ee a a beastlachlden eal Nalin Milla laine saliee A Ry ear A14 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 14, 1997 - Big fish fee hikes delayed THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT will delay increases on fees charged out-of-province anglers for one year. But environment minister Cathy McGregor said Friday the increased fees of $40-a-day that spawned protest rallies here last month will go ahead next April. She admitted the tourism and sportfishing industry didn’t have time to adjust to the changes imposed April 1st But McGregor maintained it was a matter of timing, not price, that was the issuc. ‘There was never any expression of concern from people I talked to that the price increase was. too high,” McGregor said, adding the resource is under-valued. She promised better communication with the sportfishing industry in preparation for next year’s changes. Those groups, however, were surprised to learn that MeGregor considers the increase to $40-a-day next year a done deal and not subject to the consultation she’s promised. “Thats not how we understood it,” said Steelhead Society vice-president Bruce Hill. But he said there’s clearly more time to work with the government and try to ensure the changes for 1998 will work. “We've got a short window of opportunity,’’ Hill said. “It’s encumbent upon the recreational fishing sector to roll up their sleeves and get to wor People here demonstrated against the higher fees, which greatly inflated the price of a northwest fishing vacation and were expected to drive tourists out of the region, to cheaper fishing in Alaska. The $40-a-day fees for non-residents to fish classified waters reverts back to last year’s prices of $10 a day to fish class 1 rivers and $20 a day to fish class 2 rivers. Also changed is the requirement for steelhead tags at all times. Now they'll only be required on classified waters and only at certain times — when there are actually steel- head around to catch. And some places, including the mainstem Skeena, will be exempt from the requirement altogether, ““We won — big time,”’ Hill said. ‘“We didn’t get every- thing we wanted. But we got the substantial part of what we asked for.’” McGregor said she asked her staff to revisit the issue fol- lowing the outcry from the angling community. "Tt became clear to me we badn’t done as much wark as we needed to do,”’ she said, Charity casino operation eyed by hotel here THE MAN who wants to open a charity gambling casino here says itil be a great way to boost tourist traffic. Terrace Inn owner Jobn Georgilas, has plans to in- stall the casino in his hotel. But-first be’ll have to get the blessing of city council and follaw a series of regulations. yet io be set out least 19. Georgilas acknowledged worries about gambling ad- diction should a casino open here, but said the problem can happen anywhere and that most people play for the fun of it *Tt’s not just my hotel that will benefit, but every other business in Terrace,’ he said. by the provincial govern- ment. Georgilas was one of 24 applicants to receive word last week from the province that they are eligible to open charity casinos, provided they meet licensing and other considerations. They applied after the provincial government said it would consider applica- tions to expand the number of charity casinos in B.C “This is big news for Ter- race, This will increase tourism up to 50 per cent,’’ "7 re this said Georgilas, adding he “i” es was surprised to be included on the list because he had been pursuing the idea of a “We will work with angling guides, the sport fishing in- dustry and others to develop a better process so we don’t have these kinds of concerns arise in the future,”’ McGregor also said the province, primarily through Tourism B.C., will try to get the message out to anglers worldwide that the fees have changed. Much of that work will be done by the guides and lodges themselves, calling back their clients to tell them the fee increases are off. The tourism agency will also be at a number of tourism conferences in the coming weeks, McGregor added, “‘We will be able to promote the changes there as well.”’ Hill said he hopes the government simply indicates what it wants in the coming round of consultation. “'T suggested why don’t you tell us what your revenue targets are and thea let the people who are going to pay those moneys figure ou the best way to deliver them.”’ Liberal environment critic Christy Clark said the fee hike would have generated about $1.2 million. ‘They were proposing to kill a whole industry in northem B.C. for peanuts,’’ Clark said. Clark called it a triumph of public pressure. ‘This is the first issue Glen Clark has been forced to put his tail be- tween his legs and go running,’” she said. “Over the next year we are going to keep the heat up and make sure that they do listen.”” ICON for Men introducing Le ae TEP SARE PERE MEO OTEE * Body Building Shampoo * Conditioning Shampoo ® Lite Cunditianer « Grooming Cream * Controlling Gel ® Natural Holding Spray What A Man Stands For HAIR GALLERY 4711D KEITH AVE. -3/29 charity casino for years. Charity casino operators f ' = do make a profit but the ma- rd I Terrace Crime Stoppers are asking for your assistance in salving the break, enter and theft . from a residence at 3740 Muller St., Terrace B.C. Sometime overnight between Monday, April 28th and Tuesday, May 29th, 1997, unknown cul- prits(s) broke inte the residence and proceeded to randomly vandalize, destroying a number of furni- ture items, table coverings, etc. The culprit(s} then proceeded to remove a number of electronics items from the residence including: a VHS VCR, value $400 . a General Electric answering machine, value jority. of the revenue must go toward registered charitable organizations. The application process is expected to be rigorous and those who want casino licences must meet three critical criteria. They have to have the support from local govern- ment before any decisions are finalized and support of people who may be affected by them. Prospective casing. opera- tors must also submit a busi- ness plan that involves items such as parking and hiring more police officers to deal with activities casinos might generate. Although regulations for the new casinos have yet to be established, current rules place a limit of 30 gambling tables at existing casinos. Those who enter must be al $100 atc...), value $2500 ' Heart poe you. a Kenmore microwave, value $200 AJVG portable CD player, value $600 A number of jewellry items (necklaces, rings, the total value being in excess of $3800 in sto- len items, plus repairs to the damage done. If you have any information about this or any similar incidents, or if you know the identity of the person or persons responsible for this break, enter and theft, ‘Crime Stoppers’ would like to hear from : and stroke > are the aT Ril r ; you have any HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $1.000.00 for information leading to an arrest and charges being laid against an individual in this or other unsolved crime. If information call Stoppers at 695-Tips that's 635-8477. Callers will not be required to reveal their identity nor testify In court. Crime -AOIBSFINFO: Call 635-TIPS ee — M EDITERANE DANTE’S RESTAURANTE Come into Dantes and check out our nightly specials, For the best food and atmosphere. Where else would you go. eooaee7e0e408080800888 968 Entertainment Featuring: The Russell Jackson Blues Band Formerly with B.B. King, a May 26 & 27, 1997 Tickets on sale for $7.50 Music Every Second Monday Of The Month 4606 Lazelle Ave. 635- 7229 Bruce Hill for sharing / your vision Forest Renewal BC ? congratulates all the sponsors, organizers and participants who made the 1997 Northern Wood Forum a SUCCESS, especially the winners and entrants who brought their innovative ideas and skills to the Student FOREST y Competition and the ————— RENEWAL BC Woodcrafters Competition. Forest Renewal BC Thank you all for sharing your eo yy . is.a partnership of © - vision of a vibrant, value- P pa added forest industry that creates sustainable employ- ment and supports thriving BC forest communities. ; For more information in your area please call 2 Prince George (250) 565-4400, Williants Lake (250) 398-4900 or Smithers (250) 847-7838. forest companies, workers, environnicnial groups, . First Nations, : commutzities and * governinent.