| Video system newest way to help out justice system. By CHRISTIANA WIENS IMAGINE yourself seated in a courtroom about to watch an accused appear be- fore a judge. His lawyer is present, the prosecutor walks in and there’s a lot of expensive- looking video equipment silting in the comer. Where’s the accused? Al the nod from the judge, the court clerk picks up a remote contral and he ap- pears on a large screen, live from the Prince George Cor- rectional Centre. The judge speaks and the accused responds, No, you aren’t watching a surreal version’ of the Jet- sons, You've just witnessed video conferencing and it’s the justice system’s latest at- tempt at saving court costs in remote communities, Court officials, lawyers and police officers were treated to a preview at the courthouse here Feb, 19, Instead of transporting defendants back and forth from the correctional centre ‘at cost, lawyers can request a high-tech appearance for the cost of a $1-a-minute long distance charge, ; They can also use the sys- tem for dail applications, to have expert witnesses testify without having to bring them here and for law- yerfjudge conferences on a wide Variety of issues. The system in Terrace is worth more than $20,000. Like a high-speed sptit- screen visual modem, it op- erales on six dial-up data lines that. can. connect to’ compatible locations across Canada. , ‘We haven't fathomed how far the system can take us,” said B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Bryan Williams from a Vancouver courtroom during the demonstration. He extolled the vires of video conferencing and said ih the province — after Vancouver, Prince George and Penticion to receive the equipment. ee LOCAL COURT services manager Irene Blackstone and Terrace RCMP in- Tea spector Doug Wheler were among those present at a video conferencing demonstration here Feb. 19. Using modern technology is one way to boost ef- ficiency and reduce costs within the justice system. More equipment will be installed in Fort St. Jobkn later this year. And though the equipment Williams said the judicia- ry have uo intention of sub- stiluting video conferencing. for regular courtreom ses- Douglas said he’s concerned aboul the need for lawyer- client privacy in using the system. isn’t fool proof — there sions in remoter com- — Lawyers also asked about were a few glitches in the munities. how to book the equipment unveiling — it will alloy The system won't be and who pays the eventual cases to be held less: ex- pensively and more quickly, Williams said. | But will the system mean fewer judges visiting B.C.’s smaller communities? proven Local available for long trials and lawyers will be limited to one case at a time — until a demand for equipment is needed. lawyer phone bill. The ultra-modem televi- sion looks. as though it’s more here to slay ~~ as long a no- body leses thal remote con- Karl trol. Senior grade plan nixed CENTENNIAL Christian School will not add Grades 11 and 12 next year. Members of thé Terrace Calvin Christian School Society, which governs the school, voted 72 per cent in favour of the move at a Feb, 15-meeting. But a 75 per cent ‘yes’ vote was needed, . “It was pretty close,’’ said school princi- pal Frank Voogd who is in favour of adding the two new grades. ’ “Tt’s always been a goal of mine to offer education from a Christian perspective right lbrough from kindergarten to grade 12,’’ he said. Voogd said the city’s current poor eco- nomic climate held back more society menibers from voting in favour. Voogd said. He explained tuition fees and other costs would go up because of the variety courses and needs of older students. , The Terrace Little Theatre Presents... IN ASSOCIATION WITH THEATRE BC Batterflies are Free ‘By Leonard Gershe Directed by Geri Rasmussen i 7 March 11, 12,13,18,19,20,25,26,27 8:00 p.m., McColl Playhouse, 3625 Kalum Street Tickets $14, available at Uniglobe Courtesy Travel Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. The Choices Program Special Events Committee wauld like to extand a big thank you to all the businesses and vol- unteers who helped make our second annual Carnival Night a huge success. Thank you for supporting the Cheices Pregram. Sponsors for The Back Eddy Carnival Night A&W Festaurants The Back Eddy Pub Canadian Regional Aldlines Electronic Fulures Erwin's Jewaller's Happy Hooker Charters (Murray Bromley) HyPower Systems Inc. Jeans Noth Kondolas McBike Shop MeDonald's Restaurant Marvels & Mysteries Misty Aiver Tackle & Hunting © Northcoast Anglers Ltd. Northem Healthcare Northam Savings Credit Union Pendragon Computers Pal Land Ruby Red Salvation Army Shadez of Halr Sight & Sound Terrace Speedway Tiliicum Twin Theaters... . Tim Hortons Totem Beverages & Distributors Lid, Sonny's Collectables Snow Country Cralts (Stewart B.C.) Subway Van's News White Spol Restaurant Zydeco Jo's Volunteers for Carnival Night Shelly Anderson Cecile Boehm Tammy Braid Trigh Braun Tracy Brown Charyl Compton Jodie Dixon Kim Fortean Nora Gwilt Alax Hassel Susan Jepson Les Kutenica Inge La France Karla Lindstrom Randy Murray . Amanda Owens Kirsty Palmer Colleen Patrick Sylvia Prochot Filomena Swanson Palwinder Thandi Paul Welker ’ Robin Watts Ralph & Nicola Weick ~y Hf there is anyone we missed please accept our thanks. For now, the society will likely look at adding one grade at a time. There are enough rooms and facilities for Grade 11 students but renovations would be needed to add Grade 12. Voogd said the issue of adding the two extra grades has been around since 1994. The mation was turned down five years ago because the school had just built a cost- ly addition and society members didn’t want the school to incur more debt. The school stili owns a piece of land on Eby St. near Parkside Elementary Schoo] and plans to build-a high schoo! there in the future. “It’s our long range goal,”’ said socicty chair John Bandstra. - , crease before building-a-high school.- Centennial Christian has 220 students en- rolled from kindergarten to Grade 10. It’s been growing steadily for the past decade. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 24, 1999 - Al] give information-and answer questions fiom... » prospective students and their: parents. | Tuesday, March 2nd from 7-9pm The University has a range of progranis “ ~ available in the. tegion ‘and at the core: campus. “available about degree programs, services; Www.unbc.ca UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA UNBC is hasting local information sessions to. Terrace NWCC campus in Prince George. Information will be housing, and financial aid. For more information, contact the Northwest Regional Office at 624-2862 a n, enn, 8 . “ = sae » i z * on ‘ _ “ tage Tertace is oné-oi dour Bites Ro Adding the two etades.is expensive,”’ "He said enrollment would” have" to’ in: Everyth (Excluding collectables & selected furniture) Sale On From February 22 to February 27 February 28 Inventory We Will Be Closed Sale includes all Gemma’s locations. Whe Quatiy Makes & Difference aes For : AY & rel . | |e ; il loads, and invest only in No load, RRSP eligible.* simply call 1.877. ethl Take control of your future, with an non weapons non nuclear ical Funds RRSP. Ethical Funds have na Ethical Funds R non tobacco respect human rights and the environment. 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