SMCS Es APLIN. om Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter dangclo@nsnews.com NORTH Vancouver provincial court Judge Jerome Paradis concluded that a man’s Charter of Rights had been violated last Nov. 25 when a West Vancouver Police officer searched a car trunk. But after a long preamble and references to numerous previous court cases, the judge con- cluded that six kilograms (13 tbs.) of marijuana found in the trunk was admissible as evidence. Paradis said during court proceedings on Monday that if the marijuana was not admissi- ble as trial evidence, the administration of jus- Wednesday, June 16, 1999 — North Shore News - 3 13 pounds seized in WV search of car trunk tice would come into disrepute. “The charge is a serious one,” said Paradis. He found that the search af the trunk was “not particularly intrusive.” Lions Bay resident Marcus Richardson, 26, was charged with possessing more than three kilograms of marijuana for trafficking purposes and possessing a small amount of hashish. The hashish was ina tin boy in one of Richardson's pockets. Richardson pleaded nor guilty to the charges. The charges were laid after West Vancouver Police Const. John Lo pulled — over Richardson’s car in. a CounterAnack roadblock near the Lions Gate Bridge at 1:30 a.m. Lo tes- tified he smelled a strong odour of manjuana coming from the car, The odour was too sarong to have simply originated trom a car ashtray full of marijuana cigarette lips, testified Lo. Conflicting testimony during the trial Last month made it unclear whether Richardson had allowed the police officer to open. the Volkswagen Jetta’s unlocked trunk. Richardson did aor want the police officer to look into a backpack in the trunk containing the marijuana. Richardson was handcutted and placed in a police car atter he stood berween the police officer and the trunk. Richardson dence was detained tor obstructing police, according to Lo’s testimony. Eleven large bags containing marijuana were found in the trank. There was also $6,000 cash in $20 denominations. The question regarding the admissibility of the manjuana evidence was considered in a voire dire, a trial within a trial. After Paradis admitted the marijuana evidence, Crown lawyer Jay Straith closed the Crown's prosecut- ing case. Richardson’s lawyer John Conroy called no evidence for the defence, paving the way tor his client to be found guilty. The judge promptly found Richardson guilty. Richardson is to be sentenced in August. See Marijuana page 4 Facilities needed in West Van Fram page 1 Among other priorities: a project aimed at upgrading the Gleneagles club house within the next two years. This capital project would cost $875,000 and possibly involve private partners. A list of future capital pro- jects recommended by the recreation — master lan includes the possible replace- ment of Kicewyck with a new centre and horticulture site, a new artificial curf playing field and the possible relocation of the ice arena currently located at the 22nd Street community recreation centre. Coun. Victor Durman said Monday the recreation facili- ties master plan was the begin- ning to a fresh start for the municipality as it heads into the next millennium. “TF see the failure of the West Vancouver recreation centre (Last year) as the catalyst tor this new facility (at Glencagles),” Durman said. According to a consultants’ report commissioned by the district in January, changing demographics favouring small- er houscholds and fewer chil- dren per family are increasing the demand on West Vancouver's public and private recreation facilities. The report found that the Ambleside, Dundarave and the Park Royal arcas are home to increasing numbers of seniors, while the Caulfeild, West Bay, Sandy Cove and Hollyburn Heights areas have the highest’ proportion of young families. To meet these demograph- ie changes, the existing tacili- ties, some of them built in the mid-1950s and carly 1960s, need to be upgraded Durman said. The use of the seniors activiey centre alone bas risen 233% in the past 12 vears. “We have enough money in reserve funds to finance these projects,” Williams said. Funding for the high prior- itv capital projects will come ouc of the district’s capital facilities and = endowment iunds. A tax increase and the borrowing of finds may be needed according to the mas- ter plan report. Other minor maintenance and project upgrades include expanding program space at the seniors activity centre, upgrades to Lighthouse Park huts, Ambleside Adventure House, Silk Purse arts centre and West) Vancouver sec- ondary school’s track lighting. Bill’s passage sparks concerns over property From page 1 divorce for native women, they do not have the same rights as all other women in Canada.” The Liberal government invoked closure to end debate and pass the law, which gives the Squamish Nation and 13 other bands across the country local control over land use On reserves. Lockhart-Lundberg travelled to Ottawa and appeared at a Senate committee studying the bill last month. Ske said her concerns were ignored by the senators, but at least she got a chance to speak. The Squamish Nation band council did nor consult with its members about Bill C-49, she said. Lockhart-Lundberg’s — mother married a non-native man in 1947 and Jost her native and band status. She regained her native status in 1985 when the Indian Act was amended, but continues a battle to rejoin the band and regain property she says is rightiv hers. Under Bill C-49 the land Lockhart-Lundberg’s mother is try- ing to win back could be permanent- ly lost through expropriation. “If vou're a citizen thar lives in any of these municipalities, you're going to be affected by it (Bill C-49 legislation) somehow,” she said. Reform aboriginal affairs critic Mike Scott told the House of Commons on June 10 that the bill allows cach band to determine the Process for use, occupation and pos- session of a member's land after a marriage breaks down. Sand councils will have sweeping powers to expropriate land for com- munity works or other First Nation purposes. The band can give up to 30 days notice for expropriation. It’s obliged to pay fair compensation which can only be disputed under rules set by the band itselt. “Not only may these powers be used against native women, they may also be used against band members outside the governing elite,” Scott said. “For example, the Squamish Nation has valuable waterfront prop- erty in North Vancouver which is rumoured to be the subject of band council plans for commercial rede- velopment. These plans could dis- place many band members living there to a reserve area up the coast, thus making expropriation powers very useful to the band council.” The law also contains no require- ment that the Squamish consult with neighbouring municipalities on land use issues. Squamish Nation chicts Joe Mathias and Bill Williams did not return phone calls by the News to the band council's office. “Why is it that we're going to have this patchwork of legislation and treaties for natives all across Canada?” Lockhart-Lundberg asked. “It’s just a mess.” Squamish = Nation ~~ members angered by the new law are consider- ing a campaign to oust the band council and force a new election, On a national seale, the Native Women’s Association of Canada is suing Indian Affairs minister Jane Stewart for breach-of-duty in federal court. The association alleges Stewart shirked her responsibility to protect native women by introducing Bill C- 49, down rot Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com Smail fry MAX Muir, 2%, helped the Seymour Saimonid Society free 15,000 chum salmon into the Seymour River fast week, in a release spon- sored in part by Suntech Optics. Long-distance hiker puts Mexico along the Continental Divide in 1996, completing a trio of long-distance hikes known as the Tripis Crown. is on North Shore Since then she’s spent much of her time back in civilization teaching novice hikers how to do everything right and stay sate in LONG-distance hiker Katherine Moore is now leading hikes on the North Shore. NORTH Shore residents looking for guidance in the great outdoors now have access to the wisdom of an expert. , Long-distance hiker Katherine Moore, who was recently nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the recreation, sport and active living category, now leads day hikes on the North Shore. The hikes are sponsored by both the North Vancouver Recreation Commission and the West Vancouver Department of Parks and Recreation. Moore made headlines: after she hiked from Canada to the mountains. Most of her hikes are introductory level. “It’s a wonderful experience watching people who were ner- vous gain confidence to know they’re not going to fall, and learning where to put their feet,” she said. Others come on the hikes because they simply want company in the hills, she said. Moore is also known for the paintings she creates during hik- ing trips. She’s turned that pas- sion into an urban career, paint- ing sets for the local tilm and tele- vision industry. Wf you'd like more informa- tion about her hikes, call 987- PLAY (North Van), or 925-7200 (West Van). The following summer she attempted to follow the “Backbone Route” on Vancouver Island, a fittle-kKnown hike rumoured to follow the ridges of the island mountain ranges. “There were actually very few trails to follow, and a lor of really unstable terrain. It was always crumbling under me.” After 20 days, she got trapped ona ridge by bad weather. When she was two days late for a sched- uled supply stop the RCMP came looking for her. It was the first time she'd ever been rescued. “They figured I was dead. Bur I did everything right and I was just fine — 1 staved where I was.”