May 26, 1989 News 935-2131 Classified 986-6722 Distribution 936-1337 838 pages 25¢

ms get power surge ion run-around

FRUSTRATED North Vancouver townhouse residents,

who are out thousands of dollars after a Jan. 17 power surge danvuged their home electronic equipment, claim they are being short-circuited in their attempts to find anybody

willing io foot the bill for their losses.

Powey to 26 units of the Greater Vancouver Housing Corporation (GVHC)-owned Walnut Gardens complex, located at 601 West Keith Road, was disrupted when a (ree {eiled on native reserve property near the complex toppled on to a 40,000 volt B.C. Hydro nower tine and knocked out a transformer,

As a result, power surged through the townhouse complex, melting breaker boxes; shattcring lightbulbs anid decorative glass ceiling light covers; and damaging televisions, VCRs, microwave ovens and computers,

The residential loss claims total more than $12,000. Residents had attempted to secure compensation from B.C. Hydro, but the cor- poration sees itself as a victim in the case and therefore, not respan- sible for the losses incurred.

Said B.C. Hydro claims super- visor Charles Glancy: ‘‘Our wires were standing up there minding their own business. If somebody takes it upon (himself)? to take them down, be it with a car, or an axe, or an airplane, how can we be held responsiblc?"’

While Glancy did not confirm how much Hydro lost in damage caused by the accident, he did say, “We sustained a loss and we in- tend to pursue it vigorously.’°

GVHC is also attempting to re- cover money it had to pay out to repair its building.

Said GVHC insurance officer George Stables: ‘‘The case is in the hands of our adjustors. They are pursuing it against the gentleman's (the tree cutter’s) homeowner’s li- ability insurance.”’

The tree cutter’s policy is with Canadian Northern Shield In-

surance Co.

But some residents say they have been told the tree cutter is not con- sidered liable.

Said Wainut Gardens resident Michacla Swann, who is out $900 for three damaged TV sets, a mi- crowave oven and a VCR, ‘The ndjustor told me that Canadian Northern won't pay because they don’t feel the man is responsiole. We think it’s absolutely outra- geous,”’

Michael Ryan, a home-based manufucturer’s representative, says he lest about $6,000 worth of computer hardware, software and input time when the surge blasted his business computer.

“All f want to do is get back to where | was before al! of this hap- pened, I'm just an ordinary citizen who used to believe that insurance companies and big corporations were looking after things | didn't have expertise in. As long as you pay the premiums and bills you're okay. But ance you become a vic- tim, it’s another story,”’ he said.

Michael Russell, a claims ad- justor with Kennedy Russell And Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver, re- fused specific comment regarding the claims.

Said Russell: ‘‘There have been letters from them, but I can’t comment on that. As an adjustor, I can’t speak on behalf of Cana- dian Northern Shield Company.”

Ryan said he has filed a com- plaint with the provincial office of the ombudsman.