. Strained,’” ‘in Smithers Unsolved murder frustrates RCMP IF THE RCMP had a crystal ball, Terrace’s RCMP would have the Dec. 9, 1998 murder of Linda LeFranc solved by now. That, according 10 RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Solvason, is ‘the sentiment behind the RCMP’s six-month old murder investigation. The investigation had of- ficers knocking on doors for ae in the area near LeFrang’s Braun Street townhouse where the single mother was brutally stabbed to death. ¢ Calling the investigation “‘pain-slaking and a Jot of hard work,’ Solvason said the most frustrating aspect of the murder lies in not being able to solve it fast enough, ‘It’s always frustrating when you can’t solve some- thing immediately,” he said. “‘But you can’t invent evidence, you can only find Staff Sgt. Bob Solvanson whiat’s there.” Sclvason said the serious crime unit here is treating the file as a priority. OF ficers are working with the help of resource people in Vancouver. Solvason said a murder reenactment that’ would replay key events of the crime to spark tips from the public has been put on the backburner by key investi- gators, “We work on what has the best chances of suc- cess,” said Solvason. “They want to spend time on something else.” Solvason said he couldn’t comment on the status of autopsy or other from the crime scene be- cause doing so might hurt the investigation. But, he said, the serious crime unit is still working on a number - of leads. LeFranc’s daughter, who was seven-years old when the murder happened, has since been returned to the custody of her father who was cleared after taking an - RCMP polygraph test last year. Detachment still short of officers this year THE LOCAL RCMP detachment is still going to be short of officers this year but the situation won't be as bad as 1998. Last year a combination of ‘transfers and leaves left the detachment seven officers short at one point, stretching resources to the limit. This year the shortfall should be three officers once the annual transfers in and transfers season con- cludes at the end of the sum- mer. In the meantime, officers remain very busy. On a recent Friday night, five regular and one auxil- iary officer handled more _ than double the normal rate ‘of calls, - They did so without a lot of extra help because of a . conlinuing tight ‘overtime: - : budget. Sev pe bs rar ery he “Our overtime budget is said Staff Sergeant Bob Solvason. He said the detachment conserves its overtime - budget for emergencies such as serious crime incidents. ‘And Solvason noted that overtime hours drain of- ficers’ energy. ' “People get burnt out,’ he said, ‘‘We have to use our resources carefully,”’ Across the province vacancies continue to mount Lawyer shifts gears TERRACE criminal lawyer Grant Lindsey has accepted a four-month auxiliary con- tract as Crown council be- ginning June 1, Lindsey wili work here in an auxiliary capacity while the regional Crown Council looks for permanent replacements for Rita Scott and Brad Tomiin. Scatt lefl Terrace — this _ month for Vancouver to be- come the prosecutor for the _ provincial prostitution unit, - Tomlin is scheduled to leave July 1 for a prosecutor position in Duncan. Lindsey and his partner Holly Gmeger, who ac- cepted a three-month auxil- jary administrative Crown ‘ contract in Smithers, will close their downtown law offices June 30. That allows firn lawyer Marshall Mateus a-month in June to wrap up loose ends al the practice. Lindsey said he’s inter- ested in a permanent Crown position here but regional Crowi Council Leslie Strike said the positions need to be posted according to govern- ‘ment regulations. She said she docsn’t ex- pect to see them filled for at least two months and the Terrace office would run with ad-hoc prosecutors this summer if needed. . “One way or. the other we'll there,” she said. - have four Crown — As many as 200 of 400 B.C. vacancies are due to medical and short-term leave positions, said provin- cial attorney-general minis- try spokesman Chris Beres- ford, Those people, he said aren’t working but are still being paid. He added that the RCMP in B.C. employs as many as 5,000 officers. If the force > maintains the standard turn- over fate, at least 200 of those 5,000 people will leave — bringing the num- ber of vacancies in B.C, to 600. And with only 96 cadets graduating from training camp this year, Beresford said the force’s staffing levels don’t look to be im- proving any time soon, reports’ The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 9, 1999 - All It’s Hire A Student Week During June 7 to 11, let the Human Resource Centre for Students find the right student for your job. Call 635-7134 (local 303) today. Smithers Terrace Prince Rupert This fun to drive Coupe is Bullt For Drivers. * 2.2 litre engine » 5-speed manual transmission ¢ 4wheel ABS » PASSLOCK™ Theft deterrent system * Next Generation dual air bags « Rear spoller , 188 -1.9"46,338 Leasa sata up fo 36 months Or Purchase Financing Up ta 48 months, LEASE OR PURCHASE SmaniLease for 36 months. Dawn payment $7,957 Security Deposit $300 Purchase Price Includes fraight and PDI injected with lots of good Ideas...and a healthy dose of adrenaline, your reliable driving excitement cames complete with: » 2.4 litre engine « 4-speed automatic transmission with enhanced traction control « PASSLOCK™ Theft deterrent system ¢ 4-wheel ABS © Battery run-down protection: systern « 15” wheels Veounas SuuntLinst . Of k, rrcwsna . ce 93g"4 9 ° “21, 410° | SaanrLease for 36 mantis. Down payment $3,363 Security Deposit $300 Purchase Financing Price incluctas freight Up to 48 monihs. pure maga vice inclu ia S & = Rint oe ASh931 7 only. Example $10,000 at 4 9% A Monthly payment and cost af bestowing will vary depending cn amount borrawed and dawn payment % apply (6 qualihed retail customers in B.C, only: Dealor order oF McEwan GM in Terrace 635-4941... ONLY AT YOUR BC PONTIAC BUICK GMC DEALER. We'd like you to know more; For volicle selection or the tocation of the neares| dealer call 1.00-Ghi-ONIVE of visil our evcbsite at ween meanndi.com, * Based on a 36 mouth lease for 1999 Sunfie Goupe BIZ / 1999 aa tal SE Az / 1999 Century Te ogres es described, 4 down payment or (rade of $1,@57/$3. 363 7 §3,529 ond 9 accurity deposit of $300 / $300 / 1.857, Annual kilomater limil 20,000km, SO. sell or ease Fortess, {Financing on appraved GMAC credit only. Example $10,000 al 1.95 APT, tho onthiy payment (3 $216.81 for 48 months. Cost of borrowing is $492.48. Total abligalion Is $10,392.48. Down payment, Wade and or security deposit may be tquired, Monihly payment and cost af borrowing vell vary de an, the monthly payment is $228 | Por tacess kilametes. Setting new standards for juxury and value makes this Century a mid-size sedan that’s just a little ahead - of It’s time. * 3.1 litre VG engine © 4-speed electronic automatic transmission with overdrive * enhanced traction control * 4-wheel ABS « alr conditioning * stereo cassette * TiltWheel™ steering and cruise control * Power doors, windows and mirrors @) 1999 Century by Buick PS SMARTLEASE ‘ % A $ PURCHASE PRICE : + ; WITH a Pol SuMATLEASE for IE monins, Down payment $3,429 Security Deposit $350 Purchase Finsncing Purchase Priea includes freight Up to 48 months. and Pit, $350 is required. Total obligation is $4,724 ther lease options available, *4Fraight included, License, Insurance, alr condilioning excise tax and Laces not included, Qualar may pending on amount! burrowed and down Baymont / trade. OAG, Financing on approved GMAC eredlil 4032.32, Total abligation 4s $11,032.32. le. OAC. *t AO forg apply to 1999 new er demonstrator models of vehicles aquinpad os descalbad and trade may be necessary. Lirniled time offers which may no} be combined wilh olher offers. See your dealeris? for conditions and datatta. for 48 months. Gost of borrow ngs own payment, trade and or security deposit may be required, ra ‘