A2 Terrace Review — Wednesday, May 30, 1990 Public’s views sought on -Shames debt swap issue by Tod Strachan What to do with the Shames Mountain debt? It’s not an easy decision to make but from the perspective of most Kitimat-Stikine Regional District directors, given the right facts, it’s not a particularly difficult one either. Except for one complicat- ion: the regional board doesn’t know yet what options the Minis- try of Municipal Affairs will allow them to accept. And if the ministry says the share conversion deal is out, any debate on the subject is only academic. The Shames Mountain Ski Cor- poration would like to see their $313,650 debt to the regional district converted to shares in the company. This, according to the corporation, would put them in a better financial position and would still offer the regional district security on the amount owed. Both Terrace and Kitimat muni- cipal councils agree. Kitimat endorsed the idea about two months ago and in an April 23 resolution most Terrace aldermen did the same. Their resolution states that, in principle, they agree that forgiving the interest to date on the Shames debt and converting that debt into an equity share posi- tion is the right thing for the regional district to do, Opposing that motion, were aldermen Ruth Hallock and Dave Hull. - And it appears that some mem- bers of the community agree with these two aldermen. At least two residents have told the regional district that they believe the con- version would be throwing good money after bad, and they want a referendum to prove the idea of the regional district buying into Shames doesn’t have public supp- ort. ; At last Saturday’s regional dis- trict meeting, opposition came in two forms. The first was a letter from Thornhill resident Claudette ‘Sandecki, calling for a referendum in the first tine. "Lack of commun- ity reaction — pro or con — should not be interpreted as acqui- escence or indifference," writes Sandecki. "We simply feel helpless to change the mindset of directors who seem hell bent to mire us even deeper in ski hill debts." Also there was a verbal presenta- tion to the board by Roy Stephen- son. "The Ski Corporation has rattled around for three years and every time I read something it’s a losing proposition," Stephenson began. Referring to the ski hill venture aS a "pie-in-the-sky dream", Stephenson then pointed out that the corporation already owes the regional district "a great deal of money" and asked the board to take another look before accepting shares in licu of money. Stephenson said he didn't oppose the ski hill project but suggested that the regional district had better things they could do with their money. A sewage system and better roads in Thornhill were two examples. "I think you're respon- sible as board members to take care of our money a little better," he said, adding, "IE you're stilt unsure... go to a referendum." But the regional district board isn’t sure about a referendum. They believe that anyone opposing the idea has the wrong information and doesn’t understand what’s involved. To correct the situation, therefore, they have asked admin- istration to prepare a press release outlining the facts. From that point, they would like to find a way to measure public opinion... but that doesn’t necess- arily mean a referendum. A public meeting might be more expedient, according to Kitimat director John LeSage. And the sooner the better, says Dan Pakula, director for Telegraph Creek: "Public opinion may help in get- ting the ministry to make up it’s mind." But there’s probably not enough time for that. According to chairman Jack Talstra, the regional district expects their answer from the ministry before their June meeting. It was at this point that Hazelton ~ Subscription © Or re i | year — $24.00. o 1 Cheque a Money Order La ‘Please send a: subscription to: ‘Name | Address = Phone - Postal Code ‘Seniors in Terrace and District $12. 00° Seniors outside of Terrace. and ‘District | . ae 15.00 Oo. Master Card 1 ome me ‘cele - Expiry. ‘Date 7 Mail or. bring this form to: “Terrace Review 4535 Greig Avenue, “Terrace, B. Terrace and Thornhill residents only: Subscribe now. and tecelve a free copy of Close up Magazine-with your.subscription, ee, “ director Alice Maitlarid suggested a press release "to: set the record straight". She pointed out that some people seem to think that the regional district is planning to invest more money in Shames Mountain but that’s not the case. "We're trying to recover the debt," she pointed out. "We're not spend- ing any money." And Stewart director Andy Burton agreed: "If the alternatives were on the table, people would realize’ we’re trying to make a good deal out of a bad deal. It should be clear that there are no alternatives." Harry Nyce, director from the # Nass Valley, took note of Burton’s use of "bad deal", though. He explained: "It’s a judgement call ‘we made and we’re living with it." And two directors disagreed with the idea of share conversion. Gordon Robinson said that he has had several phone calls on the Subject and "everyone" is against the deal. "It’s a deal the regional district Should not have gotten involved with in the first place," Robinson said. "And now they’re asking us fo get further involved in a bad situation." This set up Les Wat- mough in explaining his position: "Supporters of this seem to be doing a fine job of burning them- Selves" 7 "Unidauinted, Pete” Weeber ‘and’ ~ Andy Burton made a motion to adopt Maitland’s press release idea and it passed the test when put to the vote. In making the motion, Weeber said that to refuse the corporation’s share conversion proposal would be the same as "pulling the rug out from under them". And if they did that, he explained, any chance the ski hill had for success would cease to exist and the regional district would never get their money back. To this, Talstra agreed: "If we call the debenture we end up with a ski hill." The debate will be continued June 23 and Pakula is hoping for a little more public input by then. City crews put stop signs up at Kalum and Greig for a few hours last Friday, but this should be the last time. The flashing amber- and-red at the intersection now runs on a $100 electronic controller, and the antique mechanical controller that has so often failed is gone. In about two weeks another electronic controller will arrive, this one worth $5,000, and it will be installed at Kalum and Lakelse, starting the ‘No Left Turn’ policy for east-bound traffic at Lakelse and Emerson. Builder rapped — continued from page At license would be suspended if this practice does not stop. Mr. Phillips has been a licensed builder in Terrace since 1979, He is well aware of what is required of him, however he has obviously chosen to disregard these requirements." _ This; .incident, yas . related, to Phillips’s neglect in calling for a plumbing inspection during the construction of a private residence at 5341 Mountain Vista Drive. According to Lafleur, bypassing the permitting and inspection pro- cess is unfair to competing con- tractors and creates an "enormous" conformance problem from the view of the city’s inspectors. "We are now being asked to approve work we cannot see or verify," he says. In his memo, Lafleur also notes problems with the installation of the bulk fuel tanks at the Copper- side site. He says they were installed without permits, plans, tests or inspection. This informa- tion was forwarded to assistant fire chief Per Halvorsen, but Halvorsen says the storage tank problem has been straightened out. He also noted that the installer of the tanks BARE, RUTH BASEBALL Junior Babe Ruth | Tournament June 2 and 3 at Rotary Park Open meeting for Terrace Minor Baseball on Thursday, May 31, at 7 p.m. For further information, contact | Tina Blake at 638-1898. was a different contractor, . V8G 1M7 ope ee yo Plastic Flowers — for Weddings or other Special A variety of colours are available. Bag of 50 Flowers - $10 each Large Hearts - $30 each PLEASE CALL DONNA OR RUTH IN | THE ACTIVITY CENTRE, _TERRACEVIEW LODGE, 638- 0223, FOR SALE Occasions.