News Fisticuffs follow accident A report of two men fighting beside the scene of an accident July 19 led to Sidney RCMP picking up Gilles Lacroix as a Suspected impaired driver, Judge Wayne Smith heard in Sidney provincial court Dec. 12. Crown counsel Ed Ormheim said a witness advised police of the accident at about 2:20 a.m. and told police two men were fighting on the road near the car. Sidney police picked up Lacroix near the scene, after finding the man walking on East Saanich Road. Lacroix had blood on his face, Ormheim said, and admitted he was the driver of the accident vehicle. He had blood-alcohol readings of .20 and .19 per cent. In court, he pled guilty to a charge of impaired driving. Defence lawyer Alex Murray said the 28-year-old Langford man is self-employed as a caterer. Judge Smith fined Lacroix $400 and suspended his licence fora year. Beer-drinking wait cosil An Esquimalt man who eh while waiting to pick YY friend at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal was fined $400 in Sidney provincial court Dec. 12, after he plead guilty to impaired driving. Crown counsel Ed Ormheim said Anthony Campbell, 35, was stopped at 11:20 p.m. Sept. 5 after Sidney RCMP received a complaint about a possible impaired driver southbound on the Pat Bay Highway. Defence lawyer Mayland McKimm said Campbell had gone to the ferry to pick up a friend and waited, drinking beer in his car, through several ferry arrivals. When the friend did not arrive after the last ferry docked, Campbell decided to drive home to Esquimalt. Since Campbell is a pipe fitter, loss of a licence for a year will be a hardship and affect his employment, McKimm said. Judge Wayne Smith fined Campbell $400 and suspended his driver’s licence for 12 months. Licence loss costs parinership Loss of his licence will cost a Brentwood man a chance at a business partnership, defence lawyer David Ranson told Judge Wayne Smith in Sidney provincial court Dec. 12. The man, 46-year-old John Raines, pleaded guilty to driving with a blood-alcohol reading over .08 per cent. Crown counsel Edward Ormheim said police received a complaint Oct. 4 about a driver who accelerated sharply as the light turned green at the Blanshard and Finlayson intersection, narrowly missing another car. Witnesses also reported the car weaving in the lane and gave police the car’s licence, Ormheim said. Saanich police found the car westbound on Keating Crossroad and, after observing the vehicle travelling on the road shoulder, stopped the car. Driver Raines had two breathalyzer readings of .13 per cent. Ranson said Raines is active in the community and manages a cellular phone company. In addition to costing Raines a chance at a partnership, loss of his licence will make it difficult for the Brentwood man to serve his customers. Judge Smith fined Raines $300 and suspended his licence for 12 months. Granddaughier’s gift smashed Vandals apparently destroyed a Christmas present for a North Saanich grandmother recently, also smashing the spirit of a five- year-old girl. Hamar Foster said his daughter Casey saw an “‘extraordinary”’ mailbox while Christmas shopp- ing and begged to buy it for her grandmother. The black-and-white mailbox was designed to look like a killer whale, complete with patches, a wooden dorsal fin and wooden tail. A few weeks before Christmas, the granddaughter presented the gift to her 76-year-old grand- mother. It was installed on Lands End Road outside her home, although not entirely secure. Foster said a local bus driver saw the mailbox was installed temporarily and returned after work to install it permanently. “Two days later we discovered it smashed to smithereens by van- dals,”’ Foster said. “It was a Christmas gift for a widow. “We can’t repair it, they snapped the wooden fins right off,’ he said. The mailbox was valued at $85, but its sentimental value was priceless. “Tt really was a wretched thing to do,” Foster said. TheReview TODAY'S | REAL ESTATE Arlene Davidsen Tim Zahar BRIGHT IS BETTER Sometimes we walk into a basically attractive home that seems to lack something we can’t put our fingers on. Then we'll realize the drapes are all closed or the windows have a thick layer of dirt, or overgrown shrubbery blocks the sun. If your house looks dark, it will not be as appealing to most buyers as one that is flooded with sunlight. As part of your market preparation efforts, look around and see how you can maximize the light in your house. Clean windows are a must. ~ Window treatments should allow drapes to be easily opened whenever the house is shown. Sometimes a fresh coat of white paint will do a lot to brighten it up. If your house really is dark and there’s not a lot you can do about it, there are always additional lamps. Whenever we hold a property open, we turn on all of the lights in the house. Even though electric lighting is a poor substitution for natural light, it does help. Your agent may be able to provide some simple, cost-effective suggestions that will maximize the chances of your home selling for top dollar. If there’s a move in your future, talk to us at 652-5171. NRS Property Ltd. Wednesday, January 8,1992 — Ad4 Fresh Kenincet Your Septic System should be serviced every 2-3 years. (average household) A septic system is an economical, proven system that can give years of safe, efficient service if properly maintained and cared for. Remember, we can offer professional, easy-care service that will keep your septic system in super shape. Ifrecently serviced, call us with the date and we will remind you when service is next due. For over 40 years we've been the service most preferred. 656-1811 For an appointment to care for your system. SAVE 15% In fact, with 3 or more of your neighbours, we offer a 15% discount. Don’t wait for problems. Call us today for efficient ser- vice that can take place while you’re out for the day or away on vacation. 2 BROWNS € SEPTIC TANK SERVICE LTD. We make septic servicing simple. os Rate restructuring proposal intended to encourage _ electricity conservation B.C.Hydro’s current residential and general electricity rates decrease as usage increases. This is inconsistent with encouraging energy conservation. As a result of a B.C. Utilities Commission direction to file a rate design application, Hydro has proposed a rate structure for each customer category which corrects this situation over time. The restructuring proposal now before the BCUC is the first step to making the change. Subsequent steps will lead to eliminating the declining rate structure. The restructuring proposal does not provide any additional revenue to B.C.Hydro, and it is proposed that the restructured rates be effective only if and when future revenue increases are approved. The proposal involves choices as to how to amend the declining rate structure to encourage the efficient use of electricity. Hydro remains committed to consultative processes with the public so that the decisions taken are in the best interests of its customers. The rate design public hearing begins at 8:30 a.m. on January 13, 1992, in the BCUC Hearing Room, 900 Howe Street, Vancouver. BChydro & Be Energy Wise — Be Power Smart