Pay neta Me tata OS nt man 1s Phiily’s 280th murder A GIFTED WEST Van- couver man has become Philadelphia’s 280th murder victim of the year. By Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter Moez Alimohamed, 27, was beaten, robbed and fatally shot in his right side Aug. 29 near the University of Pennsylvania campus. Alimohamed was making a phone call shortly after 11 p.m. when gang members attacked him. He was shot with a .22-cal- ibre rifle and pronounced dead within 15 minutes of the shooting. Philadelphia Police Department Chief Insp. Bill McDonough said the homi- cide .captain of the case guessed the thieves netted no more than $5 in change from the graduate student. “It is such a shame when somecne who has that much to offer the world loses his life before he can make a con- tribution,” said McDonough. McDonough said two sus- pects: were nabbed by under- cover police officers near the scene. Acting on descriptions of the suspects, plain-clothes police officers arrested two other suspects shortly after the shooting. The alleged gunman, 18- year-old Antonie Sanders, turned himself in, said McDonough. Two suspects are 15 years old; the other two are 16 years old. All are charged with raur- der. Alimohamed’s father, Iqbal Alimohamed, said Wednesday that the violent aspect concerning his son’s death was being overplayed by the press. He described his son as a fine, gifted person who was an intellectual. Moez Alimohamed was a teaching assistant working on his PhD thesis in mathematics at the American university when he died. McDonough said the offi- cers who caught the suspects were at the scene as part of stepped-up police presence to handle increased criminal activity at the West Philadel- phia education centre. “The university is very dif- ficult to sort out at this time of year because there are all sorts of strangers arriving (to attend fall classes). Who are the bad guys and who are the good guys... It is fertile ground for hold-up gangs.” — said McDonough. McDonough said Phitadel- phia averages 500 homicides (murders) a year. CALL US: 983-2208 Friday, September 2, 1994 — North Shore News — 3 w. Van | Gift of life appreciated Organ recipients celebrate renewed life with a present to the community A ES WHEN ROB Williamson, “yr Donna Robinson and Sharon , Jameson share a park bench in f | West Vancouver, they are also ; sharing a miracle. By Bruce Methven Contributing Writer The three North Shore residents are all organ recipients. They gath- ered recently to dedicate a “recog- nition bench.” They want to honor donors and their families. They also wish to raise awareness about the organ donor program. A bronze plague on the bench reads: “In gratitude to all organ donor families for the gift of life.” The sentiment is echoed by each of the recipients. Jameson, 50, received a kidney transplant at St. Paul's Hospital in January 1992 for a hereditary kid- ney disease. Prior to her operation, she was receiving dialysis treatments and had been suffering for about 10 years. Jameson said she used to sleep 14 to 17 hours each day but didn’t actually realize how sick she was until after her operation. “It has made a 100% difference. I feel better and appreciate life far more,” said the mother of two chil- NEWS photo Naif Lucante TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS (left to right) Sharon Jameson, Donna Fiobinson and Rob Williamson relax on the West Vancouver seawall bench they dedicated to organ donors. dren. According to Jameson, there is a 90% suc- cess rate for kidney transplant recipients. She says her new kidney has given her a second chance at life. According to the B.C. Transplant Society, there are 14 North Shore residents waiting for transplants and 48 who have already received transplants. According to the society, each organ donor can ‘mprove the lives of as many as 13 peopte. A donation often makes the difference between life and death. Robinson, 47, underwent her liver transplant in 1988 at University Hospital in London, Ontario. “T've been given the gift of life,” she said. Robinson was very sick and not expected to The operation itself is successful in 90% of cases and the longest survivor of a liver trans- plant went through the operation 22 years ago. On the day of her interview, Robinson had canned 75 pints cf pickles and still had energy to spare. A year and a half ago, Rob Williamson, 50, received his new heart and with it, he says, his new Jease on life. It all began when what he initially thought was an allergy problem was diagnosed as a badly deteriorated heart that needed replace- ment. The success rate for heart transplants is about 85%, and the transplant team at Vancouver General Hospital does about 12 to 18 transplants a year, Williamson said he had to wait about nine months on the transplant list before having his operation. said the warmth of friends, family and even strangers got hin1 through the sometimes diffi- cult transplant process. “One of the reasons I’ve been fortunate enough to do as weil as I have is the wonderful support system I have had,” he said. Becoming involved in the bench dedication is one way to express his gratitude to his donor and family, he said. Williamson said his new heart has given him a “second chance” at life, and he is living each day to the fuilest. West Vancouver’s bench program has been in operation for approximately 10 years. Anyone interested in dedicating a bench is invited to contact the department of parks and recreation. Costs range from $1,500 to $2,000, depend- ing on the type of bench. The price includes live before her operation. Today she says she is “very busy and very happy.” The pharmacist and father of three children NVD parks views tree cuts at Keithlynn as routine work NORTH VANCOUVER District’s Parks depart- ment did not inform Keithlynn residents before it removed trees in a greenbelt because it perceived the action as necessary. By Kate Zimmerman News Reporter “We felt it was relatively routine work,” said manager Cameron Cairncross. “There was nothing exceptional about it.” Shelley Tetz, whose property borders the arca at East Keith Road and Shavington, described the work to the News as “clear-cutting.” She said it continued for three days before the parks department responded to complaints from herself and others. The departinent then sent letters throughout the neighborhood explaining that B.C. Hydro’s arborist had deemed the trees hazardous to power lines. “There's a broad-based issue here.” said Rod Marining, who lives with Tetz. “There's a new directive inside B.C. Hydro to launch a tree-cutting war.” According to Cairncross, B.C. Hydro is “dealing with very high-voltage lines.” Trees near power lines are no longer “topped” as they were in the past because that practice can cause them to become unstable, he said, so B.C. Hydro’s only option is to remove them. He noted that once the parks department realized that neighbors were concerned, it delivered letters to the own- ers of adjacent properties offering to meet with them and explain the move. “Some came down and met with Stephen Jenkins. our district forest technician,” he said. A stop-work order was issued for Wednesday, Aug. 24, Since that time, the chainsaws have been silent. Monday night. the district and B.C. Hydro held a meeting on the matter. At that time, they heard that the district and B.C. Hydro would share the costs of “some restitution.” Caisncross said some of the trees will be replaced with other foliage that will not threaten power lines, Tetz maintains that the real reason for the tree removal is that B.C. Hydro is afraid of liability in case of accidents. “I think they’re just looking after their bank accounts,” she said. ‘They're being told by their lawyers that this is a good thing to do.” But Cairncross said the trees have been designated as hazardous and therefore. “To a certain extent there's an urgency to the work. “Ttisn't a vote arrangement.” he pointed out. The Keithlynn-Brooksbank Ratepayers” Association met Wednesday night and Marining said the 15 people who attended were upset about the tree-cutting and the lack of information given residents. “I! this is a new ball game for B.C. Hydru. the district has to deal with this new directive.” he said. “Phere are thousands of trees in the district that are in close proximity to power lines. Are they all to go?" Another meeting has been set for Sept. 7 at7 p.m. at Brooksbank School. 980 E. 13th St. The public is wel- come to attend, THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you think Canadian gun restrictions are adequate? installation and an inscribed bronze plaque. Index B Automotive. @ Classified............ eseeaeene 32 COMICS.....ccscessscsssensseesees 25 BB Crime Alert... cscs @ Cross word ht W Home & Garden........... z1 #& Insights @ Kids’ Stuff. @ Mailbox... & News of the Weird Weather Saturday: mainly cloudy with an 80% chance of showers High 19°C, Low 12°C Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement Number 0087238