Gun allegation at core of complaint by W. Van woman THE GRANDMOTHER of Possee says she does noi want to jecpar- dize the investigation she initiated con- ceming a West Vancouver Police consta- ble who is now under suspension. By Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter Susan Best's grandson, Danny Possee, was shot and killed by West Vancouver Police sh he apt aay sue. m= Rule teh vaN a tar Bs a Love Nest robbed A CLERK at the Love Nest | shop in Lower Lonsdale was robbed at knife-point on March 4. Police said a man came info the shop, browsed and then went up to the cashier with “gome items” he appeared to want to buy. -« As the clerk was ringing up the sale, the man pulled out a knife and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the til, according to a North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. The man is described as being a Caucasian, 35 years old, 1.8 metres (5°t1”) and 73 Ikilograms (160 Ibs). He had a dark crewcut with short side- barns and a long moustache. The suspect left in a metai- lic-blue Volkswagen Rabbit | with a-large ski rack on the roof and a black and grey bumper sticker on the right | back corner of the hatchback. Anyone with information is asked to contact North Vancouver RCMP Const. Glenn Stefureak of the serious crime section at 985-1311. a Pot seized from auto NORTH VANCOUVER RCMP seized almost half a kilogram (1 Ib) of marijuana on March 3 after a vehicle was stopped for failing to display a valid insur- ance sticker in the 2100-bleck of St. Georges Avenue. The police officer noticed a “strong smell of marijuana and the remains of three joints in the ashtray,” accord- ing to a North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. A search of the vehicle turned up four more marijuana bags contain- ing 407 grams, “‘a large quan- tity” of cash and a smail scale. Police estimated the mari- ‘juang value at between $3,000 and $4,000. Charges were pending against a 38-year-old Mission mai to press time. (WVP) officer Tim Pollitt in 1992 during a drug raid. Best confirmed on Friday that she complained to the mayor on Sept. 27, 1995; about an incident in August involving another § WVP officer. WVP Const. Glen Mason, § who was the police department’s Block Watch officer, is alleged to have pulled out his gun and shown it to 4 group of people, § including Best, during a meet- ing cemed, has not been resolved yet through the trauma. It made me so ill.” Best said she is satisfied with how her police complaint has been handled so far. WYP Chief Hal Jenkins declined to comment. Jenkins confirmed that a police hearing had taken place, but he said that ar this stage, the matter remains private. Said Mason's lawyer Deirdre. Pothecary on Friday, “I have . WEST VAN Const. Glen absolutely no comment. These “The case, as far as I'm con-. Mason investigated. are closed and private hearings. They have no business being in ... I don't want to jeopardize it," said Best from the paper in any fashion.” her West Vancouver home. “I am so angry about this. I have been Mason reportedly denied thet he had pulled out his gun and said he had showed a clip of bullets at the meeting. The internal investiga- tion concluded with Mason’s job in limbo. Mason’s supervisor, Sgt. Barry Nickerson, who was involved in the private police investi- gation, stepped down as president of the West Vancouver Police Association on Monday. Nickerson tendered his resignation as a result of a non-confidence union vote. Nickerson was not available for comment to press time on Friday. Meanwhile Mayor Mark Sager, who chairs the WVP Board, said he could not comment on the matter. He said Best or Mason could appeal any private police decision to a public police board hearing. Said Sager, “Within an organi- zation like a police department, morale is affected, no question... The (alleged) actions of any one individual should not reflect on this whole organization.” Sick mom NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge DOCK SUPPORTS that anchored one of two barges remained attached but ware pulled from the water on Friday at the Cates Park boat dock. Onlookers examine the grounded vessels. Storm snags B&E suspect A NORTH Vancouver RCMP police dog chased two men alleged- ly trying to manoeuvre a stolen safe into a vehicle on March 6 in Deep Cove. Police were responding to a busi- ness alarm in the 4300-block of Gallant Avenue at 4 a.m. when wit- two men were inside the business with crowbars, according to a North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. Police service dog Storm and handler Const. Ron MacDougall were the first to arrive. Police say the two suspects ran and Storm fol- lowed. One suspect was caught by the dog. The man was treated for minor injuries in hospital. according to police. Police say they are attempt- ing to locate the second suspect. Charged in connection with the incident is Jesse David Tynan, 20, of North Vancouver. He is charged with break and enter, possessing stolen property valued at more than $5,000 and wearing a disguise with intent to commit an_ indictable offence. ignored, son says From page 1 was gagging. Northcott, who has industrial first aid training, tetumed Tuesday night to find his mother gagging on her own bile. On Wednesday morning, after his mother had been sick through the night, Northcott found his mother unresponsive, sweating and gag- ging. He demanded that a doctor see her. After a doctor arrived, she was sent for scans, one of which showed an artery in her bowel was blocked. ~ ‘ “I believe some of the doctors and nurses are doing the best they can,” he said. He believes the hos- pita! is understaffed. “We're look- ing at Third World standards for such a rich country. Why do they have to cut back so much?” Madill agreed the hospital faces fiscal challenges but that “has not materially affected quality care.” The experiences outlined by Northcott are unusual, he said, adding he did not know about Brown’s case. He has invited Northcott to meet with him. © The approach to care is chang- ing, with more emphasis on care outside the hospital, he said. ‘Improved planning methods for discharge and more support in the community make this possible. © Patients’ homes are visited and their assessed needs are met. Madiil said, “Most people I think would prefer to be looked after in their own homes. If they need to be nesses phoned 9-1-1 to report that Pot shop THE HEAT be damned, Ryan Mawhinney wants to continue to “exist to serve the cannabis consumers in the City of North Vancouver.” NORTH VANCOUVER CITY GOUNCIL By Robert Gaister Last Monday, Mawhinney appeared before city council and successfully lobbied for a business licence to reopen The Joint at 91 Lonsdale Ave. Following Mawhinney’s presentation, council voted 5-2 in favor of granting the marijuana-related products outlet a business licence with Coun. Stella Jo Dean and Coun. Barbara Perrault casting the dis- senting votes. Mawhinney said he was “ecstatic” with the decision and “a little surprised.” In a submission to the city, he said his “shop will advocate ull the ben- . eficial uses of the cannabis plant, whether it be medicinal, industrial or recreational, through the reintegration of cannabis-related products and information into the economy of the North Shore.” Hemp and marijuana-related items to be avail- able at The Joint include: books and periodicals; rolling papers and pipes; body cream, massage oil, lip balm and nutritional oil; scales, scissors and hydroponic supplies. The only difference between lacence a this Joint and the previous one is that no actual mar- ijuana smoking will take place on the premises, said Mawhinney: “I want to be a retail entity on the North Shore and if a condition of that is not having smoking on the premises, I'm willing to live with that.” Coun, Darrell Mussatto said concerns over the possible ramifications of refusing the business license played a part in his decision to vote in favor of the application. “If we refused it, he (Mawhinney) could have taken us to court for not granting him a business licence for no justifiable reason,” said Mussatto. Although it is not part of the regular licensing procedure, city staff expressed concerns over Mawhinney’s application and in addition to bring- ing the matter before council, put forth a recom- mendation that council reject it. “Given the proposed business and the concems of the RCMP with respect to alleged activities at the applicant’s previous business address, staff, in consultation with the city solicitor, decided to refer this application to council for consideration.” stated a staff report. It also justifies staff’s recommenda- tion by stating that under the Municipal Act, “coun- cil has the ability, as long as it is not unreasonable, tc refuse a business licence.” The JSoint’s original 165 East Ist St. location was raided last November by North Vancouver RCMP. The store's stock was confiscated and held as evidence. in hospital they are admitted.”. pproved — - E RYAN MAWHINNEY has high hopes for The Joint, a hemp ucts store racently ep- proved by North Vancouver City council.