AB - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 19, 1997 ‘

Humans get heave-ho
from recording jobs

TERRACE’S SUPREME Court will have
to rely on tape recorders to cover proceed-
ings now that the provincial government
has announced tuey are firing all 125 of its
court reporters,

Last week’s move was part of a plan by
the government to save $4,7 million an-
nually in court costs.

“It came completely from out of
nowhere,”’ says Terrace’s only court
reporter, Doug Lebel, ‘'There was no warn-
ing whalsoever. This is not a nice thing to
have happen to you.”’ .

Lebel, who came from Alberta specifical-
ly for the jab, says he will probably have to
leave town to look for employment.

"*] hate to leave, everyone has been really
goad to me here,” he says. “Maybe I can
wait it out for when they change their
minds.”

Lebel points out the government tried
firing all the court reporters in 1984 — a
measure that he says failed miserably.

“The tapes didn’t work and the judges
went nuts, so they hired us back on con-
tract,’’ Lebel says.

Then, in 1993, a provincial enquiry

determined the reporters were actually
doing the work of government employees
and it ordered them reinstated in the public
service, ,

“When they keep changing their minds
like this — that’s what costs so much
nioney,’” Lebel says. ‘It must have cost a
fortune fast time.’”

The ministry expects to save $2.3 million
by climinating ‘the court reporters, another
$1.6 million by closing 11 court bouses
across the province and a further $800,000
by dropping the B.C. Board of Parole.

The nearest courthouse to Terrace slated
for closure is Houston, which will have its
cases heard in Smithers. That is not ¢x-
pected to affect the case-load here, How-
ever, critics say the closures further restrict
public access to the justice system.

Meanwhile Lebel says the government

will eventually figure out the move was a:

mistake, although it might take a disaster
for them to realize it.

“The first recorder that doesn’t work in a
murder trial will be devastating,’’ he says.
‘Then [Il be back.’’

Ski study goes ahead

ECONOMIC. Shames’
viability study of both
Shames Mountain and

Ski Smithers will go

main
backers have
they’re not prepared to
continue pouring money

“Smithers is quite
anxious to have it (the
study) go ahead as ex-
peditiously as possible,’’

local
indicated

=e Sees ST ee ae sae ee SS eer lee er OO lee EE ee eee ee eee

— es we SS

COAST MOUNTAINS

- SCHOOL DISTRICT #82
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR KINDERGARTEN
(TERRACE/STEWART AREA)

In preparation for the 1997-98 school year, the School Board is seeking the cooperation of parents in register-
ing their child on the following dates. Early registration is requested in order to provide the School District

Administration the time to plan staffing io meet school needs.

. REGISTRATION FOR KINDERGARTEN
WILL TAKE PLACE ALL WEEK, MARCH 3-7, 1997
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

To be eligible for entry to school in September 1997, students must be five years of age on or before
December 31, 1997. A birth certificate and proof of immunization will be required at the time of registration.

Please note that by Ministry of Education rules set in Victoria, full day Kindergarten programs will only be

offered to children:
« who have been identified as having special needs,
* who are of First Nations ancestry, or
« who have significant difficulties speaking or understanding English.

Requests for full day instruction should be made at the time of registration and the school will contact you to .

confirm this.

SE eE——————————— OO

ahead.

Whistler-based Ecosign
Mouniain Resort Planners
has been contracted to
carry out the $45,000
study of bath hills with
money put up by Human
Resources Development
Canada.

It's hoped government
agencies will be able to
use the study to help

into the hill.

Martin said Eco Sign
will likely concentrate on
Ski Smithers first, he-
cause there’s greater
urgency there.

The town of Smithers is
embroiled in a
community-wide effort to
raise money to save the
hill, while rumours circu-
late about a new buyer

Martin said.

Feb. 28 is the deadline
for offers to buy Ski
Smithers, and it’s also the
day the hill’s hefty loan
payments to the Royal
Bank come due. If some-
thing doesn’t happen by
that date the bank will be
in a legal position to put
the ski hill into receiver-
ship.

u

Early French Immersion - Kindergarten
This program begins in Kindergarten, with 100 percent instruction in French for at least the first one or two
years. English language arts and subjects taught in English are introduced at higher grade levels, Registration

for French Immersion Kindergarten takes place at Kiti K’Shan Primary.

Shames Mountain Ski stepping forward.
Corp. find refinancing
money,

**16/37 Community Fu-
tures initiated it,’’ said
*Shames president Gerry
Martin. “‘They seem to
think there’s some op-
portunity with some of
the agencies they’re deal-
ing with to arrange some
long-term financing. And

ing around for further in-
vesiment.’”

At the bare minimum,
i's expected the study
will help the ski hill find
ways to hecome more ef-
ficient.

Learn to Fly!
Gosses for the Private Pilots’ Ucence, ond
the Recreational Pilots’ Permit begin
February 20, 1997,
To register, or for more information please
tall Xent: 485918) or Paul: 635-4552
eB

Pacific
Northem
Gasiid

DIVIDEND NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that
the Board of Directors of
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.
has declared a quarterly div-
Idend of 24 cants per share
on the issued and outstand-
ing CLASS A and CLASSB
COMMON SHARES of the
Corporation payable on
March 21, 1997 to share-
holders of record at the
close of business an
March 7, 1997.
By Ordar of tha Board
K,L, Wharton | -
Assistant Secretary

Vancouver, 8.C., Februaty 6, 1997

How are
we doing?

When we fall short of yaur
expectation, please fell ts.
When @ newspaper story does
nat seem to reflect fairly what

en Lait not
Wika. add tA Db al

_it-gives us a tool in look- |} a ”

oye nd

was said, let our editors know
Wher we are unable to solve
your complaint, we encourage
JOU fa submit ft ta the:

B.C. Press Gouncil

$06 - 1281 Wi Georgia St.
Vancouver &.C.VOE 3)7
Tel/Fax (G04) 683-257)
The 8.C. Press Council was

created in /983 as an
independent review boand to
protect the public from press
(inaccuracy or unfairness arntd fo
promote quultty

Journalism,

_ www. bepreascouncit. com/ink

- boty : is o
PE Paap et ep d is Cyeyeeres

~ CONDITIONS OF. INVENTORY ELIMINATION SALE |

@ DUE TO FINAL CLEARANCE PRICES - ALL SALES FINAL @ PRICES APPLY TO INSTORE ITEMS ONLY - MANY OF
WHICH ARE ONE ONLY - NO EXCEPTIONS @ FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTIES IN EFFECT @ NO PAYMENTS -
NO INTEREST TILL JUNE ‘97 - FINANCING AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS

SALE, STARTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1997 - 9: AM SHARP

Totem’s Countrywide

Not just another Sale,
Totem Countrywide’s

See you Thursday.

_Inventory Elimination. The Home |
 Furnishing’s Sale of the Year!

PRICES SLASHED ON EVERYTHING IN THE STORE. SOFAS ¢ RECLINERS ¢ TABLES © ENTERTAINMENT UNITS * BEDS * BEDROOM SETS «
DINING SEIS ¢ WASHER & DRYERS « DISHWASHERS * REFRIGERATORS * RANGES « LAMPS © PICTURES & MUCH MUCH MORE!

Furniture & Appliance

‘THE VALUE HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER’

4501 Lakelse Ave., Terrace « 1-800-813-1158 « 638-1158

a
=
ea) Ga