nT RR M@ Accident mars Toy Run STAN KcKAY, the motorcyclist who was to cress up as Santa to lead the Toy Run parade, was injured in an accident which hap- pened just before the parade started Jast Saturday, Motorcyclists from around the northwest had gathered at the weight scales prior to the parade. Six-year-old Zach Preston was looking at the bikes, when he ran suddenly in front of McKay, who was travelling slowly Rural builders blind to rules at the time. McKay braked hard, and the boy sustained only cuts and bruises. However, McKay injured his knee badly. The parade did go on though. It was the 15th annual Toy Run parade, and donations of toys were given to the Salvation Amy. This is the first time there's ever been an accident during the event, said Roadrun- ners member James Gilham. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, October 1, 1997 - A3 . News In Brief Speed limit upped DON'T think you’re speeding if you find yourself, pushing 100 kilometres per hour along Highway 37 towards Kitimat. That’s because the recommended posted speed limit has just been increased from 90 km/h to 100 along much of the route, The changes came about after a review based on acci- dent history, road alignment and the fact the majority of drivers are already travelling at that speed. Amalgamation the topic THE REGIONAL district and the City of Terrace are holding several informal open-house meetings leading up to the referendum on amalgamation. The meetings offer a chance for members of the pub- lic to ask questions and get answers about the possible restructure of the two communities. The next meeting will take place Oct. 7 from 7-9 p.m. at the Thomhill Community Hall. Another meeting will be held Oct. 14 at the same time and place. A booth will also be set up in the Skeena Mall on Oct, 10 and 11, and staff will be on hand to answer questions. More smokers up here PEOPLE IN the north smoke more than those in the Lower Mainland, according to a survey released by the health ministry and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The telephone survey reached about 18,000 people aged 12 years and over, One of the findings was that tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke are 33 per cent greater in the north, and are about double for aboriginal people compared to the provincial average. While the over all rating of smokers is down from 29 per cent in 1991 to 23 per cent, about 25 per cent of those smokers are between the age of 15 to 18 years. Teens light up for social reasons but admit that cost and unattractive physical effects are deterrents. We didn’t know, violators tell the regional district By DAVE TAYLOR YES, THERE are building regula- tions in Thornhill and the outlying areas. And if there aren’t followed, it could cost you. That's the word the regional dis- trict wants to get to the public after being hit with a rash of requests for development variance permits. The planning commiltce has been inundated with the requests lately from residents of Thornhill and the outlying areas. While the areas don’t bave build- ing inspectors, they do have zoning bylaws, And that means buildings have to adhere to certain size, Rest i By An Arctic Cat Now’s the time to make your moye on an arctic Cat.® That's because if you buy a new ‘98 Cat™ You'll get $200 in Cat Cash™ to use for quality Arcticwear® clothing, and genuine Arctic Cat parts and accessories. We also have great financing options you won't want to miss. And with one full lineup of Arctic Cat sleds, you're sure to find the machine you want, But you'd better hurry because deals like these won't ARTE CAT What Snowmobiling’ Al About stick around for long. You only have until Oct . 30, 1997 aay weor a helmet ond don’t drink and ride. © 1997 Arctic Cot Sales Inc, @™Trademorks of Arctic Cat Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701 (218) 681 4999 ‘NEID eR ne LTD. 7 ~ Phar one 635-3478. height and placement restrictions. But judging from the number of people who appeared before the planning committee Sept. 20, many aren’t aware of the rules. ‘We asked around and everyone said we didn’t need a permit so we started to build,” Blair Pritchard told the committee. Pritchard had started to build an addition to his garage in Thornhill that broke three bylaws regarding size, height and distance from the property line, He stopped when the bylaw enforcement officer notified him of the rules. **This was striclly a situation of not knowing,’’ Pritchard said. “I didn’t realize there were any build- ing regulations enforced in Thorn- hill at this time.”’ Other residents asking for vari- ance also claimed ignorance. One elderly couple living near Kitwanga were totally shocked to find they had built their home toc close to the Skeena River. **We built on precisely the same spot where an old homesteader cabin used to be,’’ said Ronald Scott. ‘‘We figured if he could sur- vive, so could we.”’ The Scotts built their home on a property near Whiskey Creek, about 110 feet back from the Skeena River. But a zoning bylaw requires a 200 foot setback from the river. That has the regional district con- cerned, and the Scotis may be re-: quired to have an enginecring sur- vey done to make sure the home isn’t in danger. The survey could cost between $5,000 and $7,000. “That's a lot of money,’’ Mrs. Scott told the committee. ‘‘We’re living on a pension. We spent all the money we had on this house,”’ Ron Scott explained that they built the house in that spot because it was the highest point on the properly. Had they built at the 200 foot mark, he said, they would be in a low-lying area and in even more danger of flooding. “We know we're on a flood plain, but that’s a chance we were willing to take,’’ Scott said, “*We’re too ald I guess. We've still got the spirit of the old west in us. We're willing to take chances,” The planning committee will start |. an information campaign after the referendum to make sure people in the outlying areas are aware of the building restrictions. Springwall Bunk Matiress Single Size Only Springwall Single Mattress 532 Call Count Superlastic coll system Edge guards 5 year warranty plus additional 5 years pro-rated Springwall Silver Queen Mattress & Box Spring 312 Bonnell Coll Count Construction S year pro-rated warranty 608 Coil Supertastic call system- Edge Guards 45 year full warranty. 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Man charged with arson AFTER A FOUR month investigation, Lisims/Nass Valley RCMP have charged a 22-year-old man with two counts of arson in connection with two residential fires set on May 25. One residence contained a family of four who were asleep at the time. They escaped unharmed but their home was a total loss, The other house received minor damage but no one was home. Springwall Pillow Top Chiropractic Royale Queen Mattress & Box Spring Big Bed! Mattress Is A Whopping 14” in Height © Cther features Inciued pillow top, 544 duraflex Interactive coil construction ~ Edga Guards - 10 year full warranty Springwall Royal Majesty Pocket Coil Queen Set 713 high profile pocket colls - extramely comfortable bed, full 10 year Totem’ Ss ; Countrywide Furniture & Appliance 4501 Lakelse Ave. 4+-B00-813-1158 : S3B- 1168 piesa ‘The value has never been better’ — Tal Terrace wwe TTT TTT re Tee weer vars