News SCHOOL TAX Continued from Page A1 per cent, however the average sal- ary increase for teachers province- wide was 12 per cent. The difference between provin- cial funding and increased costs was covered by local taxpayers. Locally, the Feb. 26 collective agreement gave District 63 teach- ers a 14 per cent wage increase plus benefits which cost the dis- trict an additional $1.875 million. Salaries and benefits make up 86 per cent of the district’s budget, administration told The Review. Couvelier said wage settlements for teachers during most of the decade have exceeded inflation by a good percentage. “Teachers as a job category have fared better then most job categor- ies over the last eight to 10 years.” Couvelier said two options open to the government include chang- ing the tax structure, so residential homeowners carry less of the increasing education costs, or increasing provincial funding to education. Increased funding to education would have to be covered by money from other taxes, such as sales tax or income tax. “Tt isn’t as if the province has found money. It’s your money,” Couvelier said. Changes may not be announced until the 1990 provincial budget is presented to the legislature, which will probably happen in late March, Couvelier said. He promised any changes would be made in time to affect 1990 property taxes. “We wouldn’t have gone on a tour if we didn’t think there was a problem.” CHOPPER CRASH Continued from Page Al “Tt’s a delicate manoeuvre,” Hewko said. ““When winds are low, as it was that day, it can be pretty touch and go. When you have wind it’s easier to do an auto-rotation.” An auto-rotation exercise simulates an engine failure and forces the pilot to bring the aircraft toward the ground in a controlled fall, using the rear rotor as a stabilizer. The 300-horsepower Robertson HR-22, valued at $300,000, was a total loss. The dual-control chopper crashed on it side in a grassy area on airport property, several hundred feet east of the main terminal building. Hewko said the manoeuvre is required for students to practise before they can pilot a helicopter solo alone. In the last 12 years no actual engine failures have happened to VIH choppers. Airport manager Laurie Brown said the instructor/pilot received the most severe injuries from the mishap and both were in some state of shock. The airport’s big yellow Crash Fire Rescue Service fire trucks STRUCK BY A CAR Wea- nesday, Sidney resident John Comer is placed on a stretcher by attendants. TheReview Wednesday, January 17,1990 — Pedesirian dies A2 LEGENDARY. | in hospital COUNTRY affer accident DINING A 72-year-old Sidney man died in Saanich Peninsula Hospital early Thursday morning after he was hit by a car at the comer of Ocean Avenue and Fifth Street Wednesday. John Comer of Trailcreek Drive, Sidney, was hit by a car at 1:40 p.m. while crossing the street. He was taken to Saanich Peninsula hospital for treatment of a frac- tured hip and knee and died early the following morning. The driver of the car, a 65-year- old Victoria woman, was treated for shock at Saanich Peninsula Hospital. No charges have been laid. Police continue to investigate. _ The Latch NIGHT CLASSES INTRODUCTION TO: Macintosh or IBM and compatibles. JAN. 29 IBM & compatibles JAN. 30 COMPUTER at Stellys Secondary | School Ceniral Saanich Topics will include word processing, spread- sheets, data bases with Microsoft Works for both classes classes. Communications and graphics will also be Restaurant’s SUNDOWN | MENU with choice of ; 6 entrees’ available 4:30 - 6:30 daily except Saturdays $12.95 Set RESTAURANT 2328 HARBOUR ROAD SIDNEY, B.C. 650-6622 4 COURSE MEAL responded in case fire broke out. Brown said there are no plans for changes to regulations regarding helicopter training as a result of the crash. : “The Canadian Air Safety Board was on site Friday afternoon and had a look at the scene,”” Brown said. A larger helicopter from Vancouver Island Helicopters used a sling to remove the wreckage. The official cause of the crash is still being investigated. There has never been a fatal air disaster at the Victoria International Airport and in 1989 Vancouver Island Helicopters was accident-free, Hewko said. “We didn’t make it far into 1990 but considering the amount of hours we do in a year something like this was bound to happen,” Hewko said. VIH operates three training helicopters and prefers the smaller ones because less noise is produced, Hewko said. VIH is the oldest airport tenant after opening 35 years ago. explored. To register call Stellys School ADVANCED CLASSES will be offered if sufficient interest. Please call. 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