in this however, Budget means cutbacks for local school district are the everyday expenditures for running a school and wages and benefits for employees. “Approximately 88 per cent of the total education budget for a school district goes to employ- ees wages and benefits,” said Wayling. Currently the school district has a total population of 2,200 students and Wayling expects that number to remain constant in the upcoming school year. Last year in provincial block funding, the district received a _ total of $13,346,000. This year Wayling is expecting to receive $13,561,200. Mean- while, total operating revenues for for 1991-92 were calculat- ed at $13,284,428. This year, they are expected to reach $13,951,200. “This simply won't be enough to maintain the obliga- tions and commitments we have out there,” Wayling said. How much block funding is needed is determined by the consumer price index, which is increasing by 2.5-3 per cent this year. “Provincial the increase to education funding is significant, but at the local level it doesn’t add up to a great deal,” Wayling said. The school district has not yet decided where cutbacks will be made, though an upcoming school board meeting on April 7 might determine that issue. “We’ll likely move a little here and cut a little there. This has become an annual under- taking we engage in when deal- ing with reduced revenue. We have to try and maintain the integrity in all the programs.” Local doctors unhappy with NDP decision Last week British Columbia's Finance Minister Glen Clark d caps on the doctors will be able to bill the health care system. Although doctors in Castlegar will not be among the 150 throughout B.C. affected by the decision, they are di with cian and BCMA representative Dr. J. Van Vliet. “The doctors are angry about the way it was done.” The local physicians are-upset because the government’s deci- sion was not negotiated with them. The pension plan agreement the doctors had, was unilaterally defeated. the loss of their pension plans— pension plans that were negotiated in 1990 by former British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA) president Dr. Hedy Fry and former premier Bill Van- derzalm. “That's money taken right out of our pockets,” said local physi- Clark said the measures are needed to control health care costs.Van Vliet said doctors already know how much money will be in the budget next year— and they will come out even fur- ther behind. “That was not negotiated with doctors either,” Van Vliet finished 1992 British Columbia Budget Highlights RS preventive programs. to $3.6 billion. * Education spending up by over nine per cent * Income. assistance spending up by 19 per cent to keep up with increased demand. © Half of all lottery proceeds flow directly into a new Health Special Account. Essential Services for People © Spending priorities that maintain essential health, education and social services © Health spending up by 7.4 per cent to $5.9 billion. © Resources redirected toward community and spen uttin Waste & proving Efficiency * $40 million saved by cutting wasteful spending and trimming operating costs. © After providing for essential services, other program ding to decline by 3.6 per cent. © Revenues to total : Fiscal Highlights © Expenditures to total $17.98 billion. $16.19 billion. © Deficit of $1.79 billion for fiscal 1992/93 © Rate of spending growth cut in half. essential services. Revenue Measures © New revenue measures necessary to maintain ® Personal income tax rate increased by one percentage point. Increase for middle- and low- income earners will be offset by federal surtax reduction. Those earning $60,000 or more are now subject to increased B.C. surtax. * Corporation income tax up by one percentage point © Corporation capital tax re-introduced at 0.3 per cent on companies with paid-up capital over $1 million. © Supplementary Home Owner Grant replaced by higher basic grant, and the grant for seniors is increased. Building for the Future © Cost savings re-allocated to fund strategic new initiatives—women’s equality, environmental rotection and job creation. © New British Columbia Endowment Fund created © Funding for Employment opportunity and Job Action programs up 43 © Encouraging trade and ‘columbia economy scheduled for June 1992. per cent to $57 million. long-term investment ae s including a summit on trade and the British | Cc Ministry announcement Sawmill workers want to make up for lost time SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor Local IWA President Tony Fer- reira says he is both pleased and relieved that the ministry has made a decision on TFL No. 23, but says the time it took to make that decision was by far too lengthy. “It would have been a different story if the people were working throughout this length of time. But they were not, so the wait was tough and very stressful,” said Ferreira. Workers at the Westar sawmill in Castlegar first received layoff notices in October, and the plant faced a final shutdown in Novem- ber leaving 280 people without jobs. When Pope & Talbot offered to purchase the mill from Westar for $22 million, many of the workers believed they would soon get back to work. However a full public hearing process was car- ried out before Minister of Forests’ Dan Miller could approve the sale of the mill and transfer of Tree Farm License No. 23. "I realize it's a damn good idea to sit people in a room together in order to discuss the issue, but the time it took to actually act upon that information was far too long.” Realizing that the announce- OUTLOOK: for a shower. WEATHER _ The forecast for Wednesday; Sunny with highs near 20. Chance of precipitation 0%. Thursday and Friday calls for more sunny skies and highs in the high teens. The outlook for the weekend calls for the warm temperatures to remain but there will be a chance 18.1/24 Precipitation: Rain Number of Hours Sunshine: A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK: Temperature: Max/Date Min/Date 4.6/28 Snow ‘2.4 0 Mean Total 24 Normal Number of Hours 30.0 REMARKS: The first full week of spring brought @ continuation of the fine weather all of Southern B.C, received for the month of March. The snow pack over the higher levels is dropping quickly although 2 to 8 cm. fell on the 27th. The people in the West Koote- nay are well into spring as evidenced by the consider- able yard work taking place and the smoke from the large number of grass fires. Forecast provided by The South - East interior Weather Office at Castlegar, B.C. it Hoping to get back to work as so IWA President Tony Ferreira and Shop Stewart Ron Bartsoff. ment was coming down Monday, mill workers gathered at the Community Recreation Centre to discuss the implications and their futures. A fax machine located at The Scottsman Motor Inn was monitored and as soon as possi- ble, the ministry promised to send what everyone was hoping to receive. What was supposed to arrive long before 12 p.m. didn't arrive until late afternoon. By this time, workers had left the recreation centre and awaited the message word-of-mouth. Finally holding the ministy's news release in his hands, Fer- reira says he is happy with the and the iti which were applied. "Our main objective now is to convince Pope & Talbot that because we've waited so very long for the announcement, we need to get back to work as soon as possible. Ferreira says he isn't forgetting a key player in the recent deci- sion—Rossland-Trail MLA Ed on as possible are (I-r) Shop Stewart Lorenz Fietz, ‘SUN STAFF PHOTO / Brendan Halper Conroy, who at one point during the lengthy wait, was receiving criticism on his performance. "He did one hell of a job for us. We weren't sure at times if he was pulling for us as hard as he said he was, but we realize now he couldn't have done anymore for us. I think he might have even made some enemies standing up for us,” Ferreira finished. Pope & Talbot has said the mill should begin productivity in two weeks. Castlegar mall—a sure thing or a white elephant? JIM _ZEEBEN Sun staff The long awaited new shop- Ping mall is looking more and more like a sure thing. Castlegar is such an under-ser- viced area that two competing developers are currently working with the city on proposed devel- opments. Of the two projects, the first to have been announced is much further along. South Cente, to be located at 1500 Columbia Ave., is half the size of the 120,000 square-foot centre proposed for an area adjacent to the Sandman Inn. The South Centre project is spearheaded by developers Sandy Reid and Gary Williams. Williams said he is almost fin- ished with the final architectural drawings. “We're close but we're still not 100 per cent,” he said. The drawings have to make a couple of stops before they get to Castlegar. The mall's major tenants still must add their own details for their individual stores. After that Williams must incorporate the tenant's drawings into a final detailed set of plans. “I wish I could say that ‘this will happen like this and that’ going to happen like that,’ but it wouldn’t be honest. In a project like this there are always things that happen,” Williams said. “I'd rather be i than opti i They want to build a mall that would be large enough to draw shoppers from around the region. Earlier in the month, First Allied the city about re-zon- at this point. When you think something's going to take one week it takes two.” Williams said he’s already put a pile of money into the project and has no plans of backing out. He wouldn’t give a date on when shovels will actually begin turn- ing dirt at the site. “I would hate to make a com- mitment on a date I don’t have control over. We are moving ahead but it will be a couple of months before we start building.” Williams competition, while much farther behind, also plans to be operational this year. That rais- es the question of whether Castle- gar can support so many new stores Opening at the same time. If the city can’t, one of the new malls could tum into a white ele- phant. Williams doesn’t think ten- ants of South Centre will be threatened by the proposal of a larger mall just down the street. ing a portion of their site which had been residential into commer- cial property. But at the public meeting, a number of residents expressed concerns about First Allied’s proposal. As a result the motion to deal with the re-zoning was tabled until the next city council meeting, April 7. At least one councilor, Doreen Smecher, thought a lot of trouble could be avoided if the 1p waiting for Laing to set up a meeting with the residents. “If the developers and the citi- zens got together the developers could agree to put some restric- tive covenants on themselves,” said the city administrator. A restrictive covenant is a guarantee that the developer must address the citizen’s concerns in order to build. If the two sides can’t agree between themselves, the city could become an arbitra- tor and legislate what it sees as a fair compromise. The city would then tell the developers—by issu- and residents met to work out their differences. “The residents averaged around three major concems and none seemed insurmountable,” said Smecher. “If they sit down and resolve these issues on their own, things could go along much more smoothly.” Residents were worried about how the mall might affect things like traffic and security. First Allied is being represented in Castlegar by Jim Laing. When reached late last week, Laing had yet to contact any of the residents i ing the proposed site. He P among people in the city that there is this interest.” First Allied Development Corp. is behind the second proposal. did say he has been holding talks with City Administrator Gary Williams [no relation to the developer]. Williams said he’s ing a Pp permit—what would have to be done before the land is re-zoned. Councillor Smecher said she thinks the city will benefit from a large mall capable of drawing rs from outside Castlegar. “If the differences between the two sides could be resolved, the mall would be a major asset to the community,” she said of First Allied’s proposal. “I'd like to see this city become a regional cen- we” Smecher said she wasn’t play- ing favourites, adding that she doesn’t see why the city can't Support both projects. “ If they think Castlegar can support two malls I wouldn't pre- sume to second-guess any of those developers.”