DECEMBER 27, 2000

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The Voice of North and West Vanceuver since 1969

awarded
medal

Annette Martin
Contributing Writer

MODEST North
Vancouver hero Ken
Rutland has beer rec-
ognized for his brav-
ery by Governor-
General Adrienne
Clarkson.

Rutland, 37, will receive
Canada’s second-highest: bravery
award, the Star of Courage. He
will be the only person to receive
this level of recognition at a Feb.
2, 2002 ceremony in Ottawa. Ten
other peopk: from across Canada
will receive medals of bravery.

“It's quite an honour.” he
said, on learning of the award.

The Star of Courage is award-
ed “for acts of conspicuous
courage in circumstances of great
peril.”

Rutland’s act: of conspicuous
courage occurred on Jan. 27,
1999. He was hiking the Grouse
Grind when an avalanche struck,
sweeping away five people on the
trail ahead of him.

One man, trapped against a
tree by snow, was able to use a cell
phone to call for help, as Rutland
turned back to search for one of
the man’s missing companions.

While searching, he heard
moans in a nearby gully and dis-
covered two partially-buried men,
one of whom had only one leg
protruding from the snow and
debris. Both men were severely
injured and unable to extricate
themselves.

Rutland used his bare hands to
dig the men out, but when anoth-
er avalanche overtook them, he
dug, out a shelf in the snow for
additional protection.

Further avalanches overtook
thar shelter, so Rutland dug a
deeper shelf to secure the badly-
injured men, reassuring them and

See Rutland page 13

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NEWS photo Pau! McGrath

An abandoned powerboat in the rear parking lot at Mosquito Creek Marina was destroyed by fire last Thursday. North
Vancouver City fire crews were on hand to tackle the blaze. The cause of the fire was unknown to press time, but is being

viewed as suspicious.

Catherine Barr
Contributing Writer

PEOPLE stand to lose their
homes as North Vancouver City
vows to get tough on illegal sec-
ondary suites.

By a narrow 3-2 margin, politicians voted
recently to reaffirm North Vancouver City’s exist-
ing secondary suite policy.

The issue first came up in June when staff was
pursuing, legal injunctions against the individual
owners of several unauthorized secondary suites.

These injunctions are sought when city staff

NVC stance on illegal
secondary suites outlined

either receive a written complaint about a neigh-
bouring suite or when a city inspector discovers the
suite during the normal course of business.

Once a suite is discovered, the owner must take
steps to make the suite legal. Also, the ciry will bill
for extra utilities for the suite.

Back in June, a number of the suites involved in
the injunction actions were reported to be in
duplexes which, under existing city policy, are also
forbidden. One owner was particularly concerned
and didn’t realize that her suite was considered ille-

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gal, especially since the city was billing her for util-
ities for the suite. The city held off on acting on the
injunctions pending further review of its policy.

Of the approximately 433 suites that are billed
for extra utilities, the city only recognizes 193 of
them as legal. It’s a common practice, according to
city planner Richard White. Based on the numbers,
any resulting enforcement by the city could mean
that approximately 200 people may be out in the
streets as early as next year.

“Utility billings aren’t based on any type of
inspection,” said White. “It’s the property owners’
option (to come forth) and we don’t stand in their
way, bur we don’t push them either.”

Meanwhile, the entire matter was reviewed and

See Council page 18
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