A6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 13, 2002 Letters to the editor Contractors deserve much better Dear Sir: The March 6 article in The Terrace Standard, “New SCi Axes Logging Contractors,” is mislead- ing in its implications and damaging to local contrac- tors that have lived, worked, and employed people in the northwest for decades. , It implies that contrac- tors have used their repla- ceable contract status”-to exlort unreasonable log- ging rales fram SCL” The legislation does not empower them to do ‘that. The legislation was de- signed to level the playing field so contractors could engage in teasonable ne- gotiations with a ‘licensee who has the exclusive tight to harvest timber in the majority of the forest land base. : The legislation sets out methods of dispute resolu- tions by objective third partiés. There have been very few dispules that have triggered this process. Don't be Dear Sir: The precess does not guarantee annual incomes only fair rates for work done in an efficient man- ner based on provincial iorms. The Northwest Loggers Association finds it incred- ible that Mr. Dan. Veniez of NWBC is making such wild assumptions on the expectations of local forest workers before he has even talked to them. ‘Mr. Veniez is offering a vague business plan and asking the people of the northwest to have faith in ~ his company’s abilily to turn SCI into a profitable operation. He is asking us to have faith and to invest in his vision. | ask Mr. Veniez to begin by having faith in our contractors and net to prejudge them on informa- tion that may be suspect and unfounded. We find it curious that Mr. Veniez has chosen to focus on the harvest sector a loser I did a stupid thing more than two years ago and of the operation. All studies conducted to present on the viability of SCI continually’ say the logging operations of SCI are as cost efficient as other parts of the province with similar conditions. ‘Our contractors can compete ‘with other con- tractors in other areas of the province, why nol here? They can and will if given an opportunity with a management. team that knows how to manage effi- ciently. Logging contractors have suffered the losses of two insalvencies and the losses of net being able to work for long periods of - time under SCI. Is it ap- propriate they now also suffer the loss of their con- tracls? Logging contractors have a large investment in this industry (much larger than NWBC’s current in- yesiment) and deserve a process that allows for fair negotiation of a contract that is equitable. “When a contractor pur- ~chases the equipment ‘ne- -cessary to log in this area it requires long-term finan- cing of hundreds of thou- sands of dollars. That is a difficult pro- position without a long term contract. Mr. Veniez would not consider investing in SCI without the guaranteed fibre supply that is atta- ched to the mills. While Mr. Veniez views this as a critical assel, necessary for his bu- siness. success, he views those same assets as a “culture. of entitlement” when speaking about local contractars. The loggers association asks Mr. Veniez to focus on the real problems with- in SCI and do not make loggers the sacrificial sca- pegoat. ’ Bill Sauer, Manager, Northwest Loggers As- sockation, Terrace, B.C. _ Are you Métis! Are you receiving Employment Insurance or have received Employment Insurance in the last three years? If so, Norihwest Métis Education Training Institute Society has funds for Training and Education. . Call N METIS Toll Free 1-877-638-4776 In Rupert call 624-8089 Email: metisré@citytel.net wrote to The Terrace Standard about how one may enjoy their gambling. Now that I have gone to the bingo for this long, I] have had second thoughts. Yes, | admit, that I tao lose control of my habits. No one must put their own sons or daughters through such depressing methods of trying to win only to end up with very little money. It does rob us of our food, clothing and extra spending money that would have been best spent on worthwhile things. A compulsive gambler is the one who would try to - borrow or get money to go to the bingo. They may lose friends, or end up not being trusted by family who have loaned them money before. lt is like an addiction that one may not even notice. To win at all costs is like having a temporary high that enly lasts so long. They may want to try and win again, only to waste all their winnings back. To lose is like feeling like a loser, No one likes to feel like a loser. Talk about how much money has been spent on bingo, 6/49, and Keno. Why not be honest with ourselves and really add them up. Lilac Robinson, Terrace, B.C, > OSM AVARE Ul gil 635-TIPS STOPPERS HOUSE OF COMMONS Andy Burton Member of parliament for Skeena Constityency Office 46554 Lazelle Ave, Terrace, B.C. V8G 186 Phone: (250) 635-160) Fax: (250) 635-4109 Toll Free: 1-800-661-2208 E-mail; andy@andyburton.ca Website: www-.andyburton.ca MacKay’s Funeral Service Ltd. Serving Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers & Prince Rupert + Monuments Bronze Plaques Terrace Crematorium | i Concerned personal service in the Northwest since 1946 4626 Davis Street Terrace, B.C, V8G 1X7 funeral Service, = Phone 635-2444 * Fax 635-635-2160 Assocation 24 hour pager Child/Adult Size Available Retr Te Tot (21 cont fyrehesp]o | GET UP AND GO-OUR SPRING SEAT SALE IS ON NOW! _Air Canada is celebrating spring and the anticipation of summer with downright fare fever to some of your favourite destinations near and far—so jump on it pronto! Book now, ‘cause these fares are only available until March 21, 2002! 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