A6 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 21, 2003 CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Board must postpone four-day week plan Dear Sir: I'm writing as a Kiti K’Shian parent imposition of the four-day school week, gather there are three recurring themes: of reducing costs — bul there is little evi- fiscal responsibilities. dence demonstrating any academic bene- fits to this form of educational delivery. from the four-day week must be reinves- basic operating costs. will the message be heard. 3. Meaningful stakeholder involvement board’s own. and communities, are known. Ment appropriate options. In some jurisdictions school boards others abandoned it as a costly failure. between a rock and a hard place. Even though [ am critical of the way pressing confidence in our children's fu- _ Sunday, June 15th, 2003 on Father's Day the board has made the decision to pro- tures. The choice is ours. — Lars Reese-Hansen Terrace B.C. ceed with the four-day week, I think that the responsibility for our educational di- Take lead on Alcan An open letter to ministers Rick Thorpe, Geoff Plant and Richard . Neufelds oo. oof oily Prior to your May 28 meeting with the District of Kitimat, the Terrace and District Chamber of Commerce want to express its concern for the future of Alcan in the northwest, The matter being brought to you on the sub- ject of Alcan has impacted on the whole of the north- west as well as the District of Kitimat. The subject is complex, [& Tequiring, we believe, your immediate attention in order that a resolution can be negotiated that ensures Alcun’s continuing com- mitment to the northwest, If we are to compete for Alcan’s future capital in- vestments, we believe there is a role to be played by government as well as the labour unions and the community. Together we have to create an investment cli- mate that makes BC (heir location of choice, But the government of British Co- lumbia has to take a lead in this initiative, In spite of all the natur- al attributes we enjoy — timber, minerals, hydro, two ports, a rail line and an educated work force - northwest B.C. is languish- ing. Certainly as a result of global circumstances but also other factors. We believe there is need for a well-crafted in- dustrial development and retention policy by your government to ensure si- - milar situations do not occur and provide a cli- mate of security for future major industrial invest- ment. Alcan is the main economic fundamental for the northwest. For their fii- ture, our future and the fu- ture of B.C. we ask that you work to ensure that their investments continue to flow to this region. , We hope this: meeting with the District of Kitimat creates a. framework for the future dialogue on the sustainability of Alcan and other investment in the northwest. Terrace & Disirlct Chamber of Commerce board of directors “Phone /Fox. (250). Sivmerrnenniavet Water lily 4 Bay Resort! Everyday Value Pricing An independent market research firm surveys the marketplace twice to be competitively priced. | Technicians are your assurance of top quality service. Nobody knows your Toyota better. lemma does not rest with the board alone. Clearly, as a result of the provincial who has serious concerns about the ero- government’s new education funding poli- sion of our school system leading to the cies, our school district is in crisis. Declining enrolment, combined with Based on information I’ve been able to provincial fiscal restraints, has compro- mised the school board’s ability ta meet 1. Yes, the four-day week is a means fundamental educational objectives and In order to reverse a bad situation we have an obligation to let our concerns be 2, In order to offset drawbacks associa- known. I recommend parents and con- ted with this schedule, savings gained | cerned community members to: 1, Convincingly urge the province to ted back into education, especially for fund our school system adequately. Our those students who are at risk (and who regional circumstances are unique and in- are typically the big losers under the adequately addressed by the current fund- plan). Apparently, however, in our dis- ing formula — our children have a right to trict's case, this is not an option because a decent education, equal to that of other all savings will barely meet the district's parts of the B.C. Only when we speak up 2. Encourage the school board to post- =. . is essential to the successful implementa- pone their decision to implement the four- R IVERBO AT tion of structural school changes that day week by one year — even if this re- have far-reaching implications such as quires some deficit financing. This would the four-day week. Unfortunately, the pro- allow the district to meaningfully include cess followed here has had little regard stakeholders, properly evaluate the full for anyone’s perspective except the range of options and areas of potential savings, appeal to the province for more Neither the four-day week’s education- money, and build the community support al benefits, nor its impacts to families and buy-in required to successfully imple- If our community allows the standard have supported the four-day week while of education to continue to slip — and under the current conditions it will - it is I realize the trustees’ intent was to not only our children’s educations that " make the best of a bad situation. They are _ will suffer, but our society as a whole. Strong education is an investment ex- P Rovodeedt db, Ti soho ere & Sn homhotsprings & wo'enlides. each year to confirm that we continue Fixed Right The First Time = Our Toyota-trained and experienced . What Is the government doing to promote small scale salvage logging? a Gver a thousand British Columbians derive their income directly from salvaging individual trees or small paiches of diseased of fallen timber considered uneconomic for the commerctal forest industry. Thal’s why a key component of the Forest; Revitalization Plan is ensuring the small-scale salvage logging progeam works = for.the communities and for those who work 1a support their fumiltes through S this program. _ : As someone who has worked in:the industry and eset a i now a5 an MLA, | have heard many complaints about the current system and that's why we are going to change the ministry's rogram of nan-competitively awarded licences atell location vs U.. I for small-scale timber sulvage after fiscal year 2003/04, We.want-to fix.the high ane yollary administrative costs and Inefficiencies, we. want-a. program that. creates: more opportunities. : ce. incleding Collectables, Electricalsand New Atrhg We have appointed an MLA small-scale salvage review committee to oversee the restructuring af small-scale salvage opportunities in BC. 20s ee There will be a one-year transition periad to enable exlsting salvagers to adjust to. a more. market-principled environment of competitively awarded licences. Part of the transition isa new salvage-based non-replaceable forest licence, As well, goverment will create a INVENTORY MUST BE CLEARED, : ne. AS well govem ‘ INCLUDING NEW STOCK! | an asagenent estas {hat se ‘ ow interest communit es to. E j _ | The small scale salvage review: committee will help. the shifi (oa more efficient, competitive salvage system by monitoring implementation of the new salvage licences and providing recommendations to the Minister of Forests to maximize the program's benelits. : os _ _ Forest health also benefits from a sirong and effective salvage’ program. Wind-hrown trees can create a reservole for insects to breed in and multiply and this spreads into the. surrounding healthy forest, and destroys it, . ; The small scale salvage committee will be holding hearings in the norhwest in June. , Phone: 250-615-4828 .)Email: roger.harris.mla@leg.bc.ca Website: WWWw.rogerharrismla.bec.ca 10 MAKE ROOM HAIF THE Noon-5:00-pm_ 800-563-4362. 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