The way T see it... by Stephanie Wiebe --Wanna hear something dumb? The City of Terrace has decided that 80 three- and four- year-olds gathered together with a qualified teacher, in a classroom setting does not con- stitute a school. ’ This has come about because of traffic congestion at Netty Olson’s Preschool at Eby Street and Loen Avenue. Netty and the parents would like a sign erected to warn motorists - ~ that there is a preschool near- by; and to please be cautious. They’re not letting preschoolers wander about the streets un- accompanied; they simply want: a sign to notify drivers that there are smail children in the area. A reasonable request. But the city says that Netty Olson’s is not a “‘school”’, arid ‘therefore, cannot have a ‘school zone”’ sign erected. ‘So Mrs, Olson has asked for a cautionary sign, announcing that there are small children ‘playing nearby. The official reply was that parents should compose 4. letter, stating the reasons for wanting the sign. Then council would be ap- proached witli the concerns, consider the request, and ‘possibly take appropriate ac- tion. Evidently, even this cau-- ‘tionary sign would be’a dubious possibility, since Eby Street is a main thoroughfare, -and traffic is considered too heavy for such a restraint. | I’m sorry, but J find it hard to believe that the city needs to have us notify them of our ‘reasons for wanting such a sign. What do they think? That we like the decorative effect it ‘would create on the street? That ‘we feel it would create - more shade in the summer, and give passing motorists some- thing to read for entertain- * Ambulanc » The fee. charged to B.C. ‘residents for a basic ambulance call (less than 40 kilometers) has been raised to $37 from $35, Health Minister. Peter Dueck an- nounced recently. Other fees, 3 for additional mileage after;:the first 40 kilometers, i for non-resident users, and for stand-by am- ‘bulances have also been raised. Dueck said the raises, - ‘which | took effect April 1, will main- tain the Emergency "Health Ser- vices Commission's cost recovery level at about 15. per- cent of the actual real cost of B.C.’s ambulance service. ‘The real average cost to tax- payers for an ambulance call in ‘B.C. is about $305,’’ said Dueck. ‘‘The relatively ‘modest fees which the Commission ‘endeavors.to recover pay for on- ly a small part of total operating costs.’’ . The Minister also pointed out that British Columbians, in fact, enjoy one of the least expensive ‘ambulance services. in Canada, Not. ‘to tention the «| 1.8; A, ment? That we can’t think of any way to spend tax: ‘dollars: other than unneccessary sign erection? ~ Maybe sarcasm is not the way to get a sign erected, but I cannot believe the bureaucracy involved in something like this. Netty Olson has done so much for my child in the last two years, She has taught my child to write her name, to count — and recognize colors, to share with others, to know traffi¢ rules, to plant seeds, clean up after herself, care for a pet, and wear boots in the rain. She has encouraged generosity, co-~ operation, consideration, kind- “ness, and fair play. Yet her institution is not rec- ognized as a “‘school”’. Many children cross Eby Street, unaccompanied, from the various schools in the area. "Traffic is often slowed or stop- ped by crossing children, I didn’t realize that the city con- siders motor traffic more im- portant than pedestrians. No ‘wonder that poor j an was run over on Lakelse Al e, not so long ago. He should’ve known better than to impede traffic on _ a major roadway. - By the time this sign gets ‘through the red tape.of coun-‘* ‘cil, if it does, my child will no Jonger be in Netty Olson’s (par- : don the expression) school. She'll be in a recognized. public. ’ school, where there’s no prob-— lem getting cautionary road © signs erected. But what about: the other three- and four-year- olds still attending Netty’s? Well, you can gun your engines ‘as you drive past, and don’t even look to see if one of the little tykes has escaped. Those children should be in a proper ‘school anyway. e fees. rise where private . Jambulances routinely bill more than $200 for acall, . 7 In Alberta, residents are charged nearly $150 for an am- bulance trip, and. $1.80 per kilometer for travel. In British Columbia, by comparison, the mileage charge (which is only applied to trips of more than 40 km) has been raised from 35 to 40 cents per kilometer, with a maximum charge of $227, up from the previous maximum of $216. For transporting non- residents of B:C., the pick up charge goes to $108 from $100, and mileage raised from $1.75 to $1.85 per kilometer. ‘To hire a provincial am- bulance to stand by-at a specific location in case of medical emergency, the fee goes from $100 to $108 per hour. The Minister also pointed out that B.C. had one. of the most capable‘and highly-trained am- bulance attendant. fleets in the ‘ world.: Holkestad (above) and other members of the ‘Terrace Peaks Gymnastic Club, local resi- dents pledged more than $1,000 in donations at the club’s opening **brick sale” Saturday in the Skeena. Mall.’ The Peaks are attempting to” raise money for construction of an ambitious gymnasium. project in order.to give their members — and other local athletic organizations —- a home _ facility in which. to practice and put on public displays of their skills. The young gymnasts. presently use Clarence Michiel Elementary School, but each session requires a laborious set-up and take-down procedure for vaults, bars, mats and other equipment. Club representative Maria Mateus says - they are presently in a situation made Peaks kick off brick sale inspired by the aerial grace of Kirsten awkward by bureaucratic directives. They _have applied for a $450,000 GO BC grant, -but have been told that evidence of substan- tial local fundraising has to be demonstrated before the grant application receives ap- . proval. The group has approached Terrace ° City council, Mateus said, with a request for land on which: to ‘build the project. Apparently, however, the city would like to see the | government grant approved before pursuing .the land issue. Without the land, getting local donations j is difficult. Discussions are continuing with the city. “We've gone this far, and one way or another we’re going to finish it,”? Mateus said. : fe. 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