What's next underground? Security ) increased again Annette Martin Two Douglas College employees are the latest victims of the underground parking lot thieves at the New Westminster campus. And Facilities and Security are fighting back. Several items were stolen from a car while it was parked on the ramp between level P2 and P3 on March 2. The second break-in occurred on level P3 on March 8, but nothing was taken from the empty vehicle. Both incidents have been reported to the New Westminster Police. Armando Fernandez, Security Supervisor, says, “We're taking steps to clarify the problem.” Meanwhile, College Facili- ties are working to increase safety and Pat Thomasson of college facilities says that the next level of security will be bicycle patrols for both the underground and Carnarvon parking lots in New Westminster. “We'll try them for a week or so and see how it goes,” she said. The bike patrols will be conducted by Paladin employees and are expected to act asa visible deterrent factor. But paying for additional security personnel with a zero increase in revenues means that something else will have to be dropped for lack of funding. “There's always a payoff between section and security,” . said Thomasson. However, administration is committed to campus safety and Fernandez is pleased at the response from the college. “We'd already stepped up security, now we've stepped it up again,” he said.” Pat Thomasson feels that , another way to promote safety is to have local officers from the New Westminster Crimewatch come into the college to rein- force awareness and prevention. She encourages everyone to report any unusual incidents or behaviour on campus, espe- cially in the underground parking lots. But she reminds students, staff and faculty not to approach anybody acting in a suspicious manner. “Tf you see something strange,” she said, “By all means keep watch, but don't challenge anyone. Instead, use the emer- gency phones down there [in the parking lot], and call security.” So, if you must use the underground parking at the New Westminster campus, leave nothing in parked cars. You may know that envelope or folder on the floor is empty, but thieves don’t mind breaking your door or window to find out for themselves. Premier to resign? Rumours follow raid Annette Martin Will British Columbia premier, Glen Clark, resign from office? A Vancouver newspaper quotes unnamed sources as saying that Clark wants to step aside for the good of his family and the New Democratic Party. But speculation about the premier's resignation could be nothing more than rumours fuelled by the unprecedented RCMP raid conducted on his home on the evening of Tuesday, March 2. The RCMP says Clark is not under investigation for any criminal activity. But if he’s not under suspicion, why the legal home invasion? RCMP officers obtained search warrants for at least seven locations, including the premier’s house, the govern- ment’s gaming offices and the North Burnaby Inn. But what they were looking for has not been revealed, as the search warrants are still sealed. Letter The story revolves around illegal gambling, the approval in principle of a charity casino licence and renovations to the premier’s home that may have been under billed. One of the principal players, Dimitrios Pilarinos, a neighbour of Clark's family in East Vancouver, has been charged with running an illegal gambling house from a basement club at the North Burnaby Inn. Not only is Pilarinos a neighbour, and sometime friend, of Premier Clark's, he has also done renovations on Clark's house. Pilarinos and Steve Ng, owner of the North Burnaby Inn, applied for a charity casino licence, which they have been granted in principle, despite a unanimous rejection of the proposal by the local municipal council in December 1997. “We were stunned. We wondered which part of ‘no’ they didn’t understand,” said Burnaby councillor, Derek Corrigan. And a question of percep- tion and ethics surfaces. Did Clark’s friend, Dimitrios Pilarinos, raise the topic of his casino application with the premier, and offer a renovation at a reduced cost deal? Gordon Campbell, leader of the opposition party, thinks this is beginning to smell like a cover-up. “It’s totally unaccept- able to me,” he said, “and I’m sure it won't fool anyone in British Columbia.” Mike Farnworth, Employ- ment Minister, returned from a trip to Lima, Peru to become Clark’s scapegoat, claiming that he took responsibility for granting approval in principle to the charity casino linked with the raid on the premier’s home. “The cabinet’s decision was that it would be up to my discretion,” he said. But despite Farnworth stepping in front of the bullet, the televised performance of outraged innocence by Clark's lawyer, and a very convenient memo found in a timely manner by Clark's Principal Secretary, the rumours don't go away. There are reports that some NDP members feel Glen continued on page 5 ...continued from page 2 between the college’s proposed Educational Technology Fee and our Performing Arts and Activi- ties and Intramurals fees. The Ed Tech fee would be an ancil- lary fee collected by the Stu- dents’ Union for the college. The decision making process, on how this money would be spent, would involve little to no student participation. The Performing Arts and Activities and Intramurals fees are collected to support student initiatives and activities in - which all students can partici- pate. Both of the fees will have total student participation in how the programs are run and how the money is spent and budgets for both fees will be presented at Annual General Meetings and be available to members in our offices upon request. The College President is viewed by many members of the Representative Committee as a strong ally in the fight for accessible education. For this reason, we are shocked and dismayed by her comments at the President’s Forum. Amanda Wheeler Potential theft victims lining up “EUGULE > Easier tax filing and faster refunds for students It’s free, at your fingertips, and available seven days a week. Check your personalized income tax package for a TELEFILE invitation. For more information, visit our Web site at: www.rc.gc.ca/telefile/ Revenu Canada Revenue Canada awe Canada i = Ke =p got “E U en Come to this Travel Seminar first & learn everything you need to know about planning your trip! ROPE? Wednesday March 17% SFU Harbour Centre Campus 515 Hastings Street - 7pm Show is FREE but you must call to register: 721-8634 ca FRAVEL CUTS The Student, Youth & Budget Travel Experts Owned and operated by the Canadian Federation of Students. Registered with the BC Travel Registrar. the Other Press March 10 1999 5