Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 11

THE EDMONTON JOURNAL, Tuesday, December 20, 1 988 B3 CityAlberta Buy out's cost unknown Johnston I II II I KU Death of Tory MLA sparks election fever SET I CEdEHSYMAS SPECIAL UNITED TIME FFEEft Polaroid Impulse Cameras fin ftalo Mi Treasurer Dick Johnston still doesn't know what it would cost for the province to buy the real estate portfolios of two failed Principal Group companies. But he said Monday that a deal is still possible before Christmas. In a year-end interview with ITV last week, Premier Don Getty said his government may make an announcement Wednesday on the matter. Getty is considering a proposal that would see the government buy the assets of First Investors Corp. and Associated Investors of Canada at fair market value.

The deal would put money in the hands of investors quickly, rather than making them wait two or three years for the receiver to sell the properties. 99 83." 65? I i i AUTOFOCUS FIXED FOCUS FEATURES: FEATURES: Accurate sonar autolocus Self timer Binocular grip Automatic electronic flash 2'-14' flash range Automatic film advance doesn't want to allow tne Liberals time to organize. Decore said he won't run in Foothills if Getty decides instead on a byelection. "I'm a northern Albertan," he told reporters. He added that political change benefiting Liberals has been in the northern half of the province, not in Calgary, which remains "a challenge." He said he hasn't decided where he'll run but it will be in an Edmonton riding.

"I can run in any seat in Edmonton be I've represented every seat in Edmonton for five years (as mayor)." Decore lives in Parkallen but is believed to favor Glengarry, where he won all polls in the 1983 and 1986 mayoral vote. The polling station where he lives went against him in 1986. Martin said New Democrats would welcome a byelection in Foothills, where they came second in the 1986 general election. He said Getty would likely call a general election next year. But if there's a byelection instead, Decore will avoid Foothills "because he knows he can't win.

"He's supposed to be the leader of the Liberals across the province," Martin said. "I'd think if he was serious he should try to get the first available opportunity." By DUNCAN THORNE Journal Staff Writer The death of a backbench Tory MLA from Calgary has fueled speculation Premier Don Getty will call an early general election. Janet Koper, first elected for Calgary Foothills in 1982, died Sunday of cancer at age 57. Premier Don Getty praised her Monday as a "charming, lovely lady" who made a tremendous contribution, particularly as chairman of the social care facilities review committee. "We have nothing but respect and admiration for the way she fulfilled her duties as an MLA," Getty told reporters.

Opposition Leader Ray Martin described her as "one of the Conservatives who really had a heart in the legislature. She will be missed." Koper, a former principal and assistant schools superintendent, is the second Conservative to die since the last election. When former transportation minister and Chinook MLA Henry Kroeger died of cancer in September 1987, Getty waited less than two months before calling a byelection. Tory Shirley McClellan swept the riding. The premier has six months to call a byelection for Foothills if he doesn't go sooner for a general election.

Fixed focus Binocular grip Automatic electric flash Lens cover Automatic film advance Multl image filter included YOU COULD WIN Multl image filter Included NEW YEARS VISIT AM DREArns If ALBERTA LcrrrERy Can comE AjicKCTcewEE 1 of 4 mix Tory MLA Janet Koper died of cancer at age 57 "It's too early to talk about that," he said Monday. He said Koper's death wouldn't be a factor in his plans for a general election, but kept bis options open for going to the polls early. Liberal Leader Laurence Decore said recent government announcements, including grant increases Monday, show Getty is preparing for a spring election. He said Getty MOUNTAIN BIKES Value 350 Details In Store No Purchase Necessary HORIZON EDMONTON NORTH 127-3440 34th St. N.E.

12660 137th Calgary, Alberta 250-8860 Edmonton, Alberta 456-0513 MCLEOD EDMONTON SOUTH McLeod Trail S.W. 10384 51 St. Calgary, Alberta 255-9546 Edmonton, Alberta 438-1416 r.i.i3:?fi Gov't unable to learri more about local man in Indian ail Peck said the department is limited in what it can do because Sohi, although a landed immigrant in Canada, is still an Indian national. Edmonton Southeast MP David Kilgour, who has gone to bat for Sohi, said news accounts about Sohi are at odds with what Indian authorities have told Canadian officials. "To my knowledge, there isn't a scintilla of suggestion that he had arms in his possession or that he was doing anything illegal or improper." Although satisfied External Affairs is doing everything it can for Sohi, Kilgour said the Edmonton man's release from jail before Christmas is "far from a sure thing." Sohi has studied and worked in Edmonton for seven years.

He lived with his brother's family in Mill Woods. Rajinder Sohi, married to Sohi's brother, said the family is prepared to fly to India if it will help secure Amarjit's release. She said her brother-in-law delayed taking out Canadian citizenship because the Indian government places tight travel restrictions on ex-Indians returning to the country on visits. By DON RETSON Journal Staff Writer Federal government officials have been stonewalled in efforts to find out why an Edmonton resident is in an Indian jail. Amarjit Sohi, 25, was arrested in the Indian state of Bihar Nov.

17 following a visit to his native Punjab. Indian press accounts say Sohi is being held under that country's anti-terrorism legislation because of suspicion he returned to India to train Sikh extremists. Some press accounts say he was tortured in an interrogation centre before being placed in jail. At least two human rights groups in India have called for his release. Under India's tough Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act, Sohi could be held two years before police decide whether to lay charges.

External Affairs spokesman Robert Peck in Ottawa said Indian police have so far refused to discuss charges against Sohi with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. "Police have confirmed that he was in jail, but have not provided details about the charges," Peck said Monday. NOTICE OF SUBDIVISION APPROVAL The following subdivision applications have been conditionally approved by the Edmonton Municipal Planning Commission, subject to the right of appeal to the Alberta Planning Board. An appeal may be lodged only by an owner of adjacent land within fourteen (14) days of the date of this notice. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL must be submitted to the Alberta Planning Board at 9925-107 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2H9 on or before January 3, 1989 after which the right to appeal shall expire.

THE NOTICE OF APPEAL shall contain the following information: (a) the legal description and municipal location, where applicable, of the lands proposed to be subdivided, (b) the name and address of the applicant for subdivision approval, (c) the date of publication and the name of the newspaper in which the notice of approval appeared, and (d) the reasons for appeal A copy of the Notice of Appeal shall be sent to the applicant for subdivision within the same period of time that the Notice of Appeal is to be filed with the Alberta Planning Board. Further information may be obtained from the Planning and Building Department, 2nd floor, 10310-102 Avenue N.W., The Boardwalk during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, or by telephone at 428-31 19. 88-X-136-S City of Edmonton, 2nd Floor, Centennial Building, 10015-103 Avenue. Edmonton.

Alberta Subdivision of Lot Block 1, Plan 792 0813. Strathcona Industrial Park, South Industrial. Located north of 34 Avenue and east of Calgary Trail North. Subdivision will create a lot for an 'edmonton telephones' remote switching station and tower. 88-X-168-S Marline Kaline, 9041 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B2.

Subdivision of lots 56, 57 and portion ot 58. Block 2, Plan B. Hudson's Bay Reserve. Located on the Northeast corner of 99 Avenue and 103 Street. Subdivision will create separate titles for two apartment buildings.

Searches of hospital visitors recommended after inquiry Policeman shoots self by accident A city police constable remains in good condition in hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the right wrist early Monday. Police spokesman Lori Nagy said the incident began just before 12:30 a.m. when the nine-year veteran officer, with a group of others in the downtown area, was raiding a house near 96th Street and 106th Avenue. The 34-year-old officer, who is left-handed, had his gun drawn when it discharged. An internal investigation and review is under way but preliminary findings indicate the shooting was an accident, Nagy said.

Raymond Dixon, 42, of Morley also died of a drug overdose. He died at 7:10 a.m. July 21, 1988, in the RCMP station house at Cochrane. Troughton ruled Dixon died acci-dently of an overdose of ethanol, alcohol, codeine and trialozam. Public inquiries are held to determine the cause, manner, time, place and circumstances of death.

No recommendations were made in the death of Dixon, who was arrested about midnight on July 20, 1988, for being intoxicated in a public place. He died seven hours later in RCMP cells, shortly after a routine check by a civilian guard who noted Dixon wasn't breathing. Hospital visitors should be searched more frequently, a provincial court judged has recommended. David MacNaughton made the recommendation after an inquiry into the death of Ponoka resident David Carson, 30. He died from a drug overdose in Ponoka General Hospital.

MacNaughton ruled the death accidental or suicide. He said security at the hospital was well managed and patients were required to swallow drugs in the presence of nurses. Carson died of an overdose of carbamazepine at 1:30 a.m. on June 13, 1987. In a separate inquiry, Provincial Court Judge William Troughton ruled v.r, i -J Presenting The Renaissance Ring i 1 This Christmas show her your love is limitless.

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