LIEUTENANT-Colonel Bert Hoffmeister, as he was in 1943 as com- manding officer of the Seatorth Highlanders. ‘Hoffie’ natural leader From page t Ketchum; and six grandchil- dren. . He was burn in Vancouver on May 15, 1907. . His dad was out of work -when “Hoffie” graduated from Kitsilano high school, so university was out of the question. He got a job work- ing on the green chain in a jocal sawmill, He would eventually work his way y to an executive position wit! MacMillan Bloedel. But first, there was a war to win, . He had become a Seaforth Highlanders cadet in 1919, and was promoted to Hieutenant-colone! of the “Seaforths in 1942. His efforts in battie ensured his quick rise thorough the ranks. “He was very smart, 3 brilliant strategist,” said MacLeod. In March of 1944 he was “ promoted to. major-general to. command the 5th . Armoured Division. ‘At that _time he was the’ youngest Canadian divisional com- | mander, wo “He was a true example + of a natural leader. He led by example, he never asked his - men todo something he wouldn't do himself.” “During cone battle in Sicily, he was commandin the Seaforths in a combine “operation with the Three Rivers Tanks. Observers on the nearby hills said it was a classic . textbook battle of infantry-tank cooperation. Those - observers . included British Prime | Minister Churchill. and © General Bernard: Montgomery, oth-. - wise known as Monty. . » VEXofSneister was also a .. humanitarian. and velun- teered his’ time with | the’ *\ Variety Club’ Telethon: and the B.C... Children’s Hospital. .He was an avid outdoorsman,.and founded the Nature Trust. Mausol Katharine Hamer News Reporter NORTH Vancouver District and receivers Campbell, Saunders Ltd. con- tinue to haggle over the details sur- rounding the construction of a seven- storey mausoleum near Capilario College. Campbell, Saunders is the receiver for Seasons Memorial Park, which collapsed when irs chief financial backer, Eron Mortgage Corporation, went bankrupt in 1997. Private individuals who invested in Eron stand to lose their entire savings, in many cases, if the mausoleum is not built. However, the district has stalled on the reis- suance of a building permit to Campbell, Saunders for the construction of the mausoleum complex. Last surnmer it began a process of rezoning the property on Monashee Drive from park and recre- ational space to single-family dwellings. The district has also asked that Campbell, Saunders toot the bill for an access road and for Wednesday, December 8, 1999 — North Shore News ~ 3 cum wrangle cont Councit advised te accept aspects of developer's offer Development Cost Charges (DCCs). Each of these is estimated to cost around $1 million. In an October interview, Camptell, Saunders trustee David Gray told the News thet the idea of paying DCCs for a complex “where most of the occupants are dead® was ludicrous. In an October decision in B-C. Supreme Court, Justice Frank Cole portrayed the district’s behav- iour as obstructive, and ruled that Campbell, Saunders should not have to pay any DCCs nor be compelled to build a road. The district is currently appealing that decision. Following Justice Cole’s verdict, Campbell, Saunders oftered to build a new road and pay for some of the DCCs if the district was prepared to issue a building permit. The News has learned that district council was advised by staff to accept Campbell, Saunders* Nov. 26 offer “with respect to property acquisition Direct action MEMBERS of the Council of Trade Unions on BC Rail took their labour dispute to the North Vancouver ste- tion Monday morning. CTU chairman Bob Sharpe (right) ied the protest while BC Rail customer: arrived. for a holiday lunch on the rails. The CTU is in a legal strike position. Mother received counsel From page 1 “All the results came up, you are the best moth- er they could have,” said Hama. As to the police investigation, Hama said she is “not happy and I’m going through that.” She said someone should be responsible for tak- ing away her children. “1 really suffered like hell without those kids,” said Hama. “My life is ruined. My image was a monster mom that God forbid those kids have,” said Hama, . She said the worst part of the past few months was having her children taken away. “I'm so glad they are home. I am and always will be their mom and I’m a good mom. All - these clouds of suspicions that was given by my ex can 1 disappear and evaporate,” said Hama. ma said she has received psychological coun- selling. She plans to speak with her son, should he wish to talk about the suspension bridge fall. A Ministry For Chiidren ‘and Families spokesman was uuavailable to press time. Meanwhile North Vancouver RCMP spokesman Const. Tom Seaman said police respect the judge’s decision to return the children to Hama. . “However we are always concerned when a child is put in harms’ way whether it be by accident, neg- ligence or blatane criminal Lehaviour,” said Seaman. In a search warrant issued on Sept. 24, Hama’s case was described as an attempted murder investi- gation by North Vancouver: RCMP serious crime investigators. ° hues and road, sewer, and water improvements, but a more advantageous — settlement onthe Development Cost Charges (should) be negotiat- ed.” Campbell, Saunders offered to pay the district a sum of §1,051,400. This figure included property for a new road, the construction of an access road, bicyele lanes, sewer and watermain, and a portion of DCC charges. The district was originally looking for a sum of $1,894,075 —around $85,000 > more than Campbell, Saunders offered. District staff also agreed that any decision made by Justice Cole in his Dec. 3 hearing on the mat- ter of access road construction which directed the district. to issue a building permit would be appealed. Justice Cole reserved judgment last Friday on whether the construction of an access road was necessary. Campbell, Saunders’ solicitor Heather Ferris said a decision was expected before Christmas — and that Justice Cole had extended the terms of his injunction against the district preventing a build- - ing permit from being issued. Thieves lift washer A $2,000 power washer was stolen from a truck in the owner's driveway on Nov. 21 in the Seymour area. According to the North Vancouver RCMP, the Pro-Jet power washer was bought new four days before the theft. The owner intended to use it for business. It had been loaded into the back of a truck in the owner's driveway in the 4200-block of Mount Seymour Parkway. The owner and two men had gone into the home for coffee. Police say they came out moments later to find the washer gone. Also stolen were the machine’s ovo 15-metre (50- feet) hoses and an extra wand. The wio immedistel searched the neighbourhood, but found no clues to the theft. Asyone with information is asked to call Const. David Jewers at 985-1311. Callers are asked to refer to the case’s file number: 99-38303. _—Anna Marie D'Angelo ‘ ing On Monday, North Vancouver RCMP Sgt. Rod Booth, who is! head of the serious crime section, said that the Mounties are in the latter stages of their investigation. ; Nothing has been sent by police to Crown pros- ecutors who decide whether to lay charges. . ~ Hama’s estranged husband did not return News calls. An assistant to Werbes’ lawyer, Michacl Leslie, stated he was “not speaking to any press.” The twice-married Werbes and Hama, who has been married five times, have been embroiled in a, contentious legal battle over child and spousal sup- port and matrimonial assets. Werbes was convicted of contempt of court in. relation to a judge’s order in the civil case. - : Hama said that she was familiar with the Capilano Suspension; Bridge before: her Sept. 22. visit. , : fi Canada passes away ‘Deana Lancaster ECKEHART Johannes Treuherz Priebe’s " third name means “true heart” in English. 7 “. And that was the perfect way to describe him, says his wife Sylvia Reinthal. “He was the most positive person you could ever » meet. He absolutely loved people and he was a doer. ' He didn’t plan — he went out there and did it.” The West Vancouver resident and former German fighter pilot died Monday, at age 83, ofa massive heart attack. ; _ He is survived by Reinthal; his vo grown children, Xlaus and Karin; and bv four grandchildren. Priebe was author of the book Thank You Canadal, which included the tale of how he came to live in this country. _ On Aug, .31, 1940, he was shot down in his Messerschmitt 109E over England, and taken prison- er. He was sent to Kananaskis, Alberta, as a PoW. “He liked it so much, and he was treated so well he thought ‘That’s my country, ” said Reinthal. “After ~ the war he went back to Germany and then he immi- « ’ grated to Canada.” Once here, Priebe worked as a freelance journalist and then on staff with Canada’s oldest German-lan-: guagc newspaper, the Kanada Kurier. Priebe was also instrumental in establishing Lufthansa German Airlines service in Canada. See Funeral page § ECKEHMART Priebe: .- known for his love cf. . n