4- North Shore News -— Friday, December 31, 1999

jailed for a year Eagle nests delay |
WV development

Simpson

Anna-Louise Pentland
Contributing Writer

Former RCMP Const.
Scott Simpson was sen-
tenced on Dec. 24 to
one year in jail for mar-
ijuana trafficking and
for failing to appear in
court.

The sentence was double
the six months recommended
by prosecuting Federal Crown
lawyer John Cliffe. Paul
Janzen, Simpson’s lawyer, said
Simpson was disappointed in
the sentence that was handed
down by Judge William
Diebolt. Janzen said Simpson
is “seriously considering an
appeal at this point.”

Simpson has 30 days to file
a notice of appeal.

Simpson, a 12-year RCMP

veteran, is currently
tody awaiting cla:
Sheldon Green,
for B.C. Corrections, said
Simpson will be held in sepa-
rate custody, away from the
general inmate pupulation, tor
his own protection. He will be
serving his time with others
who are similarly classified.
Simpson was expected to
enter a guilty plea to a charge
of marijuana trafficking in
North Vancouver on Oct. 25.
Instead, he was charged with
failing to appear in court and
had to be brought back to
B.C. from Ontario under
police escort. Immediately
after the bail hearing, he
pleaded guilty to trafficking
marijuana to two 14-year old
Keith Lynn Alternate
Secondary students.
According to the Crown,
Sirapson had “shared” mari-

from Hl:
Mary

juana with them a few times
every week since February
1998. This went on for more
than six months with one of
the youths. Simpson also got
one of the boys to buy man-
juana for him when Simpson’s
“dealer was not available.”

Cliffe noted that Simpson
earned the trust of the boys
and their single parent moth-
ers by holding himself out as a
police officer, role model and
big brother.

While awaiting trial, he
was held for one month in
segregation from — other
inmates for his protection, in
what is referred to as “dead
time,” with no programs or
services available to him as
would be available to other
inmates.

Simpson will be eligible to
apply for parole after four
mon

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ne nese eeon

(TERRES

Anna Louise-Pentland
Contributing Writer

WEST Vancouver
council was for the
birds —- and the trees
— Dec. 20.

Development planned for
a property at 5424 Marine
Dr. was halted by the

rovince in 1993 because
ald cagles were using two
Douglas fir trees on the site
for nesting.

The provincial Eagle
Covenant is in effect until
the trees haven’t been used
by eagles for at least three
years.

Now, the province has
removed the sanctions, but
West Vancouver councillors
aren’t sure they agree.

“Who is to say the eagles
won’t come back? And why
do the trees have to come
down anyways?” Coun, Bill
Soprovich asked.

Coun. Victor Durman
echoed the concerns, and
quoted a staff report that
said, “We assume this condi-
tion (no nesting for threc
years) has been met since the
province granted their
authority to release the
covenant...

“1 don’t want to rely on
the province,” he said. “If we
did that, we'd actually
believe that the Fast Cat fer-
ries are fast and cheap.

Council moved that staff
find ovt more about the
nesting habit of the cagles
and ascertain whether the
trees are a safety hazard if ieft
standing. The issue will be
reconsidered by council in
the new year.

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NEWS photo Mike Waleatield

WEST Vancouver Councillor Bill Soprovich defends
the Dougias firs, the former home of some bald

esglies, at 5424 Marine Dr.

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