February

An unsafe crossing

The concem over safety at an intersection in South Castlegar is now growing unto anger by those parents who's children cross the street cn route to and from Kinnaird Elementary

School each day

The 24th Street intersection, located just after Kinnaird Hall, is considered Highway 22 and parents feel the high volume of traffic warrants having pedéstrian lights established to

The Castlegar Sun Page 2C

A new direction in health

British Columbia is initiating a new health strategy, which if effective, might very well change the way health care is viewed, administered and defined in B.C.

The strategy, which is known as “New Directions for a Healthy British Columbia”, will include 38 specific initia- lives such as: an emphasis to be put on preventative health care; establishing community health centres which will pro- vide centralized services at the local level; and establishing health councils.

allow a safer passage for children. Although the intersection is the responsibility of the Min

istry of Highways, the cost of erecting the pedestrian lights would be shared 60/40 between

the government and the city respectively

A crime of capacity

Castlegar RCMP are investigating the theft of more than $14,000 of cigarettes and other tobacco products from Super

broken into sometime during the early morning hours of February 4. After thieves gaining entry through the roof the perpetrator(s) headed straight for the tobacco shelves and basically cleaned everything out

‘This was not a spur-of-the-moment type of crime. This heist was well thought out and planned,” said Corporal Al Hudema from the Castlegar detach- ment of the RCMP.

March

Ram shot

Two men have been charged under the Wildlife Act after a Rocky Mountain Bighom Sheep ram was killed near the Salmo-Creston sum: mut at a feeding station, February 27

William Cunliffe and Ronald Tessman have each been charged with one count of hunting out of season, and one count of unlawful posses- sion of the carcass of a Rocky Mountain Bighom Sheep ram. The max- imum penalty for hunting out of season is a fine of $10,000 for a first offence, and unlawful possession of a ram carcass can bring a fine of $5,000 for first time offenders. The death of the full-curl adult ram which was shot with a bow while at a feeding station, brought wide spread publicity and surfaced the issue of Native hunting rights in the West Kootenay. It is believed that both men are from the Femie area

A hefty fine

The New Year Can Change More Than Just Our Calendar

New Year's Eve should be thought of as more than Just a celebration with family and friends, as we watt for the bands of the clock to scissor off the old year and usher in the new one, accompanied by all the bells, horns and confetti

it's also a time for reflection, about the things we did or did not accomplish this past year, and all those firm resolutions that did will to last at least 24 hours Let's not be deterred by that thought, bui make a new list and resolve to stick to it

Wishing You a Healthy Happy 1994!

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Thoughts of violence

Increasing incidents of violence between students at Stanley Humphries Secondary School (SHSS) was the main topic at the School District Nov.9 board meeting Feb. 15 SHSS principal, David Hogg, who was accompanied by vice-principal, Jack Closkey, requested the board's support of proposed disciplinary measures towards students who are involved in violent activity. “Is Stanley Humphries unsafe? I guess in the eyes of some people it is unsafe. Stanley Humphries is not the problem, we all share the prob- lem. We came here to ask what can we do, and how can you support us. The most expe: dient way to deal with this problem is by increasing the penalty.”i

Westar Timber has been fined $30,000 under the Waste Management Act after plead- ing guilty to discharging diese! fuel into the lower Columbia River.

The incident dates back to March 1992, when the company allowed between 600 and 3,200 litres of diesel fuel to spill into the river. In Castlegar provincial court last Wednes- day, Judge Donald Sperry heard testimony that a Westar employee left a valve open on a diesel tank and that an animal had chewed a hole in the hose leading from the diesel tank to the Blue Goose tug boat refuelling dock. Over the course of three days, the fuel leaked out of the hole onto the beach and seeped into the river.

Reviewing our role

Hospital officials throughout the West Kootenay are holding regular meetings to discuss the findings made by consultant Geoff Rowlands, who has been hired to come up with an overall plan on how and who will provide future health care

a

Rowlands, who has been meeting with individuals and boards in the health care field to gain knowledge for his fact-finding mission, is also determining demographic and population changes to complete his report to the West Koote- nay Hospitals Planning Council

The council is comprised of administrators, chiefs of staff and board chairs from Nelson, Trail, Castlegar, Grand Forks and Creston, as well as representa- tives from Kaslo, Nakusp and New Denver

A vested interest

The Internal Audit Bureau's audit of Central Kootenay Community Futures has peaked the interest of the City of Castlegar, which is planning to review eco- nomic development services in the c y and the sur ig area. City Councillor Kirk Duff said council is initiating a two-part process in its efforts to place a value on economic development in Castlegar.

The current contract between city council and the development board calls for the city paying $25,000 in service fees. In addition to this, Castlegar taxpayers Pay approximately 60 per cent of $80,000 which the economic development board receives from the Regional District of Central Kootenay, through a struc- tured Management Commission.

BC hydro sets up shop

BC hydro’s newest regional office will be located in the. previous Castlegar Savings Credit Union building, across from SuperValu. BC hydro spokesperson Al Geissler said the company signed a three-year lease, with an option to lease again for three years. The building is currently going through some renovations and BC Hydro expects to move in by mid-April. The new centre will officially be called the Columbia Kootenay program office

An in-camera decision

Despite the incompletion of an in-depth review of the Castlegar and District Development Board and the services it provides to the immediate area, city councillors gave the board a vote of confidence by recommending to the provin- cial government that it receive funding for 1993-94. Coun- cillors voted during an in-camera (private) session, and therefore, media were not present

The Castlegar and District Development board receives money annually on a contract-agreement from the provin- cial government, the Regional District of Central Kootenay and the City of Cast

Recognizing the problem.

School District No. 9 has takgn the bull by the hors and are looking at ways to decrease violence in the schgojs. In response to recent violent altercations which have occurred at Stanley Humphries Secondary School (SHSS), Schoél District No. 9 trustees passed a motion at a board meeting held March 22 which empowers the board to establish a forum/investigation committee. The commit tee will investigate youth violenee:and advise and assist the board in developing policies which will deal with youthy violence and misbehavior in schools

Gathering to SHARE

Castlegar has just added its name to a list of communities that has established a grassroots lobby-organi- zation known as Share B.C.. More than 40 men and women attended the first Meeting to discuss the possi- bilities of starting up a local Share group. Residents trom Rossland, Nelson. Salmo, Trail and Deer Park were also represented, and part of the discussion included whether to establish one large group based out of Castlegar, or smaller groups from each community

April

en of the Year named cher, artist, peace-promoter, 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 has the ability to see-a simplistic beauty in the most trivial of things. Pryce who tums 66 this year, was honored as Citizen of the Year, by members of the community Pryce was chosen as Citizen of the Year by members of the Castlegar Kiwanis club, who believe his commit- ment to community and his role in promoting peace, friendship and goodwill warrant special recognition

Equal opportunities

Wednesday December 29, 1993 The Castlegar Sun

The Year That Was...

O’Connor Canadian

He said he would do it. And he did. During an official ceremony held last week in Castlegar, local busine gwner Mike O'Connor became a Canadian citizen. And in the traditional Mike O'Connor style of bluntne he freely admits why he's taken the step to become a Canuck—politics. “As it stand right now, it’s the num ber one position I’m eyeing; but I'm still checking out the backing I will or won't have

Anyone who has been following Castlegar politics instantly recognizes “the number one position’ which Q'Connor is referring to as the mayor's seat. O'Connor has publicly stated his political agenda more than once, through his involvement in CURB, the acronym for the Coalition Unaccepting Rash Bureaucracy; « cit izens’ organization which was once an active watchdog on city hall. The organization, led by O'Connor, w formed in January 1992, soon after a failed paving referendum brought to the forefront a feeling of taxpayer alienation by city hall

Pressure points

City Council was given a message Tuesday night during its regular meeting when a delegation con Sisting of Len Embree, business representative for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, along with more than a dozen carpenters and electricians appeared before the board. The message was simple and straightforward—favor the hiring of local contractors for the Downtown Revitalization pro- Ject, and other future capital projects the city endeavors to complete. If favored suppor was not made for local workers, Embree hinted of a possible political hot potato occurring in the downtown. “If we have to organize in political ways...or organize against the businesses, which we don't want to do...It just doesn't make sense why we would support local businesses who aren't being reciprocal,” said Embree.

Review results from pressure Ma The recent controversy surrounding the city’s award of contract to an out-of-town tender

has resulted in city council asking for an in-depth repont by city staff. ; ae d

City Administrator Gary Williams, was asked by council during its last meeting to inves- Vernon'company prospers from local seniors’ needs tigate the pros and cons of having a ‘local hire preference’ clause stated in all advertise- Castlegar’s urgent need for ‘adult’ or ‘senior’ housing has not gone unrecognized—a company from Vernon called ments for tender. The report is necessary before council can set a policy that will become Schelby Development Ltd. has recently applied to the city of Castlegar for rezoning of 2200, 2204, 2208 and 2212 streets standard when tendering projects. Due to the increased amount of construction that could _ in order to build 53 separate dwellings be taking place in ¢ astlegar within the next ten years, a firm policy regarding tendering is Schelby Development owner, Louis Jodoin, said he is anxious to begin construction of the units in early July. Each unit deemed essential. “The potential is there to have a lot of big contracts coming up. We want in the duplex.and four-plex structures will have individual front and backyards, since many mature adults maintain gar to have a policy in place that is straightforward with firm ground rules that everyone will dens. Jodoin said the units will be between 1,150.and 1,700 square feet, the latest in design and contain fenced yards follow,” said Councillor Lawrence Chernoff

Godderis in Guatemala

Castlegar resident Bud Godderis placed his own life on the line to further gar is progressing human rights in Guatemala. A social Evidence of that welcomed. progress can be worker at the Trail hospital, Godderis seen on 13th Ave., behind city hall where Castle was asked to accompany a friend who is gar city crews are currently hard at work on Phase travelling to Guatemala for a week-long = Two of the downtown revitalization. Phase Two series of meetings on human rights.

Marta Gloria Torres, who, along with her family and friends, was forced into exile in the early 1980s for their efforts to improve living human rights conditions.

Turner steps down

After serving on the School District No. 9 school board for nine ‘and a half years Gordon Turner is stepping down t

Turner, who has been board chairman for the past six years, and a trustee and vice-chairman prior to that, said he is making the announcement now, as opposed to November when his term expires.

“I'm doing it now in order to convince myself, and to burn the bridges so it will be difficult to go back on my decision. I'm also doing it so people ‘will be aware that the position will be open, and anyone who is interested can have the next few months to run for election.” There are many reasons Tumer sites for “retiring”, a term he prefers instead of resigning. While many of those reasons are professional, some are very personal. ‘

Responsiblity changes

After receiving fire protection from the Castlegar Volunteer Fire Department for more than a decade, Selkirk College is now under the protection of the volun- teer department from Ootische- hia. “Our responsibility to the college officially came to an end April 1, 1993,” said Gerry Rem pel, fire chief of the Castlegar department The Castlegar department does have a mutual aid agreement with the Ootische nia department however, in case a major blaze occurs.

Progress on site It's not a rumor, it's finally happening—Castk

will include removing asphalt and concrete on 13th Ave. and installing storm sewers, and water and sewer connections.

Phase One, which was the construction of a new public parking lot beside the Railway Muse um on 13th’Ave. is almost completed. The parking

Taxes down lot will be paved on May 20 and is expected to be

The City of Castlegar released its final budget during a special rheéting, and true to city councillor’s promises, residential open to public use by May 31 tax rates have been reduced by two per cent.

The residential rates, according to City Director of Finance Jackie’ Harnilton in a memorandum to councillors, were reduced not only to adjust for g ly increased but also to reduce the average amount paid for municipal taxes by two per cent. The major contributor that has allowed city residential tax rate$ to be reduced is an increase in the city's major indus- try tax rate. Redevelopment at the Celgar Pulp mill has expanded tHe'industrial property tax rate base by $63 million in new assessments (from $45 million to $107 million) and will generate new fevenue for local government purposes

Ootischenia landslide vote

Residents of Ootischenia have voted over whelmingly in favor of a Comprehensive Fire Hydrant Installation program, during the Ootis

June

chenia Improvement District's Annual General Meeting Castlegar hosts symposium Residents were asked whether they’ Support Discussion of past issues and setting the tune for future development were the key functions of a symposium held in Castlegar June 18, 19 and 20. More than 100 paid delegates signed up for the symposium, which was co-sponsored by the provincial government and the,Columbia River Treaty Committee, which is made up of elected officials from five regional districts and the Ktunaxa-Kinbasket Tribal Council Also present for the symposium were Labor and Consumer Services Minister, Mge Sihota, jad Egonomic Development, Small Business and Trade Mimister David Zirnhelt. With both provincial government and B.C. Hydro heavyweights present at the Symposium, FY was no holds barred for delegates who relayed emo- ional stories about past experiences due to development of the Columbia River System. Severe loss of the lafd base, including prime farming land as well as timber supplies, were relayed by people whe lost their homes, businesses and way of life due to the creation of large Treservoirs to generate electricity. Others talked about the losses suffered by fisheries and wildlife, due mainly to the fluctuating levels of working reservoirs. Aftesutfe ring almost three decades of silence, or of having complaints fall upon ears in Victoria plagued with selective hearing, the floodgates were open to high emotio

paying a one-time lump sum of up to $300 to help pay for the installation of 20 new hydrant over the next (wo vears. TheSne-time t would be collected alter the hydrants have been installed. Much to the surprise of exccutt

members on the Improvement District, 60 peo ple came out to mark their ballot, and the result was a landslide 55-5 vote in tavor of the added

fire protection

For the fish

Kicking off the Castlegar symposium, government officials announced that a perpetual fund of $3.2 million would be set up to sustain and enhance fish and wildlife populations affected by previ- ous hydroelectric development on the Columbia River.

The announcement was made by Provincial Cabinet Ministers Anne Edwards and Moe Sihota at Hugh Keenleyside Park, next to the dam. The perpetual fund is being set up by B.C. Hydro and the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

College reaches policy of sexual harrasement

It's fair, it’s gender neutral, agd it comes into effect September | That's the good news regardipg Selkirk College's first sexual harassment policy. John Aslin, $elkirk College Registrar and acting convenor for the Selkirk Colle; e Sexual Harassment Policy Com- mittee, said the policy assures that two important factors are present in the policy—confidentiality agd anonymity. “The committee was concerned about making sure § was procedurally fair and that it maintains confidentiality and agonymity—it does th: because of the sensitive nature df sexual harassment, confidentiality and anonymity were essential fpr a viable policy. “It's a sensitive subject, it needs to be treated serfsitively.”

Moore calls for CRA In her welcoming speech to delegates, B.C. Hydro and provincial

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if wouldn't Be— New Year's without hats, horns, and happy times Enjoy!

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Cohoe Insurance Agency Ltd.

Castlegar City Council adopted a policy that it hopes will ensure complete equal opportunities for people Cc and b

with disabilities should they apply for positions with the city. The Abilities A

of Council's Health and Welfare Committee have been working on the policy for well over a year. City Coun- cillor Jim Chapman, who worked on the policy, said it was, and still is, the intent of the two committees to work towards full integration of people with disabilities into the community, and the new Policy is a good beginning

A Christmas Seal Is A Hug on Every Card

On the endangered list

The Columbia River has been named as one of British Columbia's top ten most endangered rivers. The Outdoor Recreation Council of Bntish Columbia (ORCBC) recently hosted a display booth at the B.C. Great Outdoor show at B.C. Place and handed out a survey to the public. The survey asked consumers to list the top three rivers in B.C. which they considered to be most endangered. A check list of factors which consumers considered might contribute to the rivers

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‘93 IS TICKING AWAY...

Before the clock strikes ‘94, we'd like to thank you for, making ’93 a year to remember. Russell Auction

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endangerment was also provided. The Tatshenshini River, which origi- nates in the extreme northwest comer of B.C. and flows into the Gulf of Alaska was listed as the most endangered river, while the Columbia was listed as number eight. The two contributing factors to the Columbia's endangerment were hydro-electric dams and pollution.

TIMES RUNNING And we just want to

say, that we hope your New Year is perfect in every way. eee

Thank you for meoaking it all worthwhile. {

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government officials attending the Kootenay Columbia Symposium in Castlegar, Mayor Audrey Moore stressed the need for Columbia Basin residents to serve on a Columbia River Authority Board. The the sug- gestion was the first of its kind and would set a precent in overseeing the development of the Basin.

Moore stressed the need for members on the Authority Board to be elected, not appointed, in order for them to be accountable to residents of the area. The board, said Mogre, would also be suitable managers of a Downstream Benefit Trust/Fund for the Basin

Start-up problems

A number of small mechanical failures are ‘fouling’ the start-up process of the new Celgar Pulp mill. Environmental Manager, Jim McLaren, said odorous gasses have been evident at the mill and the surrounding area due to a number of mechanical difficulties related to the mill's start-up process, A number of gasket failures, which link pipes, has resulted in incidences of liquid and gas leakage from within the mill itself. Employees have been. c: y working on repairs, and McLaren is hopeful that all bugs will be worked out of the system shortly

CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF '94!

another great year. — Jim Laktin

Investors Group

5

RDCK Chairman dies |

Regional District of Central Kootenay Chairman, George Cady, died June 26 in hospital after he Wvas found near his home, suffering from a single gunshot wound. }

A police report issued from tle Nelson subdivision of the RCMP states Cady, 67, died at Kootenay, Lake District Hospital at 2:44 p.m. The day prior, June 25, Cady hag been arrested at his home in Kaslo and charged with 15 counts of s¢xually abusing six young boys. The alleged offences occurred in the West Kootenay region between 1964 in Warfield and 1986 in the Lardeayg Valley region and included buggery and indecent assault on boys ranging in age from 12 to 16. Cady was also charged with two counts of administering stupefying substances.

t's Time To Wrap Up’93

(¢ Out With The Old, In With The New

It's just about '94... Happy New Year!

az 365-6000

ANTIQUES

SILVER RATTLE ANTIQUES

1G YOU AGL Best LY 1994

Thank you for helping to make this past year a fruitful one for us.

From the staff at

GH ICON [aie Tr IN IN LoL Li

everyone in the New Year.

arn ofus at To be of dervice to Berg again and again in the Construction new year

Thanks for figuring our workday

Happy New Year! west ‘no jontnny Karpels

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4370 Minto Rd Castlegar * 365-2265

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