Essent

Katharine Hamer Contributina

“BE prepared, but don’t Panic” was the message delivered at a public Y2K forum in the Centennial

Theatre Jast Saturda

teak trom BC Pdro. | Peboand BO Gas. the N. Shore Health Resaon, North West Vancourve bimergenas Program and the ROMP spoke about preparauions tor anf, 2000,

Vhats the day when sane computer svatemps could: mal function a ther digital calendars are programmed with only the last wo digits of the ve

Rach speaker at YIN Mifienninm Bug — Whar You Should Know was confident in their organigadion’s capagny to deal with the potential for prob lems. The audience was told Y2K compliance preparations would be completed by September, at the latest.

Conungenes plans were out fined, justin case something goes wrong —though the wali com panies and emergency services ANUcipate no serious difficulties.

“We do not expect any prob Jems because of YK. however we are prepared for problems said Gordon MeLachlan of BC Gas. He pointed out that resi dential service would take pricri- ty over commercial interests in the event of a gas shortage.

“We have agreements in place to cut offcurtailable customers,” he said, “and we will have 72 hours” back-up supply of gay.”

“Curtailable™ customers include pulp) mills, which can switch to oil instead of gas.

BC Hydro and the Greater Vancouver Regional District will have two-to-three days’ reserve supply of electricity and water. Manual override systems could be used if necessary

British Colunrbia’s time zone is 18 hours behind the dawn of the r 2000 in the South Pacific, and three hours behind many national company head- quarters in Toronto.

An early warning response vstem, with local utilities and emergency services in touch with vastern counterparts, could alert us to any Y2K-related problems being experienced elsewhere.

“We have dropped our com- petitive gloves to make sure we can focus on the Y2K problem” said BC Tel’s Michael Williams.

Ar very least, he said, cus: tomers will be able to make phone calls Sanvwhere in B.C.” on Jan. 1. B is confident thar New Year's Day calls to the

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Rass Peterson af the North and West Vancouver Emergeney Progrant advised on some basic preparagons, similar to those thar shauld) be

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Atew days’ supply of bottled Water, non perishable food, can dies. and a fone weekend's worth of cash should do the trick, he said. And he reminded people net to torget their pers. “Some people think of theit pets as an emergency food source.” he joked. “TP dont —- my dag will get fed betore me

RCMP Staff Set. Brad Marks warned against Keeping too mich cash on hand. “There is always an increase in’ property: related crime (around that time of vear” he said. “Don’t hoard money under the mattress; you're just setting yourself up as 2 target.”

Some audience members seemed to anticipate a wors c scenario, and were particularly concerned about food and heat- ing shortages.

But all in’ all, th was a mood of confidence in the audi- torium: a sense that despite any hiccups, the Lower Mainland would be more than able to glide into 2000 without much hard- ship.

“The world will go on,” said Adams. “We will not all be desti- tute and homeless.”

“All of the things that could happen on Jan. 1, frankly, could happen tomorrow,” said Mebachian,

“Its not nearly as mach of an issue as described in the press. The essential services — the big companies on who vou depend — will come through.”

BA follow-up meeting and community discussion will be held at North Shore

scighbourhood House on April 2 trom 7:30 te 9:30 p.m,

$1.199 $859 $828 $795 $150 $699 $499 $450 $450 $450 $450 $350 $199

1431 Mari

Wednesday. Apnit 7, 1999 ~ North Shore News - 15

north shore news

USINESS HIGH TECH

se Y2K read

NESS

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

BC Gas spokesman Gordon McLachlan promised residential gas supply would take priority over com-

mercial ser North Vancouver's Centennial Theatre Saturday.

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e in the event of any Y2K problems. McLachian was speaking at public forum held at

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