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In Terry’s Name Page A20
VOL 117 NO. 38
Teachers to vote on tentative deal
CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette
A tentative deal has been struck between the BC Teachers’ Federation and the government in the teachers’ strike. Negotiations between representatives from the BCTF and BCPSEA (BC Public School Employee’s Association, the group which bargains for the government with the teachers’ union) and mediator Vince Ready went on until late in the night on Monday. When Ready emerged, he announced the tentative settlement. No further details were given Although it has emerged that teachers would vote Thursday and if agreed, school would likely start Monday. “We don’t have a lot of details,” said Norm Sabourin, president of the Boundary District Teachers’ Association. “There is a tentative deal signed. There were five days of intense bargaining and in the wee hours of the morning they completed a deal.” When he spoke to the Gazette Tuesday morning, Sabourin said he had only seen a part of the deal and couldn’t comment on the details. “The two sides are still working today banging out the details and then the information will be sent out to the teachers in the province,” he said. “We’ll have to then educate ourselves on the deal and the vote will be on Thursday.” Sabourin expects the results of the teacher’s vote to either accept the deal or not on Thursday night. He further predicted that it would likely take two days to get schools ready, which would mean a likely Tuesday return
Bruins back on the ice
Border Bruins’ forward Max Newton (19) tries to snap the puck past Rebel goalie Patrick Zubick in the first period of Sunday’s game. The Bruins would go on to win the game 4-3 and take two of three games in their opening weekend home stand. See story page A18.
• See TEACHERS VOTE page A9
Craig Lindsay photo
‘Texas Randy’ ordered home to U.S. Grand Forks Gazette
A popular local resident is being forced to leave the country after a recent application for residency was turned down. Randy Hedrick, known more as “Texas Randy”, came to Canada 39 years ago and never went back. Although some speculate that he is a draft-dodger, Hedrick said he just came up to the Great White North to visit friends and never went back. He came to Grand Forks in 1978 and hasn’t left since. He will, unfortunately, have to leave by Sept. 28 or risk possible arrest and deportation. “I was hitchhiking through town,” said Hedrick. “I was coming to see friends I’d met in Port Alberni.”
He liked it so much immigrate before. He he decided not to figures he hasn’t been leave. Hedrick had hurting anyone. been working in Port “I’ve never been arAlberni at the sawrested,” he laughs. “Almill. When he came though I have spent to Grand Forks he time in the drunk tank worked as a forest but they didn’t charge firefighter and as a me with anything. I’m drywaller. not a criminal. I’m not “I have lots of a draft-dodger. I’m friends here,” he said. just a regular guy from “It’s sad to be going. Texas. While, maybe I came here for two not regular.” weeks and just forgot It’s clear speaking to go back.” with Hedrick that he Hedrick said he redoesn’t take life too RANDY HEDRICK ally likes the scenery seriously; however, he in Canada. does seem legitimately scared for “I like the mountains,” he said. “I what the future holds. like the rivers; And the people. I just A couple of years back, he turned like Canada.” himself in to immigration with the Hedrick said he never applied to hopes that he would get to stay. He
wanted to go visit his mother and brother, who still live in Texas. He wanted to be able to visit them and return. “I mistakenly thought they wouldn’t throw me out,” said Hedrick. “It seemed like they didn’t care if I was here or not. It took three years before they decided to throw me out of the country. I asked them what they were going to do and they said I had to go to home.” Hedrick says he was told he wasn’t being deported, which would mean he wouldn’t be able to ever return to Canada. “They said if you leave by such and such a time (Sept. 28) all is good,” he said, “in a year you can apply to return. You’re not being barred from Canada. I’m not being deported, I’m just being asked to
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• See TEXAS RANDY page A9
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