Page 2A

The Castlegar Sun

Wednesday, April 14, 1993

FACE IN THE

Name: Joshua Kyle (16 mos.)

Where you work: Outside in the dirt

What you do there: Play with my backhoe Castlegar likes: The great outdoors

Best kept Castlegar secret: His aunties

Pet: Beauregard Alowishes (german shepherd) Vehicie: Four Tracker

What would you rather be doing? Snowmobiling ]

New bylaw enacts RDCK charge

Board directors of the Regional District of Central Kootenay have passed a bylaw that allows administration to charge a small-fee for photocopies of lists of electorates, bylaws and board minutes.

The RDCK had charged fees previously, but it was done so through board resolution. Recently, changes to the Municipal_Act stipulate-that if fees are charged. they must be done so through bylaw:

“We're not charging people to receive the information, after all, any- One is welcome to come in and take a look! at these documents without any charge. But if they want photocopies, we have to recover the costs of using the xerox machine and staff time,” said RDCK Administrator Reid Henderson. The cost of obtaining photocopies for the list of elec- tors, bylaws or regular minutes is: 25 cents per page for single-sided copies and 30 cents per page for double-sided copies

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Castlegar hospital weighing budget options

Since Castlegar Hospital only uses about 30-35 of it's total beds, that fact that they will only be funded for about 35 beds does not concem

KAREN KERKHOFF — Sun staff

The Health Ministry has a goal of reducing acute care beds to 2,75 beds per 1000 people. Currently the Castlegar and District is in the enviable position of having 4.44 beds per 4000 people, or 55 acute care

beds. But that is soon to change

Castlegar and District Hospital Administrator, Ken Talarico, said even though Castlegar Hospital has more beds per capita than other areas, they are only funded for 30-35 of those beds.

“What it boils down to is that this is part of the Ministry's restructur-

ing or downsizing of hospitals,”

Talarico.

“We are funded for about 30 beds, so we'll still be providing the same level of service. In effect we will have fewer beds, but the occu-

pancy rate will be higher.”

Even though Castlegar and District Hospital will be funded for 35 beds, Talarico wonders if that amount of funding will be adequate over- all. “The question is can we afford to operate at 35 beds with no

increase? We will be reviewing that.”

Talarico said Castlegar and District Hospital has been instructed to

submit a balanced budget by May 21

Ministry of Health has vision of fewer eye exams

KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff

those people who are subject to rapid changes, (such as a glaucoma patient) or who sustain

The Ministry of Health might be a little short-sighted by limiting the number of eye exams which will be covered by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia (MSPBC)

Dr. Tim Allen, a Castlegar optometrist, said that meetings regarding the new policy, and what the policy might mean, are currently in progress. Allen said that until it is determined what effects the new policy will have on

Patients, he is unable to comment

Effective April 1, people aged 16-64 will be limited to one eye exam every 24 months; however, the Ministry is quick to assure that

specific health areas.

spending.”

eye trauma will be exempt from this new rul- ing. Until the new ruling was announced, there was no limit on the frequency of eye exams which MSPBC would pay for.

Health Minister, Elizabeth Cull said the new boundaries on eye exams will free health dollars which will then be directed towards

“This new approach allows the government to ensure that medically necessary services are available for every British Columbian, while Providing for the transfer of limited financial resources to other areas of priority health care

Medical consultants for the Ministry advised that it is not necessary for the typical person to receive more than one eye exam every 24 months. The very young, the elderly and individuals with particular eye problems which will require more frequent monitoring will be exempt from the new ruling.

Cull justified the limiting of eye exams by citing the lack of coverage for exams in other

provinces. “Even after this change, British

Trade Fair plans well underway Spaces for upcoming exhibition sold out

Sun Staff

The Castlegar Selkirk Lions club are a happy group these days, since the spaces that were available for this year's Trade Fair are completely sold out, as of two weeks ago. a

“This year's response to the Lions Trade Fair is nothing short of overwhelming,” said Mark Zaric, who is handling all public relations for the upcoming busi-

Square-feet outside that is also being used.

Scheduled to take place April 23-25, Zuric said Castlegar's annual trade fair has gained a rep- utation for extellence, and as a result, at least half of the exhibitors are from out of the area. .

“We have people tell us that this trade fair is comparable to those in the Lower Mainland, in that it draws a huge crowd.”

Last year, more than 5,000

people attended the Lions club Trade Fair. Zuric said the Lion's club is expecting to do at least

ness expo. More than 130 spaces were available inside the Community

Complex, as well as 4,000

that well again in 1993

Along with the exhibitors, the Lions club has lined up an enter- tainment schedule that is sure to please. On the entertainment Stage, expect to see the Jr. Maxwell Dancers, the Tompkins Twins, the Scream Machine, and the Human Fly among others.

A beer garden will take place Saturday night, at which both country line dancers and Can Can dancers from Rossland will be performing.

Money raised by the Lions club through the annual: Trade Fair is donated back to the com- munity through various charities and projects.

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Labor and Consumer services Minister Moe Sihota Central Kootenay Chairman George Cady, during Tuesday's BC Hydro office opening in Castlegar. Sihota, who is also the minister responsible for various local politicians about future BC Hydro initiatives in

(left) speaks with Regional District of

BC Hydro, fielded questions from the Columbia-Kootenay area.

SUN STAFF PHOTO / Shartene Imhott

Festival Society puts out call for volunteers

The Castlegar Festivals Soci- ety is once again looking for recruits to help organize this year’s Sunfest celebrations, which will be held June 11 to 13

A public meeting, taking place April 14 at 7 p.m., in council chambers (across from the Castlegar Mohawk station) will continue organizing Sunfest plans. ‘

“If you're interested in being a volunteer, then we need your help,” said Dick Dunlop a Sun-

fest volunteer.

Although Hydro-plane races are not planned for this year's Sunfest, organizers are hoping that a water-show involving Seadoos will bring out the crowds.

Residents can also look for- ward to another Lions club Fami- ly Days, which was a huge success last year. Held at Pass Creek Park, the family event boasts of holding the only Cana- dian National Frog Jumping

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Championships. A vintage car show, outdoor dance, model air- plane stunts, Rotary Pancake Breakfast and West Kootenay Camera Club Photo Salon, and a parade on Columbia Avenue are a few events that are planned to take place Sunfest weekend.

Columbia will still be providing one of the most extensive coverages in the country. All other provinces have restrictions on this.cov- erage, and some provinces do not pay for this service at all.”

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City Hall ° recreating former position

SHARLENE (MHOFF Sun Editor

The City of Castlegar is planning a simple restructure to its Public Works depart- ment, which involves filling a position called Operations Manager.

The new position will allow a manager to work on site with public work crews, thereby improving communication and co-ordination between workers and the city.

“A need for this position was identified by both city managers and the representa- tives from the employees’ union,” said City Administra- tor Gary Williams.

Essentially the city will not be creating a new position, but instead, filling one that has remained empty for well over a year. Throughout this time, Public Works Superintendent Barry Comin has been han- dling the added duties of Oper- ations Manager as well those under his own job description. But according to Williams, the workload has been tremen- dous, and the city has realized that due to the increased amount of activity in the com- munity, an operations manager should be hired.

“The growth and activity in Castlegar has been too much for one person to handle both positions, there’s only so many hours in a day,” said Williams.

The Operations Manager will be primarily responsible for maintenance and Operation of the city’s water and sewer utilities, road network, and supervise foremen.

The city is hoping to have the position filled before this summer.

Sunday-working a no-go

KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff

However, to show good faith, SCI agreed it would have one “test” Sunday in which it would work. If there were a lot of nega-

Even though SCI i +he pany which is building the Castlegar-Robson bridge has received a permit to work on Sun- days it has chosen not to do so.

The City of Castlegar Noise Bylaw is exempt in certain areas, such as industrial areas, and any highways project is also exempt from the bylaw. SCI is not obli- gated to abide by the city's noise bylaw because of these two exemptions.

tive feedback, SCI agreed to cease working Sundays, even though it is not legally obligated to do so.

Eliah Farrell, Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of High- ways said that although SCI was granted to permit, SCI has chosen Not to operate on Sundays. “They got the permit, but they chose not to do that. Things are moving along adequately for them.”

Johnny's Grocery and Gas latest target for cigarette thieves

Sun Staff

Cigarettes were the target of thieves who broke into John ny's Grocery and Gas in Rob- son early Sunday, April 11

The thieves had gained

entrance around 5 a.m. through a broken front window and stole an an amount of cigarettes which have been val- ued at approximately $1,500 Castlegar RCMP are still investigating the theft

Wednesday, April 14, 1993

Casual pranksters cause.serious damage

Castlegar RCMP stress seriousnes

SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor

Lorraine rett is angry Someone's idea of a prank’ is going to cost her money. But she's lucky, because the prank could have easily cost her serious injury and maybe even her life.

On Easter Sunday, Garrett had Just crossed Kinnaird Bridge on her way into Castlegar and was driving underneath the train Overpass when

the station to complain of dam. age done to their vehicles in the same manner.

“I really felt sorry for this one man who came in, he had been driving a Jaguar.”

Now Garrett is resentful After all, police say it is unlike ly they will catch the person(s) responsible for dropping the rocks unless someone provides a tip. Garrett says she is assuming the culprits are children, who

weré out for a

a large object hit the top of her windshield and then bounced on the roof of her car. The resulting crack jilted Gar- rett,- but she remained calm, barely swerving

‘What's wrong with people these days?’

— LORRAINE GARRETT

good time. “What's wrong with peo- ple these days? Dropping some- thing like that on vehicles as they pass by is Driver not | normal behavior. Some one needs help,

her car.

“I'm pretty certain that it was a rock that was dropped on my car. Boy, what an awful noise it made. At first, I thought someone was shooting at me, it was a little confusing.”

Because it was just after 9 p.m., Garrett could not see who, if anyone, dropped the object on her vehicle from the overpass.

“I drove right to the RCMP station. The officer was-on the telephone taking a statement from someone else who had something dropped on their car while driving underneath the train bridge.”

While she was giving her statement to the RCMP officer later, two other drivers arrived at

maybe their par- ents do too.”

Garrett, although upset at the damage on her vehicle, admits she is lucky. “It could have been much, much worse. At least I was cool enough to keep driving straight ahead. But my heart was definitely pumping a little faster!”

Castlegar RCMP confirmed that a number of drivers have reported damage due to objects believed to be rocks being thrown from the train bridge which crosses above Highway 3A. Police have no suspects but they assume youths, who do not realize the full potential of their actions, are responsible for the vandalism.

The Castlegar Sun

Ss of potential accidents

Lorraine Garrett points to the damage her car received after being hit by a rock while driving underneath the

train bridge on Highway 3A.

City of Castlegar ado

SHARLENE IMHOFF

other municipalities were consid-

Sun Editor

Castlegar City Council adopted @ policy during last week's meeting that it hopes will ensure complete equal opportunities for people with disabilities should they apply for positions with the city.

The Abilities Awareness Com- mittee and members of Council's Health and Welfare Committee have been working on the policy for well over a year. City Coun- cillor Jum Chapman, who worked on the policy, said it was, and still is, the intent of the two commit- tees to work towards full integra- tion of people with disabilities into the comminity, and the new Policy is a good beginning.

JIM CHAPMAN Chapman said a lot of consul- tation went into gathering “the correct” information for the poli- cy, and examples of policies from

ered.

“It's been a long process but it’s worth it. The city now has a policy which I personally hope will be used as an example for other municipalities who have yet to implement their own,” said Chapman

Part of the policy reads: the city recognizes that disability in itself should not be a barrier to employment nor should any arti- ficial barrier interfere with any- one's ability to earn a living and to participate fully in community life. The policy continues to say that the city is committed to affir- mative action in employing and advancing in employment quali- fied individuals that have disabil-

Castlegar residents shaping new advocacy group

KAREN KERKHOFF Sun staff

have to prove that what they are Saying is true. In civil court the person making the allegations doesn’t

Children are not a possession or a piece of prop- erty—they are people who have the same rights as adults, and one of their rights, which is not always being met, is the right of access to a non-custodial

parent

In response to assuring that children’s access rights are being met, a Castlegar group has recently been formed. The Children’s Access Rights (CAR) organization focuses on childrens access rights, rather than non-custodial parents access rights.

CAR chairperson, Jim Mullaly, said that

although judges

have to come up with evidence.”

3. People who make false statements against oth- ers should be held financially and legally responsible for their statements.

4. There should be some sort of investigative

agencies formed consisting of impartial parties who

made.

will investigate the facts before a judgement is

5. Judges, lawyers or any officers of the Judicial system should be held more responsible for their comments and actions. “Right now judges can do and say just about anything they want, and they can't

be held responsi-

are able to make a ruling for parental access, they are unwilling or unable to enforce that rul- ing Mullaly

‘The children in the court are not looked at as 6. people, but as possessions— like they're a piece of property.’ — JIM MULLALY CAR CHAIRPERSON

ble,” said Evin.

Any- thing said in civil court should be automatically recorded. Evin said that during civil hearings

said the inabili-

ty, or unwillingness by the courts to enforce the ruling is expensive to both taxpayers and the bat- tling parents, and emotionally expensive to chil-

dren

“The children in the court are not looked at as people, but as possessions—like they're a piece of property. When will society wake up and realize that

children are people?”

Mullaly and Jerry Evin, a Castlegar non-cus- todial parent who helped form CAR, are deter- mined to bring their cause to nationwide dimensions and to lobby the government to change child-access laws. CAR has specific

automatic

recording of the proceeding is not done unless specifically requested. 7. There should-be more emphasis on the victim's

rights. Evin said that often during access hearings

one or both parents are victimized by slanderous statements from the ex-spouse . 8. There should be changes in the legal system

towards non-custodial parents

Although the newly-formed CAR is still learning to crawl, both Evin and Mullaly said the response {o recent ads has garnered a tremendous amount of response from male and female non-custodial parents from as far away as Cranbrook and Gold

changes they would like to see made within the judicial system and they intend to lobby the gov emment for those changes.

The changes they would like to see are

1. Court orders should be automatically enforced “If a judge won't enforce his or her own orders then they shouldn't make them,” said Evin ;

2. Civil proceeding should be treated more like criminal proceedings. Evin explained, “In criminal court someone who is making allegations about me

en. In fact, “The Shirley Show” has shown an interest in CAR, and might showcase based on children’s access rights

Evin said it is essential access reform take place within the judicial system ‘People are literally killing each other over this. The only people who win are the lawyers. And the orfes who lose the most are the children.”

If you are interested in learning more about CAR call 357-2515

1 program

SUN STAFF PHOTO / Sharlene Imhoft

pts new hiring policy

ities.

But Chapman admits that the policy which is now in place will be “physically” difficult to imple ment, since Castlegar City Hall is

idered an inaccessible ph

That is going to chang Eventually, that building will be accessible to all people

The city’s new policy has also been reviewed by the Ministry Responsible for Multiculturalism and Human Rights and is in line with the new provisions con tained in the Provincial Human Rights Act

Playing major roles in forming this policy were local residents Kris Stanbra and Mike Balahura, both from the Abilities Aware ness Committee

he said

Temperature: Max/Date

14.1/6,7

Precipitation: Rain

13.4

Number of Hours

Sunshine:

28.5

REMARKS:

Apr. 10 - 1389.0

WEATHER

OUTLOOK: The forecast for Wednesday; Sunny with cloudy periods. High temperatures near 16, Outlook: A ridge of high pres sure should maintain sunny peri- ods and mild temperatures on Thursday and Friday. tsolated afternoon showers or thundershowers are also possible as an unstable southwesterly flow develops.

Snow

A LOOK BACK AT THE PAST WEEK: Min/Date

Normal Mean

Mean

-2.8/8 7.8 7.6

Normal Total

Total

13.4 13.5

Normal Number of Hours

36.9

A series of weak systems from the coast provided typi- cal unsettled spring conditions during the week.

Forecast provided by The South - East interior Weather Office at Castlegar, B.C.

ARROW LAKE RESERVOIR FORECAST

Apr. 17 - 1391.0

was 5 hours more nm is normal. Temperature

High This Year

16.2 31 Low -8.3 13 Precipitation Rain Snow

Total Precip

Sunshine

Date

WEATHER OF MARCH 1993

It wasn’t by much but our temperatures were above average. A mean of

3.9 degrees edged out the normal of 3.6. Precipitation was also slightly above the normal but only because of one storm. On the 22nd, 34:4mm of rain shattering the daily record of 10.0 set in 1988. The tail end of the Jed into the 23rd to give a consecutive 24 hour total of 36.7mm, which > also a record for the month. 75% of the precipitation for the month was within this 24 hour period. Winds were slightly below average velocities and total sunshine

Record

21.7

SHARLENE IMHOFF Sun Editor

Colin Pryce honored as Castlegar Citizen of the Year

Teacher, artist, peace-promot- er, a lover of nature and of life. If the eyes are truly the windows of the soul, then Colin Pryce is also a spiritualist, since he has the ability to see a simplistic beauty in the most trivial of things—a droplet of water running down a leaf, the rocky face of a mountain with its jutting greenery on a rainy day, or the welcoming smile of friendship and acceptance

Pryce who tums 66 this year, was honored as Citizen of the Year, by members of the com munity, Tuesda vening. Pryce was chosen as Citizen of the Year by members of the Castle gar Kiwanis club, who believe his commitment to community and his role in promoting peace, friendship and goodwill warrant special recognition.

A quiet and thoughtful man, Pryce said he knew he was being considered for the award but was “shocked” when he received a telephone call from Kiwanis member Bob MacBain confirm- ing that he had been chosen. “It was definitely not expected

At the banquet held in his honor last night, Pryce spoke about something whfch he feels is of vital importance to any community—fnendship

‘Friendship 1s an important form of love, and it js the key to a healthy and happy communi ty.” said Pryce, who has been an advocate of non-violence for many years

Always a Castlegar advocate the retired school teacher has envisioned a potential in Castle gar that many people are only

COLIN PRYCE

just recognizing now. A good example would be the proposed Twin Rivers Park. Although the City of Castlegar is now moving to develop such a location along the Columbia River, Pryce, an early supporter of a park in that area, brought his students to the site and asked them to redesign the area years ago

“There's so much beauty in this area, and its finally starting to penetrate into the conscious

ness of the community how valuable this beauty really 1s

Dove Hill park, located above the Castlegar Golf Course, 1s a direct result of Pryce’s volunteer involvement in beautifying the area in and around Castlegar. He is currently trying to expand on that initiative, by linking Dove HiH park with a number of walk ing trails along the Columbia River from Kinnaird Bridge to Verigin'’s Tomb.