ere maT aE ee a ear ata E aie he " “Its very inconvenient,” said Chris Armold, who's been "Stuck many a time waiting for a train to clear the intersec- tion. that the peak time for train activity seems to coincide with lo work... 7 CN. yard manager Greg Curtis said the railway isn’t . Manoeuvres to build trains and send them on their way, he _. Arnold, however, isn’t convinced CN has done every- _. thing possible to ease southsiders' pain. ; » He notes Kenney St. is often blacked by train switching, . ““That’s why it's so aggravating,” he said, ‘I’m not sure . building trains to keep that intersection clear. They’ve got “all-that space up to the old bridge.” "more convenient for the people who live here,”’ Society ready to take over airport The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 24, 1999- A3 Train traffic frustration for southside TRAINS BLOCKING the Kenney St. railway crossing are causing more traffic congestion on the southside than necessary, says one frustrated resident, He said it seems to be happening more frequently and the high-traffic times of noon hour and the moriing drive What drives motorisis batty, however, is the way the train appears to be almost clear of the intersection, but then will:then reverse direction, sometines doing that a number of times, irying to antagonize motorists. It’s simply conducting the necessary switching said. ° ~"'The last thing we want to do is del iberately torture any- body,"” he added, inanoeuvres when only a few rail cars extend across the in- tersection. why they can’t pull up two rail cars furlher when they’re CHRIS ARNOLD isn't happy with the way trains block access to and from the southside at Kenney St. during peak traffic times. “There’s got to be some answer to make it a little bit News In Brief THE GROUP which will run the airport as of . March 31 begins with $1 million in the bank and the best wishes of the federal government. A not-for-profit group, the Terrace-Kitimat Airport Society is the latest of its kind to as- sume local control of an airport following a de- cision made by the federal government in 1995 to get out of the regional airport business. The $1 million from the federal government is meant to absorb any one-time costs and to pro- vide a kitty for expenses while the society puts its business place into effect, says Terrace eco- nomic development officer Ken Veldman, a “member of the society. There are no further sub- sidies for operating costs, he added, But Veldman says the society is confident its annual budget projections calling for a break even showing on revenves of $1 million will work, Auy revenues over expenses will be used _ to build up a capital expense fund. The society is responsible for all capital-work. not-direcily connected to'aircraft-safety-or oper: ations, And it can apply toa specific federal . government program for 95 per cent of the costs of major capital projects concerning aircraft salety or aperations. “We will be required to pay five per cent of the total,’ said Veldman. Although there are no assurances the capital program will continue in the years ahead, so inany airports are now being operated locally that the federal government isn’t likely to cancel it out of hand, he added. “It is a risk we're taking,” said Veldman. “But the comfort is we wouldn't be in the boat all afonc.”” : As it is, the new operators of the airport will be applying for five per cent —- $7,500 — of the $150,000 estimated cost to pave one of the taxiways this year, said Veldman. . Future paving projects involving the main runway could cost upwards of $2-3 million. Once the final papers are sigued, the new op- eraling authority takes over the facility lock, stock and barrel. Will'receive SéVerdiice packages from-tHe, feder: ~ al government and offers of employment from the new owners. The:five current Transport Ganada employees ->- . : ‘ “+ each From Although the airport once ran a deficit up- wards of $800,000 it has cut costs over the years and now is projected to break even this year. But the new owners do have a major chal- lenge, obtaining tile to the lands surrounding the airport. Unlike other airports which are on federal crown land, this airport sits on provincial crown Jand. And while the province is willing to give up at no charge the land directly used by the air- port it won’t do the same for the larger sur- rounding area, This could become an issue for long range projections by the new owners call for develop- ing the lands to generate money. “They’re talking about a head lease or buying it a price,” said Veldman of the province’s position. ‘But they’re not talking about getting it for free,’” eu The, society. has seven board members, onc and Kitima _ appointed at-large, é-cily, regional district: and Terrace: : chambers ‘of ‘commerce? Three ‘are © Cell phones too pricey for remoter areas THE PRESIDENT of BC TEL Mobility says cel- lular telephone service in some northem com-’ munities is too expensive to set up for now. “T know our engineers have carefully looked at the cellular possibilities in the region, and the main ob- slacle is cost,’’ said Nadir Mohammed in a letter to the itimat-Stikine regional district. The cost of setting up one cell site, or location that transmits cellular signals, is estimated at $1 million and it would take a number of cell sites to provide service to cither Hazelton or the Nass. BC TEL Mobility has communications sites in Ter-. race, Kitimat, Smithers, Houston and Burns Lake. Bul because those locations are surrounded by mountains and valleys, signals from those stations do not reach the Nass Valley and Hazelton. Ambulance service maps updated for this area THE B.C. Ambulance Service has updated the maps of this area used at its Kamloops dispatch centre following two cases here last summer where ambulances were sent to the wrong loca- tious. Leah Hollins, a deputy health minister oversceing the Service, says dispatchers “‘are aware of errors that oc- curred earlier this year.” She told the Kitimat-Stikine regional district the calls Were discussed and dispatchers were asked to keep on top of the arcas they are responsible for, Hollins says the B.C. Ambulance Service’s maps of the Kitimat-Stikine area bave been updated or replaced when new maps were available, but there are still prob- lems getting accurale maps of some areas, But, says Hollins, the service expects a computerized mapping system of the area to be in use later this year, Environmental award nominations sought DO YOU KNOW someone who should be recog- nized for their contribution to B.C.'s environ- ment? Then nominate them for the 1999 Minister’s Environ- ment Awards, The winning person or group should have made an important and positive contribution the environment. That could be anything from identifying a problem to figuring out ways to minimize of avoid an environmen- tal problem altogether. Entry forms are available by calling the ministry’s regional office in Smithers at 847-7260 or through the internet at www.elp.gov.be.ca/pacfawards. The dead- line for submissions is April 7, 1999, The Ministry of the Environment Lands and Parks will be honouring award winners during environment week, May 30 to June 55,1999, Homeowners, Condos, Logging Trucks & Equipment, Boat, Aircraft, Travel Medical, Bonding, Tenant, Commercial and Mobile Homes Monthly Payments Plans Available Quiepian Als A sedan this welt equipped, this roomy, this comfortable should cost a lot more. 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Zero dawn payment plans also available. 96,000 km allowance 604) applies, Taxes, licance and insurance are additional, Option to purchase al lease end for $10,149 ptus taxes, \ of less. Sea dealar for.complete details, This is a limited tima offar. “ ae MONTH § OAC. Tees ONCE. | NAME: | ADDRESS: PHONE NUMBER:___ _ Drop off your entry at: The Terrace Standard, 3210 Clinton St., Terrace, B.C. errace Little | heatre Prasenis 7 Country Recording Artist Featuring Local Entertainer Susan Bishop Sunday, March 14 8:00 pm ~. sRLE.M. Lee Theatre OS Tickets: $24.50 each at Uniglobe Courtesy Travel Reserve seating only oot IN] YOUR DECOR ee ee _ _ Lontest clases 5:00 pm March 11, 1999, Winners will be notified.