New school eyes B.C. Packers land
Private academy could be open by September

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Boys in ties and sweaters, and girls in matching skirts could be a common sight in Steveston next September.

The Steveston Independent School Society has applied to the city for rezoning to open a private school in the former B.C. Packers offices at 4020 Moncton St. So far, the reception from council has been warm.

Roy Akune, former principal of Steveston Secondary, is spearheading the project, which he calls an independent, co-ed, inter-denominational and university preparatory school.

Akune's group has held its first public meeting in 1999, with several since, and said the response from parents was welcoming.

"I felt that it was time to look at an independent school here in Richmond," Akune told a planning committee meeting Wednesday.

The school would renovate the 35,000-square-foot building this summer and begin with 280 students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 in the first year, reaching to Grade 12 and about 400 students by year five, Akune said.

Class sizes would be small, 15 students per class, on average, with two classes per grade.

Steveston Academy would offer an International Baccalaureate program, qualifying students for post-secondary education in several countries. Council have given approval for the rezoning to go forward to a public hearing, to be held sometime in either May or June, according to city staff.

"I think it's great," said Coun. Harold Steves. "After all the battles we had to save things on the B.C. Packers site, that's the only thing that will remain."

Parents who showed up at Tuesday's meeting were keen to see a private school open in Richmond, as an alternative to Vancouver schools such as St. George's, Crofton House and York House.

"I feel Steveston Academy meets that need," said Gerry Hooper, who hopes to enroll his five-year-old daughter, Lina, in September. "It's convenient for me, and it's in my community."

Stephen Williams has two children, and said the school complements the public system, and will be a healthy alternative.

"I believe in the public system," Williams said. "But I believe in leadership. And I believe that Steveston Academy really comes down to that."

To prevent parking issues, Akune said the school will have a policy to ensure students do not drive to school. There will also be a pickup/dropoff area on site, rather than on Moncton.

Coun. Linda Barnes said the city will need to accelerate plans to deal with traffic in the area, possibly with new street lights.

Steves suggested the proponents sit down with the city in the near future and discuss a possible public-private partnership to rebuild the Steveston Community Centre and a new school, along the lines of Cambie Secondary/Community Centre.

Akune, who was involved with the earlier partnerships when they started in 1972, was open to the idea.

Greenhill to retire from municipal politics

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Coun. Lyn Greenhill is calling it quits.

Her time on council has run its course, she says, and she will not be putting her name on the ballot this November.

"I think it's time for other people to do the job," Greenhill told The Richmond Review Wednesday.

Greenhill was first elected in 1993 after two earlier, unsuccessful attempts at school board.

She said she'll miss the "really neat people" she's met along the way, in particular, city staff and the local residents council has been able to help. While the job has been very satisfying in many ways, in recent months the lustre has faded, she said.

Her forthright, independent approach on council has subjected her to criticism behind the scenes.

"I've never been one to make a decision based on politics and that has caused me some grief over the years," said the Non-Partisan Association member.

Greenhill decision to run on council was a logical extension of her community involvement. She served on the board of the West Richmond Community Association from 1987 to 1993, ending up as its president. She also ran two unsuccessful campaigns for school board (1987 and 1990) before eyeing council.

"It seemed like a really interesting job," she said. "I knew I could do it. I always like a challenge."

In 1993, The Review published Greenhill's candidate's statement which read "I believe the taxpayers should be more actively involved in City decisions."

Ironically, she admits receiving input at every turn can wear on a person after a while.

"I remember talking to Greg Halsey-Brandt and him saying to me he felt he could only be himself when he left town. I could see that happening to me."

When asked to describe the difference today from 1993, she says people have become more outspoken about the how the city spends taxpayers' money.

"Yet the minute we stop doing services we get complaints about the services we're not getting," she said. "People are feeling now more entitled to certain things."

She added that people seem to be becoming more involved locally due to a feeling of powerlessness over decisions at senior levels of government.

"I believe they're changing their focus to something they believe they can control."

Despite her decision to step down, which she said was made in December, Greenhill said she intends to continue to contribute.

"I'm always a taxpayer in Richmond," Greenhill said. "I still have-as everyone else does-a stake in what the city does. I can't imagine I'll be stepping away from public service."

Throughout her time on council, many in her family have shaken their heads, wondering why she did it, but her husband has been "truly supportive," she said.

"And he's supportive of the decision I've made now," she added.

What, specifically, will she do next?

"I have no idea," she says. But her voice sounds pretty happy about it.

Grim five year plan passed

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Belts around Richmond will require some serious tightening under Richmond council's new five-year financial plan.

Councillors approved the plan in a 5-4 vote Monday and were expected to ratify it yesterday. (The result was not available at press time.)

The five-year plan is only meant as a guideline for future years and is based on conservative estimates. But the plan paints a gloomy picture. Following this year's increase of 4.48 per cent, or $40 for the average homeowner, the following increases are 4.23 (2003), 4.93 (2004), 4.64 (2005) and 4.50 (2006) per cent respectively.

It amounts to a 25 per cent increase by 2006, compounded. In other words, if you pay $1,000 in tax today, you'll pay $1,250 in five years.

Coun. Rob Howard said the projections are a worst case scenario, but said it's still unacceptable.

"When professionals budget, they do budget conservatively," said Howard, who voted against the plan on Monday, along with councillors Kiichi Kumagai, Bill McNulty and Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "It's just too easy to dip into taxpayers' pockets when you're in a squeeze."

Howard added that, despite the steep increases, the plan failed to address shortfalls in the city's reserve funds.

But Coun. Lyn Greenhill said council spent several weeks going over all the budget-trimming scenarios, and didn't find any viable alternatives the majority could agree upon.

"Those of us who voted for it are voting for it with huge reluctance," she said.

Councillors Linda Barnes, Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Sue Halsey-Brandt and Harold Steves also voted to approve the plan.

This year's increase was driven by increased RCMP costs, provincial downloading in the form of Medical Services Plan premiums and bargained wage increases for city and fire department staff.

Howard said council is anxious to return to the budget and look at reducing costs in the future.

Former council candidate in court
Pair charged with assault in pub brawl

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

A bouncer identified former council candidate Robert Bessler as the man who bit him twice during a brawl last year outside the Pit Pub at the University of British Columbia.

Bessler and Duk J. Min are currently on trial in Richmond provincial court for assault-related charges stemming from an altercation outside the university's Student Union Building on March 21, 2001.

Bouncer Sean Corrigan, who was fired from the pub following an unrelated incident, told the court Wednesday that he witnessed Bessler and another Asian man attacking a fellow bouncer when he went to help.

While trying to restrain Bessler, Corrigan said Bessler bit him twice, once on his left bicep and once on his nipple.

"It was extremely painful,' Corrigan told Crown Counsel Anita Ghatak, adding that he went to hospital for treatment but the injuries didn't require stitches.

Corrigan, who stands about six feet five inches tall and weighs about 300 pounds, said that he punched Bessler several times in the head in order to subdue him.

But it wasn't until after three other bouncers arrived that Bessler was restrained, Corrigan testified Wednesday.

On Tuesday, bouncer John McCormack, 20, explained his version of events that led up to the physical altercation.

That night, McCormack was working near the back door entrance to the full pub, ensuring nobody got in through the entrance that led to a cordoned off smoking area for pub patrons.

Shortly before midnight, McCormack said he was approached by a man-whom he described as having a shaved head with a bigger build and was possibly of Native or Asian descent-who said he wanted to join his friend inside. McCormack denied the repeated request.

A second smaller man then approached him from inside the pub, McCormack testified, and said: "'He's my friend. He's okay. He's coming with me.' I said 'I'm sorry he's got to go to the front.'"

The second man, who McCormack pointed to in court, then became upset and said: "'Do you know who I am? He's coming with me. I told him 'I don't care who you are. Your friend's got to go around the front (entrance)."

That's when McCormack alleges he was struck to the back left part of his head.

McCormack assumed that he was struck from behind by the man who wanted into the pub, but couldn't identify Bessler in court.

But McCormack was able to point out Duk J. Min, who was sitting at the front of the court room, and identified him as the second man who asked for his friend to be allowed in to the pub.

McCormack said he was repeatedly punched, kicked and kneed by the two men, and said he believed the men intended to injure him.

After Corrigan came to his side, McCormack said he subdued the smaller man until police arrived a few minutes later.

Defence counsel Tom Doust suggested that McCormack had received $50 earlier that night in exchange for an agreement to allow both men into the pub.

But Doust suggested that McCormack refused to let the second guy in because McCormack's boss was standing beside him at the time.

McCormack denied he received money to let the man in and said he'd only started his shift some 20 minutes earlier. But he acknowledged that the practice of taking money to allow a person in would get him fired, but that's something that was done anyway in discretionary situations.

However, that night the pub was full and letting in too many people could result in the pub's liquor licence being revoked, he said.

Doust wouldn't say whether Min or Bessler will take the stand in their own defence.

Police say car bought from ICBC was stolen

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

What was supposed to be an Easter surprise for his mother nearly landed Richmond's Ziggy Matyga in jail.

Two weeks ago, Matyga tried to buy a new minivan for his mother from a dealership in Maple Ridge.

He'd hoped to trade in the family's car, a 1995 Honda Accord his father had bought from an Insurance Corporation of B.C. salvage yard, but the deal went sour when it was discovered that the car was registered as stolen according to the police.

The police arrived at the dealership, surrounded the Honda and nearly arrested Matyga, his father and brother.

Fortunately Matyga was able to show the police that he'd bought the car from Queensborough Salvage, an ICBC auction yard for vehicles that have been written off.

The car was still seized by police, who are now investigating what went wrong.

"This was supposed to be a surprise for my mother. When we told her what happened she broke down crying."

What baffles Matyga and his family is that for the past three years, ICBC has insured the vehicle. And about 18 months ago, the police wrote Matyga's mother a speeding ticket while she was driving the Honda Accord.

ICBC doesn't have any answers either.

"We don't know why it was seized by police," ICBC spokeswoman Elizabeth Goldenshtein said. But they'll have a better idea early next week.

Ridge Meadows RCMP Cpl. Rhonda Stoner said that two different vehicle identification numbers were found on the vehicle and that raised suspicions. Aside from the VIN number normally found on the dashboard or inside of the driver's side door, there is another one that's hidden.

When the Maple Ridge dealership inspected the car, they found the two numbers didn't match and alerted the RCMP, she said.

Meanwhile the Matyga family has had to rent another vehicle and endure the embarrassment of having been accused of being criminals.

"Somebody really majorly screwed up," Matyga said. "They're trying to make criminals of us. We were handled like crooks. I don't think we deserved that."

When the family purchased the Honda in December 1998, it was described as a recovered stolen car.

According to police, one of the VIN numbers on the car indicated it had been stolen from Ontario.

A romance with writing
How Judy Jackson's love of romance novels turned into a writing career

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Judy Jackson's successful writing career started in a creative writing course at Kwantlen College 12 years ago.

She had fallen in love with romance novels long before, but it was only then that she decided to start writing some stories of her own. The Richmond mother of two has since published three books: The Marriage Plan (1996), Out of Control (1998) and Find Her, Keep Her (1999) with the British outfit Robinson Publishing.

It was a long and arduous path leading to her first acceptance. But she received some instrumental help through the local chapter of the Romance Writers of America and found a priceless resource for how to get started, get going and get published.

"It's an invaluable organization to learn the basics," she said over a glass of water in The Richmond Review's office Tuesday (she shuns hot drinks-perhaps there's enough heat in her books).

An author she met at the group was so taken with Jackson's writing that she recommended her to Robinson Publishing. Jackson followed through, and submitted The Marriage Plan-a story she started years before in her class at Kwantlen.

At 2:30 a.m. one day in August 1996 she got a response.

"I got a fax from the editor in England saying they wanted to buy it, contract to follow," Jackson said. "It was a very exciting moment. I woke the whole family to tell them."

Six months later, the book hit the shelf. Jackson first saw it at the now-defunct Mallard Books.

"To actually hold your book in your hand is a thrilling moment. Before that, it's all just intellectual."

Once she was hooked up with a publisher, Jackson enjoyed a friendly audience for her future works. In fact, they asked before she called. Both of her follow-ups were well received by her publisher-who bought them without revisions-and by romance readers as well.

Romantic Times magazine has reviewed all three of her books, and given her four stars (out of five) for each one.

Jackson said there's many things that drive her passion for her craft.

"I like being in control," she said with a laugh. "The characters almost always do what I tell them. The men and the women...

"Writing is really hard work, but now and then, something goes straight from your subconscious onto the page. Those moments of magic are thrilling."

Her fledgling success really hit home when she was attending a concert at GM Place and realized that she had sold as many books as there were people in the crowd.

But the same year as her third novel was published, her publisher shut down its romance line and merged with another publisher.

"Which is why I'm between publishers," she says. "I'm back in rejection land. There's some nibbles, but I don't want to jinx anything."

And despite the three books, it hasn't been a huge financial windfall. Some romance authors with the major publishers, such as Harlequin and Silhouette, can get five-figure advances on their books. But Jackson still does the bookkeeping in her husband's shipping business to help pay the bills.

"It hasn't been what I'd hoped. But then, hope springs eternal," she says with a smile. "Very few writers make their living from writing. They're like the Wayne Gretzkys of writing."

To survive, writers need to band together for mutual support, Jackson says, in groups like the Romance Writers of America (www.rwanational.org).

"There's so much rejection in writing. You need support."

She's recently become president of the local chapter (www.rwagvc.com), a group of about 45 writers.

Heedless of publishers' rejections, Jackson said she'll keep plugging away in the face of adversity. There's a lot of rejection in writing, she says, but romance stories are about hope.

"The fantasy about happily ever after is important to me."

n Jackson will join other well-known romance authors Kay Gregory, Catherine Spencer and Judith Bowen at the Richmond Public Library's Brighouse branch April 25 for a workshop on the "Secrets of Romance Writing." They will address how to write romance novels, and will discuss the business side of fiction writing, as well as offer career tips. The event is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. To register, call 604-231-6405 or visit any branch.

Get the dirt on dining
Inspection reports go on-line

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Cautious diners will now be able to view the health safety records of local restaurants before eating out.

The Food Inspection Web-accessible at www.richmondhealth.ca, by clicking on Population Health or at www.vrhb.bc.ca/Environ

Health/index.htm-is now on-line and will eventually include eateries' last three health inspection reports.

"It's a proactive way of giving access to information," said Nick Losito, regional director of health protection at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

This follows on the heels of similar web sites in the Fraser Valley and on Vancouver Island. The site only dates back to Jan. 1 of this year, so it will likely take until year-end before all restaurants have three reports posted.

Food service establishments can be searched by area and by inspection date, as well as by name.

Unlike some other jurisdictions, there is no subjective ratings system, simply the information as recorded in the inspector's report.

"We'll let the public do their own rating," Losito said.

Losito encourages the public to submit complaints, compliments and comments about a facility though a comment form included on the site.

"Not only does this site provide the public with a perspective of what happens during a restaurant inspection, it also provides the health authority with countless sets of eyes and ears to bring potential concerns to our attention," he said.

The posted inspection reports include the type of inspection, the date, and general comments from the inspector.

"It's as user-friendly as possible," Losito said.

The initiative was prompted in part by "dirty diner" stories that frequently make the rounds in local newspapers.

Losito said people have always been able to obtain the information in the past through the Freedom of Information Act, but this method simplifies the process.

The troubles with strata
Homeowner apathy leading to condo problems, says resident

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

Thousands of mini governments across the Lower Mainland are controlling budgets totalling a billion dollars annually, yet most residents couldn't care less about them.

Run much like city governments, strata councils control the fate of thousands of condo and townhouse complexes, managing the hundreds of millions of dollars in maintenance fees collected each year from homeowners.

In many cases, strata councils are run by ordinary people with little knowledge of how to handle budgets that are commonly $250,000 per year. Having bought into the seemingly care-free lifestyle that these multiple family developments promise, most homeowners are apathetic until trouble surfaces.

Carolina Abramovich says she found that out the hard way after buying a townhouse at Sharon Gardens 18 months ago.

After butting heads with council soon after moving in, Abramovich dug through the complex's strata minutes and discovered a number of head-shaking problems that prompted her to finally contact The Richmond Review in frustration.

Now she's urging other homebuyers to do their homework, including finding out if a strata council is doing its job, before making the biggest purchase of their lives.

Among her concerns were troubling spending practices and the inconsistent enforcement of bylaws.

She's demanding answers but her council and many of her neighbours want her to simply go away. In fact, her strata council was so troubled by Abramovich's queries that they tried unsuccessfully this week to close council meetings completely save for those who are invited.

But they did pass a bylaw stating that the strata council and the property manager be directed "to not respond to repetitive general demands from owners for information," according to the strata council's agenda package.

The Review could not reach members of the strata council for comment.

Another Sharon Gardens resident, who started a newsletter about the trouble on council, said her neighbours are unfairly blaming Abramovich for being a trouble maker.

"People are saying everything was fine before Carolina came. Everything wasn't fine. She had the nerve to stand up to people and say this is wrong. But the people here can change things. "

The trouble at Sharon Gardens is by no means unique according to Tony Gioventu, executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association.

Although many strata councils do a great job, there's no shortage of places with problems.

"Some are run by tyrants," he said.

There are a significant number of strata corporations who don't have the experience necessary to ensure the welfare of their complexes, he said.

"The shortfall is knowledge is terrifying."

Homeowners have a right to know precisely how their money is being spent, and those who couldn't be bothered to find out may be asking for trouble.

The best example of this is the leaky condo crisis, which opened the eyes of many condo and townhouse owners. But by then, many condos were saddled with million dollar repair bills which could in many cases have been minimized if not avoided with better management.

At Sharon Gardens, which has more than 130 units, only two people ran for council, with a third being appointed by the president. That level of apathy isn't uncommon.

But it's the management of money in the complex and the advice being given by the strata property manager from Century 21 Prudential Estates, that has Abramovich concerned.

In a recent financial statement, Abramovich discovered her complex spent $2,000 on photocopying. What was alarming, she said, is that she and her neighbours were being charged 25¢ per page. They could have saved $1,600 by simply going to Kinko's, she said. Now she's wondering if there are other areas where money is being wasted.

Century 21 Prudential Estates general manager Bill Blackall says council meetings should be open to all owners, save for some rare situations outlined in the Strata Property Act. His company is the strata property manager for the building.

"It's very well laid down by statute; any owner can go to any council meeting."

Although closed council meetings are apparently common, that's not the way these meetings should be conducted, CHOA's Gioventu said.

Owners have a right to know where their money is going and what it's being spent on and they have the right to scrutinize the numbers, he said. Closed council meetings can lead to problems being discovered months later than necessary.

"If the strata council is being irresponsible, shouldn't you know that (right away)," Gioventu said.

B.C. Human Rights Coalition advocate Peter Beaudin agrees.

"This is the nature of the beast. You'd be surprised at the number of phone calls I get from stratas about rights being violated."

"The vast majority (of homeowners) are indifferent as to what happens."

Unfortunately there are no rules that strata councils should be run with intelligence, respect and common sense, he said.

Charmaine Spencer, adjunct professor of gerontology at Simon Fraser University, said there's a legal obligation for strata councils to provide detailed financial records so that they can be scrutinized seriously.

"Most people aren't aware of what their rights are."

The trouble is that financial records, council meetings and the strata property act are dry, boring materials and don't make for good reading

As a result, elected members of council often don't know what the rules are and neither do the people they are working for, she said. That leads to the abuse of power.

So what's the solution?

Information is power. Experts say homeowners should get involved in their strata councils. Abdicating that responsibility will often lead to dire consequences down the road.

Joining an association like the condo association, which has an advisory service, can put people in contact with those in the know. There's also the office of the superintendent of real estate, available at 604-660-2947.

But the bottom line is good long-term planning and healthy homeowner involvement can nip problems in the bud. Homeowners call all the shots-if there is trouble, they have nobody but themselves to blame.

At Sharon Gardens, there are now four more members on council. Abramovich hopes it's a sign of positive things to come.

Ditch crusader moving on
Homeowner learns honesty may not be the best policy

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Honesty might be the best policy, but if Ihor Pona had lied he might not be possibly the only guy in Richmond who has been forced by the city to remove a structure from his ditch.

At the city's request, Pona spent the last four weekends removing a wooden structure that he first installed at a cost of about $1,200 several years ago to keep out garbage and prevent erosion in the ditch.

From the beginning, he said he's felt singled out by the city's attention.

In fall 2000, he received a notice asking him to remove the structure. According to the bylaw, only structures that are built according to city standards are allowed. This was to ensure that structures allowed proper drainage and could be effectively cleaned by city crews, done every two years, as the ditches are on city property.

"It's not that we don't want people to infill their ditches," engineering director Steve Ono said. "(But) they need to do it to city standards."

But Pona was upset when he learned he was the only one to receive such a notice. He lives in Broadmoor, a south Richmond neighbourhood where ditches and home-made ditch structures abound. When he complained, the city decided to go after other "offenders" and issued another 61 notices, giving them 10 days to remove the improvements.

The residents said they were only attempting to improve their front yards, because open ditches can become clogged with weeds and garbage, and are a haven for rats. The residents started the Broadmoor West Neighbourhood Association, advocating for improved services in the area, such as more adequate lighting and sidewalks.

After about 100 residents converged on city hall, the city gave them a six month period to remove the structures or bring them up to specifications. But following a review of city policy, the city realized that it might not be within its legal right to force property owners to remove the structures at their own cost. Proving who built the structures was the issue, as it was on city property.

The city realized it could only act in cases where the resident was caught "red-handed," in the act of installing the structure, Ono said.

"There weren't very many of these, to tell the truth," he said, "maybe one or two."

So, in February 2001, the city changed its policy on "unauthorized changes or damages to City Property" to reflect this realization.

There's a key sentence in the policy, the one that brings Pona into the picture: "Where the party responsible can be identified."

When the first notice came to Pona two years ago, he was asked to sign a statement acknowledging that he built the structure. As an honest person, he complied.

"As far as I know, I'm the only person in 20 years who actually signed something," Pona said.

He's fulfilled the city's request and removed the structure, but frustration about the whole issue has convinced him that it's a good time to leave town. Pona said he had planned to renovate his house, but he's skeptical that he would have an easy time applying for building permits from the same department that manages the ditches.

He's putting his house on the market and he's got a word of advice for people building in their ditches:

"You can go ahead and build it, but don't tell anybody and don't sign anything."

Ono said the controversial issue has fostered a healthy relationship between Broadmoor residents and the city, who have recently been in discussions about improvements in local infrastructure, such as street lighting.

Non-clinical job cutbacks leave Richmond unscathed
Health services already contracts out

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

The first moves in a privatization plan started by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has left Richmond Health Services almost untouched.

As the first phase of their corporate redesign, the health authority has identified 16 housekeeping and 111 laundry positions for outsourcing, as the first step towards contracting these services out, according to spokesperson Clay Adams.

Contracting non-clinical areas is not uncommon, Adams said, and Richmond has already been down this path in many services.

"Frankly, Richmond has been well ahead of the rest of the Lower Mainland in the arrangements it's made, in contracting out," he said.

But a document leaked from the health authority last month suggests that clinical areas could be next on the list, with two or three operating rooms privatized by 2003/2004, more billing for services and a reorganization of staffing that could trim 118 full-time equivalent positions.

Laundry is already fully privatized in Richmond, as well as security and groundskeeping. Management of food services is also contracted out, but staffing is still in-house.

For the other parts of the health region, the authority plans to issue requests for proposals from private contractors to provide these housekeeping and laundry services. The health authority says it must address a deficit of $163 million over the next three years.

Adams said the health authority is not looking at contracting out food services for patients at this time.

The only local service targeted for outsourcing is a part-time position in housekeeping at the Kinsmen Adult Day Centre.

In response to the privatization announcement, more than 100 employees in housekeeping at Lions Gate Hospital walked off the job for three hours Wednesday, and there was a similar walkout Friday at Vancouver Hospital.

Adams said these types of disruptions could become more common, as the health authority plans to continue to identify support services for outsourcing.

"We'll likely see more of that as time progresses, as workers express their frustration," Adams said.'

Review carrier hits the jackpot
Good fortune comes to family that fled fighting

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

Simo Mitrovic experienced first hand the adversity and terror of life in the war-torn country of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

But Mitrovic's fortune changed recently after having won a share of a $2 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot.

Mitrovic, who has been delivering The Richmond Review for the past two years, and five colleagues from Delta Building Products Limited hit the big one a few weeks ago.

The windfall will make life a little less stressful in the Mitrovic household, he said.

The Burnaby resident said he couldn't believe it when one of his friends called him late one night three weeks ago to indicate they'd hit all six numbers. What they didn't realize until some time later was that matching those numbers meant they had won $2 million.

"I not believe," Mitrovic said of his reaction, adding that he moved to Canada three years ago after living in Germany for eight years.

Mitrovic and his wife Ljubica have two teenage children, one who is about to enter university, hoping to pursue a criminology career. Their share of the winnings will help pay those bills. And perhaps he'll buy some fishing gear.

Mitrovic was quick to share his good fortune with his colleagues at The Richmond Review's bindery, buying them dinner one night, while dropping off $50 for pizza for the circulation staff.

Will he quit his job delivering the paper?

Nope. He said he likes the exercise while making money.

Remove roads to reduce traffic?
Transportation conference looks at ways of curbing traffic congestion

David Marsh, MetroValley News

Reducing traffic congestion can be done by stripping out existing roads, rather than building more. And commuters should be paying the "real" costs of the transportation system - perhaps through a monthly subscription fee.

Those were among the ideas at a recent Vancouver conference on transportation issues, part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District's sweeping new "Sustainable Region Initiative."

Experts from the U.S., Europe and Australia attended the conference at Simon Fraser University, many arguing "we cannot build our way out of congestion," says a report on the talks.

Hence what the report calls "the case of the disappearing traffic": a study from the United Kingdom. that found when roads had been removed, about half their traffic ends up on other routes, but the other half vanishes.

While the GVRD says such points will be part of the continuing discussions on sustainability, motorists need not fear any plans to strip out roads in the near future.

Wood business to get chopped
Future uncertain at local mills and manufacturers as U.S. tariffs loom

Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

Richmond's lumber mills and wood manufacturers are bracing for punishing U.S. softwood tariffs in May.

The impending tariffs have already wreaked havoc on resource-dependent towns across the province, and local companies may also feel the pain.

"As far as we're concerned, the duty is devastating to us just as it is to everybody else," said Jack Uppal, owner of Goldwood Industries Ltd., an independent lumber mill on Mitchell Island.

The United States is expected to impose duties of 29 per cent next month on Canadian lumber entering that country. U.S. tariff proponents accuse Canada of subsidizing the local industry and Canadian companies of dumping practices.

There are a number of mills in Richmond, and several businesses in wood manufacturing that could also be affected by the tariffs.

Uppal and other mill managers say logging operations across the province have already scaled back in anticipation of the tariffs, making it difficult to find raw logs.

"This hurts us even more than the duty," he said.

Uppal cut back one shift, 40 of his 100 staff, in January in response to the earlier round of U.S. duties. He's now back at full strength, but is not too optimistic.

Sawarne Lumber Co. Ltd., also on Mitchell Island, has also experienced some short shutdowns in the past eight month-something they've never done before, according to manager Kirpy Sangara.

"Our size means we're still able to buy timber now, though it's definitely having an impact," he said.

Sawarne employs 85 people and produces western red cedar products, which are already expensive when compared to other materials, he said. With the tariffs, people will be forced to use other building supplies for things like decks.

"If they become permanent, (cedar) is going to be priced out of existence."

Although there may be some shutdowns of the mill in the fall, when the demand for wood products traditionally slows, Sangara said his company can hang on until the World Trade Organization makes a ruling on the tariffs.

Canada has requested the ruling under the North American Free Trade Agreement, a ruling that could take years.

For now, the union that represents many mill workers encourages people to support local business.

"That's not saying you have to boycott everything American, but we're out there promoting Canadian-made (products)," said David Tones, second vice-president of the Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada. "Maybe some Canadian nationalism would be a good thing these days."

Tones said the WTO decision is something the industry has needed for a long time. The recent tariffs are a symptom of a long-standing divide between our two countries, and this could offer the chance to resolve it once and for all.

"If it takes another year, then so be it."

In the meantime, Sandy Grewal, president of Richmond Plywood Corp., said he hasn't laid off any of his 500 employees, but said it may be necessary if it becomes more difficult to find raw logs.

"In the future, I don't know," Grewal said. "Eventually it will effect us because we need the logs."

Fitness firm ordered to pay for radio ads
Z95 was owed $74,696 by Richmond company

Martin van den Hemel, Staff Reporter

A B.C. Supreme Court justice has ordered Richmond-based fitness firm Sports Central to pay for radio advertising supplied by radio station Z95.3 FM.

Standard Radio Inc., which owns and operates Z95, sued Sports Central for a series of 30-second radio ads promoting the new facility, which opened in November 2001.

Sports Central argued that the radio station didn't air the commercials on Sports Central's behalf and that Z95 didn't prove it did.

But Justice D.A. Satanove didn't believe the testimony of Sports Central's principal shareholder Derek Luu.

Luu was the only person to testify in Sport Central's defence.

"Luu said that he never heard the commercials run. Then he admitted that he never listened to Z95. This evidence was typical of Mr. Luu who constantly took the position that if something was not within his personal knowledge, it was not within the defendant's corporate knowledge."

Luu argued that if he did not personally authorize an expense, his company was not obliged to pay it.

"To compound matters, he clothed his staff with the ostensible authority to request services, credit and extensions to pay, but then relied on his personal lack of knowledge to deny that any of these things had occurred."

"There were a number of instances of Mr. Luu's lack of credibility as a witness," Satanove said. "In essence, Mr. Luu's evidence...was inconsistent, confusing and out of character.

"I did not believe it."

Satanove ruled that Luu knew the commercials were being run and said that Standard Radio had proved its case and Sports Central "had no supportable defence."

Sports Central was ordered to pay $74,696.30 for the ads, plus 26.8 per cent interest and court costs.

Luu told The Richmond Review that Sports Central will appeal the ruling.

Seniors wellness fair coming April 20

Linda Abbott, Contributor

Richmond seniors are holding a day of fun and education on Saturday, April 20.

The Activate 2002 fair is a seniors event scheduled to be held at various venues around Minoru Park.

The fair is open to every senior in Richmond and will be a day of fun activities and information about many services available to seniors in Richmond.

Margie Hardy, a seniors wellness co-ordinator in Richmond, has gone to great lengths to plan an event seniors in Richmond won't want to miss.

"The event is open to every senior in Richmond and will be a big splash deal with tons of stuff to do," she said.

The fair will kick-off at Minoru Oval at 8:30 am with outdoor exercises led by Richmond Wellness Club followed by a Grand March challenge, walking or wheeling, around the oval track for those age 55 or older.

At the opening ceremonies, Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo and other dignitaries will be introduced by CBC anchorwoman Gloria Macarenko, followed by a B.C. Sport Parachute Team demonstration.

"Many of the skydivers (of the B.C. Sport Parachute Team) are over 50 years old," Hardy said.

Health fair events will be happening all day from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"There will be over 50 information tables (at the health fair) with a wide variety of things available for seniors in Richmond," Hardy said.

A few of the services that will be available to seniors at the event will be a blood pressure clinic, support groups, a holistic health clinic, herbal medicines, massages, therapists, product sales, games and many kinds of exercise classes throughout the day.

Seniors can register for the fair at any community centre in Richmond.

"All activities are free except lunch which costs $6 and has to be purchased in advance at the community centre so we can plan how much food will be needed," said Hardy.

The community centre will issue the senior an Activate 2002 passport for the fair. Those who purchase lunch for the fair will receive a blue passport, and those who don't will receive a white passport.

Bus transportation to the fair is also available from the community centres.

Hardy said seniors should register for the bus transportation at the community centre when they purchase their passport to the fair.

The day will wind-up with a bingo game at Minoru Activity Centre with more prizes and entertainment.

"People should spread the word and come out for this event," Hardy said. "It might be an opportunity to try something new they didn't know was available before, or to do something with a friend they might not have done on their own."

Register for this event at any community centre in Richmond.