nr ed Undersea riches oil and gas\NEWS A14 Prince Rupert thinks it has found a new industrial base — offshore Warm, dry and cheap Hitting the big time indoor walking is a perfect way to get a comfortable yet valuable workout\COMMUNITY B1 A local hockey player is headed to an American school thanks to a scholarship\SPORTS BE WEDNESDAY November -26; 1997 a we cet * (? é ST | Casino firm eyes ie pane ere FINE FINESSING results In perfect card fans on the part of Royal Diamond Casino croupier Steve Benson in Vancouver, Casino owner Gary Jackson wants to NDARD THORNHILL and Kitsumkalum have replaced Terrace as the frontrunning sites for a casino in this area. Terrace city councillors shot down the idea of building a casino within city limits by a 5-2 vote Monday night. That kills the proposal by Terrace Inn owner John Georgilas and rules out the old River Industries location on Keith Ave. that was being considered by Royal Diamond Casinos of Vancouver, But Royal Diamond president Gary Jackson also has a proposal before the Kitsumkalum band council to build a casino on the highway just west of Terrace. And Jackson also has a lease agreement with Palagian Contracting to lease a building that would be constructed at 3671 Hwy 16 East in Thomhill. The three acres of land is located off Frontage Rd. near Kenworth Trucks. And the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District board is expected to vote Dec. 5 on whether to allow the development in Thornhill. How the regional district vote goes could depend heavily on Thornhill director Les Watmough. That’s because some directors in outlying regions, such as Telegraph Creek’s Dave Brocklebank, say they're uncomfostable voting as outsiders on something crucial to Thomhill’s future. “In my heart the only way [ can tepresent the _ interests of Thornhill is to follow the lead of their elected official,” Brocklebank said. ‘I will probably go with whatever he says.” Watmough, however, is giving no clear indi- 93¢ PLUS 7¢ GST VOL. 10 NO, 33 Thornhill, reserve Terrace city council says no, but casino developer still has cards up his sleeve “But I don’t want to unduly influence anybody else, There are so many angles that this is really avery difficult issue.” Watmough did say that the church groups had put forward some good arguments against hav- ing casinos in the area. “The only pro argument really is economic,” he said. “And then the province and the opera- tor still get most of that.” The casino proposal was on the agenda of last weekend’s regional district board meeting, but tather than vote on the issue then, the matter was labled until Dec. 5. Terrace director Jack Talstra and New Hazelton director Pete Weeber made the tabling motion to give them time to consult with their city councils. Hut Stewart director Andy Burton and Brocklebank voted against the tabling motion. “These people (casino proponents) deserve an answer,” Burton said. “] think they’re enti-- tled to know where they stand.” About 20 other people, mostly church lead- ers, filled the regional district boardroom Friday evening to speak against casinos in Thornhill. Supporting the idea were Royal Diamond's Jackson, chamber of commerce representative Skip Bates, and Sharalyn Palagian, represent- ing Palagian Contracting. Jackson says his decision to go after sites in both Thornhill and Kitsumkalum was aimed at increasing his chances of success. And he says the Kitsumkalum band’s poten- lial involvement ups the ante because it would be in the band’s best interest to choose a desti- cation as to how he’ Ll vote. NEGOTIATIONS to save Skeena Cellulose may contin- ue until right up to the last minute this week. The province is negotiating to buy out the Royal Bank’s share of the company and restructure it along with the Toronto Dominion Bank. Court-appointed monitor Martin Hyatt, of Coopers and Lybrand, remains optimistic that a deal is possible. There are no plans to change a deadline of this Friday for the company to submit a restructuring plan to the court, he added Monday. “If there’s going to be a deal, it’s got to happen this week,” expand his operations to Tertace and area but has been running into a wide variety of opinions and op- position from local politicians and groups. Council rejects casino here By JEFF NAGEL WHILE SOME city councillors struggled with the decision to accept or reject a casino, others found it an easy one to make. “In a situation like this you have to put principles before dollars,” councillor Val George said in mov- ing a molionto reject gambling here. He said the price of dealing wilh social. problems ‘would be more than the revenue gained by the chari- ‘ties and the province combined. George, Linda Hawes, Rich McDanicl, Ron “Vanderlee and mayor Jack Talstra voted 5-2 to kill ‘the casino idea Monday night. Councillors Tim *Down and David Hull were in favour of considering va casino here. : “Gambling docsn’t create any wealth at all,” ‘George said. “Somebody wins and somebody loses. And in the case of casinos, the big winners are the ‘casino operators - just about everybody else loses.” ‘ Councillors were under heavy pressure by church- ‘es another other groups who oppose casinos and by ‘charities and the chamber of commerce who ‘favoured more gambling here. oe : Hawes says statistics show that hundreds of local “residents would likely become pathological gamblers ‘if a casino was opened here. i ‘ “We must ask how many families are expendable,” Hawes said, “I must say in the pursuit of the almighi ‘dollar, the ends don’t justify the means.” © - The only studies that support opening casinos ate ones prepared by the provincial. government, she said. “And the government itself is the proponent of casinos and expanded gambling in B.C.” oa, Hawes added that in order to generate expected proceeds of $1.5 million-plus for local-charities, casi- no patrons will have to lose $5 to $10 million a year in the casino. “I have a problem with ten million dollars leaving our community,” added Vanderlee. Vanderlee said he went lo a casino in Windsor, Ontario recently while on a business trip and talked to people there who clearly had become addicted to ’ pambling. “It scares me what it will do to our families,” Vanderlee said, Talstra said the market for such a casino in the northwest could not extend beyond Houston, “You're draining $5 to $10 million-plus aut of the communily,” Talstra said. “That is a whopping sum of money that the retail stores in this town cannot afford lo lose.” But those in favour of a casino were focussed on the threat if it locates nearby. ‘Down predicted the casino development will simp- ly move to either Thornhill or to Kitsumkalum. “Then we will suffer with the social impacts and receive none of the benelits,” he said. , The two councillors in favour also noted that chari- ties stand to watch bingo and other revenues decline wilh nothing to replace it. . “We are creating a society of beggars and that’s a sad thing,” he said. ve : Those groups will be in more difficulty in the years ahead If bingo revenues decline and there is no chari- ty casino to make up the difference, he said, "Hull said focal people must realize that if their will is to.not have a casino here, then they better be pre- pared to be more generous in future years and help - make up the difference themselves: “We'll have to get off our butts and make sure we " support this town,” he said. ‘Down followed up the vote with a new motion tohold a referendum to ask local citizens whether they want a casino here. He said it could be argued that council is not par- ticularly representative of Terrace because it’s made up of predominantly white, middle-aged men. “] don’t think we represent the majority of people,” hesaid. Down also suggested councillors opposed to a casi- no were confusing church and state in dealing with it asa moral issue. “It’s very disappointing to see everything relating back to moral issues,” Down said. “Thal’s very pious of this council if that’s the way ihey’re tackling this.” However, most other councillors said they had to stick with their decision, rather than hold a referen- dum to negate their vote. The idea was voted down 5- 1 with only Down in favour. Talstra said he, too, is concerned that a casino could be set up just outside of town, He said he would have preferred (o hold off the city decision and try to broker a consensus decision with the city, regional district and local bands hopefully all reaching the same conclusion. Council, however, wanted to render a quick decision since it was clear no positions were likely to change. ” But Talstra reserved his strongest criticism for the provincial government for forcing the decision on local governments. ; He noted that the government first proposed expanded gambling in 1989 and then had talked of a formula in which Victoria would take 10 per cent. That figure has ballooned to two-thirds of the take. “That suggests to me:the province is in trouble, looking for.casti,” he said. a “Il is regrettable that things that are difficult are foisted upon 1s": a “)’ve pretty well made up my mind,” he said. * nation casino, which would bring the reserve Hyatt said. “We believe it’s going to happen this week. We are still working towards filing a plan by Friday.” Premier Glen Clark also made comments Monday pre- dicting a deal is in the offing. The latest round of negotia- tions began after the company indicated that another $40- million infusion was needed to continue operations. Poor Asian markets were blamed for the company’s poorer than expected perfor- mance after the summer-long shutdown ended. But the two banks and the province have so far been Continued Page A2 Deadline looms for SCI deal unable to agree on how to share those cosls. And nego- tiations continue over the pos- sibility of the province buying out the Royal Bank's position. Word also came last week that Dan Miller was no longer representing the province al the negotiating table in the wake of reports that he’d used - abusive language in talks with the bankers, who then refused to deai with him. Employment and invest- ment ministry spokesman Don Zadravec said Miller is stil! involved, but the Premier’s deputy — Doug McArthur — is now the pro- vince’s chief negotiator. vices in the northwest. new surgical equipment. was no longer safe to use. couver for surgery. by the government. money,” said Leisinger. trict. Eye service to get money THINGS ARE looking good for ophthalmology ser- The provincial government has approved 60 per cent of the nearly $130,000 needed to go toward buying Last month, ophthalmologist Dr. Thomas Nagy said his services were being greatly compromised due to damaged and aging equipm The situation reached a crisis level when the YAG laser — the instrument used for glaucoma surgery — ent. This left many patients from the northwest with little option, but to travel to cither Prince George or Van- The Terrace and Arca Community Health Council applied for the moncy to a special account maintained by the health ministry for emergencies. Michael Leisinger, chief executive officer for the health council confirmed the money has been approved “T haven't received a letter yet, but we've received official confirmation that the ministry is giving us the The remaining 40 per cent — about $45,000 — will come from the Kitimat-Stikine Regional Hospital Dis- The opthalmology service was based at Wrinch Memorial Hospital for years before being moved to Mills Memorial Hospital here. With the move came equipment bought by Mills. It’s this equipment whcin needs replacing because it is aging and not safe to use,