The Sault Star from Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada • 13

Editor: TOM MILLS Day 759-3030 Night 759-3035 Fax 759-0102 City WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14 1994 Decision on International Bridge toll increase could come Thursday money at pur translates into yearly revenue losses of $1275 million dollars once the authority's revenue is converted to US dollars Last year the total funds collected in both US and Canadian funds was $55 million most of which had to be converted Close to 100 per cent of commuter rates and commercial vehicle fares are iid in Canadian funds The 30 per rant increase would enable the authority to recoup is losses Godby said While the increase may be good news for the authority you won't hear whoops of joy from merchant groups from either side of the bridge Mike Elgie president of the Sault 's Chamber of Commerce said he has concerns about the toll increases' impact on tourism and on local businesses ship ping goods to the United States Aren't local business people excited by the prospect that increased fares will deter cross-border shopping? feel cross-border shopping is not a huge concern It has leveled off" Elgie said Sault Michigan's Chamber of Commerce has a philosophical attitude about the issue The increase will have some negative effects on cross-border shopping for both sides said Bud Mansfield executive director of Sault Michigan's Chamber of Commerce But raising the toll is understandable considering the fare hasn't been increased in 25 years Mansfield said have increased so much since then" stay the same for people paying return or one-way fares in American funds For the last 25 years Canadian money has been accepted at par by the authority and the toll never increased The fare hike will increase the authority's revenue so that it can meet its oier-ating costs pay for capital repair projects such as asphalt resurfacing and remunerate the Ontario government the $765 million plus $13 million for -accrued interests Dy the year 2000 said Godby Increasing return fares by 30 per cent to $4 and increasing the cost of a commuter book of tickets to $20 is the option that enables the authority to best meet these financial obligations he said Repair costs staff salaries and the balance and interest owing lo the provincial government must be paid in US funds and continuing to accept Canadian Neal Godby secretarytreasurer of the International Bridge Authority A consulting company retained by the authority to study strategies for raising the fares to enable the authority to meet its financial obligations for the year 2000 has submitted 12 alternative tolls vast majority of propose 15-30 er cent increases in fares paid in nadian currency said Godby Godby said that the pro- Eosals also included increases in the ase commuter rate which is currently at 50 per cent of the return fare Proposals to change the commuter rates range from increasing the cost of a book tickets from $15 to as high as $33 But Godby said he didn't regard doubling the cost of commuter books of tickets as likely to gain approval On the other hand rates are likely to PATTI MURPHY Sault Star Canadian pocketbooks won't fare well if increases to the International Bridge toll which have been looming on the horizon are implemented Tolls at the International Bridge may swell from $3 to $4 for a return fare and from $15 to $20 for a book of 20 commuter tickets A decision on the nature of the increase could be made us soon as Thursday or be deferred pending discussions with provincial ana state officials The International Bridge Authority is meeting at the Holiday Inn Thursday to discuss the alternative tolls and invites the public to attend If a decision is reached at the Thursday meeting the increase won't be implemented until April 1 or thereafter" said Assaulted Pampered poinsettias parents launch suit Inquest calls for boom truck safety The victim was a resident in one of the group homes and was under the care of Jackson In the seven-page document the plaintiff argues that was a contract in place (either express or implied) between them and the defendants whereby the defendants agreed to provide adequate and responsible care" to the mentally handicapped woman Tne plaintiffs allege that the defendants were in breach of this contract and have caused mental anguish and They argue the defendants failed to provide sufficient or adequate system of care failed to respond to requests that only female workers perform the required personal needs of the victim and failed to adequately staff and monitor the group home and ensure the residents were safe They also state that Jackson employed by the association breached his position of trust In a statement of defence dated Nov 3 Jackson states the conviction of sexually assaulting the woman was a and tragic mistake as no assault was committed nor was any He also argues that the breach of trust was not violated and the defendants were not negligent in any care with the woman The document states the drew totally unwarranted conclusions from observing the said defendant carrying out his duties in terms of care for the alaintiff" and asks that the case i dismissed By ELAINE DELLA-MATTIA The Sault Star The parents of a mentally handicapped woman who was sexually assaulted bv a group home counsellor has filed a civil suit claiming more than $756000 in damages against the convicted worker the association and the ministry John David Jackson 33 was convicted in March of sexually assaulting a mentally handicapped resident of a group home where he worked He is appealing the conviction The woman who cannot be named because of a ban of publication implemented at the time of the trial has the mentality of a three year old The parents of the woman have filed a suit against Jackson Community Living Algoma the Sault Ste Marie Association for the Mentally Retarded Algoma Mental Retardation Services and the Ministry of Community and Social Services The statement of claim is dated Oct 11 The plaintiffs are claiming general damages of $500000 damages fur mental distress in the amount of $200000 and special damages incurred but not yet ascertained Community Living Algoma which is the name given to the amalgamated Sault Ste Marie Association for the Mentally Retarded and the Algoma District Mental Retardation Services last April owns and operates several group homes in the Sault to provide residential care to devel-opmentally handicapped adults ELAINE DELLA-MATTIA Sault Star A coroner's inquest into the death of 44-year-old Dale Maki has focused its recommendations on safety with boom trucks Maki of Korah Road was electrocuted and died of fourth-degree burns on June 15 at a Queen Street East home The Soo Mill employee was dropping off pressure-treated wood for a deck when the chain of the boom touched a 7 200-volt xiwer line at the side of the home Maki suffered extensive burns to his face neck chest and lower portion of his body as well as most of his internal organs The two-day inquest heard from 12 witnesses wno suggested stringent training of boom operators and increased education of the public The five-member jury heard from several witnesses that human error may have resulted in the victim's death A stabilizer on the passenger side of the vehicle had not been locked liefore Maki hegnn operating the boom This could have caused the truck dubbed a wid-owmaker in the industry to tip As well provincial regulations state that operators should not dome within three metres of Iiower lines when operating loom trucks such as the one Maki operated The vehicle was within the danger zone but no one knows for sure if Maki saw the power lines or not because he was the only one on the scene llie jury recommends that: operators of boom trucks should have licensed employee training with annual recertification Operators should also learn electrical detection techniques all new models of boom trucks should be ecpiipiecl with operating platforms similar to those of Ontario Hydro with bold-colored stickers placed beside the controls to remind operators to lie cautious and with two-way radios 0iemtors should also ensure outriggers or stabilizers are in a lockea position before unloading materials and should wear dielectric footwear construction and industrial safety regulations currently at different standards should be modified to fall under the same guidelines there should be increased public education regarding the dangers of electricity with programs introduced in the school system ASI talks continue Salaried employees are being represented at tne bargaining table in Toronto don't have a formal agreement with the Early negotiations on contracts that expire July 31 1996 began in October when Algoma asked the nine union locals to participate in discussions on how to raise millions of dollars to modernize the facility Options before the company and its union and salaried employees to raise the funds for modernization include: borrow money use profits or issue new shares Kersley would not say which option was being considered in the negotiations The situation would require lot of discussion on all subjects before an agreement is Kersley said refusing to comment on the existence pf any stumbling blocks in the negotiations Company and union officials are joinad by Ian Kersley chairman of the salaried advisory group and a salaried employees' representative at iho recapitalization and contract negotiations between company and union officials 1 Current talks encompass new the recapitalization the restructuring the strategic plans everything" Kersley said from his Toronto hotel room during a recent telephone interview are participating with management and we're also talking to the United Steelworkers of America as an aside as he said Photo hy Keith Stephan The annual gallery fund-raiser began Dec 3 The plants range in price from $16 to $40 and shoppers are welcome to drop by and browse through the plants and the gift shop St College co-op student Lori Crites takes time out from her usual chores at the Art Gallery of Algoma to water 125 locally-grown poinsettia plants for sale in the lobby of the gallery Nov Oliver Lehto THE CONDITIONS on the reverse side of the temporary driver's licence say that drivers must have a zero blood alcohol content when driving A reader who hud his driver's licence renewed recently was issued a temporary licence (as is the usual procedure) at the motor vehicle licensing ngency until his permanent licence arrives in the mail When he read the conditions he thought they applied to him A spokesman at the Ministry of Transportation driver examination office says the conditions on the reverse side of the temporary licence apply to new drivers A driver with a Glass licence which is the licence most motorists have who drive a passenger vehicle included in the zero tolerance condi- figure you have to go out of town to get a better buy or see a good snow She says talked to people who have seen the local talent on the show or the first time and wondered why nobody hnd a ml I II 1 4 really it symptoms of impairment even though he doesn't register 08 he can still be impaired under the criminal code So why take the chance Assign a designated driver if you're out a novice driver ly season you iiviiuuj nwuiiwu wu IR never told them about it Thov've enjoyed along with the friendliness of the performers who mingle with the audience after the show she says MOT in Sudbury says the bypass opened 9 There's still a bit work to be done with the final layer of asphalt still to be laid and some touchup and landscaping that will have to wait unfit the spring But you can count on saving yourself a hit of time especially during the peak traffic periods by bypassing Sudbury Highway 17 to the east is tne main highway at the interchange If you're travelling to Toronto or going into Sudbury you have to take a ramp at the interchange he says A THE STUDENTS staff and parents at Northern Heights public school 210 Grand Blvd will be presenting their the Night Before Christmas" show at the school Thursday with two showtimes at 1 and 7 pm Principal Page Nicolson says it's Christmas the way children see it It i delightful show and worked hard with the preparations Come ana enjoy It's free and the public is invited FAMILY Restaurant on Great Northern Road has expanded its facilities into the former Old Ski House space at the front of the building Owner John Coccimiglio says still some work left to get the buffet area readyin the addition which by the way is a smoke-free environment The enclosed section is now open to non-smoking customers Also included in the expansion project were new washrooms and a wheelchair accessible entrance Retired columnist Oliver Lehto writes three times per week and can receive messages at 759-5022 Ext 3 81 temporary beginner's licence says that while he tions that apply on the reverse side of the tempo- have a zero blood alcohol content the fully- rarv driver's licence licensed driver accompanying him a requirement of the licence can he asked to submit to a Sgt Richard Lock of the City Police traffic department says another zero tolerance that motorists should be aware of at this time of the year Expect no favors or breaks if caugnt exceeding the impairment level should you be stopped for a breathalyzer check T' Comedy skits and music is what it's all about Joann a singer with Club Cabaret says they keep abreast of wnat's happening at theatre houses larger centres including medleys of their music breaihalzyer'test if any of the signs of on their show Their next dinner dance will be impairment If he exceeds 50 milligrams the vehi- Saturday night cle will be towed away from that point says Loci The oroun will also be holding a New Year Eve A TICKETS FOR Club Cabaret the local musical variety dinner-show at the Windsor Park Hotel's Oak Room are now available at the community theatre ticket outlet in the Station Mali Joann Egan who has been with the show since it opened in the Oak Room a year ago says she's found that people who see the show for the first time have been really impressed Isn't it the way it is with everything else she says You A lid Kiwuif in show this year Other local performers with Uub Cabaret include Mark Swift Don Currie Mitch Drolet Jennifer Keay Heather MacKenzie Amy Ratelle Lise White and Ryan Wright A BE a major time-saver not having to go through Sudbury on my next trip to North Bay or Ottawa now that the new southeast bypass is open to traffic around the Nickel City Brendan Martin district engineering services supervisor for the thing you should keep in mind especially during the holiday season with the RIDE Program whan you could be stopped anytime for a roadside check He reminds motorists that driving impairment can be reached before your Mood alcohol content reaches the absolute limit of 80 mil-I in rams Lock save if a motorist shows any of the tmsm wig.