Hard hit Stewart pins hopes | hopes on new forest licence STEWART’S MAYOR hopes a plan to create at least one and possibly more forest licences will bring jobs to a community hit hard by a mine closure and’ forest shutdown. Tiny Stewart is entering the second year of a depressed economy caused by logging shutdowns con- nected to the Skeena Cel- lulose crisis and the decision by Westmin Resources to close its Premier gold mine. “Our population is 550, down from 1,400 just a couple of years ago,’’ said Andy Burton last week. Some familics stayed on for a bit as primary bread- winners went elsewhere for work but they have also now moved out, he said. “People are hurting, We’re dependent on forestry and mining and when those are dowa, it’s bad,’’ Burton continued. Burten himself has been affected — he’s closed his drycleaning business and a ° 20-unit apartment building — he owns has just one tenant. But be sees hope in recommendations being for- warded ito forest minister Dave Zimbhelt for forest tenure in the area. ' At the very least they'll result in a forest licence al- lowing a company to cut 62,500 cubic metres of wood a year for perhaps as long as 15 years. But there could be more . wood allocated over a shorter term as an incentive to place a wood processing facility in Stewart, says the forest service official work- ing on the recommenda- tions. ‘The minister has alrea.y said the intent is to benefit Stewart,”’ said Steve Os- ae a Andy Burton bome. 7 And since 62,500 cubic metres isn’t a lot in terms of having a company make an investment, a short term in- fusion of more wood would help, he said. Arena getting boost from northwest body HARD-PRESSED Stewart has received $20,000 to help operate its arena complex this winter. With the economy of the northem town on the downturn and many people leaving, the local council lacked the tax dollars to keep it open, said the man from the agency which came up with the money. ‘What it came down to was the quality of life. That complex in Stewart is central to life there in the winter,’’ said Joe Whitney from 16-37 Community Futures. Although better well-known for assisting businesses through advice and loans, 16-37 a year ago applied to its federal sponsor, an agency called Western Economic Diver- sification, for a one-time $20,000 grant that could be then given to a deserving north- west community. Even then, said Whitney, 16-37 had Stewart in mind. ‘We specifically applied for Stewart,” he said. Fortunately, about enough said. Having the said Whitney. me VOLUNTEERS & AGENCIES and Seniors Information Access Christmas donations and bequests are always welcomed and a official tax receipt is issued. Please give generously. Call 638-1330 or visit 101B - 4621 Lakelse Avenue. Helping seniors, adult learners and the community of Terrace. Registered Charity No. 0927632-59 - NVWAGNVH DNid 13H COMMUNITY READER & WRITERS NUN VV ‘LOOK WHO'S > TAKING THE | Brian Lindenbach, Terrace Standard Darrl Law, Mix 590 Bruce Martindale, Web North Ed Benney, Co-op Dale Lufkin, Overwaitea Chris Kofoed, Skeena Cable Renita Nays, Skeena Broadcasters Fiona McNair, Kinnettes Jim Stewart, Royal Bank Stu Muir, Safewa 7th Annual Stewart arena, “For curling, for figure skating, for hock- - ey, for community mectings, that building is vital to Stewart's needs,”’ he said. Failure to keep the complex open could force yet more people to leave, Whitney the $20,000 grant is just to cover the shortfall at the Whitney added. complex open has resulted in an effort to host regional ice-based sporting events. ‘By bringing people into the com- munity, it becomes a source of develop- ment for the hotel and bed and breakfasts,’” That short term wood would come from the amount not cut this year by Orenda Forest Products and ’ Buffalo Head Forest Pro- ducts, two Skeena Cellulose subsidiaries. “The condition is that the wood be processed here and that’s good. We’re eternal optimists,’’ said Burton of the forest licence plans. *"We have the infrastruc- ture — water, power, docks, the roads,’’ the mayor noted. Most of all, Stewart has power thanks to a B.C. Hydro line put in nearly 10 years ago. The 138kv line was to be the foundation for industry in Stewart because it offered a stable source of electricity, replacing diesel generators. Westnin did use the line to run its Premier gold mine. Burton noted that the B.C. Hydro line is carrying just two megawatts of power, signficaatly less than its 40 megawatt rating. kakkkk Osbome said recom- mendations to create a new forest licence tied to build- ing a processing facility in Stewart shouldn’t be con- fused with an agreement struck between Repap (now Skeena Cellulose) and the province last year. When Repap took over Orenda Forest Products it said it would use its best ef- forts to establish a process- ing facility in Stewart. That plan died when Repap began its economic slide toward the bottom, When you can't breathe, nathing else matters. BRITISH COLUMBIA LUNG ASSOCIATION T31-LUNG or 1-800-665-LUNG The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 10, 1997 - A13 # HLART ett | Looking For Something H A Little Different For Your New Tanning Children’s Birthday Party Booth ” Birthday Party Package for 10 Children’ - al Richards Laundromat pitti bata eoge 7 & Cleaners on Emerson ; ‘hot dats, Popar snacks $6955. 48 Lamps, 19 fans, i One Great Tan! A Book Your Christmas Staff Party Today! 635-5119 4 MULLIGAN'S HOMERUN } *. 4618 Hwy. 16, Terrace ory 2 (Behind Homa Hardware) ne a #1 In Town 635-1180 9 75-20. ~ ANNOUNCEMENT — Northwest Hearing Services of Terrace, B.C. is pleased to announce that, effective September 1997, the clinic formally entered into a franchise agreement with Vicloria-based Island Acoustics. The Terrace clinic is now known as Island Acoustics Hearing Services. Managing Audiologist, Peter Russell M. Se. Aud (C) and his team will continue to manage ‘the clinic and personally provide hearing health care services for their existing and. new clients. , This exciting new development provides Northwest Hearing Services’ cli- ents and the doctors who refer them, with an even wider range of benefits. Canadian owned and operated Island Acoustics isthe province's largest - and most progressive provider of hearing health services, with more than 30 locations throughout British Columbia. The firm has béen built’on the basis of providing the highest standard of client service possible, com- bined with uncompromising integrity. a Island Acoustics’ services have been referred by physicians since 1978. Island Acoustics Hearing Services provides services to your area. We look forward to your patronage in the coming year and we wish all of you asafe and happy holiday season. 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