AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 1, 1997 ny CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Study deceives voters Dear Sir: Thave been a resident of this area for the last 10 years and have seen a lot of changes and growth in both com- munities, as well as seeing the need for Thornhill to be taken out of the hands of the Regional District, which is inadequately set up to provide the necessary services fora dense community base. T agree that a review of the restructuring of Thornhill was definitely required, mostly to let Regional District get back to what it should be doing, looking after the regional issues. 1 guess that is where my agreement with ali this stops. I am not convinced that the study provided by Eugene Lalonde actually shows both sides of the issue, and what it does show is particularly one-sided. I have gone to and listened to the first public meeting held at the Thornhill Community Centre, tistened to the politicians, read the report (the big book, not just the two-page flyer in the mail last week) and attended the public meeting at the R.E.M. Theatre last week. All this and it makes me wonder how any of the political figures involved ia the restructuring com- mittee can even try to pass this off to the voters. The top concern for most people is the tax hike, and unfortunately, no matter which option is presented (ex- cept status quo), the taxes would have to go up. I wonder how much number crunching it takes to have an incorporated Thornhill have higher taxes than one of the highest taxed communities in B.C. Sure property taxes seem reasonable in Terrace, part- ly because ihe city taxes the business exorbitantly, as it was only in the paper a couple of weeks ago saying how Terrace has the third highest property taxes in the province for businesses. | don’t blame the current cily council or mayor for this, some things are inherited, Listening to the panel af the latcst public meeting held Sept. 18th, and one question in my mind was definitely answered. The current politicians involved want Thornhill and the airport lands. They not only want il, but need it badly for their economic develop- ment. The risk of showing a serious study of an in- corporated Thornhill would mean they would have to have real justification on why the amalgamation ques- tion is asked over the incorporated one. If the figures shown for an incorporated Thornhill are based on assumptions, whose assumption? In the study it assumes that Thornhill would require about 27 municipal workers (approximately $1.2 mil- lion in wages alone). [ would like to know what all these employees would do? We have a road maintenance contract which must be maintained in place for the next five years regardless of the referendum, so does our water system all of a sud- den need 15 guys to pay attention to it because we are a municipality. You could assume all this but assump- tions are just that. Comparable municipalities do not have 27 municipal workers. Why does the proposed boundary of the newly amal- gamated Terrace/Thomhill. stop at the Copper. River whey orily a few yards on the other side of the river is a large sub-division with its own water system, (Copper River Estates)? Too expensive to maintain the extra few feet of road? Funny then they would bother going as far as the Copper River when there is really nothing between the Welcome to Terrace sign and there, except some com- mercial land (Wade Contracting and Terrace Paving). Answers that question, but you won’t hear one of the restructuring committee members say it. My biggest point to all this is, the assumptions based on ail incorporated Thomhill were done to make it look unfeasible, plain and simple. Mr. Lalonde based his as- sumptions on that the real need for this area was what the majority of the restructuring committee wanted, partly because they were the steering committee he received his directions from. The provincial government won't force an amal- pamation. They tried to do so in the past in other areas and are still regretting it. I’m making my vote a voice saying that if they want to provide a sludy, make the study as factual as pos- sible, as realistic as possible because the voters don’t respect politicians or bureaucrats who deceive them. Mike Moore Terrace B.C, sy Reform MP to target treaties Skeena’s rep back in Ottawa NATIVE land ciaims nego- tialions, fisheries manage- ment and gun control are some of the issues Skeena MP Mike Scott will be pushing to change in the new parliamentary session. Returning to Ottawa as the incumbent with 42 per cent of the riding’s vote in June’s election, Scott says now that Reform is the official oppo- sition, the party’s views will be taken more seriously, The 36th ~ Parliament opened with the throne speech Sept. 22. Scoll assumes a new role as Indian Affairs and North- ern Development critic, and be says he'll raise the issue of treaty negotiations. He mainiains the process, as illustrated by the Nisga’a agreement in principle, needs a major overhaul. He forecasts a gloomy fu- ture for the agreement, which he says is likely to be completed sometime this fall or at the latest next spring. *T don’t think itll work, because it doesn’t enjoy broad public support,'” Scott says. “The government madc the first mistake by not hav- ing wide-ranging public consultation before begin- ning negotiations with the Nisga’a leadership, because whatever is agrecd upon should be acceptable to the vast majority of people in the province.”’ Scott says he has met with forestry industry represcnta- tives and private land owners who are seeking as- surances that — they’Il maintain access to their land after the setilement with the Nisga’a has been reached. Mike Scott *‘And that really is impor- tant for all of us because the resource economy is the pri- mary economy in Northwest B.C. and we have to make sure thal fibre supply for the mills is going to reman safe and secure,” Scott says. Gun control continues to draw much attention for his constituents, Scott says. He says he’s received more mail on that issue than any other. Guns and bunting are a part of the culture of northwestern B.C., he says, “It’s a tool like any other and has to be used responsibly and properly,” he says. But forcing people to reg- ister azms won't increase safety, instead it will create administration and enforce- ment expenses unnecessari- ly, Scott says. Fisheries management reform and criminal justice reform are also priorities for Scott in this session. Lost picker found THE SECOND of two lost mushroom... pickers . was found alive on Sept. 23 after- spending: five days in the woods north of Kitwanga. Billy Wong, 31, was finai- ly located at 12:50 p.m, by a group of five searchers. He was found near Kitwancool Creek not far from the nine kilometre mark on the Kitwancool Forest Service Road. He was Slightly dehydraled and disoriented, but in good medical condition. Wong and Jamie Schiller, 32, got lost while picking mushrooms on Sept. 18, Po- lice -were told about the missing men the next day. Officers discovered the men had outstanding war- rants for their arrest from Terrace RCMP, Wong for a breach of probation charge and Schiller for assault charges. At the time, police were not sure if the men were lost or fleeing from capture. © ais After an extensive air-and ground search, officials with the Provincial Emergency Program, together with search and rescue volunteers located Schiller the afternoon of Sept. 21, ap- proximately 11 kilometres from where he entered the bush to pick mushrooms three days earlier. He sustained no injtries, and returned to the site the next day to assist in the con- tinuing search for Wong. The search efforts were slightly bindered by a forest fire in the immediate area. It apparently started as a sig- nal fire, set by unknown persons. The fire is current- ly about 30 hectares in size, and efforts are being made to keep if under control by fire crews from the Kispiox forest district and air bomb- ers from Kamloops. Play at a bingo hall near you. ; EPILEPSY « EPILEPSY * EPILEPSY A library of booRs, videos and pamphlets. > The Bear Country Inn ~ Restaurant is now open at \\\ 6:30 a.m. for your convenience BRITISH COLUMBIA 1-889-223-3366 EPILEPSY SOCIETY = For More Information 4702 Lakelse Ave., Terrace Ph: 635-6302 ¢ Fax: 635-6381 Formerly Torrace Slumber Lodge YOu BET The cop car zoomed to the scene of the accident and came to a sudden stap, The cops put on their hats and rushed to the car which was wrapped around a pole. “Okay, everyone, move away, give Us had assembled around the car separated to allow the cops to reach the driver. Marlan, her head slumped against the wheel, was moaning. “Plaase help me, !'’m six months pregnant. | think something is wrong with my baby inside. Quick, take me to the hospital.” The cops radioed for help. in two minutes, the ambulance sirens were heard. The next day, Marians baby was delivered by Caesarian section. “Marian, | have’sad news for you. As your doctor | must tell you the truth. Your baby is alive, But he will be permanently damaged all his life, both emotionally and physically.” Marian collapsed into her. boy- friend's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “What are we going to do. We will need hundreds of thousands of dollars to pro- vide our son with all the help he will need all through his life. No matter how hard we work, we will never be able to earn that money.” Marian's boyfriend consoled her. "Don't worry, your car insurance company will pay.” But the car insurance company did not pay. “Sorry, Marian, your negligent Baby's in the Driver's Seat a chance to move In.” The crowd which - HE JUDGE BY CLAIRE BERNSTEIN BASED ON ACTUAL COURT CASES driving caused your accident. Under those circumstances we don't have to pay your damages.” Marian’s boyfriend was furious with her, "If it wasn't for your negligence, our baby would be a healthy human being. “1 wil have a-guardian appointed to our child, and then our baby will sue you for the damage you caused him with your negligence. _- Marian was visibly upset. “Your Honour, a baby shouldn't be allowed to sue -its mother. Besides, when the ‘accident happened, Ryan was a fetus. How can | be sued by it? It has no legal right. A fetus is a part of its mother until its born. Not a person. It this action Is allowed, | will be suing myself, The baby’s guardian argued. “Your Honour, in the past, babies have sued people who have injured them, A mother shouid not be excused from doing stu- pid things just because it is the mother. This. baby’s life. has permanently changed because of his mother’s care- lessness, The baby should be allowed to-sue," Should the baby be allowed t to gue? You! Be the judge, then look below for the decision. S SPONSORED BY oS stv & GRuUg, LAWYERS “Helping Poople Cope with the Legal System” Sp #2 4623 Lakelse Ave., Terrace, B.C. Criminal Law Divorce & Family Law Child Custody Personal Injury Adoptions Impaired Driving Immigration Wrongful Dismissal Wills Small Claims 638-1764 Fax 638-7249 YOU BE THE JUDGE - DECISION “The baby can sue,” ruled the judge. “Even though it was not a person at the time of the accident, a fetus has cartain rights. When the baby is Dorn, it can act on (hese rights."* YOUI BE THE JUDGE is based an actual court cases. Today's decision is based on the facts of the case and the law of (he province of Ontario. If you hava a similar problem, please consult LINDSEY & GRUEGER. Claire Bernstein is a Montrea! lawyer and syndicated columnist. Copyright 1997 Halka Enterprises. B11-1SV Lucky Dollar Bingo Palace, Terrace