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DRUNK DRIVING
New law praised, criticized Alfie Lau
staff reporter
By the autumn, B.C. will have the toughest impaired driving laws in the country and that’s good news to Raj Chouhan. “We’ve been asking for this for a long time and I’m glad the government has finally listened and will be bringing forward these tough, new laws.” Chouhan was referring to the changes to the Motor Vehicle Act that were introduced in the legislature Tuesday morning. Under the proposed new legislation, drivers caught for the first time with blood alcohol levels above 0.05 per cent but below 0.08 per cent - also known as the ‘warn’ range - will be banned from driving for three days and be subject to possible MLA Raj Chouhan vehicle impoundment Pleased with new and fines or related fees of up to $600. rules Repeat offenders in the 0.05 - 0.08 range will also face increased penalties. Every offence after the first one will receive a longer suspension of up to 30 days and higher fines and fees of up to $800. Drivers caught three times within five years in this range will result in the driver having to use ignition interlocks and take rehabilitative driver training. At present, police generally issue a 24hour suspension for people caught driving with a blood-alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08. Drunk Page 8
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Spade work: Gabriel MacTavish and Nikolas Code-Twinn pitched in last week at a new community vegetable garden at Stride Elementary. Local groups can use the garden, and a part will be used for teaching Stride students about growing food.
School board cutting 42 positions Administration workers hit hard in effort to deal with $5.2 million deficit Jennifer Moreau staff reporter
The Burnaby school district is cutting 42 full-time positions and increasing class sizes to deal with a $5.2-million deficit next year. School trustees voted to make the cuts at the April 27 school board meeting. Secretary-treasurer Greg Frank said the
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cut positions are in a number of areas: mostly administration in schools and at the district head office. The biggest reduction is 11 non-enrolling teachers – they mostly work as support staff for classroom teachers. The changes come in effect July 1, and the district is notifying staff. Class sizes will increase in secondary schools, from an average of 25.4 students to 25.8 – that move will reduce six fulltime positions. They will also be cutting the grass less and not painting schools in summer to help save money.
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“The reductions have been spread around,” Frank said. “The board has done a very good job minimizing the impact on students, despite the fact these have been very significant reductions.” Frank said the changes were significant but not the worst the district has seen. In early 2002, they had to cut back by $7.2 million. School districts are not allowed to run deficits; they must balance the budget, by law, with the funding they get from the provincial government. The problem, according to trustee Ron
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