Al 4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 21, 2001 School gets budget approval A NEW junior high school construction project in Terrace is going ahead. The finance ministry has given the Coast Moun- tains School District ap- proval to award the $i1 nullion building contract to Swagper Construction Ltd., a southern firm. A Nov. 8 ietter from_fi- nance ministry . official James Gorman says the - ministry reviewed the ten- der prices for the new sehool, “Approval is hereby given for the school dis- trict to award the-contract” to its recommended low bidder,” it states. The district learned Skeena made the grade one week before education minister Christy Clark confirmed 20 ather capital school projects in B.C. are being reviewed, but she declined to say which ones. ‘The Skeena_ replace- ment school was one of the last capital projects approved by the departing ‘NDP following the provin- cial election. A number of other con- struction projects, includ- ing a- Northwest Commun- ity College Campus ex- pansion in Prince Rupert, have been frozen as part of the government’s core re- view. “We are very fortunate there,” schools superinten- Marcel Georges dent Randy Smalibrugge said, “There were times when we were holding our breath with the changeover in government.” It’s now the biggest ca- pital school project slated New city by-law officer THE CITY has hired a new bylaw enforcement officer, Dave McMurdo re- places Frank Bowsher who quit in September. Bowsher cited differ- ences with city manage- ment for his decision to leave. His departure comes as a result of changes in the city management slructure. Former senior building inspector Paul Gipps has been promoted out of the union to director of regula- tory services, a position that will oversee bylaw enforcement and animal control. Bowsher in August was removed from a manage- ment role and required to become part of the union, said city chief administra- tive officer Ron Poole, Gipps in turn reports to David Trawin, the directar of development services. Poole said the changes are to ensure a manage- ment employee, namely Gipps, can handle Tra- win’s duties when he’s away. “To us that was the Tight decision to manage that department,” Poole said. , Over the past two years Bowsher has gone from being a contractor to the city to becoming a city employee and now to a * unionized pasition. He said he tried the new role for a few weeks but could not work under Gipps. “T couldn't do it,” Bow- sher said. “I didn’t like his approach.” Bowsher claims the city has increased the number of management and super- visory staff on the payroll beyond what's needed. “The City of Terrace , taxes are paying for too many benefits and too high a wage for a city of our size and with our tax base,” he said. Poole disputes that and says the elevation of Gipps to management is offset because the city never re- placed Stew Christensen, the former special projects director, when he resigned last year. Bowsher said he’ll like- to go ahead in northern B.C. A tatal of $13.3 million, including preconstruction costs and other expenses, has been approved for the project, making il the 10th largest school capital pro- ject in B.C. “It’s all systems go,” Coast Mountains Secretar- y-treasurer Marcel Georges said. He added close to $20 million-worth of construc- tion projects in the district have been approved and are going ahead. “We are grateful for thal,” Georges said. “It may be the last time we gel money. We are not a prowing district.” hired ly leave town and head south, “1 think I’ll be a thom in their side if I stay here,” he said. Hotel Merry Christmas from The Coast Prince Rupert | OC imeN person ; Based on debe eeu , TOYOTAEXPERIENCE The part you can’l replace. ne seen sire bbaket ees at ; weed soe ft JENICO Bell ExpressVu offers more » channels, more , choice ond better value than cable! NEW Model 31001 AO | FREE oe new digital | PREVIEW Basic Install channels ON NOW! only §99! $199° Dish, remote, receiver (New Model 3100 System} -$100 Programming credit to “Ultimate Pack" or “The Works"? S99 Net Price * Access to the largest digital video channel line-up in Canada - over 275 digital video channels! * Programming starts for as little as $10.95 per month! ¢6 new packages and “Pick & Pay” channel options now available! * Interactive applications including Instant Weather! + New Picture-in-Guide Display! meme eee, Purchase a : t : Bell ExpressVu t Dish/Remote/ Receiver t and receive t 5 PAY PER VIEW ! MOVIES FREE Offer expires Nov, 30/01 Sem mR Ree Re “sree eee eee ee Nothing keeps your Toyota performing at its best like the expertise of a trained Toyota technician, So visit your local Toyota BC Dealer for regular - maintenance. It's always a great time to take advantage of Toyota everyday value pricing.