NEWS photo Cindy Goodman Winter work BLACK Bear Neighbourhood Pub bartender Tyler Langeloo cleared the way for pub patrons Sunday morning in Lynn Valley. The white stuff was welcomed and cursed throughout the North Shore this week. Players lobby North Van City council for right to light up Cheryl Misurka Contributing Writer WHERE there’s smoke, there’s bingo. A group of about 20 people turned up at North Vancouver City hall Monday night to protest a recently enforced city bylaw that prohibits smoking in North Vancouver charity bingo halls. Arlene Crossen, a regular binge player and smoker from North Vancouver, said she represented about 200 smokers affected by the bylaw. She said they came to the meeting to simply say they “would like to smoke in our bingo hall.” But Coun. Bob Fearnley pointed out that the halls in ques- tion, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Edmonds, also serve as schools. He said he was concerned that smoke will remain in the ventilation system and harm students. Crossen urged council to reconsider the bylaw based on the ideas shat “we (smokers) are human beings and should be treated with respect and dignity,” and tha. “voiunteers and char- ities are relying on us.” She called for a “properly run bingo” serving the 20% of attendees who smoke. Mayor Barbara Sharp drew a lot of attention when she attended last Saturday night’s bingo session at St. Thomas Aquinas with her mother. Sharp is opposed to bringing the bylaw back NEWS photo Cindy Goodman ARLENE Crossen stated the case for smoking bingo players Monday night at North Van City council. Wednesday, January 12. 2000 —- North Shore News - 3 injured girl remains in fair condition Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter adangelo@nsnews.com THE daughter of the past president of the North Shore Multicultural Society remains in B.C. Children’s Hospital as a result of a 30 m (100 ft.) fall onto rocks along the Capilano River on Dec. 31. Fedra Mirhashems, f+, sustained numerous broken bones and may be paralyzed. The Handsworth student is the daughter of Sid Mirbashemy who had been in the public eve during his run for a spot on North Vancouver City council. Mirhashemy did not return News calls to press time, Last Friday, he sent a letter to the editor of the Vancouver Tranian newspaper, Shabrvand. Mirhashemvy’s Farsi letter was translated to: “T would like to let you know that on New Year’s Eve (Friday night) my daughter, Fedra, while she was running, fell from the Capilano Bridge. At this time she is in fair condition, which is a miracle. Fortunarely she has not sustained any brain damage and is conscious. She is in hos- pital receiving special treatment. “Because of this accident [have been preoccupied with my concern for my daughter. [am not in a condition to answer and return my friends’ calls, letters and faxes. I just want to thank all those people who have shown concern See Jumped page 4 , to the table. She said it “was not an easy bylaw for this coun- cil to put in place. It’s not possible to please everyone.” She said her mother, who is a non-smoker, was happy with the bylaw. Councillors Fearnley, Darrelt Mussatto. and Craig Keating rejected reopening the issue. All presented examples of the health risks involved with smoking. : But Crossen rejected the arguments saying, “We know what can happen if we smoke. If we want to smoke, let us smoke... It’s a legal product on the market.” She further pointed out that smokers and non-sinokers play bingo in separate rooms with separate ventilation systems. She added that non-smoking volunteers working at bingo can work in the non-smoking areas. Deborah Kelly, another smoking advocate, later argued that compared with pollution from industries and cars, cigarette smoke has a minimal effect on overall health. Although she was one of the councillors who backed the bylaw last year, Coun. Barbara Perrault said she believed, “there has to be some type of compromise.” Coun. Bill Bell, the only smoker on council, said council was “going too far with this council and filed. bylaw.” He called it “far too restrictive and redundant,” and said the bylaw should be recon- sidered. But Bell and Perrault were in the minority. The delegation’s position was received by Crossen and the other bingo players said they will likely light up ac Wednesday night bingo this week and plan to appeal co North Vancouver District council next Moaday night. The city bylaw is enforced in conjunction with a North Vancouver District bylaw. E More students afraid to get involved, RCMP say aims. The youths were released into the custody of their parents and are slated for trial July 11. A panel made up of police, school staff, coun- sellors, school board members and students dis- cussed how to approach what many perceived as a trend toward increased violence in schools. Panelists outlined several programs currently offered in schools that address issues of bullying, violence and racism. They also pinpointed several things individuals can do to combat the problem. North Vancouver RCMP school liaison Const. Chris Drouin said that although statistics show a decline in violent acts, fewer students are reporting bullying or violence because of fears of retaliation. “A lot of times kids are afraid of getting involved,” said Drouin. “That’s where we're los- ing, the battle.” Laura Nelson, a Grade 11 student and peer counsellor, said she and her fellow students have become accustomed to seeing people bullied and harassed at school. “Jr's always there. It never goes away,” said Nelson. Fellow peer counsellor Doug Giles said senor students reed to model acceptable behaviour for younger students and should intervene when they see them bullying others. North Vancouver District 44 school Foard chairman Pat Heal said parent participation is crucial, because schools can only do so much. “We assume when kids get into high school they knw how to act,” said Heal, “but kids in secondary don’t necessarily know how to behave.” Principal Dave Pearce said parents can help strengthen their children’s values by discussing issues with them. “I think we believe our kids learn values and beliefs from us through osmosis,” said Pearce. “But if we don’t talk about it, share it, what we believe in, chen nothing happens. Values aren’t passed on automatically.” District 44 program coordinator Tom Tupper said it’s important to sercen students with behav- ioural problems early on and to offer alternatives within the community if necessary. Tupper cited alternative schools like Keith Lynn and distance education as possible options for students who have trouble getting along in the regular school environment. The trend towards greater crowding in class- es will lead to increased problems and a greater nced for such alternatives, Tupper said. w, . NEWS photo Cindy Goodman NORTH Vancouver RCMP school liaison officers Const. Chris Drouin, left and Const. Tom Seaman (centre) addressed violence concerns Monday at Windsor. Michael Barber, a parent, said there’s a need to reach out to the students who have behaviour problems and who may not be getting any sup- port at home. “Pm worried about those on the periphery,” said Barber. “We have to take responsibility not only for our kids, but for these kids, too.” Student Lauren McDonald said students have continued as usual following the threats against their principal. ; “It’s an isolated incident. I don’t think people should be afraid,” said McDonald. CL CL