A? - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 30, 2002 From front Tough issues face council have been most vocal so far in questioning whether the Olympics will amount to a costly two-week party in Whistler that will generate little benefit in the north. Councilors Val George, Lynne Christiansen and mayor Jack Talstra are more inclined to either back the bid or trade city support for it in-exchange for cash from Vic- toria. Other spankables involve provincial job cuts, two- thirds of which are still coming as the province struggles to balance the budget. Electricity regulation und-the future of B.C. Hydro is another hot button issue. The Liberals have talked about allowing electricity prices to rise 30 to 60 per cent to le- vels charged in other. provinces. Market pricing is considered a key to fostering inde- pendent power production. But the idea is highly unpop- ular — B.C. homeowners, businesses and industries see our flooded reservoirs and the cheap power they produce as a birthright not to be meddled with. Forest policy reforms are still in the works and could have huge impacts in forestry dependent areas. Government downloading. Dumping of provincial government costs upon local taxpayers has yet to hit home in Terrace, But for an example, look just down the road to Kilimat, where council entered into talks with the province to try to keep the Kitimat courthouse from being closed. Or New Hazelton, where council agreed to put up maintenance money for a local provincial park that had been slated for closure. Terrace is untikely to be immune from this trend, RCMP costs, already the fastest growing expense in the city budget, could balloon further if Victoria slashes its share and foists an increased burden on locals. The cily is also picking up signs the province is look- ing at trimming transit subsidies, forcing local taxpayers to cover an increased share of the bus system’s costs. ‘ Council could also find itself pressured to pitch in for forest recreation sites and trails, if not parks. And then there’s the long-awaited community charter. Introduction of the document, now delayed until the new year, is supposed to redefine how local government operates, delivering sweeping new powers — including new methods of taxation. Many in local government circles fear the new money-raising powers will come with costly new duties ~ which would coincidentally reduce Victoria’s expendi- tures while forcing local councils to find the money. The current council has taken a firm stand against any hint of government downloading. Councillors have Tefused tax-exempt status for local non-profits that get grant money from Ottawa or Victoria. Will they stick to those principles when key govern- ment services or jobs here are on the line? Multiplex referendum. Will the next city council forge ahead with construction of a multiplex without a fresh mandate from voters? Three years ago Terrace tax- payers said yes to borrowing $7.6 million for the project in concert with rural taxpayers. Unfortunately, Thornhill EP AD is Saher eS vr y > Cana House® be where all of your printing and copying ba needs are completed with mi rx _fastserviceat reasonable prices. Ny WE PN r it r > GOLOURPRINTING = rs Business Cards - Office Stationary " % Adverising Layout & Design - Brochures" Flyers - Posters - Newsletters -Menus — ¥; » . - Fi x Absolutely Anything on Paper r ™ Give us a call today at 635-1872 % bs or Fax us at 635-1868 ‘i VUVVVUUUUU Seats are limited. Conditions apply. Jazz Air Inc, doing business as Air Canada Jazz™. Destina.ca is a trademark of Dastina.ca Inc. Alr Canada Jazz and Aeroplan® are trademarks of Air Canada, Aeroplan new mamber offer appltes to flight seoments eligible for Agraplan Mila scaurndaton only, Appiles to voted the project down, leaving the validity of the Ter- race vote in doubt. The new council has to decide if it will commit to a referendum before building. Nightclub hours. Terrace’s main bars plan to take advantage of new government legislation allowing them to stay open until 4 a.m. City councils have been given . veto power over the late openings, however, so the new council will have to wrestle with the pros and cons of al- lowing two more hours of drinking. The next big box. The retail giant Wal-Mart has a store in Quesnel and is nearly ready to open one in Prince George. Terrace is also on its radar screen. If Wal-Mart does indeed try to locate here, expect concer- ted local opposition. Council will be torn between that pull and the real- izatian Wal-Mart could simply locate elsewhere in the ' Tegion ~ even just across the river where its properly’ taxes wouldn’t benefit Terrace. Alcan power. Skeena MLA Roger Harris has set the , cat among the pigeons by suggesting Alcan could be al- . lowed to sel! power beyond the confines of Kitimat. A» power transmission tariff would be geared to make it un- economical for Alcan to sell the energy beyond the northwest. Harris says the pawer could then be used to bring new industries and jobs to places like Terrace and Prince Ru- pert. Kilimat fears the demise or decline of its aluminum smelter, and cails it a dangerous idea. It puts Terrace councillors on the spot because they haven’t iaken any firm stand on the Alcan power sales issue yel ~ despite pleas from Kitimat for support. Next week. A look at some achievements of this council, its mistakes and its unfinished business. Correction AN EDITING error in an Oct. 23 letter to the editor changed its meaning. Written by Ross Sparkes, the fetter commented on in- cumbent school district trustees Hal Stedham and Gary Turner. Mr. Sparkes indicated that because both have re- latives employed by the school district, they could not vote on school closures this spring because of a conilict of interest. The letter, as edited, did not reflect that intent Here is the correct wording: “Remember spring 2002 when they were voting on school closures and these two trustees couldn’t vote be- cause it could have been a conflict of interest?” SEB EG An Oct. 23 editorial indicated city council should move, quickly to declare land bequeathed by Eleanore Muehle as a park and be named Muehle Memorial Park as requested. _ In fact, that has already taken place. "0% OFF” ALL-BEDD! INSTOCK &CUS Prue [SALE ENDS NOV. 3/02 | | Yellow. 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