attack

A SUNSHINE Coast man was |

first diagnosed with schizophre- nia while in jail and about one year after he stabbed a North Vancouver man in the neck at the Avalon Hotel.

By Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter

Because of the mental illness afflict- ing Mathew Owen Austin, 26, a B.C. Supreme Court judge sentenced him to three years’ probation on Dec. 20 for assault with a weapon.

A charge of aggravated assault was dropnedd,

“From the facts recited by the Crown, it is clear that you (Austin) were receiving in some ways the worst of the fight outside the L.A. Pub ... early that moming,” said Madam Justice Carol Huddart in her reasons for sentencing.

“Had you not had in your possession and used your pocket knife to defend yourself, the injury to the victim would not have occurred,” said the judge.

Austin, formerly of North Vancouver, stabbed Robert Alfonse Rogers, then 29, in the throat at 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 15, 1993. Rogers was list- ed in serious condition at Vancouver General Hospital shortly afterwards.

A Nerth Vancouver RCMP spokesman stated that a fight broke out between two intoxic:ied bar patrons, according to an October 1993 News report.

Rogers declined to comment on the sentence. He has recovered from the stabbing.

Huddart said Austin acknowledged that he had used excessive force in self- defence when he pleaded guilty to the assault with a weapon.

Huddart stated that Austin was diag- nosed with the serious mental illness while in jail at the Stave Lake Correctional Centre.

See Mental health page 3

Weather

Thursday: Rain, windy High 11°C, low 5°C.

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NEWS photo Pau! McGrath

FRIDAY MARKS the last stop for driver Lyle Fraser and a shuttle bus that connects Park Royal's two malls, Park Royal Towers and the Capilano RV Park. Seniers need the shuttle for shopping, while Park Royal says the bus does rot make financial sense.

Park Royal mall management

drops bus service

AN ECONOMIC decision by Park Royal Shopping Centre manage- ment to chop a mall shuttle bus will disrupt shopping schedules for out-

raged seniors in Park Royal

Towers.

By lan Noble News Reporter

Seniors in the three apartment buildings adjacent to the Park Royal Shopping Centre add that Park Royal's decision to axe the shuttle bus on Feb. 9 means more trips to Super Valu, the nearest food store. and per- haps more expense.

In defending the shuttle-bus cut, Park Royal management said the service simply isn’t viable.

Towers resident Geraldine Horn told the News many towers residents are seniors. Some are blind and many use walkers.

“That bus is very important to them and E think it's a damn crime

they've taken it off" said Horn.

Said a 78-year-old. 27-year resident of the towers, who preferred to

remain anonymous: “We depend on it.”

The shuttle picks up residents in front of their towers and drops

NEWS photo Terry Peters PARK ROYAL director Rick Amantea (right) opens doors for North Vancouver mayors Murray Dykeman and Jack Loucks at a March 24 preview for a mall-connecting gondola.

Super Valu, the only food store residents can get to without a car or municipal bus service.

“Carrying groceries is no joke for older people.” she said.

The woman said regular buses, which are more difficult to get on and off, can be intimidating for the elderly. Taxis cost more and drivers don't like the short route from Park Royal to Park Royal Towers, she said.

Legally blind Willie Grandt, 86, said

with the bus’ demise, he’s going to have to walk to Super Valu. And because he can only carry eight pounds at a time, he'll have to make two to three trips to do his shop- ping. Currently, riders are supposed to con- tribute five cents to ride the purple shuttle. But elderly folks the News talked to said they would be willing ta fork over mare to keep the service running.

Park Royal Shopping Centre director Rick Amantea told the News the bus is not used enough to justify its nearly $100,000-

_ per-year operation costs.

He added that .0018% of those visiting Park Royal use the shuttle.

“The need never really did justify the expense,” Amantea said. “It's a difficult

time for retailers and one has to be [ooking at expenses aif the time in

order to survive.

them off at various stores in the centre's north and south malls. The anonymous resident said seniors depend on the shuttle to go to

“Lt just becomes a fundamental business decision.”

He said fuel and liability costs have increased, and the shuttle bus is aging. He said the shuttle bus went into service in the 1970s.

Amantea expects customers will walk back and forth between the

See Job toss page §