From page time to get some Kind of satisfaction out of how their ancestors were han- died when the highway was being built. “Thev sure wouldn't be able to go through =a cemetery in Vancouy He said it shoulda’t have any: thing to do with nauonality. “It’s a especr.” s people have no written policy regarding the digging of or removal of artifacts trom middens and Lui site: For the time being though, the federal and provincial governraents have detailed written policies forbid- ding people from disturbing or rob- bing historical area: Coroner Snider said the man who found the site was just an ama- teur archacologist puttering around - the seashore. “He noticed a little pile of shells, or a midden if you will, and he expanded his little scrapings,” said Denver. ren ail of a sudden he realized he was into something more signifi- cant and stopped and called the police.” Denver said the man did everv- thing right after the discovery. And Denver’s office knows what to do as well. “In situations like this when it’s determined to be a burial place, a team is mobilized. “The coroner’s office has < policy and we bring consultants in if neces- sary or if we’re not certain,” said Snider. “I can't speak for the provincial government, bur Chicf Coroner Larry Campbell requires us to use common sense and sensitivity so these things come as a natural result of it.” Former policeman and forensic " - en or serv! Friday, September: 11, 1998 — North Shore News -— 3 RCMP Const. Phillip Yong (left) and Const. Glen MacPherson at a 200-300-year-old Cates Park burial site of a young woman. As is Burrard Band tradition, the unidentified woman was buried in a fetal position, which signifies a human coming full circle from birth to death. At sunset a traditional ceremony by Chief Leonard George was performed to honor her and also to comfort the living. identification manager Bob Stair, who also has a background in anthropology, has worked with native people his whole life. “I love the culture,” said Stair. “They’ve had a rough ride in terms of our culture, but gosh their culture is fascinating.” He said since the bones were so close to the surface, they had to be removed to Victoria. “It’s a very high traffic area, with pedestrians,” said Stair. “We couldn’t leave them there.” When told of George's satisfac- tion with Sgt. Babcock’s handling of members were older than 55. the matter, he said his response to the situation is all part of his train- ing. . “Obviously I came across as showing more sensitivity than maybe he was expecting, but this is how we're taught to do our job,” said Sgt. Babcock. “If he’s happy with that I’m very pleased and I take great comfort in thinking that we did a good job.” He said the police are sensitive to not only the aboriginal people's requirements and needs. “Ic's the respect we would show any gravesite.” stalled Sidewalk size Anna Marie D'Angelo News Keporter Aangele@nsnews.com A controversial plan to remove the definition of senior in the North Shore Credit Union’s governing rules has been dropped temporarily. North Shore Credit Union (NSCU) members were asked in an election newsletter to vote this month to repeal rule “11.3 (j.)” Although not explained in the newsletter, “11.3 (j)” is the rule that defines a senior as age 55 and older. NSCU board chairman Gerry Brewer said yesterday that he decided to stop the planned vote for the seniors’ rule change after receiving a few calls from con- ceened NSCU members. “I heard about the various concerns about the interpretation of our intentions,” said Brewer. Brewer said the reasons for changing the governing rules would be provided at the annual general mecting. ¢ meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Centennial Theatre. Ballots can be cast at the mecting. (Mail-in ballots must be received by the chief returning officer by Sept. 28 when the elec- tion closes.) Brewer said that the credit union wanted to repeal the seniors definition cule tor “tlexi- bility” to deal with older cus- tomers in a competitive market. Fe said the credit union intended to allow present NSCU seniors to continue having benefits such as NEWS photo Terry Peters BILL Kessel addresses 12 concerned seniors on Tuesday at Silver Harbor Centre about a proposed North Shore Credit Union change to delete the definition of seniors. free chequing and no tees tor travellers cheques. But Brewer said the credit union planned to take away the freebies for new members who were 55 and older. “There are a lot of people who are getting to age 58. Why would we continue to give acw mem- bers this frecbic when very few other institutions are on that same path?” said Brewer. Brewer said more than 40% of Bill Sorenson, who is running for one of the three NSCU board positions in this month's election, said he was concerned that the credit union was not being up- front with seniors when the ballot information was sent. “I guess, I just don’t like that on the surface it looks like a sneaky attempt to get something through,” said Sorcnson, 62. NSCU_ member Bill Kessel was one of the speakers at a small meeting about the proposed seniors rule change held last Tuesday at Silver Harbor Centre. Kessef told the News that the way the credit union presented the rule removal was “under- handed.” Kessel, 71, has been a credit union member for 20 years. He ran unsuccessfully for a board position in 1996. Kessel said he was not told how many votes he garnered in the election. He felt he personally needed to know how many votes he got in the democratic election to decide if he should run again. “They (the corporate seere- tary) said, ‘The best I can tell you is that you came close,’ ” said Kessel. Brewer said he was in favor of disclosing the vote count, but the policy was made to prevent embarrassment for candidates ing low pumbers of vo Brewer said that the seni definition rule would — be explained and discussed at next week's meeting. The vote on the proposed seniors’ rule repeal would probably take piace at the following NSCU annual general meeting in April, said Brewer. bugs cyclist Judy Smith Contributing Writer THE president of a non-profit cycling society is upset that the Lions Gate Bridge upgrade won’t include wider sidewalks that span the entire length of the bridge. Richard Campbell of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition said the provincial govern- ment plans to widen and separate trom traffic the most dangerous section of the bridge’s side- walk. But he is concerned the province hasnt com- mitted to widen the narrow portion of the side- walk on the north end of the bridge over land. “This lack of room will create conflicts between the up to 3,000 pedestrians, commuter cyclists, recreational cyclists, tourists and inline- skaters who could potentially use the crossing cach day,” said Campbell. John Doyle, communications director for the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority, said the contentious section of the sidewalk was widened and scismically upgraded in 1976. And while he agrees the new 2.6 metre (8.5 feet) section of the sidewalk will narrow into the 1.43 metre (4.6 feet) existing sidewalk, Doyle said not many pedestrians use the bridge anyway. “We're trying to be fiscally conservative and just costs too much to widen the road and the sidewalk in that section,” said Doyle. Campbell said not only does the 1.43-metre section not meet the 1.5 metre provincial stan- dard for a single bicycle lane, he said it would simply be cheaper in the long run to widen the entire span now. “As the number of lanes of traftic will not be increased, widening the sidewalks for bicycles és the fastest, cheapest way to increase the capacity of the crossing,” said Campbell. The coalition was established to improve co ditions and facilities for cycling in the Vancouy area to encourage people to cycle more often.